City of Melbourne’s draft Yarra River strategy has strong Aboriginal focus

Melbourne City Council wants people to have better access through new green civic spaces, especially on the neglected north bank.

The pedestrian footbridge over the Yarra river at Southbank

The Yarra River’s Aboriginal history would be highlighted under a major plan to open up the iconic waterway to the public in the CBD.

Melbourne City Council wants people to have better access to the river through new green civic spaces, especially on the neglected northbank.

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Its Draft City River Strategy criticised areas like the Banana Alley vaults for being constrained “by clutter of carparking, furniture and uneven paving”.

Artist’s impression of a possible treatment for the Yarra River near Banana Alley vaults.

An artist’s impression of what the area could look like features a tree-lined pontoon on the river near the vaults with people relaxing and birdlife present.

“(There are) opportunities to maximise pedestrian connectivity, enhance amenity, create accessible and integrated civic spaces and foster an understanding of Aboriginal heritage and culture,” said the strategy.

Throughout the document the Yarra is called by its indigenous name Birrarung, meaning “river of mists”.

However, a City of Melbourne spokeswoman said the council was not proposing to formally change the river’s name.

“(Birrarung was used) because a key priority of the strategy is to highlight Aboriginal culture and heritage along the riverfront,” she said.

Melbourne City Council wants to improve access to the Yarra River.

Council’s environment portfolio chair Cr Cathy Oke said the indigenous focus was crucial.

“People want to know the story of the river, this strategy will allow us to do this through presenting the cultural and ecological stories of the river in the landscape design,” she said.

In recent years, Parks Victoria has pushed for the Yarra’s activation through approving floating bars and restaurants like Arbory Afloat near Flinders St Station.

However, the council’s strategy document seems to take a swipe at this process.

“Increasing pressures from commercial uses, including on-river floating facilities, require an investment that clearly identifies and guarantees public realm civic quality,” it said.

Pop-up bar and eatery Arbory Afloat near Flinders St Station.

Cr Oke said options included projects to transform the hard edges of the river with trees and vegetation.

“The trialling of planting in shallow sections of the river alongside the use of pontoons and floating habitat would be explored to connect people with nature,” she said.

The plan, which will be considered by city councillors on Tuesday, also envisages improved pedestrian and bike paths, and improving areas like underneath the Flinders St viaducts.

As the city council doesn’t own or solely manage the Yarra, any transformation of the river would need the co-operation of state government agencies and adjoining landowners.

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@JMasanauskas