The project aligns with these key strategic documents:

• West Melbourne Structure Plan
• Urban Forest Strategy
• Transport Strategy 2030

Following community feedback and Council endorsement, the design will progress into the next phase. Current timelines indicate construction may commence in 2023, pending approvals and budget.

City of Melbourne has undertaken a number of studies and investigations in relation to the Hawke Street Linear Park project including a Traffic and Parking Survey and Analysis, Feature and Level Survey including review and mapping of Dial Before You Dig information. Further studies and investigations will be undertaken as the project progresses.

The West Melbourne Structure Plan originally showed the linear park on the southern alignment of Hawke Street. This was reviewed and was found to clash with many vehicle crossovers, above and below ground services. The linear park and the shared user path alignment has switched over to the north side of Hawke Street where there are less vehicle crossovers and reduced services conflicts. This will also connect the two parklands along the street broadening and connecting open spaces.

Please note: the revised concept plan has removed the shared user path and replaced it with dedicated pedestrian path upgrades and on-road protected bike lanes in each direction.

Subject to COVID-19 restrictions easing, we have tentatively scheduled to undertake detailed parking surveys throughout the West Melbourne local area in late-March 2022. The parking surveys will be scheduled on days which include events at Marvel Stadium and on Queen Victoria Market days to understand peak parking demand periods.

We will use the results of the parking surveys to recommend parking restriction changes throughout the West Melbourne area which will aim to better accommodate Area 6 resident parking permit holders and visitors of local businesses and residents. The proposed parking changes will aim to discourage all-day commuter parking and visitors of non-local destinations, such as Marvel Stadium and the Melbourne CBD.

As part of this work, we will be canvassing the views of local residents and traders via a questionnaire process regarding the proposed parking changes. Feedback received via this process will help to refine the proposed parking changes.