South Yarra community celebrates opening of Siding Reserve

Colours, aromas, music, laughter and dogs barking filled South Yarra’s Siding Reserve as the community and their furry friends gathered last month to mark a Metro Tunnel milestone.

Construction is now finished on the tunnel’s eastern entrance, and on a major upgrade of the reserve.

The park, alongside the rail line just south of South Yarra Station, was closed in 2018 for construction of the entrance. It was reopened to the public in May after being transformed into an inviting new public space.

The project also upgraded the neighbouring William St and Arthur St pocket parks, featuring new pedestrian and bike paths, improved lighting and a new picnic area.

With more than 2400 square metres of lawn and more than 160 new trees planted, the local community can now enjoy a safer, greener and more usable space.

The reserve features artworks from two First Nations artists, Where We Walk by Barkindji man Kent Morris and Murrup Biik by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Kim Wandin, with collaborating artist Christine Joy. Aunty Kim’s work extends to the nearby Arthur St pocket park.

More than 500 people attended the free event, indulging in delicious food and coffee and taking part in fun activities for adults and kids including a Metro Tunnel Project virtual reality experience, face painting, and badge making.

Of course, our four-legged friends were looked after with pet treats on offer for dogs and cats.

The Metro Tunnel is delivering around 8700 square metres of new green space and more than 500 new trees in and around the five new stations and tunnel entrances – that’s two new trees planted for every one removed. 

The Metro Tunnel is the biggest upgrade of Melbourne’s train network since the City Loop opened in 1981.

It will connect the busy Sunbury and Cranbourne/Pakenham lines via a new tunnel under the city, creating an end-to-end rail line from the north-west to the south-east, freeing up space in the City Loop and better connecting all Victorians to jobs, healthcare and education.