Dodds Street Linear Park: a new green space for Southbank

Southbank has a fabulous green addition to its streets with the Dodds Street Linear Park. This project brings much-needed green space to our urban neighbourhood and enhances the liveability of Southbank.

Dodds St, previously a through-road between Southbank Boulevard and Grant St, has been reimagined as a linear park – a lush, green corridor that will serve as a new community hub. This project is part of the broader City of Melbourne initiative to increase green spaces across the city, making urban areas more sustainable, liveable, and resilient.

The Dodds Street Linear Park is designed to provide a serene space for residents to relax, exercise, and connect with nature, right in the heart of Southbank. With tree-lined paths, seating areas, and landscaped gardens, the park will be a welcome addition to a neighbourhood that, despite its density, has lacked sufficient green spaces.

This park is also a little special, and you’ll see that the moment you walk through it. It’s something that we need to increase in Southbank – because this is only the start of what’s needed to make Southbank a place where community thrives.

Southbank is one of the most densely populated areas in Melbourne, with high-rise apartments and busy streets characterising much of the landscape. While this urban density has its benefits, it also presents challenges – particularly when it comes to creating a healthy, safe and balanced environment for residents.

Increasing green spaces in Southbank is not just about beautification; it’s about improving the quality of life for everyone who lives and works here. Green spaces provide numerous benefits, including:

• Improved air quality: Trees and plants help filter pollutants from the air, reducing the levels of harmful substances like carbon dioxide and particulate matter. This is particularly important in areas like Southbank, where traffic and construction can contribute to poor air quality.
• Urban cooling: Green spaces help cool urban areas by providing shade and reducing the heat island effect. In a city like Melbourne, which can experience extreme heat during summer, this cooling effect is vital for the comfort and safety of residents.
• Enhanced mental health and wellbeing: Access to green spaces has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and encourage physical activity – all of which contribute to better overall health. For residents in high-density areas, these benefits are especially valuable.
• Community connection: Parks and green spaces provide a place for people to gather, socialise, and engage in community activities. They foster a sense of belonging and help build stronger, more connected communities.

The Dodds Street Linear Park is just one part of a broader effort to green Southbank, but more needs to be done and more quickly.

I am deeply committed to supporting greening and community initiatives in Southbank. I believe that by working together, we can create a Southbank that is not only a hub of culture and commerce but also a green, thriving, and liveable community.

I encourage all Southbank residents to get involved and I invite you to share your ideas on how we can continue to improve and expand our green spaces, and create a safer, greener and more thriving Southbank community. Feel free to drop me a line on any social media platform at @thejamalhakim and watch this space for some more announcements soon!