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AILA
Media Release
AILA
Victoria Support Low-Scale Development at Central Pier
In response to proposals for the future of Central
Pier at Docklands, the AILA Victoria President has
urged VicUrban to consider low-scale development
as providing a better link with the water rather
than the usual crowded high-rise apartments.
In the Age 16th Sept 2006, the newspaper
quoted the local Federal member, Lindsay Tanner, as
saying "The
Docklands precinct needs greater diversity if it is
to be a long-term success. That the precinct will not
benefit if it ends up as a forest of high-rise apartments
with some cafes."
The Age
further suggested that an educational institution would
be a good addition to this much-debated Central Pier
site.
The Age stated that "The pier was built in 1919 by
engineer John Coode and it has been labelled one of
Melbourne's most enticing undeveloped locations because
it is surrounded by water. But VicUrban was forced
into managing the site last year after Victoria Harbour
developer Lend Lease said it was not financially viable
to create a public landmark building there.
Mr Tanner
said an educational institution would add energy to
the area.
There is a general push from politicians
and the local professions for that the Docklands should
now include a diversity of activities.
The AILA President, Darren Atkinson, said "The Australian
Institute of Landscape Architects agreed that use and
sense of place, rather than an iconic structure, should
define Central Pier's future. Low-scale development
would provide a better link with the water.
We support
an amalgam of open space and public uses, with both
buildings and landscape exemplifying contemporary sustainable
design practice".
AILA Victoria has also
endorsed recognition of the site's significance to
the indigenous community.
Source: Age
26th Sept 2006/AILA Vic Group
For more information, contact
Darren Atkinson AAILA
>>
AILA Vic Group President
September 2006
