SEPTEMBER ISSUE 101 PRICELESS WWW.DOCKLANDSNEWS.COM.AU : Docklands_News VCAT action against Local businesses to benefi t short-stays owners from seniors program Page 3 Page 6 Trio to escape for a Performance art surprises good cause lunch crowd Page 5 Page 9 Super-sized planning problem By Bethany Williams Walker Corporation has been left red-faced after erecting a 56-tonne sculpture worth around $2.5 million, without the correct planning approval. Construction of the approximately 80-metre- Walker Corporation failed to address long artwork “Supersonic” at Collins multiple questions asked by Docklands Square began in March, but the developer News about the artwork, including whether is currently seeking an amendment to the structure was safe and if local residents the planning permit, because the current and workers should be concerned about the structure wasn’t approved. structural integrity of the artwork. Th e bright yellow, geometric-shaped Walker Corporation director of marketing structure forms a canopy between Tower Sarah Seddon said: “Th e art installation Celebrating our waterways One and the Lantern Building at Collins by renowned sculptor Dion Horstmans is Square and is made up of around 100 pieces. progressing well. We are excited about the way it has already created a unique and Docklands News understands that under the Docklands waterways were highlighted last month during the instantly recognisable meeting place and current planning permit, Walker Corporation highlights the restaurants at Collins Square.” annual Melbourne Day celebrations. had permission to build an awning-like structure, but not to construct Supersonic. Th e artwork currently appears to be Around 5000 people fl ocked to the arrival of Melbourne’s fi rst settlers onboard suspended by temporary measures but, Docklands News understands that although waterfront on Saturday, August 30 to take the Enterprize in 1835. according to artist Dion Horstmans, this Walker Corporation obtained a building part in the Melbourne Regatta and Blessing shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Organiser, Bill Reid from the Mission to permit for the artwork, the structure was not of the Fleet. Seafarers, said the event was a great success. allowed under the existing planning permit. He said load testing was currently taking Th e event, organised by the Melbourne place, before glass was installed across the "Th e weather was perfect, we had good A council spokesperson said the building Passenger Boating Association and the top of the structure. crowds and the free ferries were very permit obtained from a private building Mission to Seafarers, saw Docklands become popular," he said. surveyor was inconsistent with the planning Interestingly, Planning Minister Matthew the centrepiece of the city’s Melbourne Day permit. Guy attended the launch of construction of celebrations. He thanked the event sponsors and said next the artwork in March, but it’s unknown if he year's regatta would be bigger and better, “Th e artwork has not been built in Vessels fi lled the harbour during the blessing was aware at the time that the structure was with a stronger focus on the food and wine accordance with the planning permit,” the of the fl eet, which was presided over by not approved under the planning permit. component. spokesperson said. Father Bob (pictured above), from onboard “Resolving this issue now rests with Walker the historic steam yacht Ena. "We'd like to see more corporate “To remedy this situation, an amendment Corporation,” Mr Guy said. involvement next year and there will be to the planning permit has been lodged A free ferry service allowed people to get out plenty of sponsorship opportunities at the with the Minister. Th e City of Melbourne is Mr Guy did not provide a response when and explore the water, while entertainment 2015 regatta," Mr Reid said. currently assessing the revised plans and will Docklands News asked if he was aware at the kept those on dry land amused. provide comment to the department in due launch that the planning permit for the site Th e regatta also saw a re-enactment of the See more photos from the regatta on page 14. course,” the spokesperson said. did not allow construction of Supersonic. YOUR DOCKLANDS CONVEYANCING EXPERT 1223/401 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008, (03) 8640 9002 www.anchorconveyancing.com.au / [email protected] 2 DOCKLANDS NEWS ISSUE 101 Fears over Collins Harbour Town Suite 108, 198 Harbour Esplanade settlement PO Box 23008 Docklands 8012 Tel: 8689 7979 Fax: 9602 2929 www.docklandsnews.com.au Square proposal next month Advertising Greg Hackett: 0412 262 315 Harbour Town Shopping Centre Tel: 8689 7979 Fax: 9602 2929 Village Docklands residents [email protected] and the icehouse are expected fear their building will Reader contributions are welcome. to change hands in October, Please send articles