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NOVEMBER 2013 ISSUE 92 PRICELESS WWW.DOCKLANDSNEWS.COM.AU : Docklands_News Yarra's Edge rallies against Arts project explores the bridge proposal waterfront Page 3 Page 5 Festival fun in Docklands Alma turns 110 Page 11 Page 6 Docklands is a highlight Places Victoria recorded a $4.9 million profi t from Docklands over the last fi nancial year. Th e urban renewal authority’s 2012 – 2013 In a statement provided in the organisation’s annual report revealed Docklands to be one annual report, former Places Victoria of the organisation’s highlights, in a year CEO Peter Seamer said: “In recent years, which saw the company report an overall however, the organisation had struggled loss of $191.9 million. with the economic downturn in the property industry, a loss of focus and an It’s a major jump from the previous year’s overly expensive and bureaucratic mode of fi gures, which showed an overall loss of operation.” $18.9 million and a Docklands profi t of $15.2 million. Mr Seamer was appointed CEO in March and was charged with getting the Th e 2012- 13 year saw the start of construction organisation back on track, alongside his role of three projects in Docklands, with a as CEO of the Growth Areas Authority. combined value of half a billion dollars. Mr Seamer has completed his stint with Th ese include the Medibank corporate Places Victoria but a new CEO is yet to be headquarters at 720 Bourke St, scheduled appointed, with Peter Armstrong currently in for completion in August 2014, Array, a the role of acting CEO. 35-storey residential development at Yarra’s Edge and the retail component of Collins According to Mr Seamer’s report, when he Square. was appointed CEO there was a number of issues to resolve, including; Th e total value of the eight projects under construction in Docklands at the end of the Overstaffi ng; fi nancial year was $1.1 billion. Uncommercial sites, which were Th e report also revealed Docklands received exacerbated by the downturn in the an infl ux of 3500 staff over the past year market; including 900 workers at the Aurecon Southern Cross symphony An unnecessary focus on Greenfi eld building on Bourke St, 600 from Pearson development; Group at the Goods Shed on Collins St and 2000 at Marsh Mercer at Collins Square. Delays in getting sites developed meant Southern Cross Station was fi lled with the sound of music last the organisation incurred holding costs; A further 5900 staff will eventually end up at month when the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performed. and NAB’s new headquarters at 700 Bourke St, Some lucky commuters, business people and kids got the chance relocating from six buildings across the CBD. Th e organisation generally not operating in a commercial manner. to try their hand at conducting the orchestra. See our story on Although the report showed an overall loss page 4. of $191.9 million, Places Victoria did make Continued on page 7. an operating profi t of $1.6 million. 66 NewQuay Promenade Shop 5 9640 0808 10 NewQuay Promenade www.newquay.com.au 17-19 Saint Mangos Lane | 9600 0337 www.steakhouse66.com.au 9670 4168 15-1715 17 Rakaia R k i WWay | 9602 30307373 $10 Super Samburger with chips! Great steak with a view! True Cantonese cuisine! Specialising in all your asian grocery needs 2 DOCKLANDS NEWS ISSUE 92 Demolition Suite 108, 198 Harbour Esplanade to start PO Box 23008 Docklands 8012 Tel: 8689 7979 Fax: 9602 2929 www.docklandsnews.com.au Work will start on the $16 Advertising million demolition of Harbour Tel: 8689 7979 Fax: 9602 2929 Esplanade’s four concrete [email protected] wharves this month. Reader contributions are welcome. Please send articles and images to According to Places Victoria general [email protected] Watergate OC chair Barbara Francis, resident IT expert Mark Stytsenko and building manager Marshall Delves. manager precincts Simon Wilson, the works Th e deadline for the December/January are necessary because the wharves are more edition is November 28. than 100 years old and need to be replaced. A permit application Places Victoria made to Heritage Victoria this year showed the Follow us on Twitter Watergate is wharves were in poor condition, with @Docklands_News photographs showing that many of the Like us on Facebook timber piles supporting the wharves were Docklands News wired for speed deteriorating. “Th ese initial works will include demolishing the wharves, pinning of the existing sea Docklands’ Watergate building will soon provide its residents