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Docklands
parcel goes up for grabs THE face of Docklands is set to be transformed, with more development slated for a site next to Telstra Dome, and plans for an ice-skating rink revived. One of the few parcels of undeveloped land in Docklands will soon be put on the market while another site at Waterfront City has been identified for a national ice sports centre. Docklands authority VicUrban has confirmed it is selling a site next to Telstra Dome, on the corner of Bourke Street and Wurundjeri Way, called the south-east stadium site. Industry sources said the 1.6-hectare site is expected to fetch more than $20 million. Docklands general manager Michael Hynes said the successful bidder would enter into a development agreement with VicUrban, with the right to buy the freehold title when development starts. "It is expected that the successful bidder will be in a position to commence development shortly after entering into a development agreement," he said. The move comes after several developers have shown a strong interest in the site over the past few years. At least two are believed to have recently submitted proposals based on the site, for Commonwealth Bank to consider for its 30,000-square-metre office requirement. Leighton Properties is believed to be one. Other developers said to have previously shown an interest include Equity Pacific Capital Partners, which is building National Foods' new Docklands home, and Cbus Property. The sale comes after developer Morry Schwartz, of Pan Urban, confirmed plans to build a $150 million tower development between Telstra Dome and La Trobe Street, on the railway side of the stadium. Myer is believed to be considering a proposal to house its staff in an office building opposite, in front of Channel Seven's building on the corner of La Trobe Street and Harbour Esplanade. Meanwhile, a $60 million national ice sports centre is now unlikely to be developed on top of a car park at Waterfront City, but could be built nearby. Sources close to the project said an alternative site at ING's Harbour Town, in Waterfront City, at the foot of the Observation Wheel, is now proposed. Developer ING Real Estate was this month expected to start building the project - the Icehouse - on the car park site. But ING Real Estate chief executive Greg Boyd said the site was problematic and the development timeline restrictive. "It gave investors little room to review, tighten or modify the plans, and this added to the perceived risk," he said. "It is now extremely unlikely the Icehouse will be developed at that location in Waterfront City." He declined to comment on an alternative site for the project. Andrew McDowell, president of Ice Hockey Victoria, said the ice hockey community was "110 per cent" behind the Docklands project. The only training site in Melbourne is in Oakleigh. "We have kids having to get out of bed at 5am in the morning because they can only train at one facility in Melbourne," he said. |
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