Victoria Harbour Promenade and NewQuay Promenade refurbishments

Docklands residents are optimistic people who look to build and enjoy a safe, healthy and liveable community.

Out of the historical loss of dilapidated Central Pier, positivity has been found in the opening up of Victoria Harbour into a substantive waterway where the water itself, and the reflections of the surrounding infrastructure and activities, create an ever-changing panorama.

With the works that will be required on the surrounding promenades, the challenge is how do we, the collective community “we”, grab this opportunity to build an outcome that is not just about making the supporting infrastructure safe. How do we build infrastructure that is informed by a vision and purpose? Involving the various population cohorts within Docklands, including families and people from all age groups, provides a foundation around which shared interest and further community building can also occur.

As a group that represents and advocates for Docklands residents, Community3008 plays a crucial role in influencing infrastructure and community building. The City of Melbourne and Development Victoria are the primary parties who hold the actual responsibilities for progressing Docklands in the interests of both residents and Victorians more broadly. It is by working collaboratively and transparently with them that tangible outcomes can be achieved.

Community 3008 has engaged directly with the City of Melbourne and Development Victoria in relation to the Victoria Harbour Promenade and NewQuay Promenade issues. Similarly, Community3008 will look to influence all significant infrastructure activities that impact on Docklands’ vibrancy, amenity and family friendly liveability.

To ensure that the community have input into this engagement process, Community3008 has circulated requests for community submissions on “Strategic Infrastructure” and “Enhancing Docklands’ Waterways”. These submissions will be an input into a forum to be held on Wednesday, March 11 at the Theatrette, Library at the Dock, which will subsequently inform development of a vision of what residents want to see right now in Docklands. Register to attend on community3008.org.au. This public forum will also include an update from the council, Victoria Police, and other community updates.

On the theme of “Enhancing Docklands Waterways”, there must be something in the uniqueness of Victoria Harbour, as it is the default backdrop for much mainstream media reporting and it draws endless photography enthusiasts from across Melbourne to capture its sunsets.

During, February there were some lovely summer mornings where hot air balloons floated gently from the west up the heart of Victoria Harbour. Several of them deliberately dipped down low enough for basket occupants to get a bird’s eye view of this unique part of Melbourne. You can view some captivating photographs through the various local community groups’ social media pages.

Community3008 encourage all Docklands residents to be involved in building the future of Docklands, be it through innovative ideas for our waterways, infrastructure, activations or facilities that enhance the community’s social needs. Membership of Community 3008 can be made online at community3008.org.au

Let’s collectively ensure Docklands continues to be a place where people want to live and work and where visitors want to enjoy Victoria Harbour as the “water heart” of Melbourne.

You can contact Community3008 on [email protected] and follow us on our new Instagram account @c.mmunity3008 •