Following the containerization of shipping cargo, Victoria Harbour fell into disuse and by the 1990s Victoria Dock was virtually abandoned. Its empty port sheds attracted patrons of Melbourne’s underground rave music scene.

This prime waterfront precinct so close to the CBD led the state government agency VicUrban (now known as Development Victoria) to embark on an immense urban renewal project. The construction of Docklands Stadium (now Marvel Stadium), in the late 1990s attracted developer interest in the area. While retaining planning oversight, VicUrban initially allocated development rights to three major construction companies. Docklands subsequently experienced an apartment boom and Docklands became a sought-after business address, attracting the national headquarters of, among others, the ANZ Bank, Myer, David Jones, Medibank, and the Bureau of Meteorology, as well as the regional headquarters for several other major companies and entities. Many of these buildings reference maritime heritage, for example the distinctive façade of the colourful building, constructed under green principles for the National Australia Bank, reflects multicoloured shipping containers once found everywhere in Docklands.

Docklands is now a designated precinct of the City of Melbourne. It retains vestiges of maritime heritage port infrastructure which have been retained for adaptive reuse. With powerful influence being exerted by residential real-estate development however, much maritime infrastructure has been, and is still being, lost. Further, Docklands’ developer-centric planning has split public opinion with some lamenting its lack of green open space, pedestrian activity, transport links, culture, and general amenity.

IMAGE CREDIT
Pleasure craft on Victoria Harbour, photographer Jeff Malley 2022