Serviced apartments – a blight on Docklands

We bought our Docklands apartment from MAB and are owner residents at NewQuay.  It is our home. We did not buy into a hotel with constant cleaning trolleys causing damage, visitors who have no regard for the building or its contents and the constant trouble caused by people who come in for a couple or often one night, for a holiday or a good time. We all pay for the additional wear and tear on our buildings. As the number of serviced apartments has increased so have the problems.

Contrary to claims by serviced apartment operators in your article in the Docklands News (May 2011) the value of buildings where serviced apartments have not been allowed is higher and increasing, with ownership more desirable.

False claims of lower values are part of a scare campaign by apartment operators. By allowing short-term rentals we are lowering the long-term value of homes/investments.

Some additional serviced apartments coming up for sale if a ban was imposed would be a short-term issue as ultimately the buildings would become more desirable and the values would increase. As published in Domain

in The Age, short-term rentals result in lower property values. Increased rents in the Docklands are obviously part of a Melbourne-wide property rental shortage and not due to serviced apartments.

We know everyone is entitled to their opinion but some people seem to be selfishly looking after their own short-term commercial interests and ignoring the long-term financial and social interests of others. Short-term visitors should be accommodated in purpose-built apartments or hotels.

In our experience, long-term tenants and owners look after their building and take some interest in their neighbours. Cities like New York have discovered this and have stopped short-term rentals. A sense of community does not develop with a transient population.

Time for serviced apartments to stop.

Name withheld

Support for school

I’m writing in reference to your May edition and Mr Napier’s announcement about his future development at Digital Harbour. The opportunity to secure two floors for the purposes of conducting a school for the Docklands precinct is an exciting possibility.

Melbourne City School currently operates at 121 King St, in the heart of the CBD, and welcomes families from many different parts of Melbourne, including several from the Docklands area, to share the learning journey with their sons and daughters.

As an initiative of ELTHAM College, a truly independent coeducational school, Melbourne City School would welcome the opportunity to participate further in the transformation and modernisation of Melbourne by providing a genuine 21st century approach to learning.

While traditional schools remain locked into having all resources kept firmly behind the school fence, Melbourne City School clearly demonstrates its desire to work with a community focus by accessing the libraries, museums and other facilities available on its doorstep. The developer’s vision of including multi-functional rooms and a public library sits comfortably with our desire to develop life-long learners who are equipped to operate independently and self-manage their living, learning and working.

With the anticipated rise in the Docklands population, and with other inner suburban schooling options under great stress, it is imperative a viable schooling option is provided. Melbourne City School has recognised this need and is committed to working with all community stakeholders to offer a genuine alternative to outmoded approaches to schooling. Melbourne City School is committed to providing a school that is built upon personalised attention, creativity and the pursuit of developing an individual’s unique talents.

Dr David Warner
Principal/CEO, ELTHAM College

Sectarian bile

I picked up your paper a few weeks ago and simply couldn’t believe what I was reading by Guy Mason.  A religious pastor publicly venting about “institutional religion”. If this is what he says in public, I shudder to think what he would be saying to those who turn up on his doorstep.

Apparently he his happy to try and gain adherents to his church by slamming what he apparently regards as opposition to his (quote) “true church”.  A Christian?!?  

Yet in the same article as he damns institutional religion for substituting “a man centred-system of control, self-preservation, self-righteousness and social-disconnection” (wow!), he seeks to excuse his own “by no means perfect” church because it is still a work in progress.  

But more fundamentally, how can Docklands News publish such sectarian bile?   If not straight out libelous it is at best, uncharitable.  As a Catholic I find it deeply offensive and inaccurate.

David Moloney

Parking issue

Has the paper looked at parking in Docklands of late? Ventured down to Bourke St today to find street parking (including Merchant St) all most non-existent. 

The areas that were previously meter parks are mostly construction sites, taxi stands or loading zones. 

Gave up the idea of a manicure and a coffee, so it can’t be good for traders.

Outraged of Docklands