APRIL 2015 ISSUE 107 PRICELESS WWW.DOCKLANDSNEWS.COM.AU : Docklands_News New Planning Minster talks Point Park outdoor cinema Docklands a success Page 4 Page 7 Community choir project starts this month Comedy festival hits Docklands Page 5 Page 9 Remembering the Anzacs A group of crafty Dockanders has been making poppies in the lead-up to this month’s Anzac centenary commemorations. Th e group has been working away since September, when the Library at the Dock put the call out for volunteers to craft poppies, and so far has made around 600 of them. “Th e project started because there’s a state-wide initiative for communities to come together and create poppies in commemoration of the Anzac centenary,” Melbourne Library Service community heritage team leader Linda Longely explained. Continued on page 4. Clockwise from top: Maree Norris, Pam Shrimpton, Linda Longley, Verna Liddle, Lyn Faull, Barbara Rowe and Janyne Williams. Crime rate up more than 50 per cent While it remains one of the safest suburbs in Melbourne, crime has increased by more than 50 per cent in Docklands, according to crime data released last month. Some 1382 off ences were recorded in Melbourne and Parkville all recorded less While the statistics don’t provide (3924 off ences), breaches of orders (3312 postcode 3008 in 2014, comprising just four off ences than Docklands, but Southbank, breakdowns of the diff erent types of crime off ences) and assault and related off ences per cent of the 32,301 crimes recorded in the North Melbourne, Kensington, Fishermans in Docklands, they do show that the most (2308 off ences). City of Melbourne. Bend and South Yarra all had higher crime common crime in the Melbourne Local rates than Docklands in 2014. Government Area (LGA) in 2014 was theft. Overall property and deception off ences, Although the 2014 crime rate in Docklands which include theft, arson and bribery, is low, it had increased by 56 per cent on the But the CBD proved to be Melbourne’s major Despite being the most common crime, theft dropped from 20,716 off ences in 2012 to previous year. crime centre, recording 21,624 off ences. off ences in Melbourne are down to 9765 17,569 off ences in 2014. Docklands' crime rate had increased at from 13,683 off ences in 2012 and 10,284 Th e statistics were released last month as Crimes against the person, which include a slow rate since 2010, with 788 off ences off ences in 2013. part of the Crime Statistics Agency's fi rst homicide, sexual off ences and assaults recorded, before jumping to 1049 off ences in quarterly report. Th e Crime Statistics Agency Other common off ences in the Melbourne have remained stable, with 3648 off ences 2012 and declining to 883 off ences in 2013. assumed the role of reporting crime statistics LGA in 2014 included deception (4676 recorded, almost the same as the 3644 West Melbourne, Carlton North, East from Victoria Police on January 1. off ences), disorderly and off ensive conduct off ences recorded in 2012. What to do Where Where to to stay Eat /Drink Beauty, Health Docklands Where & Fitness Services to Shop 2 DOCKLANDS NEWS ISSUE 107 Harbour Esplanade – Suite 108, 198 Harbour Esplanade PO Box 23008 Docklands 8012 Tel: 8689 7979 Fax: 9602 2929 www.docklandsnews.com.au the real story Advertising draw when it was realised that there was no aligned at the same RL +1.4 metres such as Shane Scanlan: 0419 542 625 money to fund it. So, perhaps we shouldn’t currently exists at the Cow up a Tree rebuilt Tel: 8689 7979 Fax: 9602 2929 Editorial be surprised at what is happening now. wharf deck. [email protected] Comment But, while, the authorities have evolved to a Th e “master plan report” talks about a Reader contributions are welcome. new way of thinking, there has been no such “continuous waterfront promenade” but, Please send articles and images to Shane Scanlan conversation with the public. under the multiple-height proposal, a pedestrian will need to either climb or [email protected] So why has this conversation not taken descend more than a metre no less than six place? Perhaps I am wrong about their Th e deadline for the May edition is times along the distance. April 24. It’s taken me months to realise intent? Or perhaps it is just too unpalatable to talk about the elephant in the room. Th is is clearly ridiculous, unless viewed in Published by Shane Scanlan that the future of Harbour the context of the scale and form of future Edited by Bethany Williams Th ere are small clues in the 58-page report, Esplanade has minimal buildings. which is understandable because there is connection with the document precious