Docklands, Victoria

Docklands Melbourne, Victoria
View toward Docklands from high above the Melbourne CBD in 2008. From left to right - Batmans Hill & Southern Cross Station; Victoria Harbour; Stadium Precinct; New Quay; Waterfront City; Digital Harbour
Population:	3939 (2006)[1]
Established:	2000
Postcode:	3008
Area:	3 km² (1.2 sq mi)
Location:	2 km (1 mi) from Melbourne CBD
LGA:	City of Melbourne
State District:	Melbourne
Federal Division:	Melbourne
Suburbs around Docklands: Footscray West Melbourne North Melbourne Yarraville Docklands Melbourne Port Melbourne Port Melbourne Southbank

Docklands (also known as Melbourne Docklands to differentiate it from London Docklands) is an inner city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia occupying an area extending up to 2 km west of and adjacent to Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD). Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne. Demographically, Docklands has a population, according to the 2006 Census, of 3,939.

Docklands is bounded by Spencer Street, Wurundjeri Way and Charles Grimes bridge to the east, CityLink to the west and Lorimer Street across the Yarra to the south.

Docklands is a primarily waterfront area centred around the banks of the Yarra River. The area is the product of an ongoing urban renewal project to extend the area of the CBD (excluding Southbank and St Kilda Road) by over a third when completed around 2015.

Docklands includes the Melbourne landmarks Etihad Stadium, Southern Cross Station and the Southern Star Observation Wheel.

From the 1880s, the Docklands were used for docks, rail infrastructure and industry but mostly fell out of use following the containerisation of shipping traffic. The space remained vacant and unused during the 1980s and it fell in to disrepair. Docklands became notable during the 1990s for its underground rave dance scene,^[2] a dance culture which survives through popular organised events held at Docklands Stadium.

The stadium (then known as Colonial Stadium) in 1996 was built as a centrepiece to kickstart developer interest in Docklands as a viable renewal area. Urban renewal began in earnest 2000 as a collection of several independent but themed developments with staged development milestones. The project was tendered out and overseen by VicUrban, an agency of the State government of Victoria. The brief for the masterplan was for wide open water promenades and road boulevardes with contributions of landscaping and public art commissions to be made by each developer. VicUrban promotes its vision of Docklands as having a future (2015) residential population of 20,000 Docklands as a tourist attraction with 20 million visitors a year.

Despite being almost completely redeveloped, Docklands does retain a handful of significant heritage buildings mostly related to the area's industrial and maritime history. Most of the heritage buildings remaining on the site have been redeveloped and integrated into the development or will be in future.

Docklands has become a sought after business address,^[3] attracting the national headquarters of National Australia Bank, ANZ, Medibank Private, Bureau of Meteorology, Myer, National Foods as well as the regional headquarters for AXA Asia Pacific, Ericsson and Bendigo Bank.^[4] The Business Park model of large low-rise campus style office buildings combined with transport and proximity to city centre is seen by many in the real estate industry to be one of the reasons behind the success of the Docklands office market.

While still incomplete, Docklands developer-centric planning has been widely critised and many Melbourne politicians and media commentators lament its lack of green open space,^[5] pedestrian activity, transport links and culture.^[6][7][8]

History

Before the Foundation of Melbourne, Docklands was a wetlands area consisting of a large salt lake (on the current site of Victoria Harbour) and a giant swamp (known as West Melbourne Swamp) the at the mouth of Moonee Ponds Creek. It was one of the open hunting grounds of the Wurundjeri people who created middens around the edges of the lake.

At Melbourne's foundation, John Batman set up his home on Batman's Hill at Docklands, marking the westernmost point of the settlement. However the rest of Docklands remained largely unused for decades.

The advent of rail infrastructure in the late 1860s saw the city's industry gradually expand into the Docklands area.

The earliest plans to redevelop Docklands came in the 1870s when a plan was prepared to extend the Hoddle Grid westward , following the curve of the Yarra River effectively doubling its size. The plan included several gridlike blocks with an ornamental garden and lake in the shape of the United Kingdom to occupy the site of the salt lake.

