Forum reps announced

Ten Docklands representatives have been appointed to the newly-formed Docklands Community Forum (DCF).

The forum is intended to support the delivery of projects from the Docklands Community and Place plan, which was revealed in July.

The representatives are:

Docklands Chamber of Commerce representative, Elena Tsapatolis;

Docklands Community Association representative, Roger Gardner;

Destination Docklands representative, Anita Donnelly;

Docklands waterways representatives, David Wong and Keith Rankin;

Docklands small business representative Ani Linton;

Docklands resident, Philip Spender;

Docklands worker, Andrew Ward;

Docklands parent, Janine Standfield; and

Docklands user, parent and business owner, Albert Morcos.

Places Victoria and the City of Melbourne decided on the members at the Docklands Coordination Committee meeting on August 21.

The 10 representatives were selected from a group of 28 applicants.

“The representatives were chosen, among other things, for their passion and we look forward to that passion driving the continued success of Docklands,” Places Victoria CEO Sam Sangster said.

DCF member Roger Gardner said it was important for the community association to be represented on the forum.

However, he said he had reservations about the influence of the forum and hoped it wouldn’t be “just a show-trial”.

Docklands charter boat operator and president of the Docklands Chamber of Commerce, Keith Rankin will represent Docklands waterways on the forum.

Mr Rankin said he applied for the forum because he was passionate about the evolution of Docklands into the 21st century.

“I hope to be there when decisions are made and to ensure that the charter industry is represented,” Mr Rankin said.

The DCF will be open to the public and those who are interested are welcome to attend the bi-monthly meetings. 

The date of the first DCF meeting is yet to be decided but will take place in late September.