The City of Melbourne is kickstarting the delivery of The Greenline Project in 2023 with Site One of the Birrarung Marr Precinct.

A contemporary river edge space will provide unique opportunities for locals and visitors to experience the north bank and the Yarra River - Birrarung. The project will create 450 m of new boardwalks and a 6 m wide promenade that will connect native habitats along the river's edge - a place where Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung country, knowledge and culture will be celebrated.

Once complete, Birrarung Marr river edge will be the perfect spot to slow down and meander, enjoying views of the river and city from new vantage points. You will also find yourself surrounded by native planting and habitat in the heart of the city.

Birrarung Marr will continue to play host to some of Melbourne’s biggest and best events, facilitating new cultural, creative, and sustainable experiences in a transformed landscape.

With ongoing involvement of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung informing The Greenline Project development, this vision and draft proposal for Site One positions the Yarra River - Birrarung for cultural and environmental education – providing new opportunities for rich cultural learnings led by Traditional Owners.

Works are expected to begin in 2023.

Birrarung Marr Precinct Site One will celebrate Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung knowledge systems and their unbroken connection to Country and the Yarra River - Birrarung.

The project will connect visitors and locals to a series of diverse landscape experiences that celebrate the river and the north bank’s rich layers of history. Old memories will be honoured, and new memories created through shared storytelling and custodianship.

People’s connection and relationship with the river will be strengthened through landscape interventions that support care for Country and offer an enduring place for connection and congregation.

Contemporary spaces are proposed for all people to gather and embrace ecology.

From east to west:

• The River Edge is the entry to The Greenline Project, providing generous pathways and creating new, varied relationships to the river.
• The Lookout is a place to gather in enhanced surroundings including new vantage points, framed by woody meadows and flowering marshlands.
• Fig Tree Boardwalk is a place to reflect. A suspended platform celebrates existing fig trees and provides a place for people and nature to come together.

This space marks the start of the generous pathways The Greenline Project will deliver along the north bank. Entering from the east, visitors can shift gear in a place offering new ways to connect to and along the river. The River Edge is a place of respite – a place to cool down on hot days. Children and adults of all abilities are immersed in nature through playful moments.

This will be an exemplar project for urban river edge transformation.

An important focal point at the river bend, the existing lookout promontory will be enhanced and provide expanded views up and down the river. New planting and seating will also provide a place for pause and congregation.

The Lookout supports the continued gathering of large groups of people, recognising the enduring connection of Eastern Kulin to the Yarra River - Biarrarung. It will support engagement with river activity and events, a meeting place, and provide for cultural seasonal celebration involving Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and others.

The Fig Tree Boardwalk sits at the doorstep of the city, creating a generous and inviting destination for daily public use. Improved accessibility and seating support people to gather or pause beside the river in a cool, shaded place. It is a place that connects people with the river under the existing trees.

This space will enhance the experience of existing artworks while also strengthening connections to nearby cultural institutions providing a place for storytelling and knowledge exchange.

Improved growing conditions will support existing tree health ensuring their continued contribution to Melbourne’s waterfront character.