Green Dreams on Hold: Melbourne’s $316M Yarra Greenline Project Hits a Funding Snag
Melbourne’s $316 million Greenline project along the Yarra River has been stalled due to a lack of state and federal funding. The City of Melbourne now redirects funds, but insists the vision isn't dead.
Yarra Revamp on Pause: Greenline Hits a Snag
Melbourne’s big riverside glow-up — the $316 million “Greenline” makeover — has been slapped with a big ol’ bureaucratic “maybe later,” after the state and federal governments decided not to cough up their share of the cash.
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece says the plan is still very much alive, even as the City of Melbourne slashes funding from its 2025–26 budget, now allocating just $18 million to wrap up the first stage.
Project Breakdown – The Greenline by the Numbers
| Item | Figure/Status |
|---|---|
| Total Project Cost | $316 million |
| Initial Funding Allocated | $27 million over 4 years (as of 2023) |
| New 2025–26 Budget Allocation | $18 million |
| Government Co-Funding Received | $0 (none from state or federal) |
| First Stage Focus | Birrarung Marr wetlands (near aquarium) |
| Project Launch Year | 2022 (under Lord Mayor Sally Capp) |
| Community Benefits (projected) | Thousands of jobs, economic boost |
| Alternative Investments | North Melbourne Hub, Southbank Library |
What Was the Greenline Again?
Think Melbourne’s answer to NYC’s High Line — but instead of converting old rail lines, we’re turning the Yarra’s north bank into a green haven with floating wetlands, boardwalks, native habitats, and Insta-ready promenades from Birrarung Marr to the Bolte Bridge.
Too bad it’s now more of a dreamline than a deadline.
Local Reactions: Crushed Hope with a Dash of Sarcasm
- “Oh damn,” said a local cyclist, summing up the vibe.
- “Looked cool in the pictures. Maybe it’ll rise from the ashes in a few years,” another optimist chimed in.
- A visitor with NYC High Line experience called it “amazing” and hoped Melbourne wouldn’t fall too far behind.
Why It’s Stalled: Show Me the Money
Despite touting the project’s economic and environmental benefits, the city couldn’t secure the necessary dollars from Spring Street or Canberra. The Victorian government, clearly not in a “wetland renaissance” mood, said the project’s future was up to the City of Melbourne.
Meanwhile, the Committee for Melbourne says it’s probably not what the city needs most right now. CEO Scott Veenker put it bluntly:
“Our members want a city that’s safe, accessible and has good amenity. Greenline just wasn’t priority number one.”
The Lord Mayor’s Last Word
Cr Reece — speaking post–Mother’s Day Classic run in true weekend-warrior fashion — insists Greenline isn’t dead. Just resting.
“It’s a big project. We always said we couldn’t deliver it on our own.”
He’s hoping for a comeback when the political winds shift or a friendly treasurer finds a spare hundred mil behind the couch cushions.
Commentary: A Bit of a Green Line… and a Red Light
Melbourne’s stuck in a strange paradox — it wants to lead the green urban movement, but the cash keeps flowing elsewhere. Meanwhile, the City has to juggle sustainability with service delivery.
As Lord Mayor Reece reallocates funding to more “practical” priorities like a new library and a North Melbourne community hub, Greenline may be left floating in budgetary limbo.
