Months of work still ahead for council’s boulevard of green dreams
It was touted as Melbourne City Council’s great “greening” project. But 18 months on, Southbank Boulevard is still a construction site and it’s going to continue well into 2020.
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Melbourne’s City Council’s flagship ”greening” project in Southbank is several months behind schedule and will continue to cause disruption to commuters and residents well into the new year.
The $47 million makeover of Southbank Boulevard has been beset by delays after 18 months of construction, and the creation of new parkland won’t be completed until mid-2020.
Just 50 of the 300 trees have been planted in the project heralded as turning the city from “grey to green’’.
One section of the finished work is the “green” tram tracks planted outside the Recital Centre but already weeds are invading the native plantings.
The project aims to create new public space and give priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.
The road between St Kilda Rd and City Rd, which is being realigned to allow for green space, is expected to fully re-open by next weekend but other works will continue well into next year.
The delays haven’t affected the budget although it has enabled the council to push some of the cost into next financial year.
Southbank Residents’ Association Tony Penna said he had received several complaints about noise.
“The delays are concerning and annoying but we’d love to see it when it’s finally finished.’’
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said that despite progress in recent months, the project was behind schedule.
“Unfortunately there has been disruption to local residents, businesses and visitors during this project and we thank them for their patience and understanding.
“Work on the new park outside the Melbourne Recital Centre is taking shape, with stone installation, tree and ground level planting underway and due for completion in March 2020.
“This part of the project has been delayed due to a supply issue with sourcing stone from a Victorian quarry.’’
Scheduling issues with utilities and other agencies have caused problems and the project has also had to work alongside the construction of Melbourne’s tallest building Australia 108 and the Adina Apartment Hotel, both on the City Rd intersection.
Works are expected to start in the new year to create 2200 sqm park outside the ABC studios.
“This is another example of where we are delivering a greener Melbourne by building new parks and open spaces,’’ Cr Capp said.
Southbank is one of Australia’s fastest growing suburbs. Its population during the 2016 census was 18,800, a 66 per cent jump from the previous count five years before.
“The population of Southbank is forecast to rise by 175 per cent in the next 15 years so we need to plan and deliver the infrastructure required for this growth,’’ Cr Capp said.
Mr Penna said Southbank Boulevard setbacks meant that the revamp of City Rd, first flagged in 2016, has been further postponed.
“The City Road Masterplan should have started two years ago. And we still don’t know when City Rd will be happening.’’
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The project would deliver a tree-lined median strip, separated bike lanes and three more traffic lights.
Most of the changes would be made at the western end of City Rd, between Clarendon St and Power St.