NOLA event to kickstart university year

RMIT’S Urban Square will be transformed into the ultimate block party in an afternoon of frivolity, food and fun to mark the return to university for the city’s students.

The event will feature live performances, table tennis and bag toss games, and roving performers between 12pm and 4.30pm on Wednesday, March 8.

Urban Square is located within the NOLA (North of La Trobe) precinct where State Library Station is being built as part of Metro Tunnel Project construction.

The event, hosted by NOLA, the Metro Tunnel Creative program and RMIT, will also provide the chance to show off your creative flair with a NOLA-inspired interactive artwork.

Local businesses will provide plenty of delicious free food and drinks and there will be giveaways for people to enjoy.

Whether you’re dancing by the decks, making the most of free food and drinks or simply chilling out on the beanbags – there will be plenty on for you and your mates to enjoy.

NOLA – bounded by Swanston, La Trobe, Elizabeth and Victoria streets – is a Metro Tunnel initiative to support businesses and residents impacted by construction of the project – a place to explore and discover unique cafes, restaurants and shops.

Since its launch, NOLA has hosted events such as the Silent Disco Tour, helped promote a growing list of local businesses through online and in-person channels, and brightened the precinct through the installation of colourful neon artworks around construction site areas.

When it opens in 2025, the Metro Tunnel will create capacity for more than half-a-million additional passengers per week to travel during peak times across Melbourne’s train network.

Deep beneath the CBD, work is continuing on the underground pedestrian connection between State Library and Melbourne Central stations, with crews recently breaking through the wall between the two stations.

This link will allow commuters to interchange between City Loop and Metro Tunnel services without exiting via the myki gates.  

You can keep up to date with what’s happening at NOLA by shopping in the precinct and following the Instagram (@nola_precinct) and Facebook (NOLAPrecinct) pages. •