News from the DCA

Greetings everybody

Happy New Year and trust you had a good break. Great to be back talking with you again.

Our DCA Christmas party on December 11 was a great night at the Harbour Kitchen with guests from all around Docklands including over 20 new members. Weather was fine and not too hot.

I attended the official opening of the Observation Wheel in the week before Christmas, officiated by the Deputy Premier. I have continued to plug the wheel in the media including its importance to traders and business and to the image of Docklands generally. The operating problems have been disappointing of course. I believe it’s important that any problem is adequately explained to the public, including remedial action taken to avoid recurrence, in order to build public confidence.

You may have noticed an additional tram service has just started operating in Docklands, namely the 75 from Vermont which instead of turning from Flinders St into Spencer St now continues  down Flinders St into and along the Esplanade.  It is good for bringing more people directly into Docklands and also that it terminates along the Footscray Road shunt line rather down Docklands Drive which would have caused too much tram congestion.

On December 18, I attended the Docklands Security Group meeting chaired by the police, with representatives  from major businesses, building managers, the DCA and CoM. Matters discussed included crime levels-lower than in CBD, vehicle and bicycle speeding and other problems; also security arrangements for NYE which are always adequate. I raised the matter of problems with cyclists.

The following results of a recent survey of cyclists were tabled by the CoM:
“The surveys indicated that 16 per cent of all movements in the southbound direction in the morning peak on the pedestrian path were cyclists.  These cyclists are approaching pedestrians from behind and, considering that the average speed of these cyclists is approximately 25kmh with some speeds in the low 30s, pedestrians could feel intimidated.  Observations by the survey team indicate that the majority of cyclists didn’t slow down at Central Pier access driveway, although they do have priority.  The survey team also observed that only a few cyclists stopped to give way to pedestrians on the pedestrian crossing, most cyclists just rang their bell and continued through. Enforcement of rules will be followed up.”

On the short term rental front, the Appeals Court found in favour of the defendant Salter in the Watergate case. It has been suggested that council’s argument should have focused on serviced apartments, the most troublesome and prevalent segment of the short-term rental market. Minister Guy has yet to announce draft legislation. Other courses of action are being followed up.

Repair of the wharf area along the esplanade is under way. Indications are that the type of re-development for public use will be hotly debated. Whilst council and Places Victoria talk about up-coming public consultation, they already keep telling us they intend to put cargo sheds along it. That makes a farce of the consultation process. There is a lot of objection to sheds apparent and as and when they provide specifics, the DCA will conduct a poll to check opinion. As the redeveloped esplanade will be a focal point of Docklands it is imperative that it be made a warm attractive place to visit with open grassed areas. More cargo sheds would just serve to increase the current sterility and is the last thing we want. The former chair of Place Victoria, Peter Clarke, made it clear he was opposed to the sheds idea.

NewQuay has a problem with removal of trees and fittings by the developer MAB Corporation. With council approval, tall palm trees standing on the site of the Quays construction were removed to make way for the construction work. It was stated in writing by council the palms would be kept in storage and replanted when the work was completed. That is now not possible as the building extends to the roadway. Another casualty was the only children’s playground in NewQuay which was removed.

We are requesting council to instruct MAB to replant the palms and restore the playground and equipment in prominent positions on another of their sites in the area. Additionally, we understand MAB now propose to remove more nearby palms, shrubs and innovative boat-shaped planter tubs so they can change the open area near the promenade. We are requesting council to reject that proposal.

If any reader would like to become a member of the DCA or has any suggestions they wish to put forward regarding activities or issues, they are welcome to contact us on [email protected]  If you would like to talk to me about any aspect you are welcome to call me on 0412 097 706.  You can also keep up with things on our website http://www.docklandscommunityassociation.com

Roger Gardner
President DCA