New waterside park, dining precinct planned for Southbank
The banks of the Yarra River could soon be home to a lush new outdoor green space with stunning views of the CBD, with the site of a former oil company headquarters slated for a $350 million development.
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A new waterside park with stunning CBD views would be built at Southbank under a plan to transform the former Melbourne headquarters of oil company Esso.
A parcel of land worth $25 million would be given to the public for the 10000 sqm park to be built besides the Yarra River under the proposal.
Developers have submitted an application to build a “showstopper’’ 30 storey tower on the site and promised to hand over the land for the much-needed public park for Melburnians if given the go ahead.
The $350 million development would include a through block link to connect the new Yarra River park with a recently opened public square on Riverside Quay and landscaped outdoor dining spaces.
The land owner — Macau billionaire — Keong Kuong Loi has also pledged a
$1 million contribution towards the design and delivery of the new public open space.
Further land on edges of the site would be given to the City of Melbourne to allow construction of wider footpaths and roads around the busy precinct
Council planing convener Nicholas Reece said the development would “make this area one of the coolest hang out spots in Melbourne’’.
“A new 1,000 square metre public park on a prime river front location right in the heart of the city is a massive win for Melbourne,’’ he said.
“Southbank is Australia’s most densely populated suburb and Southbank promenade is our busiest promenade so this new public space will become a much-loved corner of Melbourne.’’
The masterplan includes a 120m high commercial building, widening of Southgate Ave and Riverside Quay, streetscape improvements and the park.
Esso House, a 15 storey concrete office building constructed in 1995 and previously owned by ExxonMobil, would be demolished to make way for it.
Mr Reece said it was “hard to think of a more important location on the Melbourne riverfront’’ and planning controls would ensure it was not “dominated by a single undefined monolithic building’’.
“At such a postcard location, the new building will need to be a real showstopper for Melbourne in terms of quality architectural design and character,’’ he said.
The park land would be taken over by the city council, which would be responsible for its ongoing maintenance.
The council will make a decision about the planning scheme amendment on Tuesday, with a motion proposed to support it.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne will make the ultimate decision about whether it is approved.
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