New backyard for Docklands

Media Release from The Minister for Planning The Hon Matthew Guy MLC

Saturday, 14 July 2012

A café, edible garden and outdoor space to bring new life to Harbour Esplanade will be one of a raft of community infrastructure projects for Docklands to be unveiled by Planning Minister Matthew Guy and the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, tomorrow Sunday 15 July.

This concept design illustrates the Glass House, a temporary activation space that seeks to provide the intimacy of a backyard while residents, workers and visitors to Docklands enjoy Melbourne’s premiere waterfront destination.

To be known as the Glass House, this temporary activation space seeks to provide the intimacy of a backyard while residents, workers and visitors to Docklands enjoy Melbourne's premiere waterfront destination.

Mr Guy said the suite of community infrastructure projects being unveiled tomorrow were proposed for delivery over the next 10 years and, once complete would total close to $300 million.

"During extensive consultation the community told us how important it is for the community to have places to meet and interact. The Glass House combines the community's desire for more intimate spaces with Melburnians' love affair with food and cooking," Mr Guy said.

The Glass House is expected to open in September. It is planned to include food vans and landscaped areas designed to cultivate a backyard feel. The final stage is planned to include a glass house complete with an edible garden by artist Lauren Berkowitz, which will be harvested by a cafe operating within.

"The ultimate vision for Harbour Esplanade is for it to become a harbour-side destination for Melbourne.

"While the Glass House is planned to operate for at least 12 months, it can stay open for longer or could be temporarily stored and rebuilt as a permanent fixture in Harbour Esplanade or another part of Docklands," Mr Guy said.

"Places Victoria is working with the City of Melbourne and State Government agencies to develop a masterplan for further redevelopment of Harbour Esplanade and the community will be asked their views as part of this process," Mr Guy said.

A community boating hub at Victoria Harbour is also expected to be included in tomorrow's announcement.

ENDS