City of Melbourne announces plan to protect Carlton Gardens

The Carlton Gardens will be protected for years to come under a range of improvements proposed this week by the City of Melbourne.

Advising that the draft Carlton Gardens Master Plan sets out a number of proposals to improve access, safety and amenity for the World Heritage listed space, Melbourne Lord Mayor, Sally Capp stated "the Carlton Gardens have been central to Melbourne’s liveability and identity for more than 150 years.

“Prior to the pandemic, about three million people visited the Gardens each year to exercise, socialise, attend events and soak up its beautiful surrounds.

“The Master Plan aims to protect and celebrate the Gardens’ cultural and heritage values, while improving and protecting it for future generations.”

The Master Plan makes various recommendations for the Gardens, including:

• Upgrades to key facilities, such as new toilets and lighting, and improvements to existing pathways.

• Additional planting and new garden beds, to provide more natural shade and enhance the garden experience.

• A tree replacement plan, including the gradual replacement of vulnerable trees with similar climate-ready species.

• New signage to enhance and highlight important cultural and historical elements.

• Amended guidelines for large events, to provide direction on use and heritage protection.

City of Melbourne Heritage portfolio lead, Councillor Rohan Leppert stated that the council is seeking community feedback on the draft Master Plan, adding “the City of Melbourne has the rare honour of managing a World Heritage site, and we take our responsibility to protect the cultural, historic and environmental values of the Carlton Gardens seriously.

“The Gardens are a living, vital public meeting place, treasured by so many. We are keen to hear what the community thinks about the draft plan.”

The updated Carlton Gardens Master Plan will replace the existing plan and will be a key component of the World Heritage Management Plan for the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens site.

Image: Carlton Gardens. Credit: City of Melbourne/What's on in Melbourne.