By Anna Prytz
Melbourne could get its own version of New York's iconic High Line park in a contentious plan made by lord mayoral candidate Sally Capp.
The project, estimated at $300 million, would see parkland built on huge decks above rail yards in the city.
Lord mayoral candidate Sally Capp wants a High Line park in Melbourne. Credit: Justin McManus
They would begin near Federation Square, stretch down the Yarra River past Flinders Street Station to Southern Cross station and end near Etihad Stadium.
Connecting the new open spaces would be 2.5 kilometres of elevated walking paths and bike lanes to fix the gap in the Capital City Trail and aim to get cyclists off the Southbank promenade.
The proposed route of the Melbourne High Line.
New York's famous High Line, which opened in 2009, comprises a linear park spanning 2.3 kilometres along a disused rail viaduct on the western edge of Manhattan and has set an international standard in urban design.
Ms Capp told radio station 3AW on Thursday that she expected the cost of her project to be around double the $US152 million spent in New York.
Plans for the Melbourne High Line.
But she said that cost was not insurmountable and, if elected, she would be appealing to state and federal government for financial assistance as well as encouraging private sponsorship and public donations.
"I do know from discussion so far this is a lot more economically feasible than trying to sink rail yards," she said.
Lord mayoral hopeful Jennifer Yang says a High Line is not a priority.Credit: Justin McManus
But fellow lord mayoral candidate Jennifer Yang slammed the proposal, saying the council has other priorities.
“Sally Capp’s billion-dollar thought bubble will do nothing to address the homelessness crisis or fix the toxic culture at Town Hall," Ms Yang said.
“Ms Capp should spend less time focusing on grabbing a headline, and instead support my idea of building Father Bob’s Refuge for Women and Children in Little Bourke Street.
“There is a real choice to be made in this election: housing for the homeless, or pricey parks.”
Housing for the homeless, or pricey parks
Jennifer Yang
Ms Capp told The Age the project would set Melbourne up for the future, improving green space, public transport, accessibility and liveability as the city grows.
The former Property Council boss said creating over 10 hectares of new public space would clearly be a "massive undertaking" over many years.
"But transformational projects like this require big vision at the start, then committed people who are determined to bring them to life," she said.