Yarra City Council last night agreed to progress to community consultation on the draft Inner Circle Linear Parklands Masterplan – a 20-year vision and program to guide the design and delivery of the largest creation of greenspace in the inner-city.

Comprising more than six hectares and stretching 3.5km across North Fitzroy and Princes Hill and Carlton North, the Linear Park consists of six classified open space reserves within the City of Yarra and one reserve in the City of Merri-bek. Together it represents the longest continuous stretch of open parklands in Yarra, containing many historical, cultural and environmental points of interest, as well as being a prominent commuter cycling corridor.

“This will quite possible the longest and newest bike lane in the history of Yarra. More trees, more playgrounds,” said Yarra City Council Mayor, Stephen Jolly.

"It will be the biggest upgrade of a park since the Edinburgh Gardens. It’s breathtaking when you think of it like that.”

While it will primarily cater to residents and workers of the City of Yarra, the Parklands will also provide facilities that are used by many residents from other municipalities who visit or work in Yarra.  

As well as providing open space and recreation for the City’s residents, the Parklands will continue to provide a significant habitat corridor between Royal Park and the Merri Creek for insects, birds and small mammals, contributing to biodiversity, urban cooling, and improved air quality through large canopy trees and native plantings.  

As our population grows and changes, the ways we use our open spaces also change. The 20-year Linear Parklands Masterplan outlines future upgrades and investment in the parklands, to ensure they reflect the needs of our diverse community now and in the years to come

The Masterplan develops objectives and principles for the overall parklands as well as for each distinct section, identifies and prioritises capital works projects to deliver on the vision, and set out guidelines for improved and ongoing land management practices.

Draft Linear Parklands Masterplan [ PDF, 27.24 MB]