New community infrastructure plan for Melbourne Docklands

Victorian Minister for Planning Matthew Guy and Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle have unveiled a plan for $300 million in community infrastructure projects in Docklands.
A community boating hub, oval and sporting facilities, recreational swimming pool, library and community centre, exhibition and performance spaces, running and walking tracks, and a place of worship are some of the headline projects to be delivered in Docklands over coming years as part of the Docklands Community and Place Plan (DCPP).
Minister Guy said the announcement was a good example of the strong, long-term partnerships between state, local government and the private sector that are required to make urban renewal projects a success.
He stated "this plan showcases projects that Places Victoria and the City of Melbourne, together with developers, private and public sectors, are committed to delivering for Docklands.
"Although only 50% has been developed to date, Docklands is already an economic hub, having attracted more than $8.5 billion of private investment."
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the release of DCPP is the culmination of more than 18 months of community consultation and reflects the needs of Docklands' evolving community, adding "coupled with the recent announcement that the City of Melbourne will be the responsible planning authority for developments less than 25,000 square metres in Docklands, this package demonstrates a transition from a development stage to one focused on the community.
"We've listened to thousands of residents, workers, visitors and experts, to ensure future development in Docklands meets the needs of its people, now and into the future.
"A great example of this is the new Docklands community garden. With a fire to gather around on a cold day, a range of garden beds and fruit trees, the Docklands garden provides a great new meeting place for locals and visitors."
Construction of new multi-purpose synthetic-surfaced sporting courts for netball, basketball and futsal in Docklands' Batman's Hill is also set to begin in the coming weeks.
An existing bocce court will be removed to make way for the new facility which will be floodlit with four light towers to allow night-time competition.
The tender documents call for the futsal goal posts to be lightweight, lockable and easily removable. Two sets of netball and basketball goals with removalable rings were called for.
The plans also show new shade trees and seating around the courts with fences are to be provided behind the goals.
The semi-permanent courts will take up the area between Harbour Esplanade and Waterview Walk.
The City leases the site from Places Victoria which is reserving its right to develop the site in the future.
Known at the Community, Learning and Education Centre (CLEC) site, the area is difficult to develop because it contains the West Melbourne gas regulator station field.
For a full list of the community infrastructure initiatives to be delivered as part of the DCPP go to

http://www.docklands.com