However the proposal was abandoned in favour of extending the city northward and a major engineering project began in the 1880s to reroute the course of the Yarra River and this resulted in the widening of the river for shipping and the creation of Victoria Docks. Light industry grew to surround the western rail yards of Spencer Street station.

By the 1920s, with shipping moved from the Yarra turning basin at Queensbridge, Docklands had become the busiest port of the city.

The Yarra before the creation of Victoria Docks.

Reconfiguration and widening of the Yarra with the creation of Victoria Docks (right)]]

Busy Victoria Docks in the 1920s

Disuse

With the introduction of containerisation in the shipping industry, the docks along the Yarra River east of the modern Bolte Bridge, and within Victoria Harbour immediately to the west of the central business district, became inadequate for the new container ships. The principal docking area shifted closer to the mouth of the Yarra, creating a vast amount of vacant inner-city land.

Early renewal proposals

Docklands was seen as a large urban blight by the Cain state government. Property consultants JLW Advisory carried out a market demand assessment of the site in the mid 1980s.

The size of the Melbourne Docklands area meant that political influences were unescapable. The Docklands project was on top of the government’s agenda,^[9] however, due to the poor condition of the wharf infrastructure, much investment was required to initiate the project which the government at the time could not afford. Nevertheless, the Docklands project stayed on the drawing board, but with little progress. In 1990, the Docklands Task Force was established to devise an infrastructure strategy and conduct the public consultation process.^[9] The Committee for Melbourne, a lobby group representing corporate interests, was pursuing another planning strategy. It involved bids for the Melbourne Olympic games and the Japanese Ministry for International Trade and Industry’s Multifunction Polis (MFP), both bids fell through in late 1990.^[9] Nevertheless, the Committee for Melbourne’s approach became the preferred model in the proceeding strategies for the Docklands development, leading to the formation of the Docklands Authority in July 1991.^[9]

Kennett Era - wheels set in motion

With a government running in budget deficits, not much progress was made on the Docklands project. In Late 1992, Jeff Kennett was elected Premier. Kennett instituted many changes and turned the government’s financial position around. He then embarked on a multitude of projects, which included Docklands. It was politically imperative to get the project rolling, the Docklands Authority opted for the concept of having leaving all design and funding of infrastructure to the developers. The development industry supported this, and claimed that the project would be more efficient. May 1996 saw the relaunch of the tender process. Few restrictions were applied to the bids from developers, and as the vision was to make Docklands ‘Melbourne’s Millennium Mark’, the key criterion for a successful bid was to get projects going by 2000.^[9] It did not take long for the realisation that the lack of government coordination in infrastructure planning would create problems. Developers would not invest into public infrastructure where benefits would flow on to an adjacent property. This was corrected by allowing developers to negotiate for infrastructure funding with the government. The Docklands Village precinct, was planned for a residential and commercial mixed development, in late 1996 that plan was scrapped when it was announced a private football stadium would be built on the site.^[9] The site was chosen for its easy access to the then Spencer Street Station (Southern Cross Station), as well as that, it would be an anchor for the entire project and provide for a clear signal to the long awaited start of the Docklands project. However, this would create a huge barrier between the city and Docklands.

In 1989 several architectural firms were invited to discuss how the area could best serve the Melbourne public.

The commission to design the overall plan was granted to Ashton Raggatt McDougall by the Docklands Authority.

During 1998 and 1999, with the exception of Yarra Waters (Yarra’s Edge) bid by Mirvac, bid for every other precinct fell through, the reasons are often unclear due to secrecy provisions.^[9] The Kennett government at the same time was voted out.

Docklands rave history

Docklands became notable during the 1990s for its underground rave dance scene.^[2]

The site was host to a number of dance parties hosted by Future Entertainment and Hardware Corporation during the 1990s.^{[citation needed]} DJs and performers such as Paul van Dyk, Carl Cox, Jeff Mills, Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Marshall Jefferson and BT headlined these events. The biggest event hosted, in terms of attendance, was the "Welcome 2000" New Year's Eve dance party hosted on December 31, 1999.^{[citation needed]}

The dance tradition has continued through events such as Earthdance and Sensation held in 2008 at Etihad Stadium.

