History of Docklands
In the early 1850s, Melbourne was in the midst of the gold rush. Victoria Dock (now Victoria Harbour) in Docklands was created to meet the demands of the accompanying mass migration.
Growth continued well into the 1930s, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that huge containers replaced bales and crates formerly used to transport goods. Docklands’ sheds and wharves could not accommodate the containers and soon ceased to be Melbourne’s hub of economic and maritime activity.
In 1991, the Docklands Authority was established to realise Docklands' untapped potential. The Authority was charged with transforming a disused port and rail area into a modern urban waterfront.
Docklands is a compelling addition to Melbourne, offering a world-class waterfront city. As a place where the city meets the water, it is an important asset – economic, social and environmental – to Melbourne and Victoria.
Bringing Docklands into the city
Docklands is one of the biggest projects - and changes - the City of Melbourne has ever experienced. Docklands has already transformed the shape of the city in significant ways, bringing the city to the water and creating new precincts for living, working and entertaining.
Originally a separate development without local government representation, Docklands was incorporated into the City of Melbourne through legislation on 1 July 2007. Uniquely for the City of Melbourne, the governance of Dockland is shared between the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government's urban development agency, VicUrban.
The City of Melbourne is now formally responsible for delivering all municipal services to the Docklands area while VicUrban maintains responsibility for development and planning in Melbourne Docklands.
The Docklands precinct is still under development. When it's complete in 2020, Docklands will be as large as the Melbourne central business district, with 20,000 residents, along with many thousands of workers and visitors.
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