little detail anyway. Th e report is a But there are only fl eeting references to Follow us on Twitter high-level design concept and is purposely buildings in the “master plan report”. In @Docklands_News known as the ‘Harbour “fl exible” so as to make itself a smaller target. one place, it says: “Th e addition of new built Esplanade Master Plan Report’. form within the precinct is encouraged and Like us on Facebook On my fi rst reading, I felt myself nodding will bring new attractors and activity to the Docklands News and agreeing with its rationale and In my view, it is a form of deceit to “consult” harbour’s edge.” alignment with Docklands’ aspirations. and then produce such a report without To download our iPad app, It goes on to talk about possible markets, ever asking: “How much of this land should It wasn’t until I got to the part where it talks simply scan the QR code below: restaurants, galleries, event and performance we trade to developers to pay for the new about using half the available space for spaces. infrastructure?” buildings that alarm bells started ringing. Th e only reference to how these structures If you, like me, assumed that everyone How could it be in any way desirable to take are to be paid for can be found at the very thought of Harbour Esplanade as Docklands’ away 50 per cent of the existing (what was beginning when it says: “Th rough detailed great public space, then we have been naïve assumed to be “public”) building zones and site and opportunities analysis, a clear and because the authorities see the land as yet- block out the water with structures? purposeful set of layouts and objectives are to-be-realised capital. In 2000, the then major projects minister John defi ned herein. Importantly though, these It has become common for the City of Pandazopoulos celebrated the removal of remain inherently fl exible to accommodate Melbourne to approach public facility waterfront buildings, saying in a press release: diff erent modes of delivery, whether through development on the basis of a land-for-paid- “Around 400 metres of public waterfront public or private means.” infrastructure swap with developers. Th e between Colonial Stadium and Victoria Dock Th is paragraph contains both grand council did this at the Boyd School site in will be opened up under the plan.” fabrications as well as a snippet of honesty. Southbank and is gearing up for a similar Th e “master plan report” justifi es the extent exercise to redevelop the Victoria Market. Th e lies are that the report is detailed, clear of the built form largely as a defence against and purposeful. It’s hard to put a date on the exact time that Docklands’ winds. But, as Digital Harbour Places Victoria stopped thinking about developer and report critic David Napier Th e use of the term “mode of delivery” is Harbour Esplanade as a continuum of points out, you don’t need buildings to stop a set of weasel words that means how the “public” facilities. Th is change of thinking the wind. project is going to be paid for. Th e snippet has certainly been since 2008 when there of honesty is the admission that the private And the height of three of the to-be- was no suggestion that Vic Urban’s (PV’s sector is at least in the mix. reinstated wharf decks provides a further former iteration) “verandah” concept clue. Only large permanent structures need would be funded by anyone other than In my view, the “master plan report” needs be built at RL+2.4 or RL +2.6 metres above government. to be put on hold while a new, honest and the waterline. If modest structures were open public discussion is conducted about Th e verandah project went into the bottom proposed, Harbour Esplanade could be how this “public” land is to be traded. LUNCH SPECIAL $9**HAPPY HOUR $5** ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET FUNCTIONS PRESENT THIS VOUCHER TO RECEIVE BUFFET 10% OFF* DINNER A: 51-53, Victoria Harbour Promenade (Corner of 111 Merchant St) T: 9670 9209 W: www.iggbuffetbar.com.au E: [email protected] CONDITIONS APPLY: * Present voucher to receive discounted rate. Valid for the month of April. ** Mon-Sun (Closed Tues) Happy Hour: 5-7pm Lunch Special 11:30am-2:30pm Please support our advertisers because without them we would have no Docklands News ISSUE 107 DOCKLANDS NEWS 3 Call for Yarra River protection “We congratulate the Government for A report released last month committing to enact a Yarra River Protection Act with its own independent body to better has called on the State manage the river from source to mouth,” Government to introduce a Yarra riverkeeper Andrew Kelly said.