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 35 new trees set amongst paved bluestone pathways and gathering spaces. This new landscape will be resilient and sustainable, with inbuilt raingardens and structural soil made onsite from remediated site soils.
The northern end of the street will operate as a shared zone, 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 will be raised to enhance the pedestrian experience and minimise trip hazards for people of different abilities; accessible and pick-up/drop-off parking has been prioritised over long-term spaces; and surface tactiles will signify changes in road behaviour for visually impaired visitors.
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 will be open to the public in mid-April 2024.
To provide our new plants with the best conditions to thrive, we’ll be planting them in late autumn as the weather cools. We expect this will take approximately one month, during which time the new streetscape will be open and accessible to all.
Works will take place between the hours of 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 3pm on Saturdays (as required).
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
Construction work zones will be staged to ensure access to doorways is maintained at all times. Temporary fencing will be installed around work zones and pedestrian access maintained and signed appropriately.
Vehicles now have access to the shared zone of Dodds Street which runs from Southbank Boulevard to the service lane next to the Melbourne Theatre Company, and can use pick-up/drop off bays and accessible parking bays.
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