Security upgrades complete

By Edward McLeish

Pedestrians now have additional protection along the Bourke Street Mall, following the completion of security upgrades by the state government. 

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville joined the City of Melbourne and Victoria Police to celebrate the state government’s $52.5 million CBD security upgrades.

“We’ve worked closely with the City of Melbourne, Victoria Police and security experts to ensure everyone can still enjoy the Bourke Street Mall, while also creating important pedestrian protection zones," Minister Neville said. 

A total of 131 steel bollards have been installed, enabling all temporary concrete blocks to be removed from the mall. 

The bollards work together with street furniture, planter boxes and other measures to form a protective pedestrian zone on each side of the thoroughfare and shopping strip.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the works created a more welcoming space for the thousands of people who visited the area each day.

“These steel bollards will make our city safer and improve the streetscape along Bourke St,” Cr Capp said.

This is the third site to be completed as part of the state government’s investment in CBD security, with Princes Bridge and Flinders Street Station works completed earlier this year.

Security upgrades at Federation Square, Southbank Promenade, Southern Cross Station, the State Library, Queen Victoria Market and Olympic Boulevard are ongoing with high priority areas due to be installed later this year.