Excitement from city designer

Docklands is at an “incredibly exciting stage” according to City of Melbourne director of city design Rob Adams.

Speaking at an Alma Doepel fundraising event in Docklands last month Prof Adams said the boat would one day symbolise a turning point in Melbourne’s history.

The historic, three-masted topsail schooner is one day expected to be a key feature of the redeveloped Harbour Esplanade.

Mr Adams said the boat would be symbolic of a time when “we look back to go forward. Where we value our heritage.”

“Where we value this body of water we’ve had in our central city for many years, unrecognised and unloved until the 10-year period brought it to where it is,” he said.

According to Prof Adams, recent aerial photographs show, for the first time, a more seamless connection between the central city and Docklands.

He said the development of projects along LaTrobe St meant Docklands would slowly become Melbourne’s waterfront, and something the city would be proud of.

“The next major step forward will be the connection along Harbour Esplanade, which will provide us with that waterfront that connects the two sides of this body of water and will give people in Melbourne a reason to come down here,” he said.

The City of Melbourne and Places Victoria conducted a public consultation on Harbour Esplanade’s development in May and June and Prof Adams said initial feedback showed people wanted more activation, open space and a heritage link.

“I think the Alma Doepel and the Enterprize and what’s happening along Harbour Esplanade will give us that opportunity,” Prof Adams said.

Apart from Harbour Esplanade, Prof Adams also spoke about other projects the City of Melbourne was focusing on.

He said work on the Docklands Family Services and Community Boating Hub would be completed by next August and would provide a unique experience in the centre of the city.

He said the council was looking to develop a ramp for recreational boats on Moonee Ponds Creek as well as a service area for larger vessels on the South Wharf side near the Bolte Bridge

“That’s something we’re pushing with quite strongly, to get that to happen in the near future.”

He said council was also looking to develop an extension of the Victoria Harbour pier to allow ships that can’t fit under the Bolte Bridge to moor.

Prof Adams said the city was committed to Docklands and was trying to rebuild, within the commercial developments, the “gritty life” of the city.