Case study: Victoria Point Greening
The Victoria Point Podium Greening project received a $500,000 matched-funding grant from the City of Melbourne’s Urban Forest Fund and $350,000 from Development Victoria, to transform their section of the Docklands Stadium concourse from grey to green. The project was completed in July 2023.
The owners corporation of this high-rise apartment building has created a safer and welcoming environment for residents and visitors to enjoy. The once underutilised and uninviting space has now been activated with new garden beds, canopy trees, habitat plantings, seating areas for relaxation, and improved lighting.
Victoria Point apartment building sits on the south-west side of the Docklands Stadium concourse abutting Marvel Stadium. The property includes a large elevated paved pedestrian area, along with a number of retail and office spaces. The space is a busy pedestrian thoroughfare.
Being situated on a podium (above a three-storey car park) and supported by the existing structure, the weight load of the new garden beds was a critical consideration in the design.
In addition to an Urban Forest Fund grant, the project was funded with contributions from Development Victoria, Victoria Point Owners Corporation, Planting Trees for Queens Jubilee Program, and Stronger Communities Programme.
The benefits
Once established, the new plantings will create more than double the original green cover.
Native and indigenous plants support local biodiversity and connect with other nearby habitat patches.
Stormwater runoff has been reduced thanks to increasing the permeable land.
Replacement of existing concrete to vegetated areas with canopy trees will assist in reducing the ‘heat island effect’ and provide cooling benefits.
Lighting has been improved to create a safer environment.
The garden beds improve wayfinding and pedestrian flow through the site.
High-rise residents and visitors have increased opportunity to interact with nature, improving health and wellbeing.
Revitalisation of this high-traffic residential, commercial and retail precinct, has potential to increase property values, improve productivity for workers, and provide better amenity for patrons in retail venues.