Tendering Process

The independent developments put out to tender out by the State Government and overseen by the Docklands Authority (then Vic Urban), a division of the State government in 2000.

Through the tendering process for the sites, Business Park was split once more and awarded to two consortia, becoming Entertainment City (renamed Paramount Studios) - a movie theme park with film studios, to be developed by a Viacom led consortium, and Yarra Nova (which later evolved into NewQuay) to the MAB Corporation consortium. The Paramount Studios proposal fell through, and the site was put to tender once more, as Studio City, and later awarded as two parts, becoming what is now the Central City Studios and Waterfront City.

Yarra Waters/Yarra Quays was awarded to Mirvac later becoming Yarra's Edge, while Technology Park was renamed Commonwealth Technology Port before finally becoming Digital Harbour.

A number of other sites also encountered false starts, with Victoria Harbour originally being awarded to Walker Corporation, before being put out to tender again and finally being awarded to Lend Lease in April 2001. Batman's Hill was originally awarded to Bruno Grollo's Grocon, which had plans for what would have been the world's tallest building rising 560 m, dubbed 'Grollo Tower' and featuring a mix of office, apartment, hotel and retail. This deal also fell through with the site being subdivided into 15 parcels as well as Rail Goods Shed No.2:

• Site 1/753 Bourke Street - awarded to Pan Urban.
• Site 2a/737 Bourke Street - Equiset.
• Site 2b/750 Collins Street - Grocon.
• Goods Shed North/733 Bourke Street - Equiset/Pan Urban JV.
• Site 3a/700 Collins Street - Leighton Holdings.
• Site 3b/717 Bourke Street - Global Campus Management/Babcock & Brown.
• Goods Shed South/735 Collins Street/Village Docklands - Kuok Group/Walker Corp JV.
• Site 4a/Village Docklands - Kuok Group/Walker Corp JV.
• Site 4b/Village Docklands - Kuok Group/Walker Corp JV.
• Site 4c/Village Docklands - Kuok Group/Walker Corp JV.
• Site 4d/Village Docklands - Kuok Group/Walker Corp JV.
• Site 4e/Village Docklands - Kuok Group/Walker Corp JV.
• Site 4f/Village Docklands - Kuok Group/Walker Corp JV.
• Site 5a - Kangan Batman TAFE.
• Site 5b - Under negotiation, Sama Dubai.
• Site 6 - Under negotiation, Sama Dubai.
• Site 7/643 Collins Street - Grocon.

The Stadium Precinct was divided into four corner blocks:

• North West Stadium Precinct (NWSP) - Channel 7/Pacific Holdings.
• North East Stadium Precinct (NESP) - Pan Urban.
• South West Stadium Precinct (SWSP) - Devine Limited/RIA Property Group.
• South East Stadium Precinct (SESP) - Bourke Junction Consortium

City of Melbourne - gradual handover

On July 1, 2007 Docklands became part of the City of Melbourne local government authority however VicUrban retains planning authority until 2010.

Heritage

Significant heritage buildings include 67 Spencer Street, former railway offices (adaptively reused as the "Grand Hotel" apartments), the railway goods sheds (adaptively reused as an indoor market),^[10] The Mission to Seafarers building,^[11] Victoria Dock and Central Pier,^[12] Queens Warehouse (adaptively reused as a vintage car museum),^[13] Docklands park shipping crane and a small number of warehouses and container sheds.

Districts

The area is broken up into a number of precincts, which are each being designed and built by a different development company.

Batman's Hill

The Batman's Hill precinct is adjacent to the western edge of the city and bordered by the Yarra River to the south, Spencer Street to the east, Etihad Stadium to the north and Victoria Harbour to the west. The precinct is named after the historical landmark Batman's Hill, which was once situated within the area.

Batman's Hill is a mixed-use precinct including commercial and retail space, entertainment, hotels, residential sections, restaurants, cultural sites and educational institutions as well as the historic Rail Goods Shed No.2, which was split in half to allow for the extension of Collins Street into Docklands, providing businesses with an address that is considered to be prestigious. The area is 100,000 square metres.

