Harbour Esplanade: The Docklands heat trap we can no longer ignore

Harbour Esplanade: The Docklands heat trap we can no longer ignore

It was a blistering January afternoon in Docklands when I found myself trudging across Harbour Esplanade, the unforgiving sun beating down on me like a relentless foe.

Sweat poured down my face, soaking my shirt as I carried my bag towards Southern Cross Station. By the time I reached the station, I felt lightheaded and drained, the oppressive heat sapping my energy.

I couldn’t help but think about the countless others making this same sweltering journey – older residents, people with disabilities, visitors unfamiliar with Melbourne’s urban heat, and those who simply couldn’t afford the privilege of staying indoors in air-conditioned comfort.

Harbour Esplanade is a poster child for poor urban heat management. The barren streetscape is a heat island, where a lack of shade and greenery has transformed the area into a furnace during Melbourne’s increasingly frequent heatwaves. As temperatures rise due to climate change, this glaring oversight has become not just a design flaw, but a public health issue.

Heatwaves are a silent killer, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with chronic health conditions. The City of Melbourne knows this all too well – extreme heat contributes to more deaths in Australia than any other natural hazard.

 

In Docklands, Harbour Esplanade amplifies this risk. The exposed stretch of asphalt and concrete reflects heat, making temperatures significantly higher than in shaded areas, creating a hostile environment for anyone attempting to navigate the space.

 

Accessibility compounds the issue. For residents in NewQuay or visitors to The District Docklands, the lack of an accessible tram along Harbour Esplanade forces people to endure long, exposed walks. For those with mobility challenges, the absence of accessible public transport options is not just an inconvenience – it’s an exclusion. Crossing the sun-scorched esplanade to reach essential services becomes a daunting and potentially dangerous task.

The situation is just as dire for commuters heading to Southern Cross Station. The walk across Harbour Esplanade and the Bourke Street Bridge is a gauntlet of heat, leaving even the fittest among us dripping with sweat, dehydrated, and at risk of heat-related illnesses. For some, this isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s life-threatening.

To its credit, the City of Melbourne has been proactive in addressing urban heat in many areas. Initiatives like the Urban Forest Strategy and the Green Our City Action Plan have focused on planting trees, creating green roofs, and increasing canopy cover. These efforts have reduced the urban heat island effect in many parts of the municipality, offering cooler, more liveable streetscapes.

In Docklands, the council has also taken steps to green the area, providing shaded, inviting spaces. However, these initiatives have yet to make a meaningful impact on Harbour Esplanade, which is largely the responsibility of Development Victoria. Despite its central location and importance as a pedestrian corridor, this stretch remains stark, barren, and inhospitable – a glaring omission.

Cities worldwide are grappling with similar challenges and offer valuable lessons for Melbourne. Singapore’s pioneering efforts in urban greening, such as vertical gardens and tree-lined streets, have significantly reduced heat in the city. Madrid has embraced a strategy of “green corridors,” connecting parks and shaded walkways to ensure residents can move around comfortably even during heatwaves.

Los Angeles has experimented with reflective cool pavements to lower surface temperatures, while Paris has introduced public cooling stations and water features in heat-prone areas.

Closer to home, Sydney has invested in extensive tree-planting initiatives and water-sensitive urban design to combat urban heat. These examples demonstrate that reducing heat impacts is not only possible but essential for creating liveable cities in a warming world.

So, what can be done for Docklands, and specifically Harbour Esplanade? First, we need to prioritise shade and greenery. Planting mature trees along the esplanade, installing pergolas with climbing plants or shade structures, and creating shaded seating areas would dramatically improve the area’s liveability.

Second, the City of Melbourne and Yarra Trams must urgently address accessibility. Extending accessible tram services along Harbour Esplanade would provide a lifeline for people with mobility challenges, ensuring they can navigate the area safely and comfortably. In the interim, shaded paths, rest stops and drinking water fountains should be installed to support those making the journey on foot.

Finally, community services like the post office must be preserved in accessible locations. Closing the post office kiosk in The District would create yet another barrier for residents, particularly during heat events when accessing services becomes a matter of safety and convenience.

Harbour Esplanade is a blank canvas – a missed opportunity to transform a sweltering heat trap into a welcoming, shaded, and vibrant space. As Melbourne continues to grow and adapt to a changing climate, we must ensure that no part of our city is left behind in the fight against urban heat.

During the election campaign, the Lord Mayor made a commitment to greening Harbour Esplanade. It’s now high time for action. •

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