February 2021, Issue 171 The Voice of Postcode 3008 见 26 页 docklandsnews.com.au Forever Free Twitter @Docklands_News It’s time to change the narrative on Central Pier words by Sean Car from the case between DV and its EDITORIAL anchor tenant Atlantic Group, which exposed DV’s knowledge of the pier’s critical condition long before its sudden closure in August 2019, it’s The past few months have brought what the community deserves. further division on the issue of But DV’s press release titled Docklands’ sleeping giant Central “Western tip of Central Pier to be Pier, in a situation where there are removed” and an ensuing document proving to be no winners. putting out the feelers for possible In December, the pier’s owner demolition of the pier in its entirety, Development Victoria (DV) is somewhat presumptuous without announced that it was preparing to the all-clear from Heritage Victoria. remove the western tip of Central Pier And while DV clearly states it is from Victoria Harbour as it begins working with Heritage Victoria on the process of “safely revitalising the this journey, to the awaiting public historic Victorian dock”. and local community in Docklands, As DV pointed out in a press release these moves set a narrative that the issued on December 15, the pier’s cart has left before the horse. western tip has been inaccessible The future of Central Pier is, for several years after being deemed according to DV, still undetermined structurally unsound. That section, as and long-term planning for its well the entire pier, requires a permit resurrection will only be done so from Heritage Victoria before it can ▲ Premier Daniel Andrews helps cut the ribbon on the new Docklands Primary School last month. with “extensive engagement with the be touched. community and key stakeholders to This news was followed by DV create a vision for Victoria Harbour releasing an expression of interest for and Central Pier.” “demolition works” of Central Pier “DV is currently preparing to Docklands Primary School’s in, at last! on December 21, seen by Docklands remove the western tip of Central Pier News. While DV said the timing of from Victoria Harbour in Docklands. the tender release was dependent on Docklands Primary School’s first 200 students walked through the school gates The scope of works across the rest of a heritage permit being submitted, it Central Pier is yet to be determined,” on January 28 – the day the school officially opened with a visit from Premier was approved back in March last year. Geoff Ward, Group Head, Precincts, And while this document could Daniel Andrews and Minister for Education James Merlino. DV, said. easily be dismissed as a “tyre kicking “We’re working closely with exercise”, a phrase some within DV Heritage Victoria on the long-term to link in with our community. Lots of our families have have used to describe the process, it words by Meg Hill plans for Central Pier, and we will talked to us about Docklands not having a primary school, calls for expressions of interest into photography by John Tadigiri consult with the community and local and now this means a lot to the community for families the possible “demolition, removal EDUCATION business throughout the process.” who can now live and go to school in Docklands.” and disposal of buildings, structures But for a community that is Mr Bright also said the opportunity at Docklands and all remaining assets”. eagerly awaiting clear information It has been a long time coming for local families waiting Primary School was unique in that it was an opportunity There is little doubt that should on its maritime asset, the prospects, for a school in their own suburb. Foundation principal to build a culture “from scratch”. the heritage-listed pier be reinstated whether real or not, of demolitions Adam Bright said the school would work to become a part The three-storey vertical school has a capacity for 525 in the future, it will require extensive being earmarked without knowledge of the community. students and includes a library, music and arts rooms, a demolition across various sections is the wrong narrative to be setting. “We were really excited to welcome students and fam- competition-grade indoor court for basketball and net- before heritage elements can be This coupled with the piece in The ilies into the school and open the doors officially,” he told ball, and outdoor learning terraces. retained and restored, and the pier Age published on January 19, which Docklands News. A co-located kindergarten has also been built on-site rebuilt. exposed DV’s alleged knowledge of “A lot of planning went into the school and its opening which will open this term with space for 66 kids, deliver- That is, at least, what the the pier’s risk of “catastrophic failure” so to finally have that opportunity