Missing in action: Development Victoria – Central Pier Waterfront Place Principles and Vision Strategy

Many in Docklands, like members of Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network (MMHN), have been eagerly awaiting the Central Pier Waterfront Place Principles and Vision Strategy. This is a matter of immense importance to maritime heritage in this State.

Ever optimistic, MMHN looked forward to the release of this “vision strategy” – we expected it to be a step forward towards ameliorating the protracted ugly pier demolition debacle. Regrettably, not so.

Promising to “transform the heart of Docklands into a gathering place at the water’s edge where the city’s creative energy comes together in welcoming spaces”, the Central Pier Waterfront Place Principles and Vision Strategy is underwhelming.

Development Victoria (DV) states that the “vision” reflects “feedback from community and the input from experts in tourism, heritage, placemaking, sustainability and design”. MMHN took the word “strategy” to involve action going forward? Again regrettably, not so.

Instead DV offered little more than mere description. No plans, no timelines, just euphemisms, inaccuracies and devoid of detail. See for yourself.

So, what did MMHN expect?

Certainly respectful, accurate historical reference to the significance and unique heritage of the Docklands precinct.

MMHN is pleased to note appropriate reference to Indigenous presence long before the “Blue Lake’ intermittent swamp was transformed by the ambitious and successful Coode Scheme.

This included, of course, the construction of the civil engineering marvel, Victoria Dock (later Victoria Harbour) and later Central Pier. This port infrastructure was the “engine room” that drove Victoria’s prosperity.

Docklands’ extensive wharves, innovative cargo handling, stevedoring expertise and railways-based goods distribution network all enabled the transformation of Melbourne from colonial backwater to a great metropolis – and ultimately the great port city it is today. Without maritime trade, Victoria would certainly not have prospered.

Central Pier was a crucial infrastructure at the epicentre in this Docklands maritime heritage story. DV does not adequately acknowledge, and certainly underplays this reality stating, “The removal of Central Pier is a pivotal step toward its transformation as we start to consider viable opportunities for its future.”

The use of word “removal” is hardly an accurate account of the demise of this heritage-listed maritime infrastructure asset, Central Pier, which is being “demolished” following a series of earlier demolitions and after decades of ineffectual maintenance and neglect by those responsible.

Regrettably, such misperceptions continue. “Central Pier is located on Victoria Harbour, a small and meaningful part of Melbourne that is located within the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people and which forms a key component of Melbourne’s early maritime history”.

To be clear, Central Pier, at the epicentre of Victoria Harbour, was in physical form, and certainly in heritage significance, far from being described as “small”. Further, given the port was operational into the late 1960s, its economic importance was indeed not limited to “Melbourne’s early maritime history”. DV appears intent on diminishing or downplaying what is, in fact, a unique maritime infrastructure asset in Victoria – the Dockland Precinct and its maritime heritage.

So, where does the DV Central Pier Waterfront Place Principles and Vision Strategy leave the many concerned stakeholders who devoted time and effort in providing DV with “input from experts in tourism, heritage, place-making, sustainability and design”?

The answer is … nowhere!

Now several years into the process of Central Pier/waterfront redevelopment, MMHN is dismayed to note in the DV “vision strategy”: “we start to consider viable opportunities for its future”.

DV may well only just “start to consider viable opportunities” but certainly others in Docklands, including MMHN, who have been engaged in identifying “viable opportunities” seriously and for some considerable time, a long time.

MMHN has put forward a cogent “vision”. In fact, a viable “solution”. 

In a nutshell: MMHN recognises that DV has at Central Pier a unique opportunity in this prime location to celebrate all aspects of Melbourne as a maritime port city – past present and future.

The MMHN “vision” is for an iconic low-rise architecturally iconic and cultural “drawcard” structure, incorporating shared community facilities, surrounded by a promenade deck and maritime garden atop a floating pier/pontoon.

This will provide permanent activation in the very centre of Harbour Esplanade with cutting-edge technology exhibits and activities to attract, inform and delight residents and visitors alike. Although the maritime sector is critical to our future, currently there is no means of “showcasing” this critical industry sector in Victoria.

To conclude on a positive note – in a recent a meeting with Minister for Development Victoria Colin Brookes, MMHN received a positive response to the Docklands concerns and “solutions” we proposed, including a floating pier/pontoon and Maritime Experience Centre.

We live in hope, albeit impatiently!

MMHN wants the heritage “jewel” of Central Pier in Victoria Harbour to sparkle! MMHN calls on DV to produce more than a mere descriptive “vision”. Let’s see DV accelerate the project BEFORE the demolition is complete. •