Briefly

Briefly

Work has started on the Wheel

As predicted in our last edition, work has now started on the reconstructed Southern Star Observation Wheel at Waterfront City.

Its owner ING Real Estate is still keeping tight-lipped about its expected completion, but the first piece was joined on January 20.

It’s been two years now since the wheel failed and was dismantled.  Harbour Town traders have mostly toughed out the downturn in visitor numbers and many have established themselves in their own right despite the wheel’s woes.

Council parking fines bonanza

The City of Melbourne is cashing in on increasing competition for Docklands’ car parking spaces.

The council did nearly twice as well as it expected in the first quarter of the 2010-11 financial years with its parking fee revenue up $68,032 on its $150,000 budgeted figure.

In its report to the Docklands Co-ordination Committee in December, the council said parking revenue was up “due to increased occupancy as a result of new developments”.

Docklands again hosts the Splash

Docklands will once again play host to the Variety Splash this month when teams gather at Waterfront City to start their three-day boating event on Port Phillip Bay.

The annual sailing event will kick off with a welcome function at Central Pier on Thursday February 24, before the boats embark on their first leg to Queenscliff Harbour on Friday morning.

The second leg will take the boaties to the Mornington Yacht Club and the final leg will see them sail or power-boat their way to Sandringham Yacht Club.

It is hoped that the event, which is organised to raise money for children in the community with a wide range of special needs, will raise $150,000.

There is expected to be approximately 300 participants, including sailors, power boaties and corporate and private teams.

Last year’s event raised $120,000 for special needs children in Victoria.

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