Melbourne security upgrades
Melbourne CBD
We delivered a $52.5 million security upgrade project in Melbourne’s CBD including the installation of physical barriers at Melbourne’s busiest locations, upgrades to CCTV cameras and a new public address system.
The upgrades provide protection for pedestrians from vehicle-based attacks and improve how police can monitor and respond to incidents.
Public-address system
Speakers have been installed in 94 locations to create a public-address system for use in emergencies. Victoria Police can use the system to provide warnings and safety information.
The system works alongside other emergency management messaging, such as text messages, as well as police and emergency services on the scene of any incident.
Security cameras
Melbourne’s CCTV network has been expanded, with 30 new cameras added and the existing cameras and network upgraded. To learn more about CCTV cameras in the CBD, visit the City of Melbourne's Safe City network page.
Protective infrastructure
Nine of Melbourne’s busiest and most prominent pedestrian sites have been protected from vehicle-based attacks using steel bollards, barriers, street furniture and other long-term measures.
Protective zones have been created for pedestrians, balancing the needs of everyone using the sites, along with safety, engineering, design and heritage considerations.
More information on what’s been constructed at each of the sites is below.
Sites protected
The Flinders Street Station forecourt upgrade improved safety at one of the city's busiest and most prominent public spaces.
The upgrade involved:
- removing temporary concrete blocks and a fence
- expanding the forecourt area under the clocks by 130 square metres
- widening the crossing to Young & Jackson
- installing steel bollards, bike hoops and a new fence section
- resurfacing the road and remarking the car and bike lanes
Princes Bridge connects the Melbourne Arts Precinct to Flinders Street Station, Federation Square and the CBD, and is used by thousands of pedestrians each day.
The security upgrades at Princes Bridge involved:
- replacing the concrete blocks at each end of the footpaths with steel bollards
- adding reinforced barriers between the footpath and the road, replacing the water-filled barriers
The barriers were designed in consultation with Heritage Victoria, security experts and heritage architects. They have a bluestone finish and a lower profile than the temporary barriers.
The security upgrades in Bourke Street Mall provide significant additional protection along the iconic shopping precinct.
The upgrade involved:
- removing all temporary concrete blocks
- installing planter boxes and 131 steel bollards
- creating a protective pedestrian zone on each side of the mall comprised of bollards, trees, street furniture and flagpoles
The protective design for the area was created with security experts, Victoria Police and City of Melbourne, in consultation with local businesses.
The State Library is a Melbourne landmark and cultural icon, as well as a popular gathering place.
The security upgrades around the Melbourne landmark involved:
- installing 27 steel bollards and 16 bespoke bluestone blocks
- expanding the bike lane on La Trobe Street and separating it from traffic
- expanding the footpath at the corner of La Trobe Street
- removing the protective concrete blocks from the Swanston Street footpath
The measures were designed to meet the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and transport passengers in this busy area.
Olympic Boulevard connects some of Melbourne’s most significant sporting stadiums, hosting tens of thousands of visitors during major events.
Security upgrades at Olympic Boulevard included:
- 196 steel bollards around AAMI Park and Melbourne Arena
- 69 v-shaped concrete barriers, designed to match the arena aesthetic
- landscaping and additional trees
The Queen Victoria Market is an iconic, large and diverse market – it has a variety of businesses, existing structures, pedestrian and engineering needs.
The protections at this site:
- provide safety for visitors
- maintain ease of access
- align with the market's character and heritage
The security measures installed include:
- 29 steel bollards
- planter boxes and bluestone blocks
Security upgrades were completed in consultation with the Queen Victoria Market Board and other stakeholders including the City of Melbourne Queen Victoria Market renewal team.
Southbank Promenade is a major dining and entertainment destination, which is popular day and night.
The protections at this site:
- provide a protected zone along the promenade
- mostly consist of bollards, to provide protection while enabling people to move freely
- consider the needs of local businesses, tram passengers and others
Southern Cross Station is the second busiest train station in Melbourne, with almost 280,000 people using the station each day.
Security upgrades were installed at the corners of Spencer, Bourke and Collins streets.
As well as some bespoke elements, these upgrades focused on steel bollards to ensure free pedestrian movement around this busy site.
Federation Square is one of Melbourne's most visited places, hosting major events and cultural attractions.
Security enhancements have been constructed at the pedestrian thoroughfare at Birrarung Marr (near ArtPlay). The City of Melbourne is installing further protections at Federation Square – visit the City of Melbourne website for more about these upgrades.
Map of the protected sites
Protective zones for pedestrians have been created at nine of Melbourne’s busiest and most prominent pedestrian sites including Flinders Street Station, Southbank Promenade, Olympic Boulevard, Queen Victoria Market and Federation Square.
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