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Transforming
Melbourne’s
Franklin
Street:
SMEC
to
deliver
innovative
streetscape
renewal
Agustus 12, 2025
The Franklin Street transformation is a city-shaping project set to revitalise a key thoroughfare within Melbourne’s central business district. SMEC has been appointed to provide comprehensive engineering consultancy services for the duration of the project.

Adopting a progressive vision, the City of Melbourne intends to transform Franklin Street into a welcoming civic space that emphasises pedestrian activity, public open space, safe cycling infrastructure, and the enhancement of urban biodiversity.

 

Franklin Street forms a vital connection between the historic Queen Victoria Market and the new State Library Metro Tunnel Station, currently under construction. As Melbourne’s central city population continues to grow steadily, the demand for accessible and attractive public spaces becomes increasingly important. The Franklin Street precinct is one of the highest density residential populations in Australia.

 

Franklin Street, City of Melbourne

Artists impression courtesy of City of Melbourne

 

The approved design includes widened footpaths, new public space, protected bicycle lanes, integrated water cycle management and improved amenity. Central to the project is a strong commitment to sustainability, employing advanced water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) to address flood risks associated with the Elizabeth Street catchment.

 

Public art designed in collaboration with Traditional Owners will feature throughout the streetscape, creating opportunities for cultural storytelling and reflection on Melbourne’s Indigenous heritage.

 

This project is co-funded by City of Melbourne and the Department of Transport and Planning through the Transport Amenity Program.

 

Integrated engineering solutions

 

SMEC’s role as Lead Consultant encompasses civil, structural, traffic and hydrological, also managing geotechnical, electrical engineering and accessibility.  Responsibilities include detailed flood modelling, securing necessary authority approvals, coordinating multidisciplinary design through advanced Building Information Modelling (BIM), sustainability management and producing detailed documentation for tender and construction stages. SMEC will work closely with City of Melbourne Landscape Architects to develop the design.

 

Location

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Project name

Franklin Street Transformation

 

The Franklin Street transformation exemplifies SMEC’s ability to simplify technical complexity and engineer positive change. We understand the significance of this project to Melbourne, and our team is committed to delivering practical, sustainable solutions that reflect the community’s aspirations and fulfil the vision set out by the City of Melbourne.
— Scott Carne, Project Director - Manufacturing + Logistics (ANZ)

Franklin Street, City of Melbourne

Artists impression courtesy of City of Melbourne

Melbourne’s evolving streetscape

The Franklin Street transformation represents a significant opportunity to enhance Melbourne’s public amenity, bolster active transport networks, and integrate meaningful cultural heritage components. It reflects best-practice approaches aligned with the City’s strategic frameworks, including Transport Strategy 2030, the Urban Forest Strategy, and the Elizabeth Street Catchment Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan.

SMEC is proud to partner with the City of Melbourne and our external partners contributing our engineering expertise and collaborative approach to deliver a streetscape that will stand as a model for urban renewal and resilience, benefiting Melbourne’s residents and visitors for generations to come.

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