Docklands Community Hub To Transform Area

More community infrastructure has been unveiled at Docklands, with a new boating hub and family services centre now open to the public.

Community Hub at The Dock is the latest public infrastructure to be built in Docklands and will boost services to the thriving numbers of people who have flocked to the Victoria Harbour precinct, where Bourke and Collins streets now meet.

The $8.5 million project, designed by architectural firm Hayball, was a partnership between the state government, City of Melbourne and Lend Lease, and will now be operated by the council.

“The great alliance we share with our partners, the City of Melbourne and Places Victoria, has been critical to the success of the Community Hub and the entire $63 million civic precinct in Victoria Harbour,” said Lendlease's Managing Director of Urban Regeneration, Jonathan Emery.

“Creating the best places means delivering buildings and precincts that connect with people, promote people’s health and wellbeing and provide long-term value for the city.” 

Minister for Planning Richard Wynne joined Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle and Lend Lease Project Director Tim Campbell at The Dock on the Collins Street waterfront on Saturday.

Mr Wynne said Docklands was 60 per cent complete, and while 10,000 people have already moved in, the emerging suburb’s population will be about 20,000 and will accommodate 60,000 jobs.

“New infrastructure means Docklands is taking shape as a place for families and it is great to see more community facilities complementing existing residential and commercial development.

"Docklands is developing its own character, which will be further enhanced over the next 10 years- right now there is more than $2 billion worth of construction underway across 13 projects."

The Hub includes a boating hub on the ground floor, which is the new home for the Docklands Yacht Club, the Victorian Dragon Boat Association and the Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club. On the second floor, a family services centre has consulting rooms, playgroup and group program rooms and an outdoor play area.

“Docklands is Melbourne’s fastest growing precinct and is becoming more and more popular with families because of its proximity to the CBD, quality housing stock, cosmopolitan culinary scene and exciting events calendar,” said Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle.

“We recognised a need for a family services centre in Docklands to support these families through maternal and child health services, counselling and immunisation services, as well as spaces for meetings and community events.”