Fountain project gains momentum

The Docklands fountain and flame show is gaining momentum, with the consortium behind the project briefing key stakeholders over the past month with the aim of securing funding.

With the project tipped to cost $10 million to build and $600,000 per year to maintain, a combination of corporate, council and government funding is being sought.

According to the consortium behind the concept, FCT Flames and Avante-Garde de Studio, the return on the investment would generate $230 million for the state each year while putting Docklands on the international tourism map.

“The fountain and flame show will be world class, it will be the jewel in the tourism crown for Australia and be a beacon for the arts community,” FCT Flames general manager Mark Ryan said.

The fountain, which could also be transformed into a floating performance and event stage, would be located in Victoria Harbour, at the end of Central Pier.

Choreographed to music, the fountain would be programmed to music during the day and flames, pyrotechnics, video projection and lasers could be added at night.

Alongside meeting key corporate and government stakeholders, Mr Ryan said he had also briefed the Docklands Community Forum and had spoken to many local hospitality businesses.

“They can’t wait to have the fountains up and running,” Mr Ryan said.

Although the project is gaining momentum Mr Ryan did say the process was slow.

“We are talking about a major investment, a major attraction, one that will bring over five million people into the Docklands precinct to watch his wonderful artistic display,” he said.

FCT Flames CEO David Retallack said the project would bring an estimated 1000 new full-time jobs to Victoria.

“We will bring Victorian excellence and experience into the project. Two of the world’s top fountain engineers are from Melbourne, they installed the fountains into the Dubai ponds, and the barge that is needed will be built in Melbourne shipyards,” Mr Retallack said.