Council greenlights new operations marina in Docklands

The City of Melbourne is set to expand its maritime operations by building a new Waterways Operation Hub for commercial vessels to refuel – an initiative which has been many years in the making.

The Hub will be located underneath the Bolte Bridge at 206–208 Lorimer St, Docklands, with the land owned by the Victorian Government and Development Victoria.

It will replace the current functions undertaken along North Wharf Road, with the relocation widely supported by Transport for Victoria, CityLink, Parks Victoria, Development Victoria, and Melbourne Water.

At the Future Melbourne Committee (FMC) meeting on May 20, where the planning application for the new marina was unanimously endorsed, Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell said it was an exciting time for Docklands’ maritime history.

The permit approved was for the use of the marina rather than its construction. Due to the works estimated to cost less than $1,000,000 and being carried out by the City of Melbourne, a permit is not required for the construction.

The marina will be built using 90 metres of recycled pontoons from the demolition of Central Pier, as well as gangways and pylons from the 2022 renewal of Melbourne City Marina. There will also be portable buildings located under the Bolte Bridge to be used by marina staff.

Once complete, watercraft will not permanently dock at the pontoon. They will only temporarily dock for refuelling, which will occur between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Sunday.

The proposal also includes the removal of the traffic island at the entrance to the site to allow safe and efficient access from Lorimer St.

According to a council report, the development will not unreasonably impact the existing or future amenity of the area.

The report also noted that consultation had taken place with various external authorities, such as the Head of Transport for Victoria, Citylink, Parks Victoria, Development Victoria, and Melbourne Water. Additionally, the application underwent public notification and received seven letters of support.

No stakeholders objected to the proposal. However, a number of conditions were requested to be met.

Melbourne Water requested that, before the commencement of buildings and works, amended plans be submitted and approved by them.

These plans must include details of pontoon and gangway construction, including materials, vertical and horizontal clearances for the gangway to the seawall, and whether the structure is permanent or temporary.

For permanent structures, Melbourne Water recommended they be designed as simple pinned connections, allowing for removal within less than four hours by two people.

Additionally, before the use commences, the following roadworks on Lorimer St, Docklands, and Port Melbourne must be completed at no cost to and to the satisfaction of the Head of Transport for Victoria.

Construction of the marina is expected to commence within the next two years. The permit will expire if construction does not begin, or the marina is not in use within four years of the permit’s issue date. •