Feedback on Council plans for Emerald Hill close on Sunday 5 July
Under the guise of progress, the City of Port Phillip’s recent proposals for the Town Hall’s front area ignore its own Emerald Hill Masterplan. It removes its existing traditional lawn, garden and bench set up that makes it special and like home.
The most alarming aspect of this overzealous public space plan is Option A: the total closure of Bank Street. For the residents, families, and traders who breathe life into this suburb, it feels like an eviction. Bank Street is not an obstacle to be paved over; it is an artery. It connects our residents to essential services, delivers loyal patrons to the beloved nearby South Melbourne Market, the Emerald Hill Library and Heritage Centre, and ensures our local side streets are not filled by redirected traffic.
Council has only proposed two Options for consultation. Both Option A and B effectively close Bank St, an historic thoroughfare, which will isolate the Town Hall rather than integrate it. It replaces the energy of a living neighbourhood with a sanitized, artificial event space. The existing plantings, trees and grassed area of the Town Hall Reserve are also slated to be removed if we are to believe what is on their site drawings although its current garden design is in complete harmony with the building.
Request other options!
Our community identity shouldn’t be sacrificed for trendy urban design frameworks. We do not need another cold, sawn bluestone tiled plaza designed for transient “event” crowds. We need a functional, accessible neighbourhood where locals can park, drive, and navigate their own streets and businesses thrive. We need a design, that respects the place and its history and features vistas to the Town Hall. The design process should not be rushed, nor restricted to two concepts.
The Council’s proposed works may only last a generation but will certainly cost many millions of dollars.
You don’t have to choose Option A or B. Request other options!
The Council’s Have Your Say website has an online survey and is open for feedback until 11:59 pm on Sunday, 5 July 2026, at Enhancing South Melbourne Town Hall public space | Have Your Say Port Phillip.
Invitation to join concerned residents
A group of concerned residents will meet outside Emerald Hill Library at the 11:00 am Saturday 4 July 2026, to review the proposals. Join us if you are interested, and see what is not obvious in the Council’s sketched proposals.
Image: Michael Sabada (back right) with concerned neighbours Pam, Chris and Bob.
Meet with Cr Beti Jay
Cr Beti Jay has convened a community meeting to discuss this and other local plans: Tuesday 30 June, 6 pm–8 pm, South Melbourne Community Centre, corner of Park Street and Ferrars Place, South Melbourne (entry from Ferrars Place). All welcome.
