City of Melbourne boosts confidence in Docklands

As someone who loved living in Docklands, I can attest to just how much possibility lies in this stunning waterfront precinct. It has evolved into a significant commercial hub with unbridled potential.

Pre-COVID, Docklands was our fastest-growing employment precinct, boasting almost 73,000 jobs in the area. Major businesses in the banking, energy, tech and legal industries have their headquarters here. The logos of powerhouse firms such as ANZ, NAB and KPMG serve as a constant reminder of the economic force that thrives in at Docklands.??????

But not even the strongest of momentums could withstand the impact of the pandemic. The closure of the Melbourne Star has taken a huge toll on the already struggling traders in this area. Some of them see this as a final blow after the unexpected 2019 closure of Central Pier, which saw the loss of more than one million visitors to the precinct annually.

Docklands might be down, but it’s far from out.

That’s why I am calling on State and Federal Governments to come together for a major investment in Docklands to deliver a real sense of shared space and community. A priority must be a new and improved Central Pier, which would require tens of millions of dollars to rebuild. A vote of support of this magnitude would have immense and lasting benefits for traders. We know Docklands’ business owners have campaigned for a permanent laser-show activation along the waterway, to be complemented by publicly accessible world-class activities and art installations.

The City of Melbourne has created a strong foundation for investment in Docklands and continues to support major projects. There are 30 approved developments underway in the area, including 10 in the past two years.

This includes the proposal we have green-lighted for a $53.1 million, 13-storey residential hotel on Waterfront Way, which adds to impressive existing hotel stock and proves that investors are backing Docklands. Recently, we approved a new ferry passenger terminal at Victoria Harbour, with the goal of transforming the site into a major transport thoroughfare.

Docklands has major sporting and entertainment projects on the horizon.?This year, it was announced that one of Australia’s leading construction firms will head the AFL’s $225 million dollar Marvel Stadium upgrade.?Meanwhile, works are well underway a film studio sound stage, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, is currently being built in Docklands.

There’s no doubt that Docklands has the space and the scenic drawcards to become a buzzing Melbourne hotspot. The City of Melbourne will continue to advocate for State and Federal Government attention to cement this precinct as a premier destination for overseas investment, tourism and entertainment.