I have received a reply from Lord Mayor Robert Doyle

Greetings everybody. I trust you are all well and your footy team is still in the finals.

I have received a reply from Lord Mayor Robert Doyle regarding consultation on the proposed community facilities. The project is being jointly funded by council and VicUrban.

He advises that after obtaining expressions of interest, a developer has been selected to provide the library and community centre, with construction due to commence in March next year.

He assures that “the development will not be shoe-horned into another piece of construction but will stand alone as a facility”. Plan details will be made public in advance. Whilst not knowing details as yet, the fact that it will stand alone is good news. We do think it is time they told us where it’s going to be.

We are looking for a big turn up to our Christmas party this year on Wednesday, December 7, to be held in a central location. You will hear more and invitations will be issued later, but put it in your diaries now.

The DCA is holding its annual general meeting for members on Thursday, September 29 at Lend Lease’s premises in Bourke St and we look forward to having a strong committee.  The need for a proper community centre was highlighted by the fact that we had great difficulty finding somewhere to hold the meeting.

As if we don’t already lack public open recreational space, there has been an outcry against a proposal by developers MAB Corporation to erect a multi-storey hotel on the existing piazza in Waterfront City. The piazza currently has seating, TV screen, stage site, grassed area that kids play on and the large entertainment tent at the back, which would also go.

It is used for band recitals, team games, ethnic festivals, markets, vehicle and other displays. The tent most recently had a dinosaur display. Its use will be raised with the major increase of apartments in the area and the resumption of the wheel.

A weak defence MAB uses is it will provide a windbreak, but we know that the high-rise buildings increase wind tunnels, not reduce them.  Try walking down Docklands Drive between the buildings when there’s a north wind – you’ll get blown off your feet.

A public protest meeting will be held which people will be notified of by letterbox drops and other methods when arranged. Unfortunately all this and other land was sold off to developers by VicUrban, but that doesn’t mean that people can’t stop this particular development and a protest will be lodged with the Planning Minister.

There are lots of other issues raised by residents including traffic congestion in Bourke St and lack of vehicle access for new buildings going up on the esplanade end of NewQuay and the traffic congestion that will result.

There continues to be complaints about speeding bicycles on Harbour Esplanade. At my request, council is investigating putting up eye-level slow down signs. Council says it is up to the police to enforce laws but, unfortunately, there are no speed limits for bicycles.  A couple of pedestrian crossings have been installed but you’ve still got to be careful.

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

Good to be in touch again.  We’ll keep batting for the area.

Sincerely
Roger Gardner
President DCA