Located in Dodds Street between Grant Street and Southbank Boulevard, the Dodds Street Linear Park project will create 1,300 square metres of native grassland planting and add 34 new trees to the space. Growing largely from seed, this new landscape will be resilient and sustainable, with inbuilt raingardens and structural soil made onsite from remediated site soils.
With the hardscape complete, the first chapter of this project is now accessible to the public. Where Dodds Street previously operated as a thoroughfare between creative institutions, you'll now find a completely transformed space where the heritage bricks of the old stables building bleed into new paved pathways; bluestone spheres emerge from the ground plane; and amphitheatre seating provides a space to gather, perform or rest.
The northern end of the street is open to vehicles and operates as a shared area, enabling the arts precinct businesses to continue creating the world-class artistic and cultural offerings our city is known for.
The landscape has been thoughtfully designed to welcome people of all abilities into the world of art within Melbourne’s iconic arts precinct. The road surface has been raised and kerbs removed to enhance the pedestrian experience and minimise trip hazards, and accessible and pick-up/drop-off parking has been prioritised over long-term spaces.
Planting will begin once the weather cools in late autumn, giving plants and seeds the best chance to thrive. Nature can't be rushed and the landscape will take the time it takes to embed and flourish. Watch closely as the seasons change – each chapter of this landscape will have its own story to tell.
The Dodds Street Linear Park will breathe new life into this under-explored part of the city, increase visitation to the area, and provide students, residents, visitors and workers a place to gather, rest and explore.
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Timeline
Dodds Street Linear Park is now open to the public.
Our team will be on site from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday throughout late autumn and early winter, planting the landscape largely from seed and tubestock. Once this is complete, the mounds will be covered with erosion-control matting which also helps the seeds stay cosy, ready for germination.
You'll see on-site signage asking you (and your pets) to help our seedlings grow by staying off the garden beds and mounds. You'll notice the landscape will stay bare for quite some time as the germination process takes place underground. It may not look like a lush green space for a while, but in time a resilient, biodiverse and sustainable landscape will begin to emerge.
Future works
This project forms Stage 2 of the Southbank Boulevard and Dodds Street Draft concept plan endorsed by Council in 2017.
Our community engagement for the concept plan showed public art was important to the local Southbank community when it comes to designing public space. A public artwork has been commissioned for this area. Planning and design for the work is underway.
Access
Dodds Street Linear Park is best explored slowly, so hop off your bike or scooter and explore. Vehicles now have access to the shared area in the northern end of Dodds Street (which runs from Southbank Boulevard to the service lane next to the Melbourne Theatre Company) and can use the dedicated pick-up/drop off bays and accessible parking bays. Hoop fencing lines the mounded garden beds to ensure humans and their pets keep clear as our delicate wildflowers, grasses and wetland plant seeds germinate.
Community consultation
Local residents, businesses, Traditional Custodians and relevant stakeholders were consulted as part of the development of the Southbank Boulevard and Dodds Street Draft Concept Plan endorsed by Council in 2017.
The community provided feedback about what elements they deem crucial when designing open community space. Green, accessible space with culturally sensitive planting were highlighted by those who live, work and are culturally connected to the area.
Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation
Work has commenced on the Victorian Government’s $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation.
To allow construction to continue on the northern end of the project, the section of Sturt Street between City Road and Kavanagh Street will be closed permanently from 12 January 2023.
The remaining section of Sturt Street, between Kavanagh Street and Southbank Boulevard, will be closed permanently from 9 March 2023. Closing this section will allow for construction of The Fox: NGV Contemporary and the new 18,000 square metre public urban garden.
Read our latest construction bulletin