Council seeks community interest ahead of Docklands Summit

The City of Melbourne is inviting locals to be part of “shaping the future of Docklands” as it prepares for a long-awaited half-day Docklands Summit on September 2.

The council revealed via its Participate Melbourne website that the summit, aimed at bringing key stakeholders together to discuss the regeneration of Docklands, would be held in the precinct on Friday, September 2.

A location for the high-level talks, including major developers, businesses/employers, the Victorian Government and representative groups, is yet to be announced.

But the council says that it is now seeking expressions of interest from residents and small businesses to take part in the summit, as well as a focus group discussion in August, which will “help guide and influence the agenda for the summit”.

The council’s Participate Melbourne website says, “The City of Melbourne will be extending an invite to key stakeholders, including the Victorian Government, major landholders, major businesses/employers, representative groups, and the small business and resident community, to collectively discuss what a positive and sustainable future for Docklands looks like.”

“We are currently seeking expressions of interest from residents and small business to be a part of the focus group discussions and half-day summit.”

The council said the series of small focus group discussions in Docklands, between August 8 and 21 (dates subject to attendee availability), aimed to “provide a platform for people to speak freely in a comfortable and safe environment”, help design workshops and give insights on potential short-, medium- and longer-term solutions to be presented at the summit.

What will be discussed at the summit?

• An introduction, including a brief history of engagement with the Docklands community;
• A summary of what was heard in the small focus group discussions held at Docklands prior to the summit;
• A presentation on potential ideas and possibilities from key stakeholders in Docklands;
• A workshop where potential solutions are explored and prioritised; and
• Agreement on delivery outcomes from the Summit.

Expressions of interest close 5pm, July 27. To get involved visit: participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/docklands-summit