View source for Docklands, Victoria

{{refimprove|date=March 2023}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2011}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| name                     = Docklands
| image                    = Etihad Stadium, Melbourne 2017-10-28.jpg
| caption                  = View toward Docklands, including [[Docklands Stadium]], October 2017
| state                    = VIC
| stategov                 = [[Electoral district of Albert Park|Albert Park]]
| stategov2                = [[Electoral district of Melbourne|Melbourne]]
| pop                      = 15,495
| pop_year                 = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| pop_footnotes            = <ref name="abs21">{{Census 2021 AUS | id = SAL20766 | name = Docklands (Suburbs and Localities) | accessdate = 18 July 2022 | quick = on}}</ref>
| fedgov                   = [[Division of Macnamara|Macnamara]]
| fedgov2                  = [[Division of Melbourne|Melbourne]]
| type                     = suburb
| lga                      = City of Melbourne
| alternative_location_map = Australia Victoria metropolitan Melbourne
| coordinates              = {{coord|37.817|S|144.946|E|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in metropolitan Melbourne
| elevation                = 7
| area                     = 3
| city                     = [[Melbourne]]
| est                      = 21st century
| postcode                 = 3008
| near-nw                  = [[West Melbourne, Victoria|West Melbourne]]
| near-n                   = [[West Melbourne, Victoria|West Melbourne]]
| near-ne                  = [[West Melbourne, Victoria|West Melbourne]]
| near-w                   = [[Port Melbourne]]
| near-e                   = [[Melbourne central business district|Melbourne]]
| near-sw                  = [[Port Melbourne]]
| near-s                   = [[South Wharf]]
| near-se                  = [[Southbank, Victoria|Southbank]]
| dist1                    = 2 
| location1                = [[Melbourne central business district|Melbourne CBD]]
| local_map                = yes
| zoom                     = 13
}}
'''Docklands''' is an inner-city suburb in [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria, Australia]], on the western end of the [[Melbourne central business district|central business district]]. Docklands had a population of 15,495 at the [[2021 Australian census|2021 census]].

Primarily a waterfront area centred on the banks of the [[Yarra River]], it is bounded by [[Spencer Street]], [[Wurundjeri Way]] and Montague Street to the east, the Yarra River and [[Moonee Ponds Creek]] to the west, Footscray Road and Dynon Road to the north and Lorimer Street, Boundary Road and the [[West Gate Freeway]] across the Yarra River to the south.

The site of modern-day Docklands was originally swamp land that in the 1880s became a bustling dock area as part of the [[Port of Melbourne]], with an extensive network of wharfs, heavy rail infrastructure and light industry. Following the [[containerisation]] of shipping traffic, Docklands fell into disuse and by the 1990s was virtually abandoned, making it the focal point of Melbourne's underground [[rave]] scene.<ref name=trance>{{cite web
 |title       = Dance trance
 |first1      = Farrah
 |last1       = Tomazin
 |first2      = Patrick
 |last2       = Donovan
 |first3      = Meg
 |last3       = Mundell
 |url         = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/07/1038950203557.html
 |work        = [[The Age]]
 |publisher   = [[Fairfax Media]]
 |date        = 7 December 2002
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20170513003313/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/07/1038950203557.html
 |archive-date = 13 May 2017}}</ref> The construction of [[Docklands Stadium]] in the late 1990s attracted developer interest in the area, and urban renewal began in earnest in 2000 with several independent privately developed areas overseen by [[Places Victoria|VicUrban]], an agency of the [[Government of Victoria|Victorian Government]]. Docklands subsequently experienced an apartment boom and became a sought-after business address,<ref>[http://www.cbre.com.au/research/MarketView/melbourne/melbourne3q05Ofc.pdf CBRE report pointing to Melbourne Docklands outperforming all other Australian office markets] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820192620/http://www.cbre.com.au/research/MarketView/melbourne/melbourne3q05Ofc.pdf|website=[[CBRE Group|CBRE]] |date=20 August 2006 }}</ref> attracting the national headquarters of, among others, the [[National Australia Bank]], [[ANZ Bank]], [[Myer]], [[David Jones (department store)|David Jones]], [[Medibank]] and the [[Bureau of Meteorology]], as well as the regional headquarters for [[Ericsson]], [[Bendigo & Adelaide Bank]] and television networks [[GTV (Australian TV station)|Nine]] and [[HSV (TV station)|Seven]].<ref>{{cite web | first = Michelle | last = Draper | date = 28 September 2006 | title = ANZ deal sparks Docklands concern | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/anz-deal-sparks-docklands-concern/2006/09/27/1159337223011.html | work = The Age| publisher = Fairfax | access-date = 18 December 2010 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090314045355/http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/anz-deal-sparks-docklands-concern/2006/09/27/1159337223011.html | archive-date = 14 March 2009}}</ref>

Known for its contemporary architecture, the suburb is home to a number of heritage buildings that have been retained for [[adaptive reuse]], and is also the site of landmarks such as the Docklands Stadium, [[Southern Cross railway station]] and the [[Melbourne Star]].

Although still incomplete, Docklands' developer-centric planning has split public opinion with some lamenting its lack of green open space,<ref>{{cite web
 |first       = Matt
 |last        = Johnston
 |date        = 3 September 2009
 |title       = Docklands to get more parkland, 1000 more homes in $1b project
 |url         = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,26020427-661,00.html
 |work        = [[Herald Sun]]
 |publisher   = [[News Corp Australia|News Limited]]
 |access-date  = 18 December 2010
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090905163001/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,26020427-661,00.html
 |archive-date = 5 September 2009}}</ref> pedestrian activity, transport links and culture.<ref name=wasted-opportunity>{{cite web
 |first       = Royce
 |last        = Millar
 |date        = 17 June 2006
 |title       = Docklands a wasted opportunity?
 |url         = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/06/16/1149964737944.html
 |work        = The Age
|publisher   = Fairfax Media
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080929020542/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/06/16/1149964737944.html
 |archive-date = 29 September 2008}}</ref><ref name="news.com.au">{{cite web 
 |title=dead link 
 |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25241984-5000117,00.html 
 |work=Herald Sun 
 |publisher=News Limited 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328123123/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C25241984-5000117%2C00.html 
 |archive-date=28 March 2009
 }}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web | first1 = Jason | last1 = Dowling | first2 = Kate | last2 = Lahey | date = 16 March 2009 | title = Doyle call for council to take on Docklands | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/doyle-call-for-council-to-take-on-docklands-20090315-8yyr.html | work = The Age| publisher = Fairfax | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090529001018/http://www.theage.com.au/national/doyle-call-for-council-to-take-on-docklands-20090315-8yyr.html | archive-date = 29 May 2009}}</ref>

==History==
===Early history===
[[File:Batmans hill 1840 and 1892.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Illustration of the evolution of [[Batman's Hill]] between 1840 and 1892]]
Before the [[foundation of Melbourne]], it was a large [[wetlands]] area of the [[Yarra River]] estuary consisting of a large salt water lagoon and a giant swamp at the mouth of the Moonee Ponds Creek. It was one of the open hunting grounds of the [[Wurundjeri]] people, who created [[midden]]s around the edges of the lake. The lake was populated by fauna including native [[black swan]]s and wild ducks as well and earlier, with its connection to [[Hobsons Bay]], such marine life as snapper and swordfish.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Keble | first=R. A. | last2=Macpherson | first2=J. H. | title=The contemporaneity of the river terraces of the Maribyrnong River, Victoria, with those of the Upper Pleistocene in Europe | journal=Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria | volume=14 | issue=2 | date=1946 | issn=0083-5986 | doi=10.24199/j.mmv.1946.14.05 | pages=52–68}}</ref><ref name="Argus">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5922944 |title=THE RECLAMATION OF THE WEST MELBOURNE SWAMP. |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |issue=9,890 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=26 February 1878 |accessdate=16 May 2024 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

In 1835, Vandemonian [[John Batman]] established a home on [[Batman's Hill]], marking the westernmost point of a new settlement. The rest of the area, however, remained largely unused for decades. The swamp, known as '''Batman's Swamp''', and later '''West Melbourne Swamp''' was a major source of nuisance to the colony, considered ugly and unsanitary and produced a strong unpleasant smell.<ref name="Philosophical Institute">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7294012 |title=PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE OF VICTORIA |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |issue=3713 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=6 May 1858 |accessdate=16 May 2024 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

The first plans to reclaim the swamp issue were presented on 5 May 1858 by engineer [[Alexander Kennedy Smith]] to the [[Philosophical Institute of Victoria]] and proposed a system of three canals and a road to Footscray.<ref name="Philosophical Institute" /> While the reclamation did not proceed, the road did. Swamp Road (now Dynon Road) was completed in 1863 and included two bridges across the north of the lagoon.<ref>Cox, H. L. (Henry L., Bourchier, T., & McHugh, P. H. (1866). Victoria-Australia, Port Phillip. Hobson Bay and River Yarra leading to Melbourne [cartographic material] / surveyed by H.L. Cox ; assisted by Thos. Bourchier & P.H. McHugh, 1864 ; engraved by J. & C. Walker. London: Published by the Admiralty.</ref>
 
The advent of rail infrastructure in the late 1860s saw the city's industry gradually expand into the area. By 1878, Moonee Ponds Creek became a series of drainage canals with a system of bluestone constructions helping to funnel the salty water further south.<ref name="Argus" />

The earliest extensive plans to develop the area was in the 1870s, when a plan was prepared to extend the [[Hoddle Grid]] westward, following the curve of the Yarra River and effectively doubling its size. The plan proposed several gridlike blocks with an ornamental public garden and lake in the shape of the United Kingdom, occupying the site of the salt lake. However, expansion of the grid westward was abandoned in favor of a northward extension.