was really exciting and ing both sessional and integrated kindergarten programs community expects. And after a around 10 months before the pier’s the first day went really well.” for three- and four-year-olds. story appeared in The Age in January “I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity Continued page 4. unearthing Federal Court documents Continued on page 2. SPORT, PAGE 03 PLANNING, PAGE 05 COMMUNITY, PAGE 08 BUSINESS, PAGE 11 A Gift for Docklands! The Docklands “sleeper An honorary Welcome back to the A B agent” switches roles C Docklander D corporates EASY FRESH FOOD SHOPPING No queues, no crowds, essentials shopping on the go, Waterfront Way, Docklands plus 90 minutes free parking. Open 7 days a week Check out the back page for Super Saver Specials this month! The Voice of Postcode 3008 2 It’s time to change the narrative on Central Pier Boating hub tender precedes CONTACT release of activation strategy Continued from page 1. Suite 108, 198 Harbour Esplanade docklandsnews.com.au sudden evacuation, doesn’t help DV’s cause Tel: 8689 7980 words by Sean Car either. PLANNING EDITOR DV’s response to that story, which argued Sean Car that the facts laid bare in court documents did not represent an agreed chronology, were not Development Victoria’s (DV’s) decision to put a PUBLISHER complete or were in dispute, highlights just tender out for a new ferry and boating hub on Hyperlocal News Pty Ltd how significantly it’s allowed everyone else but Harbour Esplanade South before the release of ABN: 57 623 558 725 itself to control the narrative. its long-awaited Docklands Activation Strategy The story in The Age said that DV “had the should leave many scratching their heads. ADVERTISING option of terminating its anchor tenant Atlantic In January, DV issued a media release an- Hyper-local print works for advertisers Group’s lease without paying compensation nouncing a new hub for ferry and boat opera- in our digital world because local people provided it offered 24 months’ notice, but it did tors to support charter fleet and ferry services in are interested in local news. not act”. Victoria Harbour at Wharf 8, which is currently To sell to the Docklands community, “Instead, the agency claimed, just before home to the Port Phillip Ferries glasshouse and contact Jack Hayes on 0401 031 236 or shutting down the pier, that Atlantic Group had Cow Up A Tree sculpture. [email protected] technically breached a number of minor provi- While plans to move the Cow Up A Tree to sions in its lease agreement. This meant it was Reader contributions are welcome. Harbour Esplanade North near NewQuay are not eligible for compensation after the closure,” Send letters, articles and images to: already part of a longer-term approach for the The Age reported. [email protected] precinct, the glasshouse space will be removed Docklands News asked DV what those “minor to make way for upgraded facilities. The activation strategy, which is now months The deadline for the March edition provisions” were, and was told, “The tenants In its media release, DV said that as part of overdue for public consultation, has been held is February 25. of Central Pier have commenced a Court Docklands continued development, both it and up by senior management at Development Proceeding that DV is defending. It is not ap- the City of Melbourne were encouraging inter- Victoria and the City of Melbourne and the SOCIAL MEDIA propriate for DV to comment on matters that ested parties to provide a creative solution for longer it is delayed the greater local apathy is TwitterFollow us on Twitter are presently before the Court,” a spokesperson a new hub, which would “deliver much-needed likely to be. @Docklands_News for DV said. operations, public amenities and shelter in one The events company charged with compiling Ever since DV CEO Angela Skandarajah’s of Docklands’ best-connected areas.” the document, Alto Cibum, completed its final FACEBOOK-SQUARELike us on Facebook uncomfortable interview with John Faine on “It is a key pick up and drop off point for draft in December and according to its manag- Docklands News ABC Radio in 2019 following the pier’s closure, ferry and boat operators, has direct access to ing director Robert Clifford, who spoke with this has been the government agency’s approach instagramFollow us on Instagram Marvel Stadium and has previously hosted Docklands News last year, the strategy was due to everything concerning the pier. Say nothing, @docklands_news Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve celebrations in to be released in December. do even less. Docklands,” Geoff Ward, Group Head Precincts While the strategy is understood to offer Opinions expressed by contributors are not And given the court documents confirming at Development Victoria, said.