The city of Melbourne is famous due to its riverside, Greenline Project is a bold plan of building 4-kilometre linear walkway non stop along Yarra River that has finally begun with Stage 1A being almost complete at Birrarung Marr. However, the cost of the next phases is not yet funded, and the ultimate question you would ask and receive an answer among locals is-is this riverside dream already at risk?
This paper will analyse what the Greenline Project entails to you, the progress made, the importance of Stage 1A and what the people of the City of Melbourne can look forward to.
What Is the Greenline Project in Melbourne?
The Greenline Project is an urban renewal flagship project driven by the City of Melbourne that intends to regenerate the north bank of the Yarra River- an area that reaches Birrarung Marr to Bolte Bridge. When done, it will be able to deliver:
- A never-stopping path of walking and biking people
- New open green parks
- Heritage landmarks of culture and First Nations
- Outdoor art, enlightenments, and areas of events
The Greenline in Melbourne would compete with the high line in New York or the south bank in Brisbane and it would change the way people in Melbourne and visitors to the city will interact with it.
Stage 1A – Birrarung Marr Walkway – What’s Happening Now?
The second phase, Stage 1A is concentrated on the area around Birrarung Marr, behind the Federation square and the edge of the river. This is:
- Almost finished with new paths and landscaping
- Meant to bring a better integration of the pedestrians with nature and the culture
- Providing a better connection among the Fed square, Birrarung Marr park and other parts of the future sections
The locals have already been experiencing the changes, as some walkways got smoother, more seats and lights were implemented. It holds hope of the potential of what the whole Greenline could offer, assuming that it does not get killed.
Funding in Limbo – Will the Greenline Ever Be Completed?
Here’s the catch: while Stage 1A is on track, future stages remain unfunded. Without firm commitments from state or federal governments, further work may stall or be abandoned entirely.
Key Concerns:
- Melbourne city council is undertaking a lobby to secure funds, but there is no new budget that is certain.
- Resilient infrastructure in response to climate is slackening.
- A common assumption among many residents is that the project will turn out to be a failure, that is, another Docklands that will be left unfinished.
Why Melburnians Should Care
It is not merely a pedestrian walk. The project would be a new way of living, traveling and playing around the river to the people of Melbourne.
- City parks and green areas of the workforce and the family
- Improves the accessibility of the festivals at Birrarung, and Alexandra Gardens
- Stimulus to local tourism and energy to the city centre
- Connection to a cultural heritage of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung with the river.
If abandoned, it’s not just lost concrete—it’s lost opportunity.
Sneak Peek – What You Can Expect at Stage 1A
🕒 Timeline & Context:
| Phase | Description | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Early Works | Concept design and early works began in late 2023 | melbourne.vic.gov.au+3theurbandeveloper.com+3participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au+3 |
| Major Construction | Full construction began early 2024 | |
| Completion | Birrarung Marr (Stage 1A) projected to finish by late 2025 |
What’s Next for the Greenline Project?
- The outcome of the consultation with the population will appear by the end of the year.
- Negotiations with federal infrastructure departments are ongoing.
- An advocacy organization in the local community is asking Melburnians to speak out.
You can also join public discussions through the City of Melbourne’s Participate Melbourne portal.
A Walk Worth Fighting For
The heart of Melbourne is along the Yarra. Greenline Project may become our opportunity to revive it, however, only under the condition that pushing goes further. If you are a vocal daily commuter, a weekend stroller, and/or festival enthusiast, the determination of the outcome of this project has an impact on you.
Let’s not let another vision for Melbourne fall flat.