Greenline milestone: first stage opens at Birrarung Marr as the city’s signature river project edges forward

The City of Melbourne has reached a landmark moment in its decade-long effort to transform the Yarra River’s north bank, officially completing Stage One of the Greenline Project at Birrarung Marr – the signature initiative of former Lord Mayor Sally Capp.

Unveiled on December 14, the $30 million upgrade delivers a 450-metre sweep of new boardwalks, promenades and native landscaping, stretching from Batman Avenue to the eastern edge of Federation Square. It is the first fully realised section of the long-promised four-kilometre Greenline corridor, which aims to create a continuous waterfront promenade from Birrarung Marr to the Bolte Bridge.

Acting Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell and federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King toured the newly opened site, which now features a six-metre-wide river promenade, 70 new native trees, more than 25,000 plants, 900 square metres of lawn, and new seating overlooking the Birrarung. The works also embed Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung design elements, acknowledging Country and telling cultural stories through the landscape.

Cr Campbell described Greenline as “an investment in Melbourne’s future”, forecasting the project will attract more than 1.1 million additional visitors each year once complete.

“Birrarung Marr will enhance the Yarra River experience for everyone,” she said.

Minister King said world-class cities were defined by their riverfronts. “If trees are the green lungs of our cities, rivers are the arteries,” she said. “Istanbul has the Uskudar Coast Walkway, New York has the Hudson River Waterfront, and now Melbourne has the Greenline.”

The first stage has been jointly funded by the City of Melbourne and the Australian Government, which contributed $20 million through the Priority Community Infrastructure Program.

Albert Park State MP Nina Taylor, Cr Davydd Griffiths, Acting Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell, federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King and former Lord Mayor Sally Capp on December 14.

While the Birrarung Marr opening marks the most tangible progress since Capp first unveiled the Greenline vision in 2021, subsequent stages remain years from delivery.

Stages two and three – covering sections between Princes Bridge and Docklands – are among the most technically and politically complex parts of the project. Stage two includes Federation Wharf, Flinders Walk, the Banana Alley Vaults, Sandridge Bridge, Custom Square, Enterprize Park and the Turning Basin.

In October, the council secured an additional $4.4 million in federal funding under the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program to develop detailed designs and business cases for this central stretch. The funding provides renewed confidence after a turbulent year in which the council redirected $14.6 million from its Greenline budget to other priorities.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece, who has continued to champion Greenline since Capp’s departure, said the Birrarung Marr opening “creates a stunning new riverside destination” and signals the momentum now behind the project.

“I want to thank the Australian Government and Minister King for their unwavering support,” he said. “I look forward to continuing our partnership to bring the entire Greenline Project to life.”

Despite strong public backing and bipartisan enthusiasm for a revitalised riverfront, Greenline has endured delays, funding debates and friction with state agencies. In May this year, Cr Phil Le Liu attempted to withdraw council support unless other governments increased funding – a motion voted down seven to two.

The latest federal commitment has steadied the project, but the most challenging phase lies ahead: reclaiming underused waterfront space, engaging with private landholders, navigating heritage constraints, and delivering complex engineering across some of the city’s oldest river infrastructure.