Greetings Everybody

Greetings Everybody

Fairfax Lunar Markets

Running from February 4 to 14 as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the evening markets along Harbour Esplanade from Victoria Harbour to Central Pier added considerably to the atmosphere of the area. It was well patrolled by security.

What appealed, besides the various food offerings, were the crowds of customers who sat and ate under the trees near the Victoria Harbour Promenade and along the bank along the esplanade at the water’s edge.

This created an atmosphere rarely seen at Docklands and highlighted what can be done to utilise and liven up the area.

It highlighted our opinion that council’s plan to erect buildings along the esplanade will interfere with such open air usage.

Associated with the event were two lines of white and red lights at either end of the stalls running down to the water. I have asked council if they can be made a fixture, to continue to lighten up the area.

Fishermans Bend Forum

I received an invitation from Martin Foley MP to attend the consultation forum on Fishermans Bend development held at the Port Melbourne football ground on February 29. I was pleased to attend and offer advice relative to our Docklands experience.

Schools tours – addresses

We get requests from schools to address student tours on the subject of Docklands community development. On February 26, I addressed the Year 12 geography class of Viewbank College and will give a similar address to Year 12 geography class of Emmaus College on March 3.

Melbourne Quarter development – Lend Lease

DCA has been approached by Lend Lease offering to discuss and review the project on an ongoing basis. We will be pleased to accept the offer.

Better Apartments

Broad discussion of the Better Apartments Review at the last CoRBA meeting indicated that single bedroom apartments should not be less than 50sqm, bringing us into line with other Australian jurisdictions and cities such as London, New York and Hong Kong.

Yet it seems Melbourne is considering the erection of 50-storey towers of student apartments of 12sqm! These would equate with the size of a car space. There would be common facilities such as recreation, kitchens and study.

Formerly this would have been defined as a “rooming house”.

Those present felt this should not be allowed under the Better Apartments Review.

Noise from a venue

We referred a complaint about noise from a venue to council. Interestingly, council has responded that: “when the State Government of the day originally created the Docklands precinct, most uses of an entertainment or leisure nature were made ‘as of right’ within the zone, meaning that no permits were required from council to conduct uses such as the one the subject of your complaint.”

“Consequently, the City of Melbourne has no control over the present use of the area and council is unable to assist you in regard to the enforcement of the noise created by the venue. You should, however, direct your concerns relating to noise and patron behaviour to the Victorian Commission for Gaming and Liquor Regulation [VCGLR] and to the Victoria Police.”

“Generally, premises operating in that precinct have liquor licences with conditions relating to the playing of music, and to detrimentally affecting the amenity of the area.  The VCGLR is the authority responsible for enforcing liquor licence conditions.”

“Council’s health services may have some scope to investigate your concerns as a noise nuisance issue pursuant to the Public Health and Wellbeing Act and, consequently, I have referred the issue to them also.”

If any reader would like to become a member of the DCA or has any suggestions they wish to put forward regarding activities or issues, they are welcome to contact us on [email protected]. We’re also on Facebook.

If you would like to contact me about any aspect or becoming a committee member you are welcome to email as above.

Regards to all
Roger Gardner
President DCA