More than half the precinct is already built, committed or under construction, and includes the Watergate/Site One apartment and small office complex, 700 Collins Street (home to the Bureau of Meteorology and Medibank Private), 750 Collins Street (the headquarters of AXA Asia Pacific), Kangan Batman TAFE Automotive Centre for Excellence and the Fox Classic Car Museum. Currently under construction are 717 Bourke Street (consisting of a 294 room Travelodge Hotel and Esmod fashion and design college) and 737 Bourke Street (the new home of National Foods).

On August 2, 2007, it was reported that a $1.5 billion scheme had been earmarked for Collins Street by Middle Eastern investment company Sama Dubai, to be designed by architect Zaha Hadid and Melbourne firm Ashton Raggatt McDougall. The plan would consist of four buildings, including Docklands' tallest tower as well as civic spaces spanning two sites to be built on decking over Wurundjeri Way. The proposed tower will be between 50 to 60 storeys tall and would attract an eight-to-12-star energy rating. However, no formal announcement has been made by Vic Urban or the State Government.^[14]

Construction has also begun on the new offices of Fairfax media at 643 Collins Street. The new building, to be known as Media House, will comprise 16,000 m² of office space accommodating 1,400 staff, on decking over railway lines opposite Southern Cross Station. The $110 million eight-storey facility has been designed by architects Bates Smart to achieve a 5-star Green Star rating, and will feature a news ticker, outdoor screen and grassy plaza. It is being developed by Grocon and is due to be completed in 2009.^[15]

Village Docklands

Village Docklands is a 3ha precinct, within the larger Batman's Hill area, being developed jointly by the Kuok Group and Walker Corporation. A masterplan prepared by Marchese + Partners in conjunction with Bligh Voller Nield architects was approved in early 2002, it included a 60 storey Shangri La hotel with a Collins Street address and a mix of commercial and residential towers, as well as the refurbishment of the southern half of Goods Shed No. 2 into a night market and food hall.

In mid 2007, a new, more commercially orientated masterplan was prepared by Bates Smart. In it a new 38 storey office tower replaces the Shangri La on Collins Street and the number of streets is reduced from four to three, replaced by pedestrian thoroughfares. Overall there will now be four office buildings, ranging in height from 155m (to roof) to 36 m and two residential towers, as well as a child care centre and the refurbishment of the Goods Shed with a 'lantern' structure addressing Collins Street. The entire precinct is aiming for a 6 Star Green Star rating.

On December 17, 2007, Walker Corporation launched the next phase of construction, beginning with demolition works and site preparation.^[16][17]

Stadium Precinct

Aerial view of the Etihad Stadium from the Rialto Towers

The Stadium precinct, which sits on the eastern edge of Docklands, consists of Etihad Stadium, Seven Network's Melbourne Digital Broadcast Centre, Victoria Point apartments, Bendigo Bank offices, and Quest serviced apartments. It is linked to Southern Cross Station and the Melbourne CBD by the Bourke Street pedestrian bridge, built over railway lines.

Etihad Stadium (originally Docklands Stadium) was opened in March 2000. The ability for the structure to have both open and closed roof configurations has seen it host many sports events, including Australian Rules Football, soccer, cricket and rugby as well as concerts.

The complex is managed by Stadium Operations Ltd, which is owned by the Seven Network, with ownership transferring to the Australian Football League in 2025.

Developer Pan Urban has announced plans for a $300 million twin-tower apartment development known as Lacrosse Docklands for the North East Stadium Precinct with the towers set to rise 21 and 18 storeys respectively, above the stadium concourse, with restaurants and bars opening out on to the concourse, forming a retail plaza.^[18]

A consortium made up of ISPT, CBUS Property and EPC Partners, has been awarded the rights for the South East Stadium Precinct. Plans for the site to be known as Bourke Junction include office towers of 29 and 21 storeys on the north-eastern and south-western corners of the site, as well as three lower-rise buildings housing a 250 room hotel, a pub, medical centre, retail facilities, a business club and a two-level gymnasium^[19]

Digital Harbour @ Comtechport Precinct

The completed Port 1010 building at the Digital Harbour precinct

This precinct on the waterfront has an area of 44,000 square metres, with development intended to eventually expand to include 220,000 square metres of commercial, residential, SOHO units and retail space. At present only two buildings have been completed; 1010 LaTrobe Street/Port 1010 (home to VicTrack, Australian Customs Services), and the Innovation Building (home of the Telstra Learning Academy and Innovation Centre). A third building, Life.lab is currently under construction, while a fourth, 1000 LaTrobe Street, is expected to commence shortly.

