Inner: Convention Centre and Southbank Plan

Convention Centre Works

Sep 06 We have been notified by Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd that access under the Charles Grimes Bridge has bee reinstated  as works to the area have been completed.
Starting in late 2006 or early 2007 the river side trail from the Charles Grimes Bridge through to the Exhibition Centre will be closed. Bicycle Victoria is currently working with Multiplex to develop a workable detour, which will be in place for over 12 months.
While future closures will inconvenience riders they should be tolerable given the long term gains for riders arising from the Convention Centre Development.

Multiplex and the Plenary Group have involved Bicycle Victoria in the development of the alternative routes, which is appreciated.

Convention Centre to be Bike Friendly

May 06 The Minister for Planning, Rob Hulls, recently approved planning amendments for the Melbourne Convention Centre. The amendments are good for bike riders and provide most of what Bicycle Victoria, the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip suggested.

The amendment ensures "the lessee of the subject land must make provision for off road bicycle and pedestrian paths to create key linkages in the regional network and connect:

• The east to west link along the south river front traversing the site from the Capital City Trail to the Docklands - Yarra’s Edge Precinct,
• The north to south link from Wurundjeri Way via the new Yarra Bridge to Normanby Road to link the Station Pier - Bay Trail.
• A bicycle & pedestrian link shall also be made at the west end of the site adjacent to Charles Grimes Bridge."

Bicycle Victoria is happy with the requirements for the Convention Centre site, which also include appropriate end-of-trip facilities for bike riders, such as secure parking and showers.

Well done to all those people who wrote letters to Minister Hulls at such short notice, it was definitely worth taking the time to write. If you would like to thank the Minister for listening to your suggestions, send an email to Rob.hulls@minstaff.vic.gov.au. 

Also released with the amendment are preliminary plans for the site, including the concept design for the new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Yarra River, which looks good for bike riders (pic below and full document click here 7.5 meg).

 

 

The Convention Centre site will now reflect the Southbank Plan that was released last month.

The next challenge is to ensure that other projects in the Southbank Plan are delivered adjacent to the Convention Centre site. We would like to see the following two projects delivered in conjunction with the Convention Centre:

• The Teahouse Link – Improvements to Clarendon St and Whiteman St to provide a high-quality link between Cecil Street, South Melbourne, to the shared-use bridge over the Yarra at Clarendon St.
• Westgate Freeway Undercroft Trail - An open-space corridor below the Westgate Freeway, with an off-street cycling and walking route linking Southbank and South Melbourne.

See below for more details of the Southbank Plan and our suggestions for the Convention Centre.

8 May - Melbourne Convention Centre and the Southbank Plan

 

The Minister for Planning, Rob Hulls, recently released the Southbank Plan, which is a ‘vision to help create a vibrant, well-connected inner-city precinct at Southbank.’ This document should be strongly supported as it contains good provisions for cyclists.

 

However, the recently released plans for the new Melbourne Convention Centre do not reflect the major components of the Southbank Plan and does not have adequate provisions for cyclists.

 

Bicycle Victoria wants the Minister for Planning to ensure that the Melbourne Convention Centre is consistent with the Southbank Plan, before he approves any planning amendments for the Convention Centre site.

Please write a letter to the minister as he is currently considering the proposal. See below for details of the project and the minster's email and postal addresses.

The Southbank Plan

 

The Southbank Plan identifies the isolation of the Convention Centre as a major issue for the Southbank area. To address this the plan supports:

 

‘Improved cycle links between south Melbourne, Southbank and Clarendon St, and along Ferrars Street through the Exhibition Centre/Convention Centre precinct.’

 

The plan also proposes the redevelopment of the public space along Whiteman Street, which will improve current trails and linkages.

Bicycle Victoria strongly supports the Southbank Plan and commends Minister Hulls for its publication. Details of the proposed projects can be downloaded on the link to the right of this page or by visiting the DSE website by clicking here.

 

 

 

The Convention Centre Proposal

 

Unfortunately, the design of the new Convention Centre has not involved consultation with stakeholders, such as Bicycle Victoria.

 

On recently viewing designs, we were concerned to see that planning is well advanced and that there is no provision for a north-south cycling route through the site.

 

This means that cyclists travelling on existing bike routes, such as the Sandridge Light Rail path and the future high-quality Cecil St route (that will link St Kilda to Southbank), will not be able to directly reach the Main Yarra Trail, Docklands or the CBD.

What is needed at the Convention Centre?

 

The Convention Centre Project must provide:

The Ferrars St Link - A link between Docklands and South Melbourne along Ferrars Street through the Exhibition Centre/Convention Centre precinct (as detailed in the Southbank Plan). This link must include cyclist access to the new bridge over the Yarra that will be built as a part of the project.

The Melbourne Experience Trail - A riverside link on the south bank of the Yarra between the Eel Trap Bridge and Clarendon Street, completing a critical missing link in the Melbourne Experience Trail.

 

The Teahouse Link – Improvements to Clarendon St and Whiteman St to provide a high quality link between Cecil St, in South Melbourne, to the shared-use bridge over the Yarra at Clarendon St.

 

Westgate Freeway Undercroft Trail - An open-space corridor below the Westgate Freeway, with an off-street cycling and walking route linking Southbank and South Melbourne (as detailed in the Southbank Plan).

What you can do

Write an urgent letter to Rob Hulls, the Minister for Planning, congratulating him on the development of the Southbank Plan, but also demanding that he ensure the Melbourne Convention Centre is consistent with the plan.

As of the 4th of May 2006 we understand that the Minister is currently considering a planning provision amendment for the Convention Centre. This is the best opportunity for him to ensure cycling facilties for the site, so your urgent letter is very important.

Write to:

The Hon Rob Hulls, MP. Minister for Planning. Rob.hulls@minstaff.vic.gov.au  

Level 17, 8 Nicholson St, East Melbourne Vic 3002

Dont forget to cc us at campaigns@bv.com.au

 

 

Map