Imagine being able to stroll all the way from the CBD to the beach on a sunny day, along a beautiful greenified boulevard. The state government is bringing this vision to life, with a plan to create an extensive corridor of greenery that leads from the hustle and bustle of the inner city to the ocean.
The Shrine to Sea Masterplan has been officially unveiled, marking the next step in a transformative $13 million project to connect the Shrine of Remembrance to Port Phillip Bay. Running along Albert and Kerferd Roads in Albert Park and South Melbourne, this ambitious project will enhance green spaces, improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, and celebrate the area's rich cultural history.
Key features include new parks and revitalised gardens, 350 newly planted trees, 9,000 square metres of native woody meadows, and water-sensitive urban designs. There will also be energy-efficient lighting and native vegetation to bolster sustainability and biodiversity in the area. The project acknowledges the Traditional Custodians' connection to Country, with the boulevard named Yannawatpanhanna, meaning "go to water" in the Boon Wurrung language of the Bunurong people.
Shaped by extensive community consultation with input from thousands of Victorians, the Shrine to Sea Masterplan balances modern infrastructure with heritage preservation and local values. The project, part of the Labor Government's broader investment in community infrastructure, aims to create a greener, livable corridor for Melburnians' future while honouring the area's past.
Construction is set to begin later this year, with completion targeted for 2027. In the meantime, Melburnians are encouraged to explore the Shrine to Sea Masterplan and provide feedback at engage.vic.gov.au/shrinetosea.
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