Host Checklist

Gembrook & Emerald Town Centre

Identity & Function Walking Audits

    1. Register your walk. The hosting toolkit will be emailed to you (after June 15)

    2. Contact Kate McMahon directly at Hello City if you have questions or need a modified kit

    3. Decide what kind of walk you are hosting:

      • solo walk

      • small informal group

      • larger promoted event

    4. If you are promoting the walk, use the social media images in the toolkit

    5. Unless you are doing a solo walk, ask one or more people to help you plan. Set up a group chat or meet for coffee

    6. Choose a focus, such as safety, access, food, history, creativity or another function of the town centre that matters to your group

    7. Choose:

      • meeting point

      • rough route

      • finish point

      • place to sit down afterwards

    8. Make a wet weather plan

    9. Check whether participants have any needs or preferences to plan for e.g. mobility, smartphones or paper forms

    10. Choose a day and time. Walks can happen any day or time from Monday 15 June for 2 weeks. Contact us to arrange a later submission date

    11. Invite your group. Aim for around 5 people. Break up into smaller groups if you have 8 or more

    12. If you are using paper forms, bring printed forms, pens and clipboards

    13. Remind participants to bring water, comfortable shoes, weather protection and a smartphone with data if possible

    1. Meet participants at the starting point

    2. Explain the focus of the walk and how the audit will work

    3. Ask participants to open the IFWA app (a link is provided in the toolkit)

    4. Guide the group through the 10 Capture Challenges as you walk. For each challenge, participants can take photos, notes or sketches

    5. Walk slowly. Stop when people notice something

    1. Find a comfortable place for the group to sit down together

    2. Ask participants to look through their photos, notes and sketches

    3. Help the group agree on one response for each Capture Challenge

    4. Ask each participant to fill out the rest of the audit section in the IFWA app or on paper

    5. Discuss the audit scores and lead the Audit Moderation activity

    6. Ask participants to adjust or clarify their individual audit responses if needed

    7. Ask each participant to submit their own audit response

    8. Submit the 10 selected Capture Challenge responses

    9. Collect any paper forms and enter the data manually into the app

Emerald Study Area

Gembrook Study Area

Emerald & Gembrook Walks

FAQs

When can I hold a walk?

1

Walking Audits can be carried out any day or time that works for your group, starting from Monday 15 June for 2 weeks (or longer if needed)

The timeframe is short. Can it be extended?

2

Yes. We’d love it if you can submit your audit before we start the analysis at the end of the June 2026, but we can absolutely accept your input later. Just let us know and we’ll work out the timing with you.

Did I have to attend the Q&A session after the Citizen Planning Walk in Emerald on June 13?

3

Not at all. We added the Q&A to the scheduled event for people who were already planning to attend both. All the information you need will be in the hosting kit, and you can contact us by phone or email with any questions.

When will I get the hosting toolkit and what’s in it?

4

The toolkit includes a short how-to guide, optional printable maps and social media promotional materials. It will be available to download after registration from 15 June. If you’ve already registered, we will email it to you directly.

I want to do a larger event. Can you support that?

5

Your hosting kit will include promotional images you can use on social media. We can also adjust the timing to give you more time to get the word out. You’re also very welcome to call to discuss logistics.

What is the ideal Walking Audit group size?

6

We recommend 1 to 7 people. After that, it may work better to split into smaller groups.

Can I just do a walk by myself or with people who happen to be available on a given day?

7

Absolutely. Spontaneous walks are a good way to deal with the uncertain weather at this time of year. You can do a walk solo or in any size group, and anyone can be part of it. Small and informal walks and larger, more structured events are both supported.

What happens during a Walking Audit?

8

A Walking Audit is a walk around the Emerald or Gembrook town centre, followed by an audit activity.

During the walk you complete the Capture Challenge by taking photos, making sketches or writing notes about key places or elements.

After the walk you share what you discovered, complete the audit activity and discuss your findings. You can complete the activities on a smartphone or on paper. Submissions can be made online or by email.

I would like to do a Walking Audit in a location outside Gembrook or Emerald town centre. Is that okay?

9

Yes. Walking Audits carried out within Cardinia Shire, or in immediately adjacent areas, will provide important context for both the Identity & Function Assessments and the Urban Design Assessments. In general, data from areas outside the project boundaries will not directly inform the assessments, but it can still help build a broader picture of local places, connections and issues.

Is there a cost for our report or for the toolkit?

10

No. There is no cost for participants. This project is being delivered as part of the research program for Cardinia Shire’s Gembrook and Emerald Urban Design Assessments. Walks outside the subject area will be processed by Hello City as part of our pro-bono work with communities.

Get Involved

Host a Walk

Organise and facilitate an Identity & Function Walking Audit in your Gembrook or Emerald town centre by filling out this registration form.

Don’t worry if the details of your walk change after registration, you’ll be able to come back & edit this form.

Join a Walk

Walks are promoted and organised by local groups. Join a local walk or host your own.

If you would like to hold a solo or independent walk outside a local group, contact Hello City directly.