Plans for waterfront development in Melbourne’s Docklands approved

Development Victoria and the Australian Football League (AFL) are moving forward with exploring opportunities to transform the Docklands waterfront into a premier mixed-use destination.

Approval of the Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) for the key locations at 140 and 160 Harbour Esplanade is an exciting next step for the precinct.

The Victorian Government’s approval of Grimshaw’s proposal has moved Docklands’ waterfront one step closer to being redeveloped into a civic mixed-use destination for housing, entertainment and employment.

Working in partnership with the AFL and Development Victoria, Grimshaw’s Melbourne Studio continues its work on this precinct from Southern Cross Station to its recently completed first phase of redevelopment of Marvel Stadium.

The project team includes OCULUS, Arup, Aurecon, MD Acoustics, LLC, Vipac Engineers & Scientists, Movissian Pty Ltd and Urbis.

Group Head Precincts, Niall Cunningham, said the approval opens opportunities to revitalise the Docklands’ waterfront and enhance Marvel Stadium as a sports and entertainment complex:

We’re excited to be continuing our partnership with the AFL to further enhance Docklands as a premier waterfront location.

Home to Marvel Stadium, AFL House, and the Channel 7 broadcast centre, the locations are being considered for a range of developments, with potential to include housing, commercial, residential, and entertainment uses.

Marvel Stadium hosted a SVB LIVE Global Networking Event back in June, with the AFL, Marvel Stadium and Grimshaw all sponsors. Key pillars for all SVB LIVE events include Architecture & Design, Customer Journey, Fan Experience, Hospitality, Premium Sales & Service and Venue Commercialisation. The 2024 SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition is commencing in just under 50 days time, in Dublin, Ireland.

AFL Executive General Manager Infrastructure, Matthew Chun said the recently completed redevelopment of Marvel Stadium is already delivering the precinct with increased visitors across the various footy matches, international sporting events and concerts hosted this year:

The opportunity for any future development to these sites will only amplify Marvel Stadium and surrounding precinct as the destination sports and entertainment complex. We look forward to continuing next steps in development.

Future designs for new buildings at the sites will need to respond to the conditions of the PSA and are subject to a further statutory planning approval process before any construction can begin.

The Joint Venture partners can now commence planning that aligns with the PSA including delivery strategies which will consider future release of the sites to market.

As the authority responsible for the development of Docklands, Development Victoria purchased the leasehold to 160 Harbour Esplanade, currently occupied by the Channel 7 broadcast centre, in 2018.

The AFL owns Marvel Stadium at 140 Harbour Esplanade.

Source and image courtesy of Development Victoria

Sports Venue Business has launched a raft of new offerings under the SVB LIVE banner, including Networking Events & a Webinar Series, culminating in the annual SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition, being held at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, on October 9th and 10th, with an Opening Night Icebreaker at Aviva Stadium on October 8th, 2024.