Port 1010 received the Commercial Architecture Award at the 2007 Victorian Architecture Awards held on Friday 13 July.^[20]

Victoria Harbour

National Australia Bank HQ from the terrace of Etihad Stadium

Erricson building

The Victoria Harbour Precinct is the centrepiece of Docklands. The precinct includes a proposed extension of Collins and Bourke Streets to meet at the water's edge. It has an area of 280,000 square metres with 3.7 kilometres of waterfront; the 12-year construction plans for Victoria Harbour include residential apartments, commercial office space, retail space, community facilities and the development of public spaces such as Grand Plaza, Harbour Esplanade, Docklands Park and Central Pier.

One of the first completed office buildings in the precinct was the colourful National Australia Bank headquarters, located at 800 Bourke Street, which accommodates approximately 3,600 staff. The building features large, open flexible floor plates, sunny atria in the heart of the building, a campus-style workplace and a four-star energy rating.

Almost 1,000 Ericsson employees also call Victoria Harbour home, with the company's new Melbourne offices at 818 Bourke Street. Ericsson House sits on the water's edge next door to National Australia Bank HQ and Dock 5 apartments

The first residential tower to be built at Victoria Harbour was Dock 5. Rising 30 storeys, it was designed by award-winning Melbourne firm John Wardle Architects and derives its name from its location which was known as Dock 5.

The Gauge, at 825 Bourke Street will house the new offices of developer Lend Lease and Fujitsu. The eight-storey building was designed to achieve a six-star energy rating, becoming the second building in Docklands to do so.

A Safeway supermarket opened in Merchant Street (opposite The Gauge) in 2008 , along with a number of other retail tenancies at street level including an optometry practice called Kaleyedoscope, Australia Post, a childcare centre, and offices above.

In September 2006, plans were unveiled for ANZ's new world headquarters to be located at Victoria Harbour. The complex will feature a vast low rise office building, shops, car parking facilities and a childcare centre. The new complex will enable 5500 ANZ staff to work in one integrated area, however ANZ will maintain its flagship building, 100 Queen Street Melbourne. The new ANZ headquarters will be the largest office complex in Australia. Construction commenced in late 2006 with completion expected in 2009. The building will rise at 833 Collins Street, after the extension of Collins Street to meet Bourke Street is completed. It has been designed to achieve a six-star energy rating.

On Tuesday 7 August 2007, Myer announced that it had chosen Victoria Harbour as the location for its new Corporate Store Support Offices. The new offices are being built at 800 Collins Street opposite ANZ.^[21]

NewQuay

NewQuay, opened in 2002 was one of the first residential and commercial developments in Docklands. It currently has five residential towers and a podium building developed by MAB Corporation. Looking at the development from the water, the buildings are the Nolan, Arkley, Palladio, Sant'Elia, Boyd, and Conder.

The flagship building Palladio - which is shaped like the prow of a ship - is named after Italian architect Andrea Palladio.The podium building, Sant'Elia is named after another Italian architect Antonio Sant'Elia. The rest are named after Australian artists: Sidney Nolan, Howard Arkley, Arthur Boyd, and Charles Conder.

Aquavista, completed in May 2007, is a strata office development and the first commercial building to be completed in NewQuay as part of the HQ NewQuay development. Another, the seven-storey 370 Docklands Drive is currently under construction with a further two buildings - Lots 5 & 9 - currently under design development.^[22]

On October 17, 2007, MAB Corporation launched 'The Avenues at NewQuay' development, comprising of three-storey townhouse residences, with park and waterfront frontages, to be built as part of NewQuay's western precinct. The development is being designed by Plus Architecture.^[23][24]

There is also harbourside dining at cafés in the precinct. The types of cuisines include Italian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Cantonese, Moroccan, Cambodian and Modern Australian.

