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Waterfront committee formed

Waterfront committee formed

Following the success of the inaugural Melbourne Waterfront Forum last October, a new Waterfront Connections Committee was formed last month and is being chaired by Yarra River Business Association (YRBA) president John Ahern.

The committee is made up of business representatives including Mr Ahern, Stephen Clement (Docklands Chamber of Commerce), Philip Hill (WTC Wharf) and Mario Natoli (Crown).

It also includes council representatives Robert Doyle (Lord Mayor), Doug Jarvis (Melbourne Waterways Unit), Chris Buckingham (Destination Melbourne), Clive Dwyer (Destination Docklands) and Vin Wright (Parks Victoria).

Rounding out the committee is State Parliamentarian Clem Newton-Brown.

The group held its first meeting in December to establish its purpose.

It was concluded that the group would specifically focus on water transportation, a move that lent itself to Cr Doyle’s pre-election promise to trial a water shuttle service. (Our story on page 6 covers the new WTC Wharf Water Taxi, which is a private service and only runs on Fridays and weekends. The committee is looking at integrated, full-time transport options)

The group felt that, while many people had talked about water transport, it had always been a disjointed discussion, which is why a successful water transport service has never flourished. The plan is to use the committee to unite all interested parties.

Mr Ahern said the first meeting was a success and he looked forward to building on the ideas that were produced during it.

“The Waterfront Connections Committee aims to continue the sense of co-operation and mutual interest that the October Waterfront Forum generated. Initially we will be concentrating on water transportation between waterfront precincts and even beyond, but in the future it could grow into wider topics, such as joint marketing initiatives,” Mr Ahern said.

“We are really looking forward to Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and Clem Newton-Brown’s input in 2013,” Mr Ahern added.

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