Collins Wharf plan awaiting approval

Victoria Harbour is set to grow, with Lend Lease’s plans for Collins Wharf revealing new mid-rise residential, low-rise commercial and a range of community facilities and parks.

Lend Lease’s latest master plan proposal for the six-hectare Collins Wharf site is currently awaiting government approval.

In recent years the peninsula, which extends from Victoria Harbour, has been home to an eclectic collection of people and projects, including the Alma Doepel restoration, local boating clubs, a costume workshop and berth to the Enterprize.

But, under Lend Lease’s plan, the wharf is set to become a residential hub, which will be home to around 2700 people.

The development plan proposes mid-rise residential towers ranging from 76 to 85 metres high on the river side of the peninsula.

On the harbour side of the site, low-rise commercial and community buildings will range from eight to 12 metres tall.

Collins St would continue along the peninsula from Victoria Harbour, serving as a main traffic route through the site. The road would be limited to two lanes of traffic and two lanes of parking.

Two major pedestrian thoroughfares would also extend the length of the site, providing waterfront public space along both sides of Collins Wharf. The wharf will have 1.2 km of water frontage to both the harbour and river.

The Northern Promenade along Victoria Harbour will continue from Buluk Park to a new “Eco Park” at the western tip of the wharf.

The promenade will be at least 6.5 metres wide and Lend Lease plans to retain the existing concrete deck and its “strong industrial character” where possible, along with the railway tracks embedded in its surface.  

On the other side, Yarra Walk will provide a 5.5 metre wide over water experience along the entire southern side of the wharf.

With the residential buildings to be constructed right to edge of the wharf, an over water board walk will be constructed, providing pedestrian and cyclist access.

Under the proposed development plan, Collins Wharf will also be home to a range of new public facilities and parks.

A health and wellbeing centre would be constructed about halfway down the wharf on the harbour side offering aquatic and gym facilities to the public.

Further pool, health and wellness facilities would be provided for exclusive use of residents.

Another community facility will also be available on the harbour side, further along the wharf, with boat building facility proposed as a potential use.

New parks will also be created for residents, workers and the wider community.

According to the proposed development plan, the Eco Park at the western tip will “provide a green environmental oasis with varieties of native grasses, large specimen trees and access to the water’s edge”.

Promenade Park, located halfway down the wharf and facing the harbour, will feature “water stairs” extending down to water level, providing opportunities for interaction with the water.

Behind Promenade Park, Community Green will form the central green open space of the wharf and will provide a green connection between Northern Promenade and Yarra Walk.

Also on the harbour side of the wharf you’ll find an Activity Hub adjacent to the health and wellbeing centre, envisaged for health and wellbeing recreation. Pocket parks will also be scattered along the Northern Promenade.

Lend Lease is currently awaiting planning approval for the Collins Wharf development plan.

Victoria Harbour project director Tim Campbell said: “Our proposed plans for Collins Wharf take advantage of Victoria Harbour’s existing infrastructure, including Library at The Dock and more than 80 retail stores, while adding new and diverse public spaces like community parks, a health and wellbeing centre and an Eco Park.”

“The proposed design of this precinct allows for all apartments to offer panoramic views, maximising the unique waterfront location. Our vision for Collins Wharf means people will be able to walk, cycle or run all the way around the entire Victoria Harbour precinct,” Mr Campbell said.