City of Melbourne unveils $30m plan to transform CBD from ‘grey to green’
The City of Melbourne is set to splash almost $30m to transform the city from “grey to green” in a bid to create more open space for residents and mitigate climate change effects.
Victoria
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The City of Melbourne is set to splash almost $30m to transform the city from “grey to green” as it continues to convert more roads and concrete areas into “open spaces”.
The proposed multimillion-dollar investment, which will be revealed in the upcoming draft budget, will support the creation of nine new parks and reserves – including some close to completion.
The largest project will see more than 12,000 sqm of open space added onto Normanby Rd reserve in Southbank under a $22m proposal to be considered at a council meeting next week.
Works are underway to transform the desolate space outside the Australian Centre of Contemporary Art into a green oasis, while the council progresses its plans for Chapman St reserve in North Melbourne and Miles/Dodds St reserve in Southbank.
Other areas slated for transformation include the Northern Undercroft under the Kings Way overpass and the new Southbank Boulevard reserves.
Roden St in West Melbourne and MacKenzie St off Russell St are also set to be greened.
Outgoing Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the draft budget was about “delivering on promises” and “continuing to transform our city from grey to green”.
“As more and more people choose to make the City of Melbourne their home, we want to ensure all our residents have access to green, open space,” she said.
“Increasing greening and canopy cover further improves environmental biodiversity and helps to mitigate climate change effects, future-proofing the health of our city.”
Dodds St linear park in Southbank – formerly a run-down roadway – will soon open to the public, while the Bedford Street pocket park in North Melbourne is expected to open next year.
Major construction will also begin later this month on the $316m Greenline project, which aims to create 4km of connected walkways and parks along the north bank of the Yarra River.
The City of Melbourne claims it is “well on track” to achieve its goal of 40 per cent canopy cover by 2040 through its urban forest strategy, having planted more than 33,000 trees since 2012.
Environment portfolio lead and councillor Rohan Leppert said parks and gardens are part of what makes Melbourne the most liveable city in Australia.
“That’s why we’re making sure we continue to preserve and create even more green spaces,” he said.
“Our significant investment will ensure nature in our city flourishes — improving the wellbeing of our community and creating a more resilient city in the face of climate change.”
The 2024-25 draft budget will be announced on May 14, with public consultation to follow until June 3.
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