University Square is one of Melbourne’s oldest and most-loved public squares. It sits within a well-established, globally-renowned and growing area of mixed uses – including education, health, research, commercial and residential.

Bordered by Grattan, Barry, Leicester and Pelham streets in Carlton, University Square will soon be the doorstep to the Parkville Station set to open in 2025.

The Master Plan has been updated as the result of three drivers:

• The site context has evolved
• City of Melbourne policies and strategies have progressed over the past seven years
• The University Square Master Plan 2016 reached the end of its implementation plan in 2022

Key action updates include:

• Tree planting: A target of 41 per cent canopy cover has been set.
• Barry Street new park spaces: The ‘celebration of water’ has been relocated, as it cannot be accommodated in its original space due to the installation of MPavilion and the retention of mature Elm trees.
• Plaza and Grattan Street: A recessed half basketball court will be replaced with a multi-purpose informal sports court to provide for more uses. The path network, some social amenities, BBQ and public toilet will be relocated as it cannot be accommodated in the plaza due to Parkville Station infrastructure.
• Water terrace: Water elements will be relocated to Barry Street new park spaces.
• Pelham Street biodiversity corridor: The corridor has been removed from the Master Plan and will be considered as part of the Urban Forest Precinct Plan.

Stage One is bordered by Pelham Street and Leister Street and was completed in 2019, creating 3600 square metres of additional public open space, 85 trees, a biodiverse garden, seating and terrace spaces, underground stormwater storage, a new central park entrance and temporary public art commissions.

Stage Two is bordered by Barry Street and Grattan Street, and was paused due to the Metro Tunnel Project occupying part of the Square for a construction laydown and works area. Consultation with the community will inform the final design of this space.

Please read the Master Plan for more information.

Barry Street is currently closed to traffic due to Metro Tunnel construction works, and will remain closed after the completion of Parkville Station, becoming part of the park.

There are currently two disabled parking bays to the south of Barry Street which will be relocated in the local area.

As outlined in City of Melbourne’s Open Space Strategy, public open space is the publicly owned land that is set aside primarily for recreation, nature conservation, passive outdoor enjoyment and public gatherings. This includes public parks, gardens, reserves, waterways, publicly owned forecourts and squares.

Public open spaces are important as they provide the community with dedicated spaces to socialise, relax, exercise and connect with nature.

Our Open Space Strategy identifies the need for more open spaces in the central city. Nearby Flagstaff Gardens is at capacity and with the area surrounding the market expected to have a further 20,000 people move to the area in the next 20 years, providing new open space within a safe walking distance for new residents and workers is critical.

The “chiller building” houses the air conditioning (“chiller”) units for the railway station below and is a Metro Station asset. These units have to be located on or above ground. The location and provision of this function has been combined with a ground level tenancy - below the chiller units. The 2016 master plan referred to a potential café in this area and the metro design responded to this concept by integrating it with chiller units.