The revitalised Siding Reserve in South Yarra has reopened today, along with a new pocket park on Arthur Street installed as part of Metro Tunnel works.
The South Yarra Siding Reserve, formerly a sloping area of grass alongside the rail line, was closed to the public in 2018 to allow for construction of the Metro Tunnel’s eastern entrance and a new railway substation.
The reserve has been transformed into an inviting local park for the community to enjoy. This marks another Metro Tunnel milestone as the project moves closer towards the 2025 opening date.
The upgraded reserve features more than 2400 square metres of lawn, landscaping, new pedestrian and bike paths, improved lighting and a new picnic area with seating.
More than 160 trees have been planted at the reserve and neighbouring Arthur Street and William Street pocket parks. This is around a 40% increase of trees in the area, creating greener spaces for the community.
The reserve features 2 First Nations artworks, by Barkindji man Kent Morris and Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Kim Wandin, with collaborating artist, Christine Joy. Aunty Kim’s work extends to the nearby Arthur Street Pocket Park.
Other public spaces in the area, including William Street Pocket Park, William Street Bridge and Lovers Walk reopened in late 2023.
Beneath the park lives the South Yarra Substation – the first in Victoria to be built underground. The substation will provide the extra power needed for the new bigger, better trains running through the Metro Tunnel and on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
The Metro Tunnel Project is delivering more than 8700 square metres of new green space and more than 660 new trees in and around the 5 new station precincts and tunnel entrances.
Testing of high capacity signalling and other systems is continuing on the Metro Tunnel, which will transform public transport in Melbourne when it opens in 2025 – a year ahead of schedule.