A vision for Victoria Harbour in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct by design practice Hassell would see it transformed into a major transport and tourism hub through the use of ferries and ships.
The Hassell master plan has been approved by the City of Melbourne after being submitted in April 2015. The plan describes the potential for the project to transform the harbour into, “one of the great post-industrial waterfronts anywhere in the world.”
The master plan emphasises the range of possibilities presented by the large size of Victoria Harbour, which is around 320,000 square-metres. The plan points to the fact that Victoria Harbour is around five times the size of Sydney’s Darling Harbour, and twice the size of Circular Quay.
The use of ferries to transport people to and around Melbourne is one of the key considerations of the plan, with a suggestion that around four or five finger wharves similar to those found at Circular Quay could be accomodated by the harbour. The wharves would be large enough to moor and maneuvre large water vehicles.
The plan describes the potential for Victoria Harbour to become “the city’s major boating and water transportation hub.” Ideas about ferry transport being set up to connect the harbour to other parts of Melbourne have been touted in recent years, but none of the propositions have transpired.
The use of heritage ships to attract visitors to the area is another idea that was floated in the master plan, with the suggestion that two or three heritage ships could be housed on the northern basin of the harbour.
Victoria Harbour is frequently buffeted by strong northerly and westerly winds, and steps to address the issue are prominent in the master plan. The plan recommends the planting of vegetation and specially-designed low built forms to counter the strong winds.
The harbour was formerly a heavily-used dock that serviced Melbourne from the nineteenth century. The urban renewal project designed to reinvigorate the Docklands area began in the late 1990s with the construction of Docklands Stadium.
The Age reported that Lord Mayor Robert Doyle recently suggested that Docklands Stadium (also known as Etihad Stadium) should have some of its solid walls replaced with windows to take advantage of the harbour views.