New Quay Art Sculpture Displays & Waterfront Cafes and Restaurants

New Quay Wharf and Commercial & Residential Development

View of New Quay from the Central Pier. From the left the Nolan, Arkley, Palladio and Boyd.

Conder Residential Building.

Yarra's Edge

Webb Bridge from the Yarra's Edge marina

Yarra's Edge is a residential precinct, and the only Docklands precinct south of the Yarra River being developed by Mirvac. When complete, it will consist of 11 apartment towers, costing AU$1.3 billion, and cover 0.15 km².

Yarra's Edge was one of the first developments in the Docklands, with construction of Tower 1 commencing in 2000. It is divided into 3 smaller precincts:

The Marina Precinct: Comprising the marina and boardwalk with six residential towers ranging in height from 25 to 47 storeys

The Park Precinct: Comprising Point Park and two residential towers

The River Precinct: Comprising a mix of lower level less, intense terrace-style developments and three high-rise towers towards the Bolte Bridge

To date only five apartment towers have been completed as well as the RekDek (located in the podium of Tower 1 and featuring a gymnasium and 25metre lap pool), a public promenade, Point Park (with an outlook towards the CBD) and mix of restaurants, cafes and retail including a day spa and convenience store. Yarra's Edge also has a 175-berth marina, giving boat owners previously unavailable proximity to Crown Casino and the city.

Webb Bridge is an award winning bridge designed by Denton Corker Marshall in collaboration with artist Robert Owen, forming a cycling and pedestrian link to the main part of Docklands through Docklands Park. It is the conversion of the former Webb Bridge rail link. The bridge is near the Charles Grimes Bridge over the Yarra.

Southern Cross (previously Spencer Street) Station

Waterfront City

Southern Star Wheel

Costco Waterfront City

Black Light Forest

Waterfront City is a shopping and entertainment area that includes the Southern Star Observation Wheel and the Black Light Glow in the Dark Indoor Mini Golf Believed to be the first of its kind in Australia, Shops and cafes will also be centred around this area.

The precinct on Victoria Harbour features an integration of retail, waterfront entertainment, tourism, dining, commercial and urban community. It has an area of 193,000 square metres.

Stage One was completed in December 2005 in time for the Melbourne Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race in January – February 2006 and the Commonwealth Games in March 2006. The precinct currently features a large circus tent which hosts the International Circus Spectacular as well as mosaic of local entertainers and a number of bronze statues of including John Farnham, Graham Kennedy, Kylie Minogue, Nellie Melba and Dame Edna.

Stage Two includes a public entertainment area incorporating the Southern Star Observation Wheel, a 120 metre high Ferris wheel in the shape of a seven-pointed star and a brand direct outlet centre, Harbour Town. Harbour Town is home to Australia's first Costco Warehouse Store. Waterfront City also features restaurants, cafes, bars as well as cinemas, bowling and other family entertainment options.

Entertainer Statues

Dame Nellie Melba

Kylie Minogue

John Farnham

Graham Kennedy

Melbourne Central City Studios

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Opened in 2004, Melbourne Central City Studios is Melbourne's largest film and television studio complex. The site is located approximately 1.5 km from the city's Central Business District. It has an area of 60,000 square metres and currently consists of five film and television sound stages of various sizes, from 743 to 2,323 square metres, and one warehouse/workshop measuring 6,793 square metres.

The first major contract for the new studios was the American film Ghost Rider in 2005; with a budget of nearly $120 million, at the time it was the biggest feature film to be made in Victoria and features scenes involving Melbourne landmarks. Since then the studios have housed international productions such as Knowing with Nicolas Cage and The Pacific the companion to the mini series Band of Brothers. Currently filming is the horror flick Don't Be Afraid of the Dark starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce.

Television series that have been produced at the studios include Project Runway series 2, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? and Satisfaction series 2 & 3.

