Is an ATET hangover holding Docklands back?

On June 23, 2023, Docklands farewelled ATET – a floating nightclub that had become the hottest topic in the area. Despite its closure, the impact of its operations continue to underline conversations surrounding Docklands' future.

ATET was shut down after the City of Melbourne revoked its permit, following a relentless wave of noise complaints from residents, and the club's alleged failure to comply with environmental regulations.

The matter is far from resolved. The club’s owner, Jake Hughes, has sued the City of Melbourne over the termination, and the issue remains front and centre whenever the council considers the future of the precinct.

In the council’s revised Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS), Docklands was encouraged to support 24-hour waterfront use and to become an attractive night-time waterscape. This was met with strong opposition from residents.

At the April 15 Future Melbourne Committee (FMC) meeting, where the MPS was deferred due to ambitious housing targets set by the state government and the volume of public submissions, the vision for Docklands came under scrutiny.

One resident said in their submission to the council that, “the waterfront area is surrounded by a majority of residential buildings and the use of the waterfront has the greatest impact on residential amenity.”

“It was a long eight-month struggle for residents to have the health and wellbeing impact of noise pollution from the ATET nightclub resolved,” they said. “Residents still deal daily with party boats circling or operating stationary in the harbour.”

Another resident lambasted the strategy, claiming it is “totally inappropriate” in a residential area and suggested that a clause be added to limit noisy activities to resident-friendly time periods.

Despite the council returning to the drawing board to revise the MPS, which won’t be tabled until November 2026, council management noted that the current active MPS continues to promote 24-hour waterfront use and an appealing night-time waterscape.

Not all residents are opposed, however. Long-serving executive officer of the Docklands Chamber of Commerce (DCC), Shane Wylie, said that for Docklands to thrive, it needs attractions that draw people into the area.

Mr Wylie believes ATET was “sabotaged” by a small number of residents. While he acknowledged the nightclub wasn’t perfect, he said the agenda of those opposed to it resurfaces every time municipal planning is discussed.

“They have had far more impact than they deserve on the overall strategy for Docklands,” Mr Wylie told Docklands News.

“It should be cosmopolitan,” he added. “It should be a place where not only families can go, but revellers too – a place where restaurants, nightclubs, and floating bars can survive.”

Mr Wylie highlighted the significant decline in visitation to the area, largely due to the pandemic. He is particularly concerned about the impact remote work has had on local businesses.

According to Mr Wylie, if the city can’t find ways to bring people to Docklands, the area will continue to languish.

With no clear vision yet laid out for Docklands’ Central Pier, he sees a major opportunity to create a space that drives significant visitation through concerts and art exhibitions.

Mr Wylie quipped that he’d be far more inclined to see Dua Lipa on an outdoor stage – or Cold Chisel on a reunion tour – than go to a museum.

“It’s [Central Pier] a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Docklands to actually create something spectacular,” he said. “If something spectacular is created, property prices go up, and restaurants and bars become viable. You’ll still have 25 people complaining, but the other 15,000 will be happy.” •