We heard:

• Enhancing the natural features and improving river health and local biodiversity were strongly recognised as significant opportunities for significant improvement. Participants reflected on the increasing importance of connection with nature and open space emerging through the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Respondents reiterated the importance of incorporating a focus on greening and natural elements to encourage wildlife back to the precinct and improve river health, support community health and wellbeing, and to assist in airflow as part of COVID-19 recovery.

We heard:

• Contributions relating to culture fell across four broad categories: celebrating Aboriginal cultural heritage, respecting and preserving maritime history, enhancing and promoting local character and providing an inclusive and engaging diversity of programs and uses.
• Participants appreciated the plan’s extensive engagement with Aboriginal, maritime and city history and felt that heritage and the narrative of the river could be incorporated into all elements including play and connections. However, respondents often felt that the plan could do more to address the incorporation of heritage elements – both indigenous and post-colonial or maritime history.

We heard:

• The majority of respondents strongly agreed that the implementation plan should focus on creating different kinds of open spaces, particularly those that encourage connections with the river and nature.
• Public open spaces were specifically recognised as high value assets, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was some division regarding the distribution and design of open space for formal and informal uses.
• Participants made suggestions for additional components and infrastructure to support new activities and uses incusing more public amenities such as food, drink, events, and art, a public swimming pool and more off-leash dog areas.

We heard:

• Connections within the Greenline area and to surrounding precincts and activity nodes was an issue of high important for respondents.
• Respondents generally had positive reactions to the creation of open spaces and better active transport links throughout the north bank. However, some were eager to see more done to separate different transport modes from each other, and to reduce the noise and visual impacts of the Flinders Street rail corridor. Separation of pedestrian and cycle paths was suggested as a way to enhance safety throughout the Greenline area.
• The opportunity to address the rail interface through decking and undergrounding was also raised as well as impacts of the Greenline on boating movements.
• Additional access requirements were noted for people with vision and hearing impairment, neurodiversity and chronic illness, as well as people with prams and young children.

“It is an extensive plan that uses a previously challenged area. The concept of linking from Birrarung Marr to Docklands is wonderful to encourage people to use an extensive area previously limited to patches of open spaces. This extensive plan will encourage more use and be an attraction. It will also bring the river into special focus. The link with Aboriginal Melbourne is such a special and long awaited relationship”

“It's currently disjointed, with areas that do not feel safe. The city needs areas that are free to access that make people want to come into the city”

“The Greenline, will provide an opportunity for locals and visitors to have access to areas of the city that were previously seen as off limit and therefore, opening up the area and the opportunities that might exist there”

“It needs to be more than a park along the river. Landscape and seating is not enough to attract people to spend their time there. It requires other spaces that are more engaging”

“It will support nearby businesses as it attracts people to the precinct. It diverts people towards the city which is needed to rebuild the economy and it’s accessible via public transport so people all around Melbourne can enjoy the space”

“People are thirsty (!) for knowledge about Melbourne's history and I think this walk could bring more to people than 'play' - it would be an excellent opportunity to inform people about our rich maritime heritage”

“Less focus on being so prescriptive about activity and infrastructure for activity … More focus on just providing open, safe, appealing spaces that people can use for their choice of activity”

“Please separate wheeled vehicles and pedestrians. Southbank is scary due to mingling of pedestrians and wheeled vehicles. Bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters etc. Mobility scooters are not a problem due to low speed”

“This could be such a great place… The gravel is a mistake given it is one of the only areas of the north bank to have good solar access”

“…The rigid public liability aspect of only built marquees make it prohibitive to community events…”

Graph showing what respondents value most about Birrarung Marr Precinct:

• 18% - natural environment
• 19% - views and access to the Yarra River
• 12% - views of the city
• 12% - Aboriginal significance
• 7% - character and heritage
• 13% - recreation and play
• 4% - destinations
• 8% - events
• 7% - it's a cool space during hot days.

“Access to the river [and safety] in this precinct is particularly poor, with few paths and fairly hostile environments across Flinders Street and under the viaduct”

“At the moment it is very cramped and accessibility especially for recreational cyclists is not good. Also look at ways of providing commuting riders alternative dedicated routes so they are not speeding through pedestrians”

Graph showing what respondents value most about Yarro Yarro Precinct:

• 13% - natural environment
• 18% - views and access to the Yarra River
• 11% - views of the city
• 11% - Aboriginal significance
• 9% - character and heritage
• 13% - recreation and play
• 5% - destinations
• 4% - events
• 7% - it's a cool space during hot days.

“More consideration needs to be given to how this might become a place to 'stay' as opposed to transit through. There isn't enough seating, and the ground is often wet. Furthermore, no mention of the heliport has been made which significantly impacts the usability of this park as a recreational space due to the overbearing noise impacts”

Graph showing what respondents value most about River Park Precinct:

• 16% - natural environment
• 17% - views and access to the Yarra River
• 8% - views of the city
• 8% - Aboriginal significance
• 9% - character and heritage
• 13% - recreation and play
• 4% - destinations
• 3% - events
• 5% - it's a cool space during hot days.

“For quite a large park on the river bank, this precinct is extremely neglected. Creating a welcoming, interesting and inspiring environment through landscaping and architectural features would be great”

“Accessibility and the restoration/reinvigoration of the heritage sites along the wharf. These places are part of the “Marvellous Melbourne” era and currently are a detracting detail in an otherwise well-kept part of the river. Keeping key elements, like the old crane, whilst turning the rest into culturally aware green space with accessibility is what needs the most urgent attention”

Graph showing what respondents value most about Maritime Precinct:

• 10% - natural environment
• 14% - views and access to the Yarra River
• 8% - views of the city
• 7% - Aboriginal significance
• 9% - character and heritage
• 8% - recreation and play
• 3% - destinations
• 4% - events
• 3% - it's a cool space during hot days.

“This has the most potential for proper recreational space rather than "parks" that are simply landscaping around buildings. Using this park area for again native wetlands and also entertainment / busking and food truck area could help make it a destination”

“Utilisation of the space and awareness of the environment. This area has the confluence of many water sources and as such should become a key wetland a river revitalisation point”

Graph showing what respondents value most about Salt Water Wharf Precinct:

• 11% - natural environment
• 18% - views and access to the Yarra River
• 9% - views of the city
• 6% - Aboriginal significance
• 10% - character and heritage
• 11% - recreation and play
• 3% - destinations
• 3% - events
• 3% - it's a cool space during hot days.