Traders hit out at dilapidated red stairs at Southbank’s Queensbridge Square

Southbank business groups say the famous red stairs at Queensbridge Square are an embarrassment to the city and need a desperate overhaul.

Friends Sara Barron and Bree Moran take a break at the Red Stair. Picture: David Caird

The key business group for Southbank has called on Town Hall to fix the dilapidated Queensbridge Square – and its prominent set of red stairs – because its present state is so bad its hurting Melbourne’s image.

Yarra River Business Association managing executive Tim Bracher said the public space should be a key tourist destination but instead was cold, uninviting and poorly maintained.

“The square hasn’t been maintained properly and it has never really worked as an events space,” Mr Bracher said.

“Something desperately needs to be done about the state of the red stairs because they look very old and tired.

“The area should be a premier gathering space for our city but it just doesn’t work.”

Southbank traders are upset at the poor state of the red Stairs. Picture: David Caird

Yarra River Business Association says Queensbridge Square needs a facelift. Picture: David Caird

Mr Bracher said other cities were spending significant sums on their waterfront areas and Melbourne was being left behind.

“In terms of the waterfront experience, we compare poorly to Sydney, Brisbane or Perth,” he said.

“Queensbridge Square is a very unappealing space and the overall condition of Southbank Promenade is also poor.

“These areas are not being maintained to an adequate standard.”

It comes as the City of Melbourne has been caught out trying to claim it has delivered upgraded footpaths along with new trees and seating on Southbank Promenade down to Queensbridge Plaza – except no work in the area has begun yet.

The council said it had upgraded Southbank Promenade between Evan Walker Bridge and Queensbridge Square but the Southbank Residents Association has slammed Town Hall for claiming credit for work not done.

Southbank Residents Association says Melbourne Council is claiming credit for work not done. Picture: David Caird

The Crown Resorts car park entry and exit goes under the red stairs. Picture: David Caird

A City of Melbourne spokesman said the first stage of the Southbank Promenade project had delivered upgrades down to Queensbridge Square.

“We’ve completed work on stage one of our $3.8m transformation of Southbank Promenade – a major milestone for this significant community project,” he said.

“This stage has delivered new bluestone paths to boost accessibility, as well as the addition of new seating, lighting and trees stretching all the way from Princes Bridge to the Evan Walker Bridge and Queensbridge Square.”

Southbank Residents Association president Tony Penna slammed the council for its grossly inaccurate claim.

“Whoever wrote that has obviously never been down there and actually seen with their own eyes what that project delivered,” he said. “There are absolutely no upgrades anywhere near Queensbridge Square.”

The section between Evan Walker Bridge and Queensbridge Square is littered with broken pavers along with a busted retaining wall for the abandoned former Esso building.

The first stage of the Southbank Promenade upgrade only included works between Hamer Hall and Evan Walker Bridge but did not include works to reduce conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians, which was promised back in 2019.