with To download our iPad app, wall and amenity works to the sea bed,” Mr simply scan the QR code below: connection to a high-speed internet, via a fi bre-optic network. Wilson said. “Melbourne motorists, sports fans, workers Th e building will be one of the fi rst the gym, pool and business centre, where and residents of Docklands need not worry residential towers in Docklands to connect they will be able to pick up a high-speed about impacts from these works as we’ve to a fi bre-optic network, after the Watergate connection. worked closely with our contractors and owners corporation (OC) signed a contract Watergate resident and technical director Central Pier tenants to minimise the impact with provider Spirit last month. of DockCom IT, Mark Stytsenko was asked of these works.” Th e move gives the building a technological to research the best fi bre-optic service for Site establishment and early work started in edge over other buildings in Docklands, Watergate. October but no visible or audible work will which are still awaiting NBN connection He said the connection would be particularly begin until mid-November. and have long given up on VicUrban’s (now attractive for people who had home offi ces. Places Victoria) failed iPORT scheme. Th e removal of the four wharves is According to Mr Stytsenko, the key benefi t expected to take around eight months, with Currently, Th e Quays in NewQuay and of a fi bre-optic connection was greater completion anticipated in mid-2014. Lacrosse on Latrobe St, are the only reliability and faster internet speed. residential buildings in Docklands Th ere are plans to reconstruct the wharf connected to the NBN. He said the fi bre connection would allow decks when the masterplan for Harbour Watergate residents to watch high-defi nition Esplanade is realised. It’s possible the fi rst Although Docklands is not in an NBN rollout IPTV and YouTube clips, speak with relatives of two wharves will be rebuilt as soon as late area, NBN Co is required, at a developer’s or business associates worldwide via high- next year, pending funding and approval. request, to install the necessary infrastructure quality video conferencing and, ultimately, into developments of over 100 premises that Th e upgrade of the wharves is the fi rst step would better service the needs of users in the are approved after January 1, 2011. in preparing Harbour Esplanade for its modern internet age. redevelopment. Watergate building manager Marshall Delves According to Watergate OC chair Barbara said the introduction of a fi bre connection Places Victoria and the City of Melbourne Francis, the OC had signed off on the would be a great selling point for the are currently working on the masterplan proposal very quickly, with the value of the building. design for Harbour Esplanade, which will be service to the building apparent. “It’s going to be more attractive for new open for community consultation early next “Th e beauty of this is that it’s going to owners or tenants coming through,” Mr year. happen now and we’re not going to have to Delves said. wait,” Ms Francis said. “Th e vision for Harbour Esplanade is to see Mr Delves said, given a choice, new owners it become the jewel in Docklands’ crown “Of course it is optional. It will be there for and tenants would jump at buildings that – a place that preserves and enhances key people to connect to if they choose to.” have a high-speed connection. views and heritage elements, embraces Residents will be able to connect to the the waterfront, fosters public life and is Mr Delves said residents would benefi t from network from December 2. comfortable and appealing,” Mr Wilson said. Wifi spots around the building including PRESENT THIS SHOP 3P ANZ CENTRE, 833 COLLINS STREET DOCKLANDS, MELBOURNE 3008 ADVERT TO Located on the Water-side Promenade underneath the YMCA REDEEM. 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Last month more than 200 people attended Michael Salter, who forms part of the a public meeting held by Marina YE tenants group’s legal counsel, also spoke at the committee and Owners Corporation 1 public meeting and said it was hoped the (which represents all of the Yarra’s Edge submission would result in the desired towers) to hear about the formal submission outcome at an early stage. the groups are making against the proposal. “You do not want to end up in the Supreme Th e Marina YE Tenants Committee and Court in a long and expensive piece of Owners Corporation 1 have joined forces litigation,” Mr Salter said.