Greenline project on Yarra delayed by up to a year as works stop for summer

Melbourne’s $316 million Greenline trail will be delayed for up to a year as construction for a key stage halts so Birrarung Marr can reopen for the Australian Open and other major events.

The City of Melbourne says works along the river promenade which were meant to be finished in December have been delayed as the council seeks to prove to Melbourne Water that the planned linear park will not contribute to flooding.

Work on the Greenline project at Birrarung Marr in August.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

In May, then-lord mayor Sally Capp announced her plan to build a green walking trail would be stepped up from that month with the construction of 240 metres of boardwalks and planting of native plants at Birrarung Marr. Work on that section was to finish by the end of next month.

The works are to be second-stage delivered for the Greenline project – a signature of Capp’s time as mayor – after Seafarers Park was built in Docklands. The council has not set a date for the completion of the entire Greenline project.

After questions from The Age, the council confirmed the flagship section had a revised completion date for the second half of 2025, up to a year behind schedule.

Melbourne Water must provide consent for a boardwalk over the Yarra, which makes up most of the project, and the council has been working with the agency to ensure there are no flooding impacts from its construction.

The Greenline works at Birrarung Marr in AugustCredit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Timber hoardings at Birrarung Marr will be taken down because the precinct is used as a major hub for summer events, including the Australian Open in January.

The works are now scheduled to resume in mid-March after Moomba.

A City of Melbourne spokesperson said the project was still under way.

“While we had hoped to finish major construction this year, we now expect the Birrarung Marr site to be completed in 2025,” the spokesperson said.

“We have been working closely with Melbourne Water to ensure the project does not exacerbate flood levels once delivered.

“Early works have been completed – including preparation for landscaping and boardwalks, as well as upgrades to underground drainage and lighting.”

The spokesperson said the decision to clear the worksite over summer was always planned.

While the works on the section were due to be finished by the end of next month, photos from August and October show there did not appear to be major construction taking place in the sections closest to Federation Square.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece at his swearing-in ceremony last week.Credit: Justin McManus

During Victoria’s council elections, Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece committed to continue his predecessor’s work and building the Greenline project. Reece was sworn in last week.

“It is budgeted for; it can be delivered,” he said in August.

The council’s May budget revealed the project was not funded beyond the Birrarung Marr precinct over the next four years, which meant a 10-year timeline for its overall delivery.

Then-lord mayor Sally Capp in 2022 by the Yarra.Credit: Jason South

The federal government has contributed another $20 million in funding. The Victorian government has not pledged any money.

In May, Capp stood alongside federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King and said the Birrarung Marr works would be completed in time for visitors to enjoy the Australian Open in a “brand-new setting”.

“It’s not easy to get these projects up and away – it takes time, it takes effort,” Capp said at the time. “It means moving through all sorts of barriers and difficulties, but being here this morning shows that we can do it, we should do it, and it’s actually happening.”

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