Development Victoria to meet with heritage boating operators

Development Victoria (DV) is expected to hold further talks with operators of heritage vessels on February 27 as it continues to “explore viable options and support required to relocate their operations in Docklands or elsewhere”.

Heritage boating operators from the Alma Doepel, Enterprize and steam tug Wattle are required to vacate their current home at North Wharf by June to make way for Lendlease’s ongoing Collins Wharf development.

While Wattle’s operators are understood to be less concerned about where it could end up, the teams behind the Alma Doepel and Enterprize require locations that can provide suitable storage and work facilities.   

As of the time of publishing, all operators were none the wiser as to where they would be relocated to, but a meeting was scheduled with DV representatives on February 27 to discuss next steps.

“We are working closely with the heritage fleet to support their relocation so that we can enable Lendlease to deliver around 1400 homes at North Wharf,” DV’s acting group head Imogen Lewis said.

Lendlease is progressing with North Wharf’s staged development, with early works set to commence this year, including the demolition of Shed 2 to enable the next phase of housing delivery.

DV said any extension of licence agreements at North Wharf wasn’t possible, adding that it continued “open and proactive communication with the heritage fleet to explore viable options and support required to relocate their operations in Docklands or elsewhere as their current licence concludes.”

Docklands News understands operators also met with DV representatives in late January to discuss possible relocation options, but so far, no solution has been found despite needing to vacate North Wharf by mid-year.

An Alma Doepel spokesperson said, “the Alma Doepel restoration team is currently in discussions with Development Victoria and government stakeholders to seek a viable solution for the continuation of the ship’s restoration at Docklands.”

“The Alma Doepel is a vital part of Australia’s maritime heritage, and after more than a decade of dedicated restoration work, we are committed to ensuring her completion so she can once again serve Victoria’s young people.”

“Our priority is to secure a suitable outcome that allows the restoration to proceed and youth development programs to be delivered without further disruption.” •