Overall city renewal guidelines were approved on a 5-1 vote Monday night in  the next stage in the long-awaited revamp which is yet to get off the ground after more than a decade of  discussions.

It will be staged in five main sections — Liebig Street between Koroit and Lava streets in the next two years, depending on government funding; Liebig Street between Timor and Koroit streets within four years; Liebig Street from Lava Street to Raglan Parade within five years; Koroit Street between Liebig and Kepler streets within six years; and the balance in 10-plus years.

The city council has allocated $1 million in its new budget to start Liebig Street, but is dependent on the state government providing matching funds. Street designs will follow similar patterns, but  detail will vary according to hierarchy — main street, high-intensity city streets, low-intensity city streets, the highway and residential transition.

Cr Jacinta Ermacora said the guidelines would be a template for future councils to continue the project.

Mayor Michael Neoh, who owns a Liebig Street property, declared a conflicting interest and left the room,  while Cr Brian Kelson, who operates a business in the street, stayed in for the debate and voted against adopting the guidelines.

The list of approved design materials includes paving, kerbs, walls, seating and other street furniture, trees and vegetation.

Liebig Street will have wide bluestone paved footpaths, “gateway treatment” at Merri Street and Raglan Parade, more street art, new light designs and unique tree avenues.

Sections of its main link streets, Lava, Koroit and Timor will have new furniture, some bluestone paving, provision for on-street trading and dining, more trees and new lights.

Fairy and Kepler streets, rated as lower-intensity, will have more trees and on-street trading and dining.

Raglan Parade between Banyan and Henna streets will have “gateway treatments” at key intersections, improved pedestrian safety, some bluestone pavers, more trees and some shrubs.

Residential streets will have bench seats and more trees, but wide nature strips will remain. “Grass verges are important to the character and heritage of residential transition streets and should be retained without interventions for indent parking,” the design report says.

Laneways and arcades will be upgraded where appropriate with footpaths, art lighting and moveable furniture.

Centre block car parks will have designated footpaths, canopies, shade trees, additional lighting, plaza spaces and better signage.