Reporting from the Chamber of Commerce

Visitors from around Melbourne and regional Victoria were drawn to Docklands for the Melbourne Regatta, Seniors Week, Australia Day celebrations, and the recent SummerFest in Victoria Harbour. Docklands continues to grow in popularity.

The water is Melbourne’s undervalued and underutilised asset, and yet the water is helping Docklands become a leading event precinct in Melbourne. This apparent neglect is largely due to the fact the water is not owned by anyone and so it is not nurtured in the way it ought to be.

Our waterway is governed by a myriad of authorities, meaning there is no single authority that can decide on a desirable solution to water activation. There needs to be an overarching authority with the mandate to make the best use of the water – otherwise our unique point of difference will struggle to realise its full potential.

The good news is events in Docklands that include a ferry service as part of its activation are giving the Melbourne community a taste for water-based transport and a new outlook on the magnificence of our city and its skyline. During such events, there are many enquiries as to why we have no permanent service to places such as Williamstown, St Kilda, Federation Square.  A very good question and one that goes to the governance issue.

Docklands, with its waterways, is a perfect place for a Maritime Heritage Precinct creating a permanent home with back-of-house facilities to ensure the longevity of our historic vessels, the Alma Doepel, the Enterprize, the Polly Woodside, steam ship Wattle and others that are in need of rescue. This will be a popular attraction and would be a much-needed centre-piece for Docklands.

Imagine this, coupled with a permanent exhibition such as the proposed Flames and Fountains that is topical at the present time. An all-year-round spectacle providing a welcome injection into the economy of our water-based precinct, its businesses including cafes, restaurants and passenger vessels.

Other events in Docklands include the ever-popular Docklands Networking Lunches. These are sponsored by Docklands News and the Docklands Chamber of Commerce and the March event at Renzo’s was well patronised. The lunches are scheduled every quarter and the next one will be on June 12 at Merchant Society near Woolworths in Merchant St.

Alma Doepel fundraising continues to be a focus for the chamber. Plans are in progress for a gala lunch leading into the 2015 Melbourne Regatta and Melbourne Day. Proceeds will go to the restoration of the Alma.

Some of you may have noticed a new Tall Ship berthed in Victoria Harbour. This is the Alexander Stewart. Peter Harris of the Alma tells GNB that the owners have generously offered their services to raise funds for the Alma. You can help too as a $500 donation buys Alma a plank, and the donor will have their name recorded on the Donors’ Honour Roll.

Support the Docklands Chamber of Commerce, become a member and make April that decision month. Let me wish all readers a great Easter and an enjoyable April. After all, Docklands is beautiful!