Boulevard transformation good news for our river precinct

The City of Melbourne’s imminent transformation of Southbank Boulevard is the biggest public infrastructure project in the area since the creation of Southbank itself. It will significantly impact on how local people spend their recreation time and how visitors interact with the precinct.

It will create an open space corridor, linking St Kilda Rd with the Yarra River. The river will therefore have a new gateway point and residents will have a new local lifestyle to enjoy. Work on the project begins this year and we have dedicated our first business lunch of the year – Thursday, February 23 – to hearing about, and discussing the project, with the two principal minds behind it: Professor Rob Adams and Steven Perumal from the council’s urban design unit.

It’s the first in our 2017 series of business events, but anyone is welcome to attend, especially residents. We’re holding the function on Eureka 89, where you will not only hear about the concepts and planned works from the two speakers, but you will be able to get a bird’s eye appreciation of what they are saying.

Needless to say, it’s also a great lunch, with drinks and an opportunity to mix with the business community and key stakeholders of our precinct.

Look for the lunch advert in this issue for booking details, or contact our executive officer on 0412 502 931.

This is a great time of the year to be a resident, worker or visitor to this precinct. The banks of the Yarra are alive with major events. This year’s Lunar New Year has been the biggest we’ve had along the Yarra.

This year, South Wharf joined the celebration and Crown contributed its usual high standard offering, with a double fireworks display on the water over two weekends. After a couple of fairly ordinary White Night years along the Yarra, this year’s event on February 18 looks to be a winner. The most memorable installations will no doubt be the huge inflatable rabbits in Birrarung Marr.

We had artistic director David Atkins address our November luncheon and, if his enthusiasm and talent is anything to go by, White Night 2017 should be the best yet.

We then have Moomba and the Grand Prix during March, and in early April we will see a bigger than ever River Graze – the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s opening weekend along the Yarra.

The Yarra River Business Association is once again financially supporting River Graze, as it is a tremendous showcase for our dining and hospitality reputation.

There’s renewed hope for river governance with the recent appointment of Matthew Jackson as CEO of Parks Victoria. Matthew has senior private sector experience and in early talks with him he clearly recognises the great value in a solid private-public sector approach to activating our important waterway.

John Forman President - Yarra River Business Association