Docklands Central Pier to remain closed until 2020
The 103-year-old Central Pier in Docklands that was dramatically closed in August due to structural problems will remain closed until least 2020, and the government body responsible says it is prepared to go to court to defend its decision to shut the pier.
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The government body in charge of the Docklands Central Pier is sticking by its decision to prolong the heritage site’s closure and is prepared to defend its decision in court.
Development Victoria claimed it was focused on giving engineers time to assess the pier after announcing it would remain closed for a further four months earlier this week.
Businesses operating out of the entertainment precinct were temporarily closed when the pier was dramatically evacuated at the end of August due to structural integrity concerns.
The Docklands site was due to open again on Friday but earlier this week the deadline was pushed back for months.
“A detailed assessment of Central Pier by our engineering consultants is under way on a priority basis,” a Development Victoria spokesman said late on Wednesday night.
“Development Victoria has acted in good faith and in accordance with the terms of the Central Pier lease.
“Any legal action will be defended.”
Businesses that operated out of the restaurant and events precinct on Wednesday threatened to sue the state for $100 million.
A spokesman told Nine the businesses would claim Development Victoria breached its obligation under the lease to maintain the structural integrityand safety of the pier.
The Atlantic Group was one of the businesses left reeling following Tuesday night’s shock announcement to prolong the pierclosure.
Chief executive Hatem Saleh on Wednesday said he and his staff were “bitterly disappointed” by the prolonged closure.
“It is a very emotional time for all of our people,” he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
“It’s a very disheartening time that Development Victoria could show such contempt in the way they’ve dealt with us and reallyare not answering questions.”
The Atlantic Group management felt the failure to maintain the heritage-listed pier was a failing by the government.
“In Melbourne, it looks like a little bit of penny pinching and procrastination has neglected any ability of this heritage shed maintaining its history,” he said.
The pier will be shut until 2020 as engineers continue to assess the iconic structure.
Businesses operating on the pier have been told they will not be able to return until an assessment has been completed as safety protocols only allow access to 20 people at a time under supervised conditions.
The Atlantic Group employs 1300 staff who work on the Central Pier and say they are disappointed with the progress made by Development Victoria.
“The tenants on Central Pier have invested tens of millions of dollars to create this iconic destination and we continue to be reassured by Development Victoria that no decision has been made on the future of the pier,” a spokesperson said.
“Central Pier plays a vital role in the Docklands community and many locals have been overwhelmingly vocal about their disappointment in the temporary loss of this precinct.”
Development Victoria Group Head Geoff Ward said engineers had advised it would take about 15 weeks to do a full assessment of the pier.
“A decision about the future of the pier will only be made once a full assessment has been provided by the dive team and specialist marine engineers,” he said.
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“We know how much this affects people’s businesses, jobs and events but the safety of people working on and using the pier has to be our No.1 priority.”
The extent of the work required to repair the pier will not be known until the assessment has finished which will include an inspected by divers and load testing.
It is unknown when business will be allowed to resume trading.