Chronology of a broken promise

November 18, 2014

The Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley, writes to residents saying Labor would not support a proposed tram bridge between Collins St and Yarra’s Edge.

“Instead, Labor will ensure the dedicated office works with the community and transport operators to deliver alternative public transport options that work,” Mr Foley said in the letter.

November 29, 2014

Labor wins the election.

February 29, 2016

Planning Minister Richard Wynne publicly rules out the tram bridge.

Speaking at a Fishermans Bend community forum, he said: “That’s been ruled out. It was ruled out before the last election by us in opposition. We will be coming up with proposals for how we address a light-rail link, just not that one.”

October 6, 2016

Mr Wynne starts to back-pedal.

In answer to a question from Docklands News at a Property Council forum, he said: “We are looking at a range of options in terms of how you get public transport into Fishermans Bend.”

“It’s a very thin peninsula of land.  Think of how you come over the Charles Grimes Bridge and you want to turn right into Lorimer. It’s a very difficult intersection there to get into Fishermans Bend.”

“One of the options is obviously to come over the Charles Grimes Bridge.  One of the other options that is being obviously looked at is potentially a rail bridge as well. But we’ve got a fair way to go.”

October 21, 2017

Draft Fishermans Bend Framework released. The bridge is back. This time it skirts the western side of Array (rather than the eastern side), avoiding Point Park.

Other than the new alignment, no further details have been released. Fishermans Bend Taskforce general manager Geoff Ward refused to tell the October 25 Docklands Community Forum how high the bridge would be.

However, he did say it would be built in the first decade of the development.

October 25, 2017

Mr Wynne defends his position in response to a question from Docklands News at a Property Council forum.

“When you last asked the question, the matter was still under consideration by the government. Now we are in a position to announce it.”

“The crucial importance of the tram bridge is that Fishermans Bend will ultimately only develop in a way that is envisaged within the framework document if you’ve got a very significant public transport commitment to it.”

“That’s self evident and it’s something that’s going to be required.”