City of Melbourne commits $45.8 million for parks, gardens and open spaces in 2022/23 budget

The City of Melbourne will create new areas of open space, protect parks, plant new trees and continue to bring its planned Greenline project to life in commitments announced in its draft 2022/23 budget.

Announced last week, the draft budget includes $26.5 million for parks and gardens, $17.5 million for new open space and $1.8 million for tree planting.

In addition, $140 million has been allocated over the next four years for the Greenline project, which will receive an initial $40 million to bring its transformation of the north bank of the Yarra River - Birrarung to life as a vibrant promenade. 

The $26.5 million committed to protect and maintain the city’s parks and gardens, includes an additional $1.6 million to replace public toilets in Fitzroy Gardens and Carlton Gardens, and $2 million to improve the southern sports field in Fawkner Park.

The City of Melbourne will also spend $17.5 million in the next year to secure new open space across the city. The primary focus will be on securing open space in the city’s most densely populated suburb - Southbank - with $25 million committed over the next four years. 

An extra 2,000 metre² of open space will also be created in North Melbourne - the size of two Olympic sized swimming pools - as part of the $5 million Bedford Street Pocket Park project. In partnership with the Victorian Government, the project will deliver new play and picnic facilities, 48 new trees and safer pedestrian crossings.    

Council will continue to build on its commitment to combat climate change and move towards net zero emissions with a $650,000 investment in the landmark Power Melbourne project - creating a neighbourhood scale battery network to supply renewable energy to the community.  

Commenting on the funding allocations, City of Melbourne Lord Mayor, Sally Capp stated “investing in a greener future for Melbourne will protect our environment, create clean jobs and futureproof our city for generations to come.”     

“We're getting on with Power Melbourne, making our city a clean energy superpower. We’re also delivering multiple key sustainability projects, because the decisions we make today provide a vital pathway to progress our net zero goals.” 

“This draft Budget also recognises the important role our parks, gardens and open spaces play in making Melbourne more liveable and maintaining our status as Australia’s garden capital.” 

Image: Concept for the Greenline development at Birrarung Marr. Credit: City of Melbourne.