Docklands: Finding its feet after a difficult conception

By completion in about 2025, Docklands is expected to have attracted $17.5 billion in private sector investment.

The whole precinct, on around 200 hectares, and with 44 hectares of that being water, offers a mix of uses including residential, commercial, retail, dining and leisure. It attracts millions of visitors each year.

Construction started in 1997, and, when complete in around 2025, it is tipped to be home to 20,000 residents and 60,000 workers. It will almost double the size of the former Melbourne central business district.

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Photos: Stephen Taylor

Many people will be surprised to learn that Docklands comprises the area from Spencer Street in the east to the Bolte Bridge in the west, Footscray Road in the north to Lorimer Street in the south. It covers the waterways of Victoria Harbour and three kilometres of Yarra River frontage.

But it’s not all sweetness and light, with Docklands occasionally mired in controversy during its formative years. Many commentators have criticised perceived planning blunders and have labelled the precinct as being ‘’without soul’’. The failure of the observation wheel at Harbour Town exacerbated problems, especially for nearby traders.

A lack of public transport even prompted a Melbourne City Council director of projects in 1999 to criticise the disconnection of the precinct to the CBD, claiming that the lack of transport links, particularly pedestrian, meant Docklands was "seriously flawed".

The problem worsened in 2005 when the pedestrian link between Lonsdale Street and Docklands, proposed in 2001, was cut from the final design of the Southern Cross station development due to budget blowouts.  The Age called this a "wasted opportunity".

In 2008, the City of Melbourne released a report which criticised Docklands' lack of transport and wind-tunnel effect, lack of green spaces and community facilities.

In 2009, Neil Mitchell, writing in The Age, declared Docklands a planning "dud". Then the Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, who has been openly critical of Docklands, chipped in claiming it lacked any form of "social glue".

In 2010, VicUrban's general manager David Young acknowledged that Harbour Esplanade "doesn't stack up". Kim Dovey, professor of architecture and design at the University of Melbourne, added that Harbour Esplanade was "too big" and claimed that Docklands was "so badly done" that it required a "major rethink".  

Despite this local criticism, Sydney travel writer Mal Chenu, in 2009, described Docklands as "the envy of Sydneysiders".

Wow, that’s a good recommendation anyway.

Key Docklands features include:

• Southern Cross Station at the gateway to Docklands provides easy access for metropolitan commuters and regional visitors on V/Line

• Five city trams as well as the free City Circle tram and free tourist shuttle bus to Docklands via Flinders, Collins, Bourke and La Trobe streets

• Four bike trails

• Easy access to the traditional CBD via the Bourke Street pedestrian bridge, Flinders, Collins and La Trobe streets

• Ferries, charter boat services and corporate cruising vessels drop off and pick up in Victoria Harbour

One person who took advantage of living in Docklands went on to become president of the 180-member community association. A sprightly Roger Gardner (pictured below), in his late 60s, made the move with his wife from Strathmore, in Melbourne’s north, after seeing an advertisement in their local paper. That was eight years ago and they haven’t looked back since.

Roger Gardner. Photo: Stephen Taylor

‘’We thought then that, ‘this is nice’ and we are glad we made the move,’’ Mr Gardner said. ‘’We love living here and can see it’s getting better all the time as improvements take place.’’

Moving into a ‘separation’ apartment, where bright living areas are separate from the two bedrooms, they have two balconies and eye-catching views. ‘’It’s lovely, especially at night.’’

Property prices are stable since being affected by the GFC in 2009, and as more apartments are built. Still, when things settle down, capital growth is tipped.

Obvious attractions are the restaurants - all with their own food specialities and price levels.

‘’We have proximity to the CBD with the twist of being on the water, having good public transport, a high level of activity – especially at weekends – and great water views. Then there’s the football stadium.

‘’Residents are a mix of all age groups, quite a lot of young people but generally balanced. Many seem to be used to living in high-rise buildings.’’

With his president’s hat on, Mr Gardner lobbies the Melbourne City Council and Places Victoria to fix shortcomings and suggest improvements. These have included speaking out against excessive development - including the proposed hotel on the Waterfront City Piazza - overshadowing, raising transparency in planning, ensuring adequate sunlight and countering wind tunnels, increasing open space and larger gaps between buildings.

Building ‘’cramming’’ is an issue. ‘’At the moment we have 10 high-rise buildings being built in an area of 400 metres by 150 metres. That’s the sort of thing we are up against and want redressed.’’

‘’We are also against serviced apartments which we believe planning minister Matthew Guy is about to legislate against. And we also want to increase the amount of parking.’’

The failure of the Observation Wheel has been a disaster for traders in the Harbour Town commercial precinct. And, unfortunately, there’s no relief in sight until March next year. At present the level of customer inquiry is not adequate for retailers and many are just holding on.

A school would be good too! Plans are in hand and tenders called for a 700-pupil school at Docklands which will attract young families – perhaps the cohort most required for a living, breathing suburb.

Another project that would improve living in Docklands is a ferry service from Federation Square around to NewQuay. A new visitor centre is planned for The Esplanade and a linear park with trees and gardens will separate Etihad Stadium from Victoria Harbour. A new park – Western Park - will also be built at the end of Docklands Drive to address the issue of a lack of open space.

From a corporate point of view Docklands has realigned the centre of Melbourne, Mr Gardner said. Major companies such as National Australia Bank, ANZ, Bureau of Meteorology, Myer, National Foods, Ericsson, Costco and Bendigo Bank are just a few of those based there.

‘’Being on the water is especially nice. We live in a building with about a third of residents owning, a third renting and a third short stayers.’’

Mr Gardner is now a Docklands local; proud of what’s been done in his neighbourhood.

‘’When everything settles down it will be much better – a great place to live.’’