Safety, summer and a confident river precinct

As Melbourne heads into summer (eventually!), the Yarra River precinct is entering its busiest and most exciting season.

Southbank and South Wharf’s restaurants, river tours, bars, hotels, cultural venues and walkways will be buzzing with locals, workers, students, visitors and event attendees. Our river is where food, performance, art, sport and hospitality all meet – and this is when safety, confidence and precinct pride matter most.

Crime, anti-social behaviour and the ongoing demonstrations have been genuine concerns for local businesses and residents. While it’s important to acknowledge these concerns openly, we must stay constructive and optimistic.

A thriving precinct is a safe precinct. When people feel confident, they stay longer, spend more, and create energy and natural surveillance. It is encouraging to see the City of Melbourne take practical steps, including Community Safety Officers and expanded CCTV.

Safety officers complement police presence and provide reassurance, visibility and reporting capability. Cameras help deter crime and support investigations. These actions send a clear signal that public wellbeing matters, and we hope to see their presence across our precinct.

But safety isn’t just enforcement, it is about place. Safety is lighting, atmosphere, activation and a sense of belonging. Two recent city-shaping decisions will support this: free weekend public transport and the opening of the long-awaited Metro Tunnel.

Free travel will bring more families, students, workers, visitors and late-night audiences into the city without cost anxiety or parking pressure. More people on the streets equals more safety and a stronger precinct economy.

The Metro Tunnel (particularly Town Hall and Anzac stations) will improve late-night connectivity and make movement between the river, arts precinct, stadiums and convention centres easier and safer.

And in early December, the City of Melbourne endorsed a bold, long-term commitment – a charter to make the Birrarung swimmable in coming decades. This is an exciting step forward and will help to build confidence in the future of our river.

Looking ahead, we hope 2026 prioritises smaller scale, high-impact improvements that should be actioned without further delay: upgrading Queensbridge Square, cleaning and lighting the Batman Park vaults, and improving Southbank Promenade paving and amenity. Small, fast improvements will lift safety, activation and precinct confidence far sooner than long-term megaprojects.

Thank you, to our members, partners, local businesses and residents for your collaboration and ongoing support throughout 2025.

Wishing everyone a safe, restful and happy Christmas, and we look forward to working with Southbank News readers, stakeholders and community to make 2026 a year of action in the Yarra River precinct.  •