===Construction of Victoria Dock===
{{Multiple image
 | align     = left
 | direction = vertical
 | width     = 215
 | image1    = Before 1880.PNG
 | caption1  = 
 | image2    = After 1892.PNG
 | caption2  = Illustration of the Yarra River, before and after the creation of Victoria Dock
}}
Under the guidance of British civil engineer [[John Coode (engineer)|John Coode]], a major engineering project began in the 1880s to reroute the course of the Yarra River, which resulted in the widening of the river for shipping and the creation of a new Victoria Dock (the name was previously used by one at Queens Bridge as early as the 1850s). The dock was lined with wharves and light industry grew around the nearby western rail yards of [[Southern Cross railway station|Spencer Street railway station]] (now Southern Cross railway station), which were used for freighting the goods inland.

===Early to mid 20th century: From West Melbourne swamp to slum and new shipping port ===
[[File:A group of Dudley Mansions, West Melbourne ca. 1935 F. Oswald Barnett (photographer) State Library Victoria.jpg|thumb|"Dudley Mansions" a notorious collection of slums built from tip waste alongside the salt lakes of West Melbourne swamp ca. 1935 F. Oswald Barnett (photographer) State Library Victoria 2001.291/69]]
During the wars, Victoria Dock was used as the main port for naval vessels and most of the Victorian troops returned from both wars to the docks.

In 1924 the Victorian Railways engineer Edward Ballard prepared designs for a new [[Freight railways in Melbourne|freight yards]] including a new Melbourne Yard and Spencer Street Yard and West Melbourne Dock (later Victoria Harbour) and an extension of Dudley Street westward and a new main road through West Melbourne which would later become Docklands Highway with land to be transferred to the Melbourne Harbour Trust.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Victorian Railways. Way and Works Branch | author2=Ballard, Edw | title=V. R. locality plan of West Melbourne swamp | publication-date=1924 | publisher=[[Victorian Railways]]| edition=Amended 25.1.24 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/7722639 | access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref> 

During the [[Great Depression]] era, the area along Moonee Ponds Creek was home to a large rubbish tip. Just across the creek (near the site of Costco) were Dudley Mansions, a notorious slum of half a dozen homes constructed from refuse which [[Frederick Oswald Barnett]] began photographing and actively campaigning against.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Oswald Barnett | title=1930s. West Melbourne swamp made from rubbish tip | publication-date=2011-06-02 | publisher=Melbourne Library Service | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/152028436 | access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref>

Construction of the new Victoria Harbour took place over the following decades and with shipping was moved from the Yarra [[turning basin]] at Queensbridge Victoria Dock became Melbourne's busiest. 
[[File:Victoria docks melbourne in the 1920s.jpg|thumb|Busy Victoria docks in the late 1930s]]

===Disuse and rave epicentre===
With the introduction of [[containerisation]] of Victoria's shipping industry in the 1950s and 1960s, the [[dock (maritime)|docks]] along the Yarra River, east of the modern [[Bolte Bridge]], and within Victoria Harbour immediately to the west of the central business district, became inadequate for the new [[container ship]]s.

The creation of Appleton Dock and Swanson Dock in an area west of the Moonee Ponds Creek, now known as [[West Melbourne, Victoria|West Melbourne]], closer to the mouth of the Yarra, became the focus of container shipping, effectively rendering redundant a vast amount of vacant [[inner-city]] land to the immediate west of Melbourne's CBD.

Docklands became notable during the 1990s for its underground [[rave]] dance scene.<ref name=trance/> The growth of the warehouse rave scene carried on from the earlier gay and lesbian warehouse party scene which had started in the early 1980s, and continued in the Docklands through parties such as The ALSO Foundation's Red Raw, Winterdaze, New Year's Eve, and Resurrection dance parties.

The site was also host to a number of dance parties by [[Future Entertainment]] and Hardware Corporation. DJs and performers such as [[Paul van Dyk]], [[Carl Cox]], [[Jeff Mills]], [[Frankie Knuckles]], [[David Morales]], [[Marshall Jefferson]] and [[Brian Transeau|BT]] headlined these events. The biggest event hosted, in terms of attendance, was the "Welcome 2000" New Year's Eve dance party hosted on 31 December 1999.

===Urban renewal===
Docklands was seen as a large urban blight by the [[John Cain (41st premier of Victoria)|Cain Jr. State Government]]. Property consultants [[JLL (company)|JLW Advisory]] carried out the first market demand assessment of the site.<ref>[http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=199809&article=11&typeon=3 AA - Melbourne Docklands - September/October 1998<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707160329/http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=199809&article=11&typeon=3 |date=7 July 2011 }}</ref>

The size of the Melbourne Docklands area meant that political influences were inescapable. The Docklands project was on top of the government's agenda,<ref name= dovey-fluid-city>{{cite book | last = Dovey | first = Kim | year = 2005
 | title = Fluid City: Transforming Melbourne's Waterfront
 | publisher = [[University of New South Wales Press]]
 | location = Sydney}}</ref> however, due to the poor condition of the wharf infrastructure, a further investment was required to initiate the project, which the government at the time could not afford. Nevertheless, the Docklands project stayed on the drawing board, but with little progress. In 1989, several architectural firms were invited to discuss how the area could best serve the Melbourne public.

In 1990, the Docklands Task Force was established to devise an infrastructure strategy and conduct the public consultation process.<ref name=dovey-fluid-city/> The [[Committee For Melbourne]], a not for profit organization that brought together the private sector of Melbourne for a public good, was pursuing another planning strategy. It involved a bid for the [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Olympic Games]] and another proposal to turn the Docklands into a technology city, known as the [[Multifunction Polis]] (MFP). Both bids fell through in late 1990.<ref name=dovey-fluid-city/> Nevertheless, the Committee For Melbourne's approach became the preferred model in the proceeding strategies for the Docklands development, leading to the formation of the Docklands Authority in July 1991.<ref name=dovey-fluid-city/>

==== Kennett era and ARM Masterplan ====
With a government running in budget deficits, not much progress was made on the Docklands project. In late 1992, [[Jeff Kennett]] was elected [[Premier of Victoria|Premier]]. Kennett instituted many changes and turned the government's financial position around. He then embarked on a multitude of projects, which included Docklands. It was politically imperative to get the project rolling, the Docklands Authority opted for the concept of having infrastructure funded by the developers. The development industry supported this, and claimed that the project would be more efficient. Docklands was divided into sections or precincts, which were to be tendered to private companies to be developed.

May 1996 saw the relaunch of the tender process. Few restrictions were applied to the bids from developers, and as the vision was to make Docklands 'Melbourne's Millennium Mark', the key criterion for a successful bid was to get projects going by 2000.<ref name=dovey-fluid-city/> It did not take long for the realisation that the lack of government coordination in infrastructure planning would create problems. Developers would not invest into public infrastructure, where benefits would flow on to an adjacent property. This was corrected by allowing developers to negotiate for infrastructure funding with the government. The Docklands Village precinct was planned for a residential and commercial mixed development, but, in late 1996, that plan was scrapped when it was announced a private football stadium would be built on the site.<ref name=dovey-fluid-city/> The site was chosen for its easy access to the then Spencer Street station (now Southern Cross station), and it was intended to be an anchor for the entire project and provide for a clear signal to the long-awaited start of the Docklands project. However, the stadium also created a huge barrier between the City and Docklands.

[[File:Bolte bridge.jpg|thumb|Construction of the [[Bolte Bridge]] which crosses the Yarra through Docklands began in 1996]] 
Work on the Bolte Bridge, designed by architects [[Denton Corker Marshall]], for [[Transurban]] and constructed by [[Baulderstone|Baulderstone Hornibrook]], another architectural centrepiece took place from 1996 to 1999 and costing $75 million. 

In 1997, the Docklands commission engaged architects [[Ashton Raggatt McDougall]] (ARM) to design the Docklands masterplan incorporating the stadium, Victoria Dock and the Yarra on both sides of the Bolte Bridge. The whimsical futuristic design featured mostly curvy building frontages and winding thoroughfares. The centrepiece was an oval shaped central park (approximately the size of the Docklands Stadium field) accessed via a network of footbridges and surrounded by mid-sized towers from which a radial network of roads were lined by irregular curved footprints, each individually surrounded by zig-zagging lines of trees along the parks and open space. Vehicular traffic was minimised by a reduced road connectivity to encourage pedestrianisation. Harbour Esplanade was to be lined by low-rise commercial buildings such as restaurants to attract activity to the foreshore. The original plan featured integrated [[windbreak]]s to reduce the wind-tunnel effect. A wide promenade and framed park would directly connect Bourke Street and Lonsdale Streets to the new precinct (the present site of Southern Cross Station), effectively funnelling pedestrians from the CBD toward the new waterfront. Moonee Ponds Creek was connected to Victoria Dock via a winding channel creating additional waterfront and the precincts were dotted by small irregularly placed ponds, islands and boardwalks. Another small channel would have connected the Victoria Harbour waterway with the Yarra to the south allowing for more flow and less stagnant water. Central Pier was to be demolished and replaced by a peninsula of connected islands featuring green space and a walking path from which the whole precinct could be viewed. Moonee Ponds Creek would have been restored featuring a peninsula extending beyond the present Bolte Bridge adding a large park to the northern riverside frontage of the precinct.

==== Bracks/Brumby era: Redesign and Commencement of Construction (1998) ====
[[File:Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, Christmas 1998.jpg|thumb|[[Docklands Stadium]] under construction in December 1998. 
Under the new government's revised 1999 masterplan, the railyards (lower right) would remain as a significant barrier to the CBD and pedestrian links were rejected in favour of a new 4 lane north–south highway, Wurundjeri Way, between it and the stadium]]
With the exception of ''Yarra Waters'' (later Yarra's Edge) bid by [[Mirvac]], bid for every other precinct between 1998 and 1999 fell through, reasons for which were often unclear due to secrecy provisions<ref name=dovey-fluid-city/> and a change of government.

