Legendary Australian singer Jimmy Barnes will headline a free concert on November 30, 2023, to celebrate the reopening of the revitalized City Square in Melbourne. The event will also feature performances by renowned artists Kate Ceberano and Ian Moss, taking place in the square opposite Town Hall at the intersection of Swanston and Collins streets from 13:30 local time.
The square has undergone significant renovations after being closed in 2017 to facilitate the construction of the Town Hall station, part of the larger Metro Tunnel Project. Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Transport Infrastructure, described the new City Square as having undergone a “serious glow-up,” emphasizing its transformation into a greener and more inviting space. This redevelopment has created a new gateway to the Metro Tunnel, contributing to Melbourne’s cultural landscape.
The City Square has a rich history of hosting major Australian acts, including Crowded House, AC/DC, Kylie Minogue, and Missy Higgins. The centerpiece of the newly updated square is a striking smoking ceremony dish, surrounded by up to 12,000 custom-laid pavers developed in collaboration with Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy OAM.
New Developments and Future Plans
Alongside the concert, attendees can look forward to a new two-tiered retail concourse beneath the square, which is expected to open in 2026. The Metro Tunnel itself will begin limited operations on November 30, offering a restricted summer timetable, with a full schedule set to launch in February 2024.
In an effort to encourage public transport use, the government has announced that public transport will be free every weekend from November 30 until February 1, 2024. This initiative aims to allow Victorians to experience the new stations fully integrated with the existing transport network.
According to Steve Dimopoulos, Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, this concert is part of a broader initiative to position Melbourne as Australia’s cultural capital, with several free events planned for the summer.
The Metro Tunnel Project consists of a nine-kilometre rail tunnel connecting Kensington and South Yarra, featuring five new underground stations at Anzac, Town Hall, State Library, Parkville, and Arden in North Melbourne. The project links the Sunbury and Cranbourne/Pakenham lines, creating a new cross-city rail connection. The state government has invested approximately $13.48 billion AUD into the project, exceeding its original budget of $10.9 billion AUD.
As the reopening of City Square approaches, locals and visitors alike are encouraged to partake in this celebration of Melbourne’s vibrant culture and the continuation of its public transport enhancements.
