Floral tributes in the Bourke Street Mall after the January tragedy that claimed six lives. Credit:Eddie Jim "I think that's what we're seeing here in the Bourke Street mall." No decision has been made regarding how to memorialise the makeshift tributes, according to the lord mayor. However, an announcement about a permanent Bourke Street memorial that is "reflective, contemplative [and] respectful" will likely be made next week. "People are still laying flowers here [at Bourke Street mall], so it's still a very active scene of grieving and it will remain so until that slows down and stops," he said.

Samar El-Masri with her children Sammy, 8, Fayez, 11, Naydar, 9 and Ella, 3. Credit:Marika Dobbin "But we will probably make some announcements once I've had some more discussions with the Premier." Cr Doyle said he had been in discussions with his New South Wales counterpart to find out what the City of Sydney did following the 2014 Martin Place siege. Carmel Rafferty, from Melbourne's outer east. Credit:Marika Dobbin Sydney's Martin Place was flooded with floral tributes in the wake of the tragedy. The City of Sydney eventually mulched the flowers and digitised the handwritten notes left by passersby.

By Wednesday morning, the makeshift memorial - comprising thousands of flowers, along with handwritten cards and teddy bears - stretched almost the entire length of the GPO building. Joel Sequeira, a nurse from Caroline Springs in Melbourne's west. Credit:Marika Dobbin And the tributes kept coming. A woman in business clothes leaned down to place a bouquet of bright yellow flowers, while a family of tourists added a rose to the wall of colour before taking a photo. Dianah, Tavish, 6 and Lachlan McDonald from Koroit near Warrnambool. VOX POP PHOTO SUPPLIED by Marika Dobbin THE AGE NEWS 25th January 2017

On the other side of the memorial, a teenage girl was brought to tears. Mother of four, Samar El-Masri, from Roxburgh Park in Melbourne's northern suburbs, brought her children into the city to lay some flowers on Wednesday. "It's really hard to shield them from this type of thing, especially with technology these days," Ms El-Masri said. She said she hoped that seeing the public outpouring of grief would develop their empathy. "I want them to know that in times like this we don't turn on each other, we stand together and be there for one another. That's why Melbourne is so great."

Grandmother of 12, Carmel Rafferty from Melbourne's outer east said she, along with the rest of Melbourne, was heartbroken for those whose lives had been shattered. "I remember many times being brought here as a little girl to the mall by my father. Melbourne has lost its innocence with this tragedy." Lachlan McDonald from Koroit near Warrnambool said he was inspired to visit by the bravery of ordinary people who jumped in to help the injured. Cr Doyle said his personal view is a memorial commemorating the Bourke Street victims should not be within the mall itself. That way, people could have a quieter place to reflect and grieve. "I'd like to see it [Bourke Street mall] returned to being the centre of Melbourne," he said.

"But I'd still like to see something that commemorates not only the lives lost ... but the hope and support that we saw from the kindness of strangers here on that awful day. And that's going to take time." In the meantime, Cr Doyle urged parents bringing their children to the makeshift memorial to speak to one of the counsellors roaming the site. He said the counsellors will be able to explain how to bring up Friday's events with minors. "Maybe think twice [about bringing them at all]," he said. "It's a traumatising scene and there are lots of people who are very emotionally and visibly affected."

Loading Donations for the immediate families of those killed in the Bourke Street tragedy can be made via the website www.vic.gov.au/bourkestreet.html For urgent support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Witnesses and victims requiring support can also call the Victims' Support Helpline on 1800 819 817.