Transportation

Melbourne Docklands is serviced by car, rail, trams, bicycle and ferry.

Docklands Highway and Wurundjeri Way are the main roads going through Docklands. These connect to the nearby Westgate Freeway on the southern end. Links to the CBD include Flinders Street extension and La Trobe Street.

Docklands is serviced by Southern Cross Station to the far east. North Melbourne railway station is close by to the north of Docklands.

In 2003 the free City Circle Tram was rerouted through Docklands along Flinders Street, Harbour Esplanade and Latrobe Street, instead of running along Spencer Street. From May 2009 City Circle trams have run along Docklands Drive to and from Waterfront City. Tram route 70 was extended to Waterfront City in September 2009 when route 48 was rerouted to run along the newly-extended Collins Street to Victoria Harbour. Tram route 30 enters Docklands via Latrobe Street, terminating at the north end of Harbour Esplanade. Route 86 runs along Latrobe Street and Docklands Drive, terminating at Waterfront City.

Several offroad bicycle paths run through Docklands, all of which connect through the central spine of Webb Bridge, Docklands park and Harbour Esplanade, connecting Melbourne to the inner western suburbs and the Capital City Trail.

There are also three ferry terminals which connect Docklands to the CBD and inner bayside suburbs. One at Victoria Harbour, one at New Quay and one at Yarra's Edge.

Demographics and Industry

Docklands residents are almost solely housed in high density housing.

In 2009, there were just under 10,000^[25] working mostly in office and retail industries.

Notable Residents

• Sam Newman
• Troy de Haas (athlete)

Local Media

The precinct has two publications, Docklands Community News and 3008docklands.

The Docklands Community News' first edition was published in 2003, and has grown with the Docklands precincts' population. The Docklands Community News is printed and distributed to all businesses and residences within Docklands, which allows for a regular readership of over 10,000. The paper informs the community of relevant news relating to Docklands, also supplying residents, business owners and workers with a platform for community discussion.

Panorama

A panoramic view of Docklands and the city skyline from Waterfront City looking across Victoria Harbour. Features include (from left), some residential and commercial buildings along the harbour at New Quay, the Seven Network digital broadcast centre, some of the original (now renovated) Melbourne docks sheds on Central Pier, the Etihad Stadium, the Victoria Point apartments, and the colourful lowrise National Australia Bank headquarters. In the background is the Melbourne CBD skyline, including the Rialto Towers and the Eureka Tower. The construction in progress of some buildings in Docklands shows the still evolving nature of this part of the city.

Critical Response

The planning of Docklands has raised a large amount of public debate and the area has created significant controversy, particularly the failed observation wheel.^[26]

In 1999, Melbourne City Council Director of Projects criticised the disconnection of the precinct to the CBD, claiming that the lack of transport links, particularly pedestrian meant Docklands was "seriously flawed".^[27]

The problem was exacerbated in 2005, when the pedestrian link between Lonsdale Street and Docklands proposed in 2001^[28] was cut from the final design design of Southern Cross Station development due to budget blowouts.

In 2006, Royce Millar of The Age referred to it as a "wasted opportunity.^[6]

In 2008, the City of Melbourne released a report which criticised Docklands lack of transport and wind tunnel effect, lack of green spaces and community facilites.^[29][30]

In 2009, Neil Mitchell of The Age has declared Docklands as a planning "dud".^[7] The Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has been openly critical of Docklands, claiming in 2009 that it lacks any form of "social glue".^[8]

However despite the local criticism in 2009, Sydney travel writer Mal Chenu described Melbourne Docklands as "the envy of Sydneysiders"^[31]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Docklands, Victoria

External links

• Docklands, Victoria is at coordinates 37°48′50″S 144°56′35″E / 37.814°S 144.943°E / -37.814; 144.943Coordinates: 37°48′50″S 144°56′35″E / 37.814°S 144.943°E / -37.814; 144.943
• Official website
• Docklands Community News
• NewQuay website
• Waterfront City website
• Victoria Harbour website
• Yarra's Edge website
• Digital Harbour website
• Victoria Online - Docklands Authority
• Australian Places - Docklands