Sally Capp-tivates the YRBA

The Yarra River Business Association (YRBA) was treated to an engaging and thoughtful presentation from Lord Mayor Sally Capp at its business luncheon on November 15.

Held at the Cargo Hall at South Wharf Promenade, Cr Capp left a lasting impression on all members during her 20-minute presentation through which she expressed her desire for “big, bold and ambitious” ideas to further enliven the precinct.

Speaking in front of 70 precinct stakeholders ranging from Federation Square and Southgate to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and South Wharf, Cr Capp was complimentary of the YRBA’s longstanding role and service.

“We know at Town Hall that the voice of the Yarra River through the businesses along Southbank is very loud, which is always good,” she said. “But much more than that there are always quality conversations that are always focused on a better future for everyone.”

“To have consistency of leadership, of effort, motivation, determination and hard work over that time really speaks volumes in terms of what you’ve been able to achieve. It’s absolutely fantastic.”

Over the course of her presentation, the Lord Mayor outlined key capital works projects currently being rolled out and planned by council including the new park at Southbank Boulevard and associated upgrades to Southbank Promenade.

She revealed to members that the YRBA had played a key role in helping inform a new cycling plan to reduce conflicts between riders and pedestrians (read full story page X) as well as structural and safety upgrades.

“At Southbank Promenade we are in the early design stages for a number of measures to replace damaged pavements, improve tree growing conditions, reduce pedestrian and cyclist conflict, integrate key artworks, and improve amenity and illumination more generally,” she said.

As part of her 2017 election campaign, Cr Capp caught the attention of all Melburnians when she flagged her vision for a New York-style high-line park along the top of the elevated train platform between Flinders Street and Southern Cross Stations.

While acknowledging the engineering challenges of her intended vision of scale might be too great, she said the desire for enlivening the Northbank of the river remained a key focus of both herself and for the entire council.

Council has set aside $200,000 to explore options for the project in consultation with the likes of Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and Development Victoria and Cr Capp said she was looking forward to seeing what was possible.

“I am accepting that there is a level of complexity and difficulty involved in that [constructing a high-line park]. But the intent is still the same,” she said. “How can we enliven that Northbank of the river and really embrace it into our activation of the area to create vibrancy and add to what is already a fantastic precinct?”

“It incorporates a lot of imagination. We want it to have direct high-quality walking paths and bike lanes on that side of the river to alleviate some of the pressure on the south side.”

With summer approaching, council is reportedly working through a number of proposals for new precinct activations including a film projection onto the river and an international rowing regatta under lights.

Cr Capp said she was keen to continue working with the YRBA to drive the positive momentum currently being felt by businesses along the Yarra.

Yarrariver.melbourne