Plans for Greenline project on the Yarra River draws criticism but Sally Capp says it will be ‘city shaping’

Sally Capp is pushing ahead with plans to build Melbourne’s version of New York’s High Line park but critics say she is living in “la la land”.

How the Greenline would look along the Yarra River. Picture: Supplied

Lord Mayor Sally Capp has hit back at critics of her $300m Greenline pet project, saying Melbourne needed an ambitious attraction after the “disaster” of the pandemic.

Ms Capp said the proposal for a 4km boardwalk on the Yarra’s north bank would soon be independently evaluated, and talks were underway to secure more funding.

City of Melbourne will pour in $100m, $20m has been pledged by federal Labor, and $100m is being sought from the Andrews Government.

However, the state government, dealing with massive debt, is yet to indicate its stance on Greenline, and is awaiting further detail on the project from the city council and Albanese Government.

How Banana Alley could look when Greenline is finished. Picture: Supplied

“We continue to work collaboratively with City of Melbourne and other stakeholders on a range of projects that enhance our state,” a government spokeswoman said.

The Lord Mayor said that private sector interests on the Greenline route would benefit from the “city shaping” project.

“Many of those owners understand the opportunity that Greenline presents, and have already started making plans to complement what we’re going to deliver – that interface, we want it to be as seamless as possible,” she said.

Special “floating islands” on the river will start to be put in from October, and work on the boardwalk first stage is due to start at Birrarung Marr in early 2023.

How the Greenline could look at Batman Hill Park. Picture: Supplied

”It’s really important that when we’ve come out of a pandemic that we do have really big aspirational, ambitious ideas that say a lot about who we are as a city to deliver projects that have a global relevance, as well as a local relevance,” Ms Capp said.

Ms Capp said she wasn’t fazed by critics of the project, which was inspired by her visit to New York’s High Line linear park.

”There are plenty of naysayers, ‘it’s too big, its’ too hard, it’s too difficult’, but there are so many more that are captivated, excited and dedicated (about Greenline),” she said.

Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang said the project was a $300m “green dream”, and in “la la land”.

“How can the City of Melbourne, the Victorian government, or the federal government possibly afford that given the number of families struggling to pay electricity, gas, petrol, and the nation’s highest government charges in Victoria,” he said.

But Victorian Tourism Industry Council executive director Felicia Mariani said Greenline was one of the most significant and exciting infrastructure and experience developments to be considered for Melbourne in some time.

“VTIC supports this project and sees it as a crucial initiative to engage and inspire visitors to explore our city, and immerse themselves in all the best we have to offer,” she said.