Docklands continued to be abuzz in the first quarter of 2010 with increasing business and residential growth, combined with events like boat racing, AC/DC and George Michael concerts, L’Oréal Fashion Week and other business promotions.The Docklands Community Association continued to be active.

With new bars opening we are pleased from the residents’ point of view to see that restrictions have been imposed on numbers, noise levels and hours of operation. We strongly prefer that the growth of more bars, particularly beer barns, be limited.

The DCA has continued to agitate for the provision of proper infrastructure and public amenity in Docklands. The infrastructure we are still waiting for includes such things as adequate parks and gardens, land-based recreation and sporting facilities, art and culture facilities, a theatre, permanent community centre, community boating hub and others. It is a sad reflection that after eight or more years of occupation there is virtually nothing of that nature and nowhere you can sit under a shady tree in any sort of reasonably sized park. This infrastructure will also benefit visitors and to some extent workers. It will also add soul to Docklands. It is difficult to know who’s responsible for what, with the State Government, VicUrban and the City Council all involved.

Two years ago VicUrban talked about the provision of some amenities but as yet we have been unable to obtain any planning details such as when, location or size.

We will keep pressing. Our members have just been given an informative briefing by VicUrban on the Harbour Esplanade Redevelopment, which is a start. Work is scheduled to begin in May. This large project will be a dominant activity in the area for months to come.

Meanwhile what’s left of open space in Docklands has been further whittled away by private development, a cardinal example being VicUrban’s approval for erection of buildings on the block in Bourke Street opposite the NAB. We believe from an informed source that when the railyard off Footscray Road is vacated some land fortunately will be reserved for public open space, but that is at least four years off. We will follow that with interest.

Having said this, we do not lose sight of the fact that Docklands is an exciting place to live and work. Given that the Docklands population is projected to grow from 6,000 now to 17,000 by 2020 and the workforce from 19,000 to 40,000, the importance of the provision of the necessary infrastructure cannot be overstated. The Docklands Community Association will continue
to play its part in representing resident interests and also in providing activities for its members.