Under a new government the ARM masterplan was largely abandoned for a new Docklands Public Realm Plan and a new planning committee was established in conjunction with the City of Melbourne. This new plan removed the wavy original masterplan in favour of a largely rectilinear plan. Significantly the new masterplan removed key pedestrian connections to the CBD at Lonsdale Street and called for an elevated concrete footbridge via [[Bourke Street]], effectively isolating the northern parts of the precinct from the CBD (due to plans for the new Southern Cross Station). The large public plaza proposed on the railyards between Bourke and Lonsdale Street was excluded leaving a large and visually unappealing space which disconnects Docklands from the CBD. Instead of reducing the connections to the road network, a new north–south highway, Wurundjeri Way, would further bisect the precinct and disconnect it from the CBD. The new plan called for much taller, more built up areas of towers along the north and south of the harbour and toward the Hoddle Grid (present sites of New Quay and Yarra's Edge and Batman's Hill). Central pier was to be restored and retained instead of demolished. Many more marinas catered for more private boats at New Quay, Victoria Harbour and Yarra's Edge than the original design, further reducing the amount of open water. Green space around the smaller and mid-sized buildings was removed in favour of footprints built to street frontage with laneways connecting each street between shorter podiums. More traditional avenues of street trees replaced irregular plantings, the ornamental ponds and floating walkways were removed in favour of long linear concrete promenades. Mixed-use low-rise along Harbour Esplanade which was aimed to increase activity along the foreshore was removed in order to widen the main thoroughfare. Docklands Park became a linear park flanked by shorter towers aligned north south with the [[Charles Grimes Bridge]]. Moonee Ponds Creek extension and restoration was also removed from the masterplan. The design also called for a wide Harbour Esplanade with no buildings along its foreshore lined by [[Canary Island Date Palm]]s similar to the popular foreshores of Port Melbourne and Albert Park.<ref>[https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/sitecollectiondocuments/docklands-public-realm-plan.pdf Docklands Public Realm Plan - City of Melbourne 2012]</ref> 

Through the tendering process for the sites, the business park was split once more and awarded to two consortia, becoming Entertainment City (renamed [[Paramount Studios]]) - a movie theme park with film studios, to be developed by a [[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]] led consortium, and Yarra Nova (which later evolved into [[#NewQuay|NewQuay]]), to the [[MAB Corporation]] consortium. The [[Paramount Studios]] proposal fell through, and the site was put to tender once more, as Studio City, and later awarded as two parts, becoming what is now [[Docklands Studios Melbourne]] and Waterfront City.

Yarra Waters/Yarra Quays was awarded to Mirvac, later becoming Yarra's Edge.

The [[technology park]] was renamed Commonwealth Technology Port (or Comtech Port) before finally becoming Digital Harbour.

A number of other sites also encountered false starts, with Victoria Harbour originally being awarded to [[Walker Corporation]], before being put out to tender again and finally being awarded to [[Lendlease]] in April 2001. The Batman's Hill precinct was originally awarded to [[Grocon]], which had plans for what would have been the world's tallest building rising 560 m, dubbed [[Grollo Tower]] and featuring a mix of office, apartment, hotel and retail. This deal also fell through with the site being subdivided into 15 parcels as well as [[No 2 Goods Shed]].

On 1 July 2007 Docklands became part of the [[City of Melbourne]] Local Government Authority, however, VicUrban retained planning authority until 2010.

{{Wide image|Melbourne from Waterfront City, Docklands Pano, 20.07.06.jpg|700px|A panoramic view of the Docklands and city skyline from Waterfront City, looking across [[Melbourne Docklands#Victoria Harbour|Victoria Harbour]], 2006}}


==Districts==
Following the initial Vicurban tender and the 1999 masterplan, Docklands was divided the land into a number of themed precincts, with each to be designed and built by a different development company. Overall governance was overseen by the Docklands Authority.
The precincts defined (from north to south) were:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!District
!Proposed use
!Land area
!Initially granted to
|-
| Waterfront City  || Mixed-use commercial || Area from Footscray Road south to Docklands Drive || [[ING Group|ING Real Estate]] 
|-
|  Commonwealth Technology Port (now Digital Harbour) || Technology Park || Area to the west between Harbour Esplanade and Wurundjeri Way || Digital Harbour Holdings
|-
| New Quay || Mixed use (primarily residential) || Area along the north shoreline of the Victoria Docks || [[MAB Corporation]]
|-
| Central Pier ||  Restaurant precinct || Heritage registered Central Pier, Victoria Dock || Victorian government
|-
| Stadium Precinct || Mixed use || Land around the Docklands Stadium up to Wurundjeri Way || Divided into 4 sections -  NWSP was awarded to [[Seven Network|Channel 7]]/Pacific Holdings (NSWP), Pan Urban (NESP), Devine Limited/RIA Property Group (SWSP), Bourke Junction Consortium (ISPT, [[Cbus (superannuation fund)|Cbus Property]] and EPC Partners) (SESP)
|-
| Victoria Harbour || Office/Mixed use || From the south of Victoria Dock to the Yarra River to Wurundjeri Way with Collins Street and Bourke Street extended and planned to meet || [[Lendlease]]
|-
| Batman's Hill || Office/Mixed use || West of Harbour Esplanade and south of Bourke Street to the Yarra River connecting Docklands to the Hoddle grid including an extension of Collins Street || Walker Corporation (Collins Square) and Lendlease (Melbourne Quarter)
|-
| Yarra's Edge || Residential/Mixed use || Area along the southern shoreline of the Yarra north of Lorimer Street || [[Mirvac]]
|}

Since the initial tendering process, other precincts and sub-precincts within these have emerged.

=== Northbank ===
[[File:WTC Wharf from South Wharf, Docklands, Melbourne.jpg|thumb|WTC Wharf and Crowne Plaza from South Wharf]]
[[File:Flinders Wharf 1a.jpg|thumb|Flinders Wharf from South Wharf]]
Though not part of the 1999 masterplan or tendering process, the area of Docklands north of the Yarra opposite [[South Wharf]] from Spencer Street to Charles Grimes Bridge area around Siddeley Street originally including the part of North Wharf closest to the Hoddle grid is part of the gazetted land. It was rebranded as the '''Northbank precinct''' as other parts of Docklands began construction. At the time it consisted of a collection of a handful of existing buildings. Originally home to 1880s markets and industry including the Mission to Seamen building, between the 1920s and 1940s the area was almost completely cleared for a new port including Goods Shed number 5 and a large electric crane. By the 1970s, the majority of the area was covered by a parking lot with a petrol station and a small number of commercial buildings remaining from the 1920s era.

In the late 1970s, the disused port area was first earmarked for urban renewal aimed at extending CBD beyond the Hoddle grid along the river past Spencer Street. A small cluster of 1920s commercial buildings were cleared to construct the brutalist landmarks the blocky [[WTC Wharf|World Trade Center]] (1982) and semi-circular shaped Crowne Plaza Hotel (1988) along with a massive multi-storey carpark, Melbourne's largest at the time, aimed to attract motorist commuters. However without permanent residents, like much of the CBD in the 80s the area proved unpopular and failed to attract activity despite the opening of Melbourne's Melbourne's first casino there, [[Crown Melbourne|Crown Casino]] in 1994 and after its 1997 relocation to the permanent new site in Southbank, a temporary [[Madame Tussauds]] wax museum. Due to the precincts initial failure, development subsequently halted for over a decade.

Since the Docklands project the area has seen a growth of new interest in the long neglected precinct with over $1 billion in planned development. [[Flinders Wharf]] (2003) was one of the first new developments, adding 301 hi-rise apartments and mixed use to the riverfront. Relocation of Victoria Police headquarters to the World Trade Center offices and establishing a new police museum in 2007 was followed by redevelopment of the World Trade Centre as WTC Wharf (2008) aimed at stimulating further investment in the precinct. Mirvac have constructed a 20-storey office tower at 7 Spencer Street (2021).<ref>[https://www.mirvac.com/en/about/news-and-media/mirvacs-transformative-project-on-melbournes-northbank-is-approved Mirvac's Transformative Project on Melbourne's Northbank is Approved] 2 February 2021</ref> Melbourne Skyfarm (2021-23), a greening of the roof of the multi-storey carpark including sustainability centre, was aimed at softening the mostly harsh concrete area. 637 Flinders (2022) by [[Cox Architecture]] is seven storey modern infill office building added to the provide street frontage to the shorter World Trade Centre tower. Seafarers (2024), a mixed-use apartment building by architects [[Fender Katsalidis]] included a new public park known as Seafarers Rest and restaurants along a reconstructed Goods Shed 5.<ref>[https://www.domain.com.au/sponsor/the-emergence-of-melbournes-northbank-precinct/ The Emergence of Melbourne's Northbank Precinct] Domain.com.au</ref>

Northbank is also a key part of the Greenline pedestrian and cycling link aimed at connecting Melbourne to the Docklands along the Yarra.

=== Batman's Hill ===
{{seealso|Batman's Hill}}
[[File:Docklands & Southbank, Melbourne, Australia 08.jpg|thumb|Batman's Hill modern office buildings at night, including the Kangan Institute and [[Transurban]] headquarters]]
The Batman's Hill precinct is an 100,000 square metre area bordered by the Yarra River to the south, Spencer Street to the east, Docklands Stadium to the north and Victoria Harbour to the west. The precinct is named after the historical landmark [[Batman's Hill]], which was once located within the area.

It is a mixed-use precinct including commercial and retail space, entertainment, hotels, residential sections, restaurants, cultural sites and educational institutions as well as the historic Rail Goods Shed No. 2, which was split in half to allow for the extension of [[Collins Street, Melbourne|Collins Street]] into Docklands, providing businesses with an address that is considered to be prestigious. 

Fox Classic Car Museum in the Queens Warehouse was one of the first places to open in Batman's Hill in 2000.

