Lean budget scraps for Docklands

By David Schout

The latest budget delivered by the City of Melbourne was a quiet one for Docklands, with a modest level of funding set aside for projects in the area.

Aside from an allocated $400,000 for much-needed public toilets on Harbour Esplanade and $70,000 for CCTV cameras at Docklands Passenger Transfer Terminal, benefits for residents appeared limited.

Development works aside, the council has pledged to advocate for the preservation of tradition in Harbour Esplanade and Victoria Harbour in light of impending development in the area.

As one of their initiatives for 2018/19, the council has vowed to lobby Development Victoria to ensure Melbourne’s “maritime heritage” was considered as part of wider development plans of Harbour Esplanade and Victoria Harbour.

The council said it was playing a “waiting game” on this front, and will liaise with the authority when there has been a decision made on the planned AFL development.

Other initiatives pledged by the council include the growth of marine activity in the Bolte Precinct West, and the advancement of the Fishermans Bend Employment Precinct and Lorimer structure plans.

The council also included in the budget the hiring costs for two new services at The Hub community facility on Harbour Esplanade. Residents and visitors can now hire hot desks for an hour ($5), a day ($25) or a month ($300) at a time. The Parkview Room can also be hired for community ($3.80/hr) or commercial ($18.90/hr) purposes.