Acland Street Precinct Prospective Business Hub

City of Port Phillip is enriched by the presence of people from diverse cultural backgrounds. We are home to people from over 163 different birthplaces, with our residents speaking 114 different languages. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

Population (source: economy.id, 2023)

• City of Port Phillip: 109,515
• St Kilda: 21,627

More than half (56.7 per cent) of St Kilda residents are between 25 and 49 years of age.

Discover more information on who lives in Port Phillip, our economic profile and forecast changes in the future.

According to 2021 Census data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics:

• Of the total labour force in Port Phillip, 95.5 per cent of residents were employed, with 63.3 per cent working full-time and 26.6 per cent working part-time.
• In terms of individual income quartiles, 15.5 per cent of residents were in the lowest group, 17.1 per cent were in the medium lowest, 23.6 per cent were in the medium highest, and 43.8 per cent were in the highest.
• In terms of household income quartiles, 19.6 per cent were in the lowest group, 22.5 per cent were in the medium lowest, 24.7 per cent were in the medium highest and 33.2 per cent were in the highest.

The following key customer segments have been identified by Council based on retail analysis conducted by consultancy firm Propella.ai in 2023:

Please note: it is acknowledged that there are other cohorts that may visit Acland Street. However, the abovementioned markets offer the greatest opportunity based on the research.

The below table shows spend going to businesses in the Acland Street precinct by key categories and year-on-year change from 2022/23 to 2023/24 (source: Council iQ)

An engagement program was conducted in November 2023, inviting the community to share their thoughts on current and future shopping behaviour in the Acland Street Precinct. Some of the key findings from the 257 community members who participated include:

76% of participants visit the precinct at least once a week or more.

An increase in diversity of business types was suggested by 220 participants.

The Reinvigorating Shopping on Acland Street: Engagement Summary Report explores how Council engaged with the community and details the feedback collected.

The Acland Street catchment area is defined as 20-minute walking neighbourhood. Theoretical supply and demand analysis by consultancy firm Propella.ai for the catchment area indicates:

Note: This supply and demand assessment is not intended to provide firm recommendations for formulating a retail strategy.

Acland Street is home to approximately 100 ground-floor premises and like many other retail strips saw a rise in the number of vacant shops due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response, a range of Council initiatives have been implemented, contributing to a decrease in the vacancy rate for the street from 17 per cent in 2022/23 to 11.5 per cent in 2023/24.

Acland Street and St Kilda are easily accessed by regular public transport services and bicycle routes. 

Acland Street Precinct Public Transport Map

Acland Street Precinct Bicycle Access Map

Within a 5-minute walk there is ample parking in Council and privately managed carparks, as well as plenty of on-street parking.

Acland Street Precinct Carparks Map

Please note: parking permits are not available for businesses or commercial properties (this includes residential properties utilised as short stay accommodation).