“A massive win for Southbank”: Kings Way northern undercroft funding secured

The federal government has announced a fresh round of funding that will bring the City of Melbourne’s vision for a renewed northern undercroft on City Rd in Southbank to life.

The Commonwealth has committed $4 million as a part of its Thriving Suburbs Program which aims to support local councils and organisations to upgrade essential local infrastructure.

Located under the Kings Way overpass on the northern side of City Rd, the northern undercroft has sat underutilised for years and the council has long sought to transform it into 5000sqm of public space as part of its 2016 City Road Master Plan.

Among some of the uses mooted for the new space include areas for recreational activities, including basketball courts and climbing walls, as well as art installations and safety upgrades.

Funding for the project will be split evenly between the council and the federal government, with a timeline for construction still awaiting all funding to be secured and designs finalised.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said that the new space would be a “game-changer” and represented “a massive win for Southbank”.

“As our most densely populated suburb, we know that Southbank has been crying out for more public open space – and now we can deliver it,” Cr Reece said.

Earlier this year the concept design was publicly exhibited and was widely supported by the community, and detailed design work is now under way.

As a part of the works, City Road Park at the corner of City Rd and Queensbridge St will also be revitalised into a more welcoming place to rest with more plants and new street furniture.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said, “Councils and local organisations have struggled to maintain and upgrade essential local assets.”

“We established Thriving Suburbs to fix this problem – to support local organisations with the funding they need to build better cities and more liveable suburbs,” she added.

“This important investment will make a real difference for thousands of Victorians by supporting community infrastructure that brings people together and increases local amenity.”

The Lord Mayor also thanked federal MP for Macnamara Josh Burns for being “a local legend and advocating for Southbank”, as well as Minister King and the federal government “for their support and investment in the future of Southbank”.

“With this funding we can finally get on with the job, and we look forward to updating the community as this project progresses,” Cr Reece said.