Top yachtie takes a swipe at bridge proposal

March 2009, Issue 40

Victoria’s most awarded yachtsman Grant Wharington has weighed into the Docklands low rail bridge debate with the suggestion that is was ludicrous to even consider the idea.

“We’ve created this multi, multi-million dollar asset here in Docklands. How could the State Government even consider cutting it off from the water,” he said.

He said a rail tunnel under the river was the obvious answer to the problem of moving shipping containers from Webb Dock to the freight facilities at Dynon Dock.

“It seems such a waste,” he said. “If it costs $100 million extra to put it under the river, then so be it.”

“I would have thought they could amortise that extra cost through a levy on each container in a very short time.”

The former Sydney to Hobart line honours winner said yachts would no longer visit Docklands if the low bridge was built.

The Port of Melbourne Corporation has proposed a rail bridge with only eight metres clearance but has so far refused to comment on it to the Docklands Community News.

Last month the DCN carried a summary prepared by Defend Our Docklands Or … (DODO) convenor Michael Lindell. The Port of Melbourne declined to either con-firm or deny the accuracy of the claims.

DODO is holding a meeting for concerned Docklanders at Nina’s under the Southern Star Observation Wheel at 5.30 pm on Wednesday, March 18.