The Yarra Open Space Strategy identifies Collingwood as having very limited public open space.

Currently, only 0.3% of the precinct area is dedicated to public open space, while the area is also expected to experience significant population growth. This highlights a strong need to create more green spaces for the local community.

Closing this section of road adjacent to the recently acquired land parcel on Wellington Street, will increase new open space provision by approximately 800 square metres.

Traditional play equipment has not been included in the current proposal for two key reasons:

• McNamara Reserve, located within a 270 metre walking distance from this site, provides play equipment for young children. Council aims to offer a diversity of play types and experiences within the Collingwood Precinct.
• Feedback received from the light‑touch community engagement, held in late 2025, did not identify a community preference for traditional play equipment.

Unstructured play elements promoting informal play opportunities have been emphasised within the design.

The draft Concept Design includes an overall increase in trees on the site and also proposes additional greening through turf areas and garden beds.

21 suitably selected tree species are proposed with consideration given to the following;

• mature size and form
• shade provision
• solar access during the winter months
• biodiversity value and existing site character.

8 existing trees are proposed for removal. All trees on site have been assessed by an external arborist; seven trees were rated with low retention value and one tree was rated with very low retention value.

A public toilet has not been included in the proposal for several reasons:

• this location is not included in Yarra’s Public Toilet Strategy (2017-2027) as a priority site.
• the proposed park is small in scale, providing open space provision for the local community. Council anticipates that most park users will have access to a private toilet facility.
• the nearest public toilet provision is located at the intersection of Kerr and Smith Streets, in Fitzroy.
• public toilets require significant investment to construct, connect to services, maintain, clean, and monitor.

Council will be conducting a review of parking restrictions in the surrounding area including to investigate the potential implementation of permit parking.

9 existing parking bays (eight on Mater Street and one on Wellington Street) will require removal to enable the area to be transformed into a new public open space.

Two disabled car parking bays (and associated compliant pram ramp) will be relocated on Mater Street.

One reserved Salvation Army ‘Learn 2 Drive’ parking bay will be relocated onto Wellington Street (adjacent to the new open space).

Construction is planned for the 2026-27 financial year upon approval of the 2026-27 Annual Budget.