Premier John Brumby Supports Plan to Improve Docklands
Planning Minister Justin Madden said he is also open to the idea of "a council takeover", according to an article in The Age newspaper.
Premier Brumby said "I would agree with the Lord Mayor that we need to be investing in some of the social infrastructure down in that area and I think we can work with Melbourne City Council to do that."
State authority VicUrban manages the development of Docklands, even though rates from residents are collected by the Melbourne City Council.
Docklands is a long-term major project, with the last state of construction more than ten years from now, in 2020. It has come under fire at various stages of its development over the last decade, largely because a lack of residents has stifled the success of shops in the area.
Several major new office buildings are also under construction in the area.
ING Real Estate’s $120 million Southern Star Observation Wheel, which stalled in January, is expected to be out of order for at least six months. The wheel was expected to attract more than 1 million visitors to the Waterfront City precinct of Docklands, and become one of the State’s biggest tourist attractions.
