The famous Victorian river has been in the spotlight once again with talks of renaming it to Birrarung to acknowledge its indigenous history & plans to revamp the icon to include things like a swimming pool and garden over the historic Sandridge Bridge… read more
Ideas to bring the Yarra River to life
RIVERSIDE WALK
Las Ramblas-inspired walk connecting visitors with 10 things to do between Swan Street and Seafarers bridges. Successfully used at Brisbane’s Southbank and Circular Quay in Sydney.
FERRY EXPANSION
Ferry service linking Spotswood with Chapel St, South Yarra. Pontoons sit along the river, providing viewing points and access to river transport during major events.
SANDRIDGE UPGRADE
Creating a green line of garden on historic Sandridge Bridge, over the top of the railway line and into the city. The bridge is under-utilised and its full potential unrealised.
NEW GARDENS
Extend the green line from the Botanic Gardens to the area between Sandridge Bridge and Queens Bridge Square. The area is neglected with barriers impeding access to the river’s edge and Banana Alley unwelcoming.
BIRRARUNG SQUARE
Decking over the train tracks east of Flinders Street Station beside Federation Square to create a new civic space. Would include a green link with Birrarung Marr and opportunity for river-facing developments.
NEW RIVER FACE
Turning the city to “face the riverfront” with widened footpaths and more green spaces along the river’s North Bank from Spring St to Spencer St. Improvements to area under the viaduct and near the aquarium.
NORTH BANK ACTIVATION
Creating a continuous connection along the Yarra’s North Bank between Sandridge Bridge and Spencer Street — removing land uses which don’t make the most of the space. Additional access points to the city and river activation such as a floating swimming pool.
Source: Yarra River Big Ideas Forum