The transformation of Southbank Boulevard has been a significant project for Melbourne. It involved rethinking and re-purposing redundant road space to create new pedestrian and bike paths alongside functional public open space. 

In my role as Senior Landscape Architect at the City of Melbourne I co-led the design development of the project.

2.5 hectares of new public open space will be created through the removal of underutilised road. Significant changes include road speed reduction, tram track realignment, and flipping the ‘empty space’ to the sunnier side of the street, alongside extensive community and stakeholder consultation. Asphalt has been replaced with large areas of park, permeable surfaces and spaces for activities and activation, garden areas for habitat, increased tree canopy to support the urban forest and a fully separated bike path connecting the Yarra River to St Kilda Road.

For three years, my involvement co-leading the design development of the project in City Design Studio included extensive initial site analysis, community and stakeholder consultation, progressing and finalising road alignment options with external consultants, responding to community consultation and Council priorities to develop the landscape design.

Animations were developed for all stages of community consultation, providing visualisations of the projects potential.

1. Gathering ideas

2. Developing the concept

3. Designing the spaces

2015 – 2019

Image credit: All images produced by City of Melbourne and available from online sources.