Overview
The riverside precinct of Birrarung Marr is about to level up in a big way, as the City of Melbourne unveils the next phase of its ambitious $300 million Greenline project. The draft proposal was first announced back in December last year and outlined huge changes stretching from Birrarung Marr to the Bolte Bridge, including a six-metre-wide promenade plus a new maritime heritage trail across four kilometres.
On top of that, the Birrarung Marr precinct is now set to include an additional 450 metres of new boardwalks and paths. There'll also be an infusion of greenery, with a focus on native plants to improve biodiversity and tree canopy cover in an effort to attract more wildlife. Flinders Walk is also set for a suite of upgrades to improve accessibility.
The council's draft plans will now be released for public consultation from Tuesday, August 2, with a six-week period for feedback. Works are then expected to kick off by mid-2023.
"Our plans are bold and will create new opportunities for everyone to engage with the river and its profound history, while attracting more visitors to the area," said Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
Designs for the Greenline project.
As one of its main aims, the new-look precinct will celebrate the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung connection to Country, imagined as a place for shared storytelling and appreciation of indigenous flora and fauna. In its new iteration, the precinct will continue to host a calendar of events, from the Night Noodle Market to Moomba.
The whole project is expected to cost up to $300 million, and according to forecasts by the City of Melbourne, could attract $1 billion in economic activity and create up to 1,000 jobs.
For more details on the latest plans for Birrarung Marr, see the City of Melbourne website.