Vital open space at the Kings Way undercroft

Southbankers need more open space. And we’re delivering that, underneath the Kingsway overpass.  

In every conversation with the Southbank community the lack of open space always comes up.  

The facts are Southbank is one of the most densely populated areas in Melbourne, and it’s a young and growing community.  

We know that urban infrastructure can transform cities, and really bring communities like Southbank to life. The way we do that is through all levels of government working together to ensure the sustainability of our communities for years to come.  

That’s why in July 2023, Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King formed the Urban Policy Forum with experts from across the country to support the government’s work on the design and implementation of a National Urban Policy Framework.  

For years, the northern undercroft, under the Kings Way overpass, has sat there, redundant. It’s a concrete jungle which has so much potential to revitalise our Southbank community.  

From improving connectivity to public transport, to building new open space for communities to gather – the undercroft space has been long underutilised. 

The City of Melbourne has conducted community consultations and put forward a vision which would be a real gamechanger for Southbank.  

But I know that this vision for Southbank has been something the community has long advocated for.  

Which is why I was so proud to stand with Lord Mayor Nick Reece and announce that we have secured $4.1 million from the federal government to revitalise the Kings Way undercroft from a concrete jungle to an activity zone for our community.  

We will be transforming the area into a real community space, with an outdoor park, basketball courts and art installations.  

Green space is so precious, and this huge piece of land which has for too long been left alone, is going to be the new centre of life for our community.  

This is not only a fantastic partnership between the Federal Government and the City of Melbourne, but it’s testament to the advocacy of the local Southbank community, which recognised just how important this project will be for the future of our city.  

Government projects take time. They take collaboration with other layers of government and detailed planning. But good governments can get outcomes for communities, especially for projects that stack up and are needed by the community.  

I’m proud of the huge amount of work to get this far, but we’re only just beginning. 

Together, let’s get this done, and so much more – for our wonderful community in Southbank. •