[[File:The Age Collins St 2010.jpg|thumb|Media House modern offices at 643 [[Collins Street, Melbourne|Collins Street]]]]
Completed buildings include:
* 700 Collins Street (home to the Bureau of Meteorology and [[Medibank]]) (2003)
* 750 Collins Street (the Melbourne headquarters of [[AMP Limited|AMP]]) (2007)
* Watergate apartments and small office complex (2007)
* 737 Bourke Street (10 storey office building for headquarters of National Foods) (2008)
* Media House (2010) at 643 Collins Street. Built for [[Fairfax Media]] it comprises 16,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup> of office space accommodating 1,400 staff, on decking over railway lines opposite Southern Cross Station. The $110 million eight-storey facility was designed by architects [[Bates Smart]] to achieve a 5-star Green Star rating, and features a news ticker, outdoor screen and grassy plaza. It was developed by Grocon in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | first = Natalie | last = Craig | date = 13 December 2007 | title = New Age building revealed | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/general/iagei-set-for-hightech-new-home/2007/12/13/1197135597809.html | work = The Age| publisher = Fairfax | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071216011823/http://www.theage.com.au/news/general/iagei-set-for-hightech-new-home/2007/12/13/1197135597809.html | archive-date = 16 December 2007}}</ref>
* 717 Bourke Street (17 storey building consisting of a 294-room [[Travelodge]] Hotel) (2011) 
* [[Kangan Institute#Campuses|Kangan Institute]]'s Automotive Centre for Excellence (ACE) (2023)

On 2 August 2007, it was reported that a $1.5 billion scheme had been earmarked for Collins Street by Middle Eastern investment company [[Sama Dubai]], to be designed by architect [[Zaha Hadid]] and [[Melbourne]] firm [[Ashton Raggatt McDougall]]. The plan would consist of four buildings, including Docklands' tallest tower as well as civic spaces spanning two sites to be built on decking over Wurundjeri Way. The proposed tower would have between 50 and 60 storeys tall but did not proceed and VicUrban put the site back out to tender in early 2011.<ref name=visionary-architect>{{cite web | first = Royce | last = Millar | date = 2 August 2007 | title = Visionary architect set to transform Docklands | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/architect-to-transform-docklands/2007/08/01/1185647977807.html | work = The Age| publisher = Fairfax | access-date = 18 December 2010 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110207230119/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/architect-to-transform-docklands/2007/08/01/1185647977807.html | archive-date = 7 February 2011}}</ref>

====Collins Square====
{{main article|Collins Square}}
[[File:Collins Square.jpg|thumb|Collins Square and Batman's Hill tram stop]]
Collins Square (previously Village Docklands) is a ~2&nbsp;Ha site within the Batman's Hill precinct. It was developed by [[Walker Corporation]].

Collins Square is the outcome of a split of precincts in the tender process in 2000, which resulted in Goods Shed South, 735 Collins Street and Sites 4A-4F, originally awarded to the Kuok Group and Walker Corporation.

A master plan prepared by Marchese + Partners in conjunction with [[BVN Architecture|Bligh Voller Nield]] architects was approved in early 2002. It included a 60-storey [[Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts]] tower with a Collins Street address and a mix of commercial and residential towers, as well as the refurbishment of the southern half of Goods Shed No. 2 into a night market and food hall.

In mid-2007, a new master plan was prepared by [[Bates Smart]]. In it a new 38-storey office tower replaced the Shangri La Hotel on Collins Street and the number of streets is reduced from four to three, replaced by pedestrian thoroughfares. Overall there will now be five office buildings, ranging in height from 155&nbsp;m (to roof) to 36&nbsp;m, a 10,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup> retail and public space, and the refurbishment of the Goods Shed with a 'Lantern' structure addressing Collins Street. The entire precinct is aiming for a 5-Star Green Star rating.

Construction of Collins Square was completed in 2018.

===Stadium Precinct===
[[File:Melbourne_etihad_stadium.jpg|thumb|Stadium precinct plaza, [[Harbour Esplanade]], [[Docklands Stadium]], 7 Network headquarters, Bendigo Bank building and Victoria Point apartment tower in 2009. More than half the original palm trees (centre) have been removed and replaced with hedge screen to help act as a wind break.]]

The Stadium Precinct, which sits on the eastern edge of Docklands, consists of [[Docklands Stadium]], [[Seven Network]]'s Melbourne [[digital broadcasting]] centre, [[Victoria Point (building)|Victoria Point]], Bendigo Bank offices, Medibank offices and serviced apartments. It is linked to [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross station]] and the [[Melbourne central business district|Melbourne CBD]] by the Bourke Street pedestrian bridge, built over railway lines.

During the 2000 Docklands development tender process, the stadium precinct was divided into four corners, the North West Stadium Precinct (NWSP), North East Stadium Precinct (NESP), South East Stadium Precinct (SESP) and South West Stadium Precinct (SWSP). The NWSP was awarded to [[Seven Network|Channel 7]]/Pacific Holdings. The NESP was awarded to Pan Urban. The SWSP was awarded to Devine Limited/RIA Property Group and the SESP - Bourke Junction Consortium (ISPT, CBUS Property and EPC Partners).

Docklands Stadium (originally Colonial Stadium) was opened in March 2000. The ability for the structure to have both open and closed roof configurations has seen it host many sports events, including [[Australian Rules Football]], soccer, [[cricket]] and [[Rugby football|rugby]] as well as concerts. The stadium complex is currently managed by Stadium Operations Ltd, which is owned by the [[Seven Network]], with ownership transferring to the [[Australian Football League]] in 2025.

Developer Pan Urban has announced plans for a $300 million twin-tower apartment development, known as Lacrosse Docklands, for the NESP, with the towers set to rise 21 and 18 storeys respectively, above the stadium concourse, with restaurants and bars opening out on to the concourse, forming a retail plaza.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?c=VArticle&cid=1203918326807&pagename=VicUrban/Layout&site=Docklands|title=Home|first=Development|last=Victoria|date=29 March 2017|website=www.docklands.com|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207142117/http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?c=VArticle&cid=1203918326807&pagename=VicUrban%2FLayout&site=Docklands|archive-date=7 February 2012}}</ref>

Plans for the site to be known as ''Bourke Junction'' include office towers of 29 and 21 storeys on the north-eastern and south-western corners of the SESP site, as well as three lower-rise buildings housing a 250-room hotel, a pub, medical centre, retail facilities, a business club and a two-level gymnasium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?c=VArticle&cid=1206754254119&pagename=VicUrban/Layout&site=Docklands|title=Home|first=Development|last=Victoria|date=29 March 2017|website=www.docklands.com|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207142108/http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?c=VArticle&cid=1206754254119&pagename=VicUrban%2FLayout&site=Docklands|archive-date=7 February 2012}}</ref>

==== Harbour Esplanade and stadium redevelopments (2010-) ====
[[File:Aerial perspective of Marvel Stadium.jpg|thumb|Aerial perspective of Marvel Stadium in 2023 showing planting of Norfolk pines to replace the original palm trees along Harbour Esplanade and deteriorated wharves removed, and Central Pier shut down for demolition and rebuilding]]

Due to concerns over the failed pedestrian activation of Harbour Esplanade, it was redeveloped between 2010 and 2011 at a cost of $9.2 million. The existing twenty-three {{convert|10|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} palms and gum trees were replaced by 230 [[Norfolk Island pine]]s (for a more stronger windbreak effect), realigned tram tracks to the centre roadway and new separated bicycle paths added.<ref>[https://www.docklandsnews.com.au/harbour-esplanade-redevelopment_5420/ Harbour Esplanade redevelopment] from Docklands News 3 June 2010</ref> However the redevelopment failed in its objective to increase pedestrian activation of the foreshore. As a result, another $16 million redevelopment under a new Harbour Esplanade Masterplan was proposed to repair the degraded wharfs unsuitable for pedestrian activation and reinstate previously demolished sheds and introduce an avenue trees to the waterfront.<ref>https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/harbour-esplanade Harbour Esplanade - Participate Melbourne Community Consultation 2014</ref> In 2020 the heritage listed Central Pier and its Shed 9 and Shed 19 were permanently closed due to its deteriorating condition. By 2023 the government decided to demolish and replace the heritage listed Central Pier which had been a centrepiece of the revised 1999 masterplan. The project would cost a total of $550 million.<ref>[https://www.development.vic.gov.au/projects/central-pier?page=overview Central Pier Project 2024]</ref><ref>[https://www.docklandsnews.com.au/demolition-of-central-pier-progresses/ Demolition of Central Pier progresses] by Sean Car 31 January 2024</ref> The shutdown was estimated to cost a further $865 million to the economy and was the subject of legal action against the government by commercial tenants.<ref>[https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/rebuild-pier-pressure-grows-as-report-shows-shutdown-will-cost-865m-20211216-p59i8v.html Rebuild pier pressure grows as report shows shutdown will cost $865m] by Noel Towell for The Age 17 December 2021</ref> In 2024 an additional $225 was committed by the government to redevelop the stadium in an attempt to activate the foreshore.<ref>[https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/kicking-goals-docklands-waterfront Kicking Goals On Docklands Waterfront] Premier of Victoria 10 January 2024</ref>

===Digital Harbour at Comtechport Precinct===
[[File:Port1010DigitalHarbour.jpg|thumb|The Port 1010 building]]

Digital Harbour is a waterfront that has an area of 44,000 square metres, with development intended to expand to include 220,000 square metres of commercial, residential, [[small office/home office|SOHO]] units and retail space. At present only three buildings have been completed; 1010 LaTrobe Street/Port 1010 (home to [[VicTrack]], [[Australian Customs and Border Protection Service]]), and the Innovation Building (home of the [[Telstra]] Learning Academy and Innovation Centre). A third building, Life.lab currently resides at 198 Harbour Esplanade, while a fourth, 1000 [[La Trobe Street]], is expected to commence shortly.

Port 1010 received the Commercial Architecture Award at the 2007 [[Victorian Architecture Awards]], held on Friday 13 July.<ref>[http://www.digitalharbour.com.au/default.asp?itemID=314&Title=latest%20news&catID=72 Digital Harbour – latest news<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201131347/http://www.digitalharbour.com.au/default.asp?itemID=314&Title=latest%20news&catID=72 |date=1 December 2008 }}</ref>

The Digital Harbour Business Association was launched in 2011. This is a group of businesses established in the Digital Harbour precinct in the Docklands. The precinct is a destination for IT, Media and other related businesses. The aim of the association is to promote the businesses within Digital Harbour to the wider Docklands Community and the Melbourne CBD.
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===Victoria Harbour===
[[File:Etihad_Stadium_Melbourne_Victoria.jpg|thumb|View across to Victoria Harbour precinct, [[National Australia Bank]] HQ (centre) Ericsson Building and Dock 5 tower (right), from New Quay]]
[[File:ANZ Docklands.jpg|thumb|right|The [[ANZ Bank]] headquarters, Victoria Harbour, viewed from Docklands Park]]
[[File:Victoria Harbour Offices at Night.jpg|thumb|right|Offices on Victoria Harbour at night]]

The Victoria Harbour Precinct is the centrepiece of Docklands. The precinct includes Central Pier and the land south towards the Yarra along with an extension of Collins Street and Bourke Street to meet at the water's edge. It has an area of 280,000 square metres, with 3.7 kilometres of waterfront. The 12-year construction plans for Victoria Harbour include residential apartments, commercial office space, retail space, community facilities and the development of public spaces such as Grand Plaza, Docklands Park and Central Pier.

