Heritage fleet in dire straits as groups issue desperate plea to Premier

Docklands’ embattled heritage fleet has issued a desperate plea to Premier Jacinta Allan, warning that Victoria’s most significant historic ships face eviction within months and risk being left without a home.

In a joint letter dated October 6, the custodians of the Alma Doepel, Enterprize and steam tug Wattle urged the Premier to “intervene immediately” to secure a permanent, fit-for-purpose base for the fleet, which they say is now “at risk of being left without a safe or operationally viable home”.

“Without a secure, fit-for-purpose base that offers basic berthing, access, and operational safety, we cannot continue,” the groups wrote. “This situation threatens not just the future of these historic assets, but the important youth development, community, education, and public engagement programs they enable.”

The plea follows more than a year of stalled negotiations with Development Victoria (DV), which plans to reclaim the fleet’s North Wharf site by January 2026. While DV has offered the operators a combined $90,000 to vacate, heritage advocates have condemned the move as a “pay-off” that does nothing to address long-term solutions.

The letter, signed by Alma Doepel chair Matt McDonald, Enterprize chair Scott Chapman and Wattle chair Peter McIvor, calls on the government to fund necessary works for relocation and commit to establishing a maritime heritage precinct. “These vessels are restored or in restoration, operational or nearing operational status, and ready to serve the people of Victoria,” it states.

The Alma Doepel, undergoing restoration in Docklands for 16 years, remains determined to stay, though its prospects look increasingly grim. Its restoration has drawn more than $5 million in community and philanthropic investment, but without government intervention, the ship faces the prospect of being forced out to Williamstown’s Seaworks precinct – an option operators say is financially unsustainable.

The Wattle, still under restoration, has reportedly been “rescued” and is now expected to permanently relocate from Docklands, while the Enterprize – a working replica of John Pascoe Fawkner’s 1835 schooner – is also considering its future.

In last month’s Docklands News, Mr McDonald questioned why DV was willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars “just to get rid of us quietly” instead of investing that money into a temporary berth at NewQuay. “That would keep the fleet together, in Docklands, and serving the community,” he said.

The groups gave the government 14 days to respond or risk a public campaign. “This is not a step we take lightly,” the letter states, “but one we feel is now necessary to protect Victoria’s living maritime heritage.”

Day of action to “save our ships”

The heritage fleet is calling on Docklanders and Melburnians to join an on water and on land protest on Sunday, December 7.

The event will include a range of activities, and organisers say “the message will be clear and it will be NOISY”. For more information: [email protected] •