The City of Melbourne is planning to revitalise a 300 metre section of Southbank Promenade between Princes Bridge and Evan Walker Bridge, providing greater safety and improved amenity for all users.
Southbank Promenade is one of Melbourne’s most significant civic spaces, connecting the city to the Yarra River and to a series of major visitor destinations and cultural facilities.
More than 40,000 people use Southbank Promenade every day. Its concrete paving is approaching the end of its service life and many of the trees are showing signs of stress due to poor quality growing conditions. The new design will improve the amenity for all with additional space created to ease congestion and ensure improved accessibility for both pedestrians and cyclists.
First opened in 1992, Southbank Promenade was a catalyst for the redevelopment of former industrial and warehouse areas in Southbank. Today, it is the front door to one of Australia’s most densely-developed neighbourhoods and provides precious sunny open space in an area dominated by high-rise buildings.
Almost 30 years on, the pavements, furniture and other elements are worn and in need of renewal. Although the trees might look healthy, we’ve had them assessed by arborists and many have been flagged as unwell or at the end of their lifespan, and now require removal.
The proposed upgrades seek to address a number of long-standing amenity and safety issues and will include:
- replacing damaged pavements
- improving tree growing conditions
- introducing new trees
- minimising pedestrian and cyclist conflict
- integrating key artworks
- improving amenity and illumination.
This project is Stage 1 of the Southbank Promenade Upgrade and will inform a future Stage 2, which is proposed for the promenade between Evan Walker Bridge and Queensbridge Square. The timing of Stage 2 has not been determined yet.
Learn more about the proposed upgrades in the landscape design overview.
The project team has engaged with experts and key stakeholders to shape a concept for the upgraded promenade.
We have shared the proposed landscape design and from 14 July to 21 August 2020 we gathered community feedback to help guide the final proposal ahead of its delivery in 2021.
Consultation closed
News
Timeline
-
Timeline item 1 - complete
Key stakeholders engaged to inform authority approval process
2018 to 2019
-
Timeline item 2 - complete
Landscape design developed
2018 to 2019
-
Timeline item 3 - complete
Council planning permit publicly advertised
November to December 2019
-
Timeline item 4 - complete
Future Melbourne Committee approved planning permit
February 2020
-
Timeline item 5 - complete
Council decision to place project on hold until 2021 to minimise disruption
11 March 2020
-
Timeline item 6 - complete
Council decision to seek public feedback on the concept plan
2 June 2020
-
Timeline item 7 - complete
Community engagement on landscape design
14 July to 21 August 2020
-
Timeline item 8 - complete
Community engagement report and recommendations to Councillor Forum
15 September 2020
-
Timeline item 9 - complete
Final design developed
End 2020
-
Timeline item 10 - complete
Final landscape design endorsed by Council
20 April 2021
Watch a livestream from the 20 April meeting.
-
Timeline item 11 - complete
Construction on stage one
April 2022 to July 2023
-
Timeline item 12 - incomplete
Construction on stage two
Yet to be determined.
Community consultation
Feedback we heard on the proposed landscape design for Southbank Promenade.
Landscape design
Learn more about the landscape design and what we're proposing to deliver.