One of the first completed office buildings in the precinct was the colourful National Australia Bank (NAB) headquarters, located at 800 Bourke Street, which accommodates approximately 3,600 staff. The building has large open floor plates, an atria, a campus-style workplace and a four-star energy rating.

Almost 1,000 Ericsson employees also call Victoria Harbour home, with the company's new Melbourne offices at 818 Bourke Street. Ericsson House sits on the water's edge next door to the National Australia Bank HQ and Dock 5 apartments

The first residential tower to be built at Victoria Harbour was Dock 5. Rising 30 storeys, it was designed by Melbourne firm [[John Wardle (architect)|John Wardle Architects]] and [[Hassell (architecture firm)|Hassell]]. Dock 5 derives its name from its location, which was known as Dock 5.

The Gauge, at 825 Bourke Street was built to house offices for developer [[Lendlease]] and [[Fujitsu]]. The eight-storey building was designed to achieve a six-star energy rating, becoming the second building in Docklands to do so.

A [[Safeway (Australia)|Safeway]] supermarket opened in Merchant Street (opposite The Gauge) in 2008, along with a number of other retail tenancies at street level, including [[Australia Post]], a childcare centre, and offices above, which have been occupied by LUCRF Super and the [[National Union of Workers]] since 2008.

In 2009 the [[ANZ Bank]]'s new world headquarters at 833 Collins Street have was completed. The office complex includes shops, car parking facilities and a [[YMCA]]. It enables 6,500 ANZ staff to work in one integrated area. The new ANZ headquarters, designed by Hassell and developed by Lendlease, was expected to become the largest office complex in Australia. Construction commenced in late 2006. It has been designed to achieve a six-star energy rating.

In 2007, Myer announced that it had chosen Victoria Harbour as the location for its new Corporate Store Support Offices. The new offices were built at 800 Collins Street, opposite ANZ.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.docklands.com.au/cs/Satellite?c=VPage&cid=1182927632744&pagename=VicUrban/Layout&site=Docklands|title=Home|first=Development|last=Victoria|date=29 March 2017|website=www.docklands.com.au|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403192105/http://www.docklands.com.au/cs/Satellite?c=VPage&cid=1182927632744&pagename=VicUrban%2FLayout&site=Docklands|archive-date=3 April 2012}}</ref>
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===NewQuay===
[[File:Melbourne docklands area.jpg|thumb|right|View of NewQuay from Central Pier; from the left the Nolan, Arkley, Palladio and Boyd]]

NewQuay, opened in 2002, was one of the first residential and commercial developments in Docklands. It is a mixed-use precinct comprising a number of private residential, hotel accommodation, serviced apartment and retail/commercial properties, developed by the [[MAB Corporation]]. The flagship building, Palladio - which is shaped like the prow of a ship - is named after Italian architect [[Andrea Palladio]]. The podium building, Sant'Elia is named after another Italian architect, [[Antonio Sant'Elia]]. Other buildings are named after Australian artists: Nolan ([[Sidney Nolan]]), Arkley ([[Howard Arkley]]), Boyd ([[Arthur Boyd]]), and Conder ([[Charles Conder]]). In 2013, the construction of the twin residential towers "The Quays" was completed.

Aquavista, completed in May 2007, is a strata office development and the first commercial building to be completed in NewQuay, as part of the HQ NewQuay development. Another, the seven-storey 370 Docklands Drive, is currently under construction, with a further two buildings - Lots 5 & 9 - currently under design development.<ref>[http://www.hqnewquay.com.au/Projects/Lots5-9/ HQ NewQuay: Lots 5 & 9<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314030728/http://www.hqnewquay.com.au/Projects/Lots5-9/ |date=14 March 2009 }}</ref>

On 17 October 2007, MAB Corporation launched 'The Avenues at NewQuay' development, consisting of three-storey townhouse residences, with park and waterfront frontages, to be built as part of NewQuay's western precinct. The development is being designed by [[Plus Architecture]].<ref>[http://www.newquay.com.au/About/MediaCentre/104/ NewQuay Docklands - "The Avenues at NewQuay" Melbourne's Multi-Million Dollar Waterside Housing Precinct: Melbourne's inner-city waterfront precinct<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930073638/http://www.newquay.com.au/About/MediaCentre/104/ |date=30 September 2009 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.theavenues.com.au/ Marina Avenue & Parkside Avenue<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228154607/http://theavenues.com.au/ |date=28 February 2016 }}</ref>

The ground level podiums contain a commercial precinct with a variety of restaurants and cafes including [[Italian cuisine|Italian]], [[Indian cuisine|Indian]], [[Middle Eastern cuisine|Middle Eastern]], [[Cantonese cuisine|Cantonese]], [[Moroccan cuisine|Moroccan]], [[Cambodian cuisine|Cambodian]] and [[Australian cuisine#Development of modern Australian cuisine|Modern Australian]] cuisines.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Name
!Address
!Use
!Developer
!Architect
!Height (m)
!Storeys
!Construction completed
!Notes
|-
| Arkley || 20 Rakaia Way || Residential || MAB Corporation || [[Plus Architecture]] ||  || 21 || 2002 || 176 apartments. Named after artist [[Howard Arkley]]
|-
| Palladio || 15 Caravel Lane || Residential || MAB Corporation || [[Plus Architecture]] ||  ||  ||  || Named after Italian architect [[Andrea Palladio]]
|-
| Sant'Elia  || 30 Newquay Promenade || Residential || MAB Corporation || [[Plus Architecture]] ||  ||  ||  || Named after another Italian architect, [[Antonio Sant'Elia]]
|-
| Aqua Vista  || 401 Docklands Drive || Commercial || MAB Corporation || [[Plus Architecture]] ||  ||  || 2007 || 
|-
| Boyd  || 5 Caravel Lane || Residential || MAB Corporation || [[Plus Architecture]] ||  ||  ||  || Named after Australian painter [[Arthur Boyd]]
|-
| Conder  || 2 Newquay Promenade || Residential || MAB Corporation || [[Fender Katsalidis]] ||  ||  ||  || Named after Australian artist [[Charles Conder]]
|-
| The Quays  || 241 Harbour Esplanade || Residential || MAB Corporation || McBride Charles Ryan ||  ||  || 2013 || 
|}

===Yarra's Edge===
[[File:Docklands_View_with_Bolte_Bridge_&_ANZ_Headquarter_Building.jpg|thumb|Yarra's Edge towers 3, 4 and 5 (left), marina and ANZ headquarters (right) in 2011 with the Bolte bridge in the distance]]

'''Yarra's Edge''' is a residential precinct being developed by Mirvac, and the only Docklands precinct south of the Yarra River. When complete, it will consist of 11 apartment towers, costing [[Australian dollar|A$]]1.3 billion, and cover 0.15&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

A mix of restaurants, cafes and retail, including a [[day spa]] and a convenience store. Yarra's Edge also has a 175-berth [[marina]], giving boat owners previously unavailable proximity to [[Crown Melbourne|Crown Casino]] and the city.

Yarra's Edge was one of the first developments in Docklands, with construction of Tower 1 commencing in 2000. It is divided into 3 smaller precincts:

* Marina Precinct - Comprising the marina and boardwalk, with 5 tall residential towers ranging in height from 25 to 47 storeys:
* Park Precinct - Comprising Point Park and two residential towers
* River Precinct - Comprising a mix of lower-level, less intense terrace-style developments and three high-rise towers towards the Bolte Bridge

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Name
!Address
!Use
!Developer
!Architect
!Height (m)
!Storeys
!Construction completed
!Notes
|-
| Yarra's Edge 1 || 50 Lorimer Street || Residential || Mirvac || Mirvac, [[Ashton Raggatt McDougall]], HPA Architects || 96 || 32 || 2002 || Features a large circular blue glass section in its balustrading. Features RekDek in podium with gymnasium and 25-metre lap pool
|-
| Yarra's Edge 2 || 60 Lorimer Street || Residential || Mirvac ||  || 70 || 21 || 2003 || Lego block-like with rectangular primary coloured balustrade and rooftop panels.
|-
| Yarra's Edge 3 || 70 Lorimer Street || Residential || Mirvac ||  || 104 || 31 || 2003 || Oval footprint with large curved balconies and 4 storey podium 
|-
| Yarra's Edge 4 || 80 Lorimer Street || Residential || Mirvac || [[Ashton Raggatt McDougall]] || 96 || 30 || 2003 || Curved white tower with wide curved balconies and 4 storey podium 
|-
| Yarra's Edge 5 || 90 Lorimer Street || Residential || Mirvac || [[Wood Marsh]] || 134 || 41 || 2005 || Angular gold curtain wall glass with angular hat style roof and prominent balcony columns
|-
| Array (Yarra's Edge 6) || 92-100 Lorimer Street || Residential || Mirvac ||  || 125 || 40 || 2015 || Blue curtain wall glass punctuated by balconies with 5 storey podium
|-
| Trielle (Yarra's Edge 9)  || 130 Lorimer Street || Residential || Mirvac || Mirvac Design || 135 || 45 || Under construction || Curtain wall glass punctuated by balconies with 5 storey podium
|}

==== Webb Bridge ====
[[File:Web Bridge in Docklands.jpg|thumbnail|Webb Bridge from the Yarra's Edge marina]]
'''Webb Bridge''' is a bridge designed by [[Denton Corker Marshall]], in collaboration with artist [[Robert Owen]], forming a cycling and pedestrian link to the main part of Docklands, through Docklands Park. It is the conversion of the former Webb Bridge rail link.

