The conversation
Southbank Promenade is one of the city’s busiest public spaces. In 2018 it was determined that extensive maintenance works and upgrades were required to address a number of long-standing amenity issues.
A planning permit was granted in April 2020 for a full upgrade to the promenade between Princes Bridge and Evan Walker Bridge.
Following development of a proposed landscape design, we asked the community for feedback between July and August 2020. During the engagement process, we shared a copy of the proposed landscape concept plan, cross sections to show existing and proposed conditions, and artist renders of the final conditions with the community.
Gathering insights
An online survey was open for feedback over a five week period. Opportunities to participate were publicised through a postcard mail drop to the surrounding buildings and stakeholders, direct emails and site signage. This predominantly digital communications approach assisted the project team to reach the community despite the COVID-19 lockdown at the time.
Meetings with the Traditional Custodian groups allowed the project team to better understand their perspective on the project in the context of their experiences and stories of the Yarra River- Birrarung.
Targeted engagement with 19 key stakeholders such as Arts Centre Melbourne, Parks Victoria, Yarra River Business Association, Bicycle Network Victoria and Victoria Walks was undertaken in 2019 and again in mid-2020 to gain additional insights into the opportunities and constraints of the development in light of COVID-19.
Feedback from key stakeholders was resoundingly positive.
Who we reached
1288
Website visitors
25
Stakeholder meetings
171
Survey responses
What we heard
Feedback received through the survey was divided. The majority of respondents however felt the promenade would be safer following completion of the works, and a quarter of people who took part in the survey felt they would want to visit the area more when the project was completed.
The feedback fell into four key themes – cycling and pedestrian conflicts, tree replacement, layout changes and appropriate lighting.
Examples of what we heard
Considerations
Elimination of all cyclist/pedestrian conflicts cannot be achieved through design measures alone. The current design seeks to slow down cyclists and provide protected zones for pedestrians at building entrances and along the river’s edge. The design improves connections between buildings and the river. The suggestion to introduce a dedicated cycle path at any location along the upper or lower promenade is not viable as it would conflict with pedestrian movements.
The current Plane Trees on Southbank Promenade were planted in the 1990s and are in poor health. Staged tree planting is proposed to replace these trees which aligns with Council’s Yarra River – Birrarung and Urban Forest strategies, proposing a mix of native and exotic species that are well suited to the various conditions of the site. The planting section draws on some of the existing qualities of the parklands to the east of Princes Bridge. The palms and paperbarks provide connections with the botanical qualities of Alexandra Gardens while the Angophoras echo the statuesque qualities of the gums and fig trees that line the river edge along Birrarung Marr. Tall canopy trees will provide shade in summer but allow winter sun to penetrate onto the promenade.
The design greatly improves circulation along the promenade, with strengthened physical and visual connections to the river. The existing ramps and balustrades do not comply with current access and safety requirements. Altering the ramps and stairs will result in improved access to the lower promenade, increased useable space, reduced congestion and improved views to the river. To obtain these benefits, it is necessary to remove the existing bluestone-clad upstands and balustrades which do not meet current safety standards.
Retaining and restoring the existing street lights is unfortunately not feasible and would not be in line with the City of Melbourne’s Lighting Strategy and environmental goals. The project presents an opportunity to replace the lights with a more suitable, sustainable, long-term lighting solution.
Next steps
The final Southbank Promenade Landscape Upgrades design was endorsed by Council on 20 April.
The City of Melbourne is now exploring funding pathways and opportunities to deliver the upgrades. Any progress with construction planning will be communicated to the public and coordinated with the adjacent property owners and businesses to manage and minimise disruption.
Read the engagement report
