Even as we've returned to the lockdown from which we were tentatively emerging, the finishing touches are being applied to an old part of the city made anew. Recently, the scaffolding and hoardings were removed from the Flinders St extension west of Spencer St to reveal the heritage listed …
Docklands & Southbank
Towers on Normanby
Are they in Southbank? Fishermans Bend? Montague or South Melbourne? and does it matter? Two towers are taking concrete form in Normanby Rd immediately opposite each other. Are they in a race to their 40 storey top? On the River side is Oakwood Premier, part of the Yarra Hotel group, at 202 …
Sunlight and shadow
At 8 am on Sunday 21 June, about thirty people plunged into Port Phillip Bay to mark the winter solstice. The winter solstice leaves its mark in long, deep shadows cast by tall city buildings. Winter sunlight is precious. In COVID-19 lockdown, winter sunlight is even more precious. And …
Seafarers Rest Park
The new Seafarers Rest Park on North Wharf is a step closer after City of Melbourne councillors last week enthusiastically supported the design concepts for further consultation. The new park, between the Mission to Seafarers and the River, will be comparable in size to the State Library …
Finding the River
Over the time of isolation, I have spent some time near the River and become preoccupied with our relationship to our Yarra River, known to the the Woi Wurrung (Wurundjeri) and the Boon wurrung as the Birrarung, the river of mists and shadows. So I have prepared a series of walking explorations …
Central Pier, Docklands
The abrupt closure of Central Pier in August last year, confirmed in early January, has implications beyond the distress to affected businesses and their staff. Development Victoria, the owner of the Pier, insists that the closure is necessary for public safety. Central Pier, built in 1916, …