Southbank Boulevard's Green Makeover Has Begun with the Installation of Plant-Covered Tram Tracks

Inner-city Melbourne is now home to its first 'green' tram tracks, as over 4000 plants begin to bloom along a stretch of tramline down Southbank Boulevard.

A carpet of native pig face and everlasting daisies were planted there as part of a $42 million project to give Melbourne's most densely populated suburb a 'green makeover'. The project will see an entire lane of Southbank Boulevard, along with adjoining Dodd Street, transformed into 2.5 hectares of open space featuring greenery, public art spaces and 1.2 kilometres of dedicated bike lanes connecting Domain Parklands to the Yarra River.

Late last year, it was announced that the new public space on Dodd Street would cater for everything from street performances to farmers markets and medium-scale music festivals.

It's the start of what the government hopes will be 12 MCG's, or 240,000 square metres, worth of new open spaces to be unveiled across the city over the next 15 years.

The recent Southbank Boulevard works have included a major revamp of tram infrastructure and the addition of a new accessible tram stop, with blooms planted right through the middle of the tracks. Around 300 trees are also being planted, in an effort to create a year-round canopy for the residents in this booming, apartment-heavy corner of the city.

The new-look Southbank Boulevard

During the Southbank Boulevard's makeover portions of Southbank Boulevard, Dodds Street and Sturt Street will be closed. You can stay up-to-date with what's open  (and what's closed) at the City of Melbourne website.

Work is also set to kick off this week on the City of Melbourne's new 5000-square-metre park next to the nearby Boyd Community Centre. The project will replace a 1960's school building with a family-friendly public space, complete with communal garden, improved bike and pedestrian access and lots of grassy areas.

Southbank Boulevard's 'green makeover' is expected to be completed in 18 months.