The first major stage of the City of Melbourne’s Greenline Project has been completed, with a 450-metre stretch of new riverside boardwalks and greenery open to the public at Birrarung Marr.
City of Melbourne Acting Lord Mayor, Roshena Campbell, and the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, toured the completed $30 million project on 14 December.
The new look Birrarung Marr includes a six-metre-wide promenade, and boardwalks along the Yarra River – stretching from Batman Avenue to the eastern edge of Federation Square.
Pathways weave through more than 70 new native trees and more than 25,000 new native plants alongside 900 sqm of riverside lawn, garden beds, park seats and benches.
The project celebrates the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung connection to Country, with design elements providing an ongoing opportunity for shared storytelling of place and appreciation of indigenous flora and fauna.
The space will be used to host some of Melbourne’s most popular events – including the 2026 Australian Open precincts, the annual Moomba Festival and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The Birrarung Marr works have been delivered in partnership with the Australian Government, thanks in part to a $20 million grant through the Priority Community Infrastructure Program.
Birrarung Marr is one of five interconnected precincts to be completed as part of the city-shaping Greenline Project – designed to create a four-kilometre connected journey between Birrarung Marr and the Bolte Bridge.
The City of Melbourne recently secured an additional $4.4 million from the Federal Government under the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, which seeks to deliver transformative investment to Australian urban communities.
The funding will be used to develop plans for the Birrarung Riverfront Activation Precinct of the Greenline Project – including Federation Wharf, Flinders Walk, the Banana Alley Vaults, Sandridge Bridge, Custom Square, the Turning Basin and Enterprize Park.
City of Melbourne Lord Mayor, Nick Reece, said that Birrarung Marr has been transformed, creating a stunning new riverside destination for locals and visitors in the heart of the city.
“I want to thank the Federal Government and Minister King for their unwavering support in delivering this incredible project – and I look forward to continuing our partnership to bring the entire Greenline Project to life,” Mayor Reece said.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said that if trees are the green lungs of cities, rivers are the arteries and giving people in cities easy access to their waterways is essential.
“Istanbul has the Uskudar Coast Walkway, New York has the Hudson River Waterfront and now Melbourne has the Greenline,” King said.
“This now completed walkway will be beloved by locals, a favourite for runners, and will leave visitors to Victoria’s gateway city in awe.”
City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor, Roshena Campbell, said the Greenline is an investment in Melbourne’s future, creating riverfront open space for residents and visitors.
“Birrarung Marr will enhance the Yarra River experience for everyone, with the Greenline Project forecast to attract more than 1.1 million additional visitors every year,” Campbell said.
