Mainstreet Australia began as Community Business Centres Victoria (CBCV), a not-for-profit membership association established in Melbourne in 1996. It was founded by a group of Victorian participants following the first National Mainstreet Conference in Maryborough, Queensland.
Its mission was to create a forum for information exchange, networking, and professional development for traditional high streets, strip shopping precincts, and town centres (collectively referred to as main streets).
In its early years, CBCV focused on raising awareness about the importance of main streets and those involved in their management, marketing, and development.
The organisation ran regular conferences, professional development sessions, networking events, and bus tours, while promoting best practices both locally and internationally. It also partnered with interstate organisations to organise biannual Australian Mainstreet Conferences and collaborated with the Victorian Government to establish and expand the StreetLife Program in 1999, which introduced 50 coordinated centre management and marketing programs funded by special levies.
In 2007, CBCV rebranded to Mainstreet Australia, reflecting its shift to a more national focus. It worked to foster state-based affiliations, such as Mainstreet SA, while continuing to organise regular National Mainstreet Conferences in partnership with other states. The organisation also invited international practitioners to share insights and conduct workshops in Australia.
Mainstreet Australia has a long tradition of advocacy, lobbying for increased government support for coordinated main street management and marketing programs, including initiatives inspired by Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) globally. Its commitment to research was demonstrated through independent consultancy reports on the Economic Value of Main Streets in Victoria (2011 and 2020).
Since its formation, Mainstreet Australia has continued and expanded its efforts to support and strengthen main streets through a diverse range of initiatives and events. These include:
Research & Advocacy: Building on its commitment to informed decision-making, Mainstreet Australia continues to commission independent research, such as the Economic Value of Main Streets reports, while actively lobbying local and state governments for greater support and funding for main street programs.
Networking & Professional Development: Hosting opportunities for connection and growth through initiatives like Night Shift Sessions, professional development workshops, and networking events tailored for main street managers, marketers, and economic development professionals.
Conferences & Resources: Facilitating National Conferences, and providing a robust library of resources to assist main street practitioners in planning, management, and activation strategies.
Recognition: Highlighting and celebrating success stories through the Meet the Main Street Manager case study series, and the Mainstreet Australia Awards—which have recognised over 35 achievements in main street revitalisation, business associations, and local councils since 2009.
Governance & Support: Offering guidance on governance and advocacy to ensure main street organisations operate effectively and can adapt to emerging challenges.
These practices reflect Mainstreet Australia’s ongoing dedication to building vibrant, resilient, and sustainable main streets and town centres, ensuring they remain central to the social and economic fabric of Australian communities.
