Ditch the sheds and pier

There are serious impediments to the development of Docklands as a tourist and leisure centre.

These are the tin sheds 9 and 14 and the Central Pier.

Without these sheds and pier the whole harbour would be opened up to reveal a magnificent expansive water vista.

As it is, the harbour is divided in two and much of the view obscured by the tin sheds. The current view along Harbour Esplanade is most uninviting and poor quality.

These sheds have no architectural merit and do not deserve heritage listing. I would welcome the view of other Dockland residents on that matter.

Without the sheds the whole area along Harbour Esplanade between Victoria Harbour Promenade and NewQuay Promenade would be opened up for redevelopment.

A redesigned boat harbour with designated boat-free zones could be part of the design.

Landscaping with trees, child-safe picnic areas and playgrounds, a luxury, over-the-water wedding reception venue, restaurants, cafeterias and small event venues could be considered for incorporation into the design.

These buildings could be designed to minimise obstruction of the view. Use of glass would be a high priority.

The Docklands would become the cynosure of Melbourne.

Without these changes Docklands will continue to languish.

An open architectural design competition for the area is needed. The development should be under firm government control without the open slather approach of the Kennett era and certainly without any high rise developments.

Brett Osborn