==== Charles Grimes Bridge and Jim Stynes Bridge====
{{main|Charles Grimes Bridge}}
[[File:Panorama_of_the_Charles_Grimes_Bridge_over_the_Yarra_River_(1).jpg|thumb|Greenline shared path (right), Jim Stynes Bridge and Charles Grimes Bridge from Northbank. Seven of the Yarra's Edge towers are visible (left)]]
Charles Grimes Bridge is a dual-carriageway bridge that carries the [[Docklands Highway]] over the Yarra River. It was named after New South Wales surveyor general [[Charles Grimes (surveyor)|Charles Grimes]], who was the first European to sight the Yarra. The bridge, built in 1975 and given its current name in 1983, predates the Docklands development but was connected the new Wurundjeri Way in 1999 to the West Gate Freeway.

The [[Jim Stynes Bridge]] was opened in 2014 to carry pedestrian and cyclist traffic underneath the Charles Grimes Bridge from Yarra's Edge to Northbank area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/works-begin-on-city-bridge-to-honour-jim-stynes-in-northbank-precinct/story-e6frf7kx-1226540688075|title=Works begin on city bridge to honour Jim Stynes in Northbank precinct|first=John|last=Masanauskas|first2=Mitchell|last2=Toy|work=Herald Sun|date=20 December 2012}}</ref>

==== Greenline ====
The Greenline is a shared bicycle and pedestrian path that runs along the Northbank of the Yarra River connecting Yarra's Edge to the Melbourne CBD and North Wharf Victoria Harbour, Docklands Esplanade and the [[Capital City Trail]] via the Web Bridge interchange.

===Waterfront City===
[[File:Kylie minogue statue at waterfront city.jpg|thumb|upright|Bronze statue of Melbourne singer and actress [[Kylie Minogue]] at Waterfront City, one of five tributes to legends of Australian entertainment including John Farnham, Dame Nellie Melba, Dame Edna Everage and Graham Kennedy erected in 2007 and removed in 2016 to make way for a new apartment tower.<ref>[https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/kylie-minogue-and-friends-evicted-from-docklands-to-make-way-for-new-tower-20160429-gohsbi.html Kylie Minogue and friends evicted from Docklands to make way for new tower] By Larissa Ham. The Age. 29 April 2016</ref>|alt=A bronze statue of Kylie, on a star-shaped pedestal, portrays her in a dancing pose. Her legs are crossed and she bends at the waist, with both arms stretched above her head. The statue stands in a public square in front of a modern glass building, and several people are walking.]]
[[File:Aerial perspective of the District at the Docklands waterfront. March 2019.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial perspective of the District at the Docklands waterfront. March 2019.]]'''Waterfront City''' is a shopping and entertainment area that includes [[The District Docklands]] shopping mall, [[Melbourne Star]] [[Observation wheel]], [[National Ice Sports Centre, Melbourne|Icehouse]] ice sports and entertainment centre, and numerous shops and cafes which are centred on this area.

The precinct features an integration of retail, waterfront entertainment, tourism, dining, commercial and urban community. It has an area of 193,000 square metres.

Stage One was completed in December 2005, in time for the Melbourne stopover of the [[Volvo Ocean Race]] in January – February 2006 and the [[2006 Commonwealth Games|Commonwealth Games]] in March 2006. The precinct originally featured a large circus tent, which hosted the International Circus Spectacular, as well as a mosaic of local entertainers and a number of bronze statues, including [[Kylie Minogue]], [[John Farnham]], [[Graham Kennedy]], [[Nellie Melba]] and [[Dame Edna Everage]] and a Melbourne Walk of Fame.

Stage Two includes a public entertainment area incorporating the [[Melbourne Star]] (previously Southern Star), a {{Convert|120|m|adj=on}} tall [[Ferris wheel]] in the shape of a seven-pointed star, and The District Docklands Shopping Mall. Waterfront city is home to Australia's first [[Costco]] Warehouse Store.

In May 2017 Lord Mayor [[Robert Doyle]] and Planning Minister [[Richard Wynne]] visited The District Docklands to announce a $150 million redevelopment of the centre including an eight-screen Hoyts cinema, which opened in 2018, and a full-line Woolworths supermarket due mid-2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/editions/article/new-reasons-to-visit-harbour-town_13129/ |title=New reasons to visit Harbour Town |publisher=Docklands News |last1=Liu |first1=Sunny |access-date=5 June 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328034857/http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/editions/article/new-reasons-to-visit-harbour-town_13129/ |archive-date=28 March 2018}}</ref>

During 2017–2018, a collaboration between The District Docklands and Renew Australia allowed the creation of an initiative called the Docklands Art Collective, which made a wing of The District Docklands complex available at very low rents to arts businesses and galleries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.renewaustralia.org/2017/06/the-docklands-art-collective-rent-free-space-for-creatives|title=The Docklands Art Collective – Rent-Free Space For Creatives!|date=2017-06-19|website=Renew Australia|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-01-28}}</ref> These included a photography studio, a puppetry workshop, a comics retailer and printery, a recycled art paper maker and the relocated Blender Studios.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.renewaustralia.org/project/docklands-art-collective|title=Docklands Art Collective|website=Renew Australia|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-01-28}}</ref>

===Docklands Studios===
{{Main article|Docklands Studios Melbourne}}
{{See also|List of films shot in Melbourne}}
[[File:Aerial perspective of the Melbourne Star, the District and Docklands film studio.jpg|thumb|Aerial perspective of the Docklands: Melbourne Flyer, the District and Docklands film studio]]
When it opened in 2004, Central City Studios became Melbourne's largest film and television studio complex. The site is located approximately 2&nbsp;km north west of the Central Business District. It has an area of 60,000 square metres and currently consists of five film and television [[sound stages]].

The first major contract for the new studios was the American film ''[[Ghost Rider (2007 film)|Ghost Rider]]'' in 2005; with a budget of nearly $120 million, at the time it was the biggest feature film to be made in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and features scenes involving Melbourne landmarks. Since then the studios have housed many international productions.

In 2009 the Government of Victoria, together with the Studios, undertook the Future Directions project. This resulted in the State Government committing the Studios to focus on both the international and domestic film and television industries. Further developments to the infrastructure of the site are planned, including a sixth sound stage.

On 11 October 2010 the studios were re-branded as Docklands Studios Melbourne, formally adopting the name by which the studios were commonly known.

==Heritage==
Significant heritage buildings include the [[No 2 Goods Shed]] (now a mixed use development),<ref>[http://www.equiset.com.au/projects/current/projects_goodsshed.html Equiset.com.au] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302132123/http://www.equiset.com.au/projects/current/projects_goodsshed.html |date=2 March 2009 }}</ref> former railway offices at [[67 Spencer Street]] (now the Grand Hotel), [[The Mission to Seafarers]] building,<ref>[http://melbourneopenhouse.org/cms-docklands/missions-to-seafarers.phps Melbourneopenhouse.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716151535/http://melbourneopenhouse.org/cms-docklands/missions-to-seafarers.phps |date=16 July 2009 }}</ref> [[Victoria Dock (Melbourne)|Victoria Dock]] and Central Pier,<ref>[http://melbourneopenhouse.org/cms-docklands/central-pier-docklands-shed-9-and-shed-14.phps Melbourneopenhouse.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717023305/http://melbourneopenhouse.org/cms-docklands/central-pier-docklands-shed-9-and-shed-14.phps |date=17 July 2009 }}</ref> Queens Warehouse (adaptively reused as a vintage car museum),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxcollection.org.au/|title=Fox Classic Car Museum|website=www.foxcollection.org.au|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315125215/http://www.foxcollection.org.au/|archive-date=15 March 2018}}</ref> Docklands Park [[gantry crane]] and a small number of warehouses and container sheds.

* Victoria Dock and Central Pier (1887-1892)<ref>[https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/3705 Victoria Dock - Victorian Heritage Register]</ref>
* No.2 Goods Shed (1889-1890)<ref>[https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/754 No.2 Goods Shed - Victorian Heritage Register]</ref>
* Queen's Warehouse (1890)<ref>[https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/3723 Queen's Warehouse - Victorian Heritage Register]</ref>
* Batman's Hill Retaining Wall (1890)<ref>[https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/3722 Retaining Wall - Victorian Heritage Register]</ref>
* Former Victorian Railways Headquarters (1893)<ref>[https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/800 Former Victorian Railways Headquarters - Victorian Heritage Register]</ref>
* Mission to Seamen (1919)<ref>[https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/756 Mission to Seamen - Victorian Heritage Register]</ref>
* Berth No. 5. North Wharf (1948)<ref>[https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/5627 Berth No. 5. North Wharf - Victorian Heritage Register]</ref>
* History of Transport Mural (1973), DFO<ref>[https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/6058 History of Transport Mural - Victorian Heritage Register]</ref>

<gallery>
File:67 Spencer Street Melbourne.jpg|[[67 Spencer Street]], one of Melbourne's largest 19th century office buildings, now the Grand Hotel
File:Docklands Shed.jpg|[[No 2 Goods Shed]], Australia's longest building once completed in 1889, now a mixed use development
File:Queens Warehouse, Melbourne.jpg|Queen's Warehouse houses the Fox Classic Cars collection
File:Mission to seamen.jpeg|Mission to Seamen is preserved as a museum
</gallery>

==Transport==
[[File:Southern-cross-station-melbourne-morning.jpg|thumb|right|[[Southern Cross railway station]]]]
[[File:Aerial perspective of the ramp going onto the M2. March 2019.jpg|thumb|Aerial perspective of the ramp going onto the M2 just outside of the Docklands. March 2019.]]
Docklands has access to [[road transport|road]], [[rail transport|rail]] and [[water transport]]s.

[[Docklands Highway]] or [[Wurundjeri Way]] is the main road through Docklands. It connects to the nearby [[Westgate Freeway]] on the southern end and links to the CBD including extensions from [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]], Collins Street and [[La Trobe Street]].

