Wangaratta Street is a north-south street near Richmond Station, that also hosts a small park, Wangaratta Reserve, also known as Stewart Street Reserve:
Petition for more trees
In 2015 local residents petitioned council to plan more trees:
Minor refresh of Wangaratta Reserve
In 2018 the small park received a minor refresh, including a donated statue of Molly Meldrum. Council failed to expand the size of the park, despite suggestions from the community and despite adopted council policy to expand open space.
View of the park before and after the minor refresh. Image credits: Google Maps.
Open Space Strategy
In 2020 the Open Space Strategy proposed expanding the size and undertaking a major upgrade to improve urban greening.
Swan Street Streetscape Masterplan
In 2021 the Swan Street Streetscape Masterplan proposed that Wangaratta Reserve be expanded. On 15 February 2022 Council resolved to purposefully negotiate for Wangaratta Reserve be significantly enlarged.
Acquisition of land
On 22 January 2026 Council announced that it would acquire 1,524 m2 of land from VicTrack.
The exact parcel of land is unclear, but it could be this parcel shown in VicPlan.
Our view
Wangaratta Street and Stewart Street host large numbers of people who line up to attend the Corner Hotel. The park could be greatly expanded, the footpaths doubled in width, and a paved plaza added outside the hotel. Vehicle access to all properties would be retained, while vehicle access to Swan Street would be via the signalised intersection at Lennox Street. This change would also improve safety for people walking along Swan Street.
Proposal for a greatly expanded park, and a plaza outside the Corner Hotel. Image credits: Apple Maps, Streets Alive Yarra.