Continuing our multipart series on the final stages of Docklands planning, it’s crazy to think that it’s been over three years since Central Pier was spectacularly closed on an unassuming August evening. As food was being served, an announcement was made that Patrons only had 15 minutes to finish their meals and evacuate as the pier could collapse at any moment. However, the colonial engineering is standing the test of time and Central Pier continues to hold firm and be the centrepiece of Victoria Harbour.
Sitting vacant and barricaded from public access, it has been the biggest question posed by locals in the area for years now, “What’s going to happen with Central Pier”? From supporters to critics, everyone has been hanging out for an answer.
Last week the State Government and Development Victoria confirmed plans to demolish the decaying Docklands icon. First appearing in Docklands News “A plan to demolish and revitalise Central Pier has progressed with a heritage permit application to be considered by Heritage Victoria”.
Docklands News’ Brendan Rees & Sean Car have continued to report that this news was welcomed by the City of Melbourne with Lord Mayor Sally Capp saying the council would now support and lobby for its redevelopment.
It has since been announced that Development Victoria will lodge a heritage permit application to remove the remaining “unsafe pier structure” to “ensure its safety and reliability for years to come”. The application to demolish the pier will be considered under the requirements of the Victorian Heritage Act 2017 due to its registration as a place of historical significance to Docklands, and the City of Melbourne.
While there are some mixed emotions about the removal of the pier, I think we can all agree that it’s positive news that action is now being taken, no matter the direction. As your local Agency that’s been here since Docklands' inception, we take pride in keeping you up to date with major developments like this in the area and look forward to sharing further updates in the future.