[[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross station]], near the eastern edge of Docklands, is the closest passenger railway station. It is also the major interchange for metropolitan and intercity rail. Much of Docklands area remains covered by [[rail yard]]s previously used for freight transport and rolling stock which are being progressively reclaimed or built over.

Trams in Docklands include the free [[City Circle tram]], along Docklands Drive and to and from Waterfront City. As Docklands has developed, tram routes have been extended and rerouted into the area. [[Melbourne tram route 70|Route 70]] also runs to Waterfront City. [[Melbourne tram route 75|Route 75]] runs along Harbour Esplanade, terminating at Footscray Road. Routes [[Melbourne tram route 11|11]] and [[Melbourne tram route 48|48]] run along Collins Street to Victoria Harbour. [[Melbourne tram route 30|Route 30]] enters Docklands via La Trobe Street, terminating at the north end of Harbour Esplanade. [[Melbourne tram route 86|Route 86]] runs along La Trobe Street and Docklands Drive, terminating at Waterfront City.

Docklands also includes major pedestrian links with a concourse extending from Bourke Street and extensive promenades along the waterfront, including the wide Harbour Esplanade.

Several offroad bicycle paths run through Docklands, all of which connect through the central spine of Webb Bridge, Docklands Park and Harbour Esplanade, connecting Melbourne City Centre to the inner western suburbs and the [[Capital City Trail]].

There are also three ferry terminals which connect Docklands to the Melbourne City Centre and inner bayside suburbs. One at Victoria Harbour, one at NewQuay and one at Yarra's Edge.

== Sports and recreation ==
[[File:Ron Barassi Senior park from above.jpg|thumb|Ron Barassi Sr park from above.]]
* The [[Docklands Stadium]] (currently known as [[Marvel Stadium]]), located just northwest of the [[Southern Cross railway station]], is the [[home ground]] to five [[Australian Football League|AFL]] [[Australian rules football|football]] clubs ([[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]], [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]], [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]], [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]] and [[Western Bulldogs]]) and one [[Big Bash League]] [[cricket]] team ([[Melbourne Renegades]]).  It was also one of the venues for the [[2003 Rugby World Cup]] and the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]], and hosted the [[2015 Speedway Grand Prix of Australia]].
* The [[O'Brien Icehouse]], located between the [[Moonee Ponds Creek]] (accessible via the [[Moonee Ponds Creek Trail|creek trail]]) and the [[Melbourne Star]] [[observation wheel]], is the largest [[ice sports]] venue and the only dual-[[ice rink|rink]] facility [[list of ice rinks in Australia|in Australia]].  It is the home to both of the two Victorian [[Australian Ice Hockey League|AIHL]] [[ice hockey]] teams, the [[Melbourne Ice]] and [[Melbourne Mustangs]].
* The Docklands Sports Courts is a [[public space|public]] [[urban park]] on [[Harbour Esplanade, Docklands|Harbour Esplanade]] featuring two mixed-use [[playing field|court]] for [[basketball]], [[netball]], [[soccer]]/[[futsal]] and [[dodgeball]] and an outdoor [[table tennis table|ping-pong table]], as well as children's [[play park]]s and [[parasol#In architecture|shading parasol]]s.  The Docklands Park is across the Esplanade, offering more [[urban green space|green space]]s with [[bicycle trail]]s.
* Lasersports Australia operates a [[schedule|booking]]-based [[clay pigeon shooting#Laser clay shooting|laser clay shooting]] business at New Quay.

==Demographics and industry==
In the 2016 Census, there were 10,964 people in Docklands. 27.3% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were China 16.5%, India 12.7%, South Korea 3.1%, Malaysia 2.6% and England 2.3%. 34.4% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 18.3%, Hindi 4.9%, Cantonese 3.1%, Korean 2.9% and Telugu 2.4%. The most common response for religion in Docklands (State Suburbs) was No Religion at 38.1%.

Of the occupied private dwellings in Docklands, 97.1% were flats or apartments and 2.3% were semi-detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses, etc.<ref name="abs">{{Census 2016 AUS | id = SSC20760 | name = Docklands (State Suburb) | accessdate = 23 August 2017 | quick = on}}</ref>

In 2009, there were just under 10,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application/pdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1210649545294&ssbinary=true&blobheadername1=Content-Type&blobheadervalue1=application/pdf&blobheadername2=Content-Dispostion&blobheadervalue2=attachment;+filename=CommunityUpateMay08V4.pdf|title=Home|first=Development|last=Victoria|date=29 March 2017|website=www.docklands.com|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222004202/http://www.docklands.com/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1210649545294&ssbinary=true&blobheadername1=Content-Type&blobheadervalue1=application%2Fpdf&blobheadername2=Content-Dispostion&blobheadervalue2=attachment%3B+filename%3DCommunityUpateMay08V4.pdf|archive-date=22 February 2012}}</ref> working mostly in office and retail industries.

In the 2021 Census, the Docklands had grown to a population of 15,495 people.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/SAL20766 | title=2021 Docklands, Census All persons QuickStats &#124; Australian Bureau of Statistics }}</ref>

==Local media==
The precinct has two publications, '''Docklands News''' and '''3008 Docklands Magazine'''.

The Docklands Community News' first edition was published in 2003, and both DCN & 3008 Docklands Magazine have grown with the Docklands precincts' population. Both publications are printed and distributed to all businesses and residences within Docklands, which allows for a regular readership of over 10,000. The DCN paper informs the community of relevant news relating to Docklands as well as supplying residents, business owners and workers with a platform for community discussion.

3008 Docklands Magazine also covers all matters relating to the Docklands community and businesses, but also covers events and news pertaining to Melbourne City and the surrounding suburbs, as Docklands is under the jurisdiction of the City of Melbourne. 3008 Docklands Magazine is a glossy, well-produced, stylish publication which is both informative and interesting and has been well received by its reader base since its first issue back in May 2006. 3008 Docklands Magazine has a significant online following.

==Response and reception==
[[File:Docklands of Melbourne.jpg|thumb|right|The Docklands port in 2013. Construction activity was concentrated in key precincts closer to the city]]
The planning of Docklands has raised a large amount of public debate and the area has created significant controversy, particularly the failed Ferris wheel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2402663.htm|title=PM - Melbourne's 'big wheel' already drawing criticism|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512233106/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2402663.htm|archive-date=12 May 2017}}</ref>

In 1999, Melbourne City Council Director of Projects criticised the disconnection of the precinct to the CBD, claiming that the lack of transport links, particularly pedestrian, meant Docklands was "seriously flawed".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s71446.htm|title=The World Today Archive - Docklands looks to the future|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019095119/http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s71446.htm|archive-date=19 October 2015}}</ref>

The problem was exacerbated in 2005, when the pedestrian link between [[Lonsdale Street]] and Docklands proposed in 2001<ref>[http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/fce5683f42af57f04a256b36001bd4df/27eec18bf8cff5094a256beb0009b9ef?OpenDocument DPC.vic.gov.au] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619045725/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/fce5683f42af57f04a256b36001bd4df/27eec18bf8cff5094a256beb0009b9ef?OpenDocument |date=19 June 2009 }}</ref> was cut from the final design of the Southern Cross Station development due to budget blowouts.

In 2006, Royce Millar of ''[[The Age]]'' referred to it as a "wasted opportunity".<ref name=wasted-opportunity/>

In 2008, the City of Melbourne released a report which criticised Docklands' lack of transport and [[wind tunnel]] effect, lack of green spaces and community facilities.<ref>{{cite web | first = Clay | last = Lucas | date = 2 January 2008 | title = Vision for 'friendlier' Docklands | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/01/01/1198949817058.html | work = The Age| publisher = Fairfax | access-date = 18 December 2010 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121104032824/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/01/01/1198949817058.html | archive-date = 4 November 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/CITY_OF_MELBOURNE_Delivering_for_Docklands_20DEC2008.pdf Melbourne.vic.gov.au] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015133113/http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/CITY_OF_MELBOURNE_Delivering_for_Docklands_20DEC2008.pdf |date=15 October 2009 }}</ref>

In 2009, [[Neil Mitchell (radio presenter)|Neil Mitchell]] wrote for ''The Age'' declaring Docklands as a planning "dud".<ref name="news.com.au"/> The [[Lord Mayor]], [[Robert Doyle]], has been openly critical of Docklands, claiming in 2009 that it lacks any form of "social glue".<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

However, despite the local criticism, in 2009, Sydney travel writer Mal Chenu described Melbourne Docklands as "the envy of [[Sydneysiders]]".<ref>{{cite web | first = Mal | last = Chenu | date = 6 August 2009 | title = Cows, cranes and goalposts | url = http://www.smh.com.au/travel/cows-cranes-and-goalposts-20090723-duy5.html?page=-1 | work = [[Sydney Morning Herald]]| publisher = Fairfax Media| access-date = 18 December 2010 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121104173816/http://www.smh.com.au/travel/cows-cranes-and-goalposts-20090723-duy5.html?page=-1 | archive-date = 4 November 2012}}</ref>

In 2010, VicUrban's [[general manager]] David Young acknowledged that Harbour Esplanade "doesn't stack up".<ref name=plan-for-decade>{{cite web | first = Dewi | last = Cooke | date = 17 March 2010 | title = Docklands $9bn plan for next decade | url = http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/docklands-9bn-plan-for-next-decade-20100316-qckx.html | work = The Age| publisher = Fairfax | access-date = 18 December 2010 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110204102715/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/docklands-9bn-plan-for-next-decade-20100316-qckx.html | archive-date = 4 February 2011}}</ref> [[Kim Dovey]], professor of architecture and design at the [[University of Melbourne]], added that Harbour Esplanade was "too big" and claimed that Docklands was "so badly done" that it required a "major rethink".<ref name = plan-for-decade/>

The Docklands area came under heavy criticism for the failure to provide a school with families being forced out of the area or needing to commute to state schools already under pressure from the critical shortage of schools in the inner suburbs.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kinkade|first=Alison|title="We are not happy" - Docklands families want a school|url=http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/editions/article/we-are-not-happy-docklands-families-want-a-school_5308/|newspaper=Docklands News|date=30 April 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531230505/http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/editions/article/we-are-not-happy-docklands-families-want-a-school_5308|archive-date=31 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Craig|first=Natalie|title=Critical shortages in inner-city schools as population swells|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/critical-shortages-in-innercity-schools-as-population-swells-20100612-y4re.html|newspaper=The Age|date=13 June 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213164956/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/critical-shortages-in-innercity-schools-as-population-swells-20100612-y4re.html|archive-date=13 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Price|first=Nic|title=Primary school ambition at Docklands|url=http://nurture.whereilive.com.au/news/story/have-your-say-primary-school-ambition-at-docklands/|newspaper=Nurture|date=16 April 2012}}{{dead link|date=July 2012}}</ref> A private school, [[Melbourne City School]], opened on King Street in 2010 but closed in 2012 due to low enrollments.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/news/residents-in-inner-melbournes-newest-suburbs-the-docklands-and-southbank-renew-calls-for-a-new-schoolr/story-fnglekhp-1226573856609|title=Residents in inner Melbourne's newest suburbs, the Docklands and Southbank, renew calls for a new school.|last=Price|first=Nic|date=11 February 2013}}</ref> Docklands Primary School in NewQuay opened in January 2021. The Docklands Sports Club has run Junior Football and Cricket programs since Summer 2019.