and images to become an “isolated ghetto” with Sydney-based real estate [email protected] if plans revealed by Walker investment group Ashe Morgan Th e deadline for the October edition is Corporation last month are September 25. to take over both sites. approved. Published by Shane Scanlan. Ashe Morgan principal Alton Abrahams told Edited by Bethany Williams. According to Village Docklands owners’ Docklands News settlement was on-track for corporation chairperson Graham Standfi eld, mid-to-late October and said the company Follow us on Twitter Walker Corporation revealed plans for parcel was excited about the opportunity. @Docklands_News 4E, located at the corner of Batman’s Hill Village Docklands residents fear their outdoor pool will be “We look forward to helping turn Harbour Drive and McCrae St, at a public information completely overshadowed by surrounding developments. Town and Waterfront City into a key tourist Like us on Facebook session in late July. destination,” Mr Abrahams said. Docklands News While residents had been aware of the Mr Standfi eld said, apart from Conditional contracts to purchase To download our iPad app, development plans for Collins Square, they’d overshadowing, many residents would now the Harbour Town, the Icehouse and simply scan the QR code below: been kept in the dark about the plans for the lose access to views and sunlight, with the surrounding land parcels from ING were site neighbouring their building until the building to be bordered on north and west signed in March this year. information session. side by the KPMG building and the proposed In the meantime, Harbour Town Shopping Mr Standfi eld said Walker Corporation parcel 4E tower. Centre traders are yet to meet with landlord planned to close the western section of A Walker Corporation spokesperson said the ING for mediation, with lawyers still Brentani Way, between Georgiana St and company was working closely with planning negotiating the conditions of the meeting. Batman’s Hill Drive, which is currently used agencies and neighbouring residents in Le Cirque Fine Foods owner Albert Morcos by residents as a pedestrian thoroughfare. relation to plans for the planning permit said traders were becoming impatient with He said the closure of Brentanti Way would application regarding a new tower at its the process, having been waiting for more mean the fi re services for Collins Square Collins Square development. than fi ve months. and a loading dock would be moved into “Walker will continue to consult with In May, Docklands News reported a that Georgiana St, opposite Village Docklands’ residents about future plans for the group of traders had requested mediation car park entrance, potentially causing major development of Collins Square, which is with ING over a range of issues. disruptions to traffi c fl ow. currently home to 5500 staff and due to At the time, Mr Morcos said each of the “Even if there’s a false alarm fi ve fi re trucks increase with the delivery of later stages.” retailers had diff erent complaints, but the will have to turn up, which will mean our A spokesperson from Planning Minister common thread related to promises made by one and only access street will be closed,” Mr Matthew Guy’s offi ce said an application ING to the retailers who had invested in the Standfi eld said. for the site had been lodged and details centre. would be available for the public on the He said Village Docklands would also Department of Planning, Transport and ING has appointed Titanium Property be completely overshadowed by the Local Infrastructure (DTPLI) website shortly. Investment as its asset manager. Th e director surrounding commercial developments, of the company, Tim Atkins, declined to with the proposed building taller than “Th e Planning Minister will not be making comment. Village Docklands and the 55-storey KPMG any speculative comments about this building to become the tallest building in application,” the spokesperson said. Docklands. A City of Melbourne spokesperson said “We have an outdoor pool on level fi ve, council understood DTPLI had referred the which is now going to be in shadow all year application to the council for comment. round,” Mr Standfi eld said. “Offi cers have not received the referral at the He said the OC had proposed Walker time of writing. A view had not been formed Corporation pay for a roof over the pool as on the proposal. Th e application will be compensation, but had not received any reported to the Future Melbourne Committee commitment to do so from the developer. in due course,” the spokesperson said. Cricket Players Wanted - Seddon Cricket Club Seddon Cricket Club are looking for cricket players to complement our rick n C et four Senior teams. o C d d l u 4km from the Melbourne CBD in the convenient inner West e b Friendly and competitive club environment S Est. 1924 Affiliated with the Victorian Turf Cricket Assoc.