Is Development Victoria planning its exit from Docklands? 

Is Development Victoria planning its exit from Docklands? 
Sean Car

An end date for Development Victoria’s cessation from its authority over Docklands may be on the horizon amid speculation that it could be handing over its planning powers by 2030. 

Under the Docklands Act 1991, Development Victoria (DV) is the master developer of Docklands, and it continues to be tasked with “ensuring the timely delivery of development across the precinct”.

But with only a few outstanding projects remaining for the Victorian Government’s development agency to oversee, including Harbour Esplanade and Central Pier, Docklands News understands 2030 has been flagged as a potential exit date. 

While DV didn’t confirm this when questioned by Docklands News, its acting group head precincts Ronan Mellan said, “as one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects, Docklands was always positioned as a long-term project.”

“In less than three decades, it is already a success story as a thriving community with more than 17,000 residents and more than 73,000 workers, as well as millions of visitors every year,” Mr Mellan said. 

“Docklands is now more than 60 per cent complete and we continue to work with key stakeholders to continue its momentum as a key destination precinct in combination with the planning and delivery of significant projects such as transforming the waterfront into a premier mixed-use destination.”

While DV’s “master-developer” role falls away as projects are completed and responsibility is passed over to the City of Melbourne as the municipal authority, critics continue to call for its immediate exit from Docklands. 

Despite having played a critical role in Docklands’ urban renewal story, a vast majority of the precinct is now complete with only a handful of major projects remaining at Collins Wharf, City Harbour, Waterfront City and the NewQuay West site. 

DV’s recently approved joint plans with the AFL for the redevelopment of Marvel Stadium’s waterfront edge were met with criticism from the City of Melbourne for not considering the long-awaited renewal of Harbour Esplanade as part of the overall picture. 

DV is also responsible for delivering a revitalised Central Pier, which was closed back in 2019 and is currently being demolished. However, the community continues to await important information as to what DV has in store for the pier’s future. 

With more than 17,000 residents now calling Docklands home, critics continue to argue that DV’s ongoing involvement is limiting the community’s ability to have a say in planning for the future of its home. 

DV said that since the ‘90s, $14.6 billion of private investment on top of that from government had contributed to the revitalisation of Docklands, “bringing homes, hotels, corporate businesses and entertainment venues such as Marvel Stadium”. 

It added that the government saw a key role for Docklands in delivering much needed housing in Melbourne, with around 7500 dwellings expected to be delivered over the next decade in the precinct, including a mix of build to sell and build-to-rent. •

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