[[George Savvides]], CEO of [[Medibank]], which has been based in Docklands since 2004, has been critical of the area's lack of soul and amenity,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/lack-of-soul-has-docklands-tenant-ready-to-leave-20110927-1kvgz.html|title=Lack of 'soul' has Docklands tenant ready to leave|first=Jason|last=Dowling|date=27 September 2011|website=The Age|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504220126/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/lack-of-soul-has-docklands-tenant-ready-to-leave-20110927-1kvgz.html|archive-date=4 May 2018}}</ref> but the company has nevertheless chosen to remain committed to the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/editions/article/medibank-to-stay-in-docklands_7421/|title=Medibank to stay in Docklands - Docklands News|first=Shane|last=Scanlan|website=www.docklandsnews.com.au|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418190538/http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/editions/article/medibank-to-stay-in-docklands_7421/|archive-date=18 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/docklands-critic-has-designs-on-a-new-cityscape-20120703-21fjv.html|title=Docklands critic has designs on a new cityscape|first=Jason|last=Dowling|date=3 July 2012|website=The Age|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504220126/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/docklands-critic-has-designs-on-a-new-cityscape-20120703-21fjv.html|archive-date=4 May 2018}}</ref>

=== "Ghost town" reputation and post COVID-19 Pandemic decline ===
[[File:Aerial perspective of Marvel Stadium.jpg|thumb|Aerial perspective Harbour Esplanade the civic heart of Docklands showing the permanently closed Central Pier (bottom left). Despite the stadium's regular large events and attempt to improve its appeal with successive revamps, the esplanade is consistently devoid of pedestrian activity.]]
In the late 2010s, the area developed a reputation as a [[ghost town]] due to rapidly declining activity. In 2022 the [[Victorian Liberal Party]] declared it as such, citing neglect and poor planning by successive governments causing an extreme lack of activity, especially due to the permanent closure of Central Pier in 2019.<ref>[https://vic.liberal.org.au/news/2022-05-17-docklands-precinct-a-ghost-town-under-labor DOCKLANDS PRECINCT A GHOST TOWN UNDER LABOR] by Liberal Party 17 May 2022</ref> Docklands has consistently been labelled this way by the media post [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. By 2023 among the stark lack of activity was exacerbated by a trend of owner occupiers converting their residences to [[Airbnb]]s, Costco shutting its flagship store, several prominent businesses closing their doors, and the Walk of Stars being permanently relocated elsewhere.<ref>[https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/its-depressing-fedup-business-owner-exposes-sad-state-of-melbournes-cbd/news-story/bc5597eba585614538b3aad177185a1a ‘It's depressing’: Fed-up business owner exposes sad state of Melbourne's CBD] by Rebecca Borg for News.com.au 12 July 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/docklands-can-shake-its-ghost-town-reputation-here-s-how-20240126-p5f0ai.html Docklands can shake its ‘ghost-town’ reputation. Here's how] by Najma Sambul for The Age 27 January 2024</ref><ref>[https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/this-suburb-is-often-called-a-lifeless-concrete-jungle-here-s-how-it-can-flourish-20240325-p5fexz.html Docklands: How to fix Melbourne's most maligned suburb] from The Age 12 April 2024</ref>

==Public art ==
There are approximately 68 pieces of public art in the Docklands Precincts,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.development.vic.gov.au/projects/docklands?page=overview| title = Docklands - Development Victoria| date = 30 October 2019}}</ref> with works from Australian and New Zealand artists. There are self-guided tours and maps available for the public to discover the artworks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/docklands-public-art-walk-central-melbourne|title = Docklands Public Art Walk (Central Melbourne) - Art -}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Cow_Up_A_Tree_by_John_Kelly_(Horizontal).jpg|"Cow up a tree" by John Kelly. Harbour Esplanade
File:Bruce_Armstrong_Eagle.jpg|"Bunjil" by [[Bruce Armstrong (sculptor)|Bruce Armstrong]]. Wurundjeri Way
File:AuroraDocklands03.jpg|"Aurora" by [[Geoffrey Bartlett]] on the corner of Harbour Esplanade and Collins Street
File:Melbourne_Emily_Floyd_Toy_rabbit_03.jpg|"Toy Rabbit" by [[Emily Floyd]]
File:"Shoal_Fly_By"_by_Cat_McLeod_and_Michael_Bellemo,_Docklands,_Melbourne_Australia_(4589640781).jpg|"Shoal Fly By" by Cat McLeod and Michael Bellemo. Harbour Esplanade
File:"Unfurling"_by_Andrew_Rogers,_Docklands,_Melbourne_Australia_(4590265008).jpg|"Unfurling" by [[Andrew Rogers (artist)|Andrew Rogers]]. Harbour Esplanade
File:Docklands_Simon_Perry_04.jpg|"Threaded Field" by [[Simon Perry]]. Harbour Esplanade
File:Continuum_Docklands_01.jpg|"Continuum" by Michael Snape. Harbour Esplanade
File:Aqualung_by_John_Mead_in_Captain_Walk,_Docklands_(1).jpg|"Aqualung" by John Mead at Captain Walk
File:Duncan_Stemler_Blowhole_(1).jpg|"Blowhole" by Duncan Stemler
File:Lillies.jpg|"Lillies" by Adrian Mauriks at New Quay
File:Melbourne_Docklands_Sculpture_-_panoramio.jpg|"Panoramio" by Russell Anderson
File:Sculpture_and_the_Bolte_Bridge_(on_the_background)_at_the_-then-_undeveloped_Docklands_(2005)_(4613795039).jpg|"Reed Vessel" by Virginia King
File:Unfurling_curve_by_Andrew_Rogers,_Docklands.jpg|"Unfurling Curve" by Andrew Rogers
File:Wulunj_(Digging_Stick)_by_Glenn_Romanis_and_Brodie_Hill.jpg|"Wulunj" by Glenn Romanis and Brodie Hill
File:Bicycle-End_of_Victoria_Harbour_Promenade,_Docklands.jpg|"Bicycle-End". Harbour Esplanade
</gallery>

==Notable residents==
* [[Sally Capp]] – 104th [[Lord Mayor of Melbourne]] (Victoria Harbour)<ref>[https://www.docklandsnews.com.au/lord-mayor-sally-capp-switches-docklands-for-carlton_17809/ Lord Mayor Sally Capp switches Docklands for Carlton] Katie Johnson Docklands News 2 September 2021</ref>
* [[Sam Newman]] – former [[Australian Football League|AFL]] player and sportscaster (Yarra's Edge)<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/sam-newman-gives-skateboarders-a-tongue-lashing/story-e6frf9if-1111115355715| title = Sam Newman gives skateboarders a tongue lashing}} </ref><ref>[https://www.realestate.com.au/news/docklands-sam-newmans-former-new-yorkstyle-penthouse-listing-spruiked-by-kevin-sheedy/ Docklands: Sam Newman's former New York-style penthouse listing spruiked by Kevin Sheedy] Alesha Capone RealEstate.com.au 19 April 2024</ref>

==See also==
* [[History of Melbourne Docklands]]
* [[Australia Award for Urban Design]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* [[Kim Dovey]]: ''Fluid City: Transforming Melbourne's Urban Waterfront'', London: Routledge, 2005

==External links==
{{Commons category|Docklands, Victoria}}
*{{Official website|http://www.docklands.com}}
*[http://www.3008docklands.com.au/ 3008 Docklands Magazine Website]
*[http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/ Docklands Community News]
*[http://www.newquay.com.au/ NewQuay website]
*[http://www.waterfrontcity.com.au/ Waterfront City website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717004927/http://www.waterfrontcity.com.au/ |date=17 July 2012 }}
*[http://www.victoriaharbour.com.au/ Victoria Harbour website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120630054804/http://www.yarrasedge.com.au/ Yarra's Edge website]
*[http://www.digitalharbour.com.au/ Digital Harbour website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060918015525/https://vic.gov.au/sl/vic-online/18165-Victoria-Online-Docklands-Authority.html Victoria Online - Docklands Authority]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040511090202/http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ncas/multimedia/gazetteer/list/docklands.html Australian Places - Docklands]
*[http://www.aplust.net/permalink.php?atajo=cul_es_tu_cuota_de_espacio_pblico_el_ejemplo_de_melbourne_&filtrado=cat&idioma=en How public is your private? Article about Docklands by Martin Musiatowicz]

{{City of Melbourne suburbs}}
{{Melbourne landmarks}}

[[Category:Suburbs of Melbourne|Docklands]]
[[Category:Suburbs of the City of Melbourne (LGA)|Docklands]]
[[Category:Planned communities in Australia]]
[[Category:Redeveloped ports and waterfronts in Australia]]
[[Category:Docks (maritime)]]
[[Category:Yarra River]]
[[Category:2006 Commonwealth Games venues]]
[[Category:Port of Melbourne]]