1. A. McArthur 298253
Balancing Public and Private Influence in
Public Private Partnerships: a case study of
Melbourne Docklands
Position Paper 2
Cities of Economies and Regions

2. A. McArthur 298253
Thesis Statement
• The balance between public and private influence in the public private
partnership (PPP) during the redevelopment of Melbourne Docklands
was swayed towards that of the private sector. Public opinion and
consultation was secondary when plans and development agreements
were being formed. This paper also raises the question: was this the
only way to make the regeneration of a disused industrial wasteland
that is Docklands, economically viable?
Minister for Major Projects Mark Birrell & Senator Richard Alston Source: (Docklands Authority, 1998)

3. A. McArthur 298253
Background
• 220 Hectares of waterfront land and harbour, located immediately
west of the of the Melbourne CBD
• Since the late 1980s Docklands has undergone significant
regeneration
• Joint development venture between Public and Private sectors (PPP)
• Shaped by several different phases, political agendas and economic
climates – including past redevelopment attempts (CFM)
• “One of the most adventurous and ambitious waterfront
developments in the world and the largest urban renewal project in
Australia’s history” (Petty, 2005)
Early Docklands
http://jcstreetrealestate.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/
old‐pictures‐of‐melbourne‐docklands‐1800s1.jpg

4. A. McArthur 298253
Public Private Partnership
• “Private business becomes involved in financing, designing,
constructing and owning or operating public facilities or
services” (Hodge, 2004, p. 37).
• Balance between this “mega credit‐card” facility and the risk
government faces when transferring public assets into private hands
Webb Dock Bridge is an example of experimentation in architecture and urban
design Source: (Keeney, 2005)
• PPP was lubricated by the creation
of a single‐purpose development
Authority – The Docklands
Authority (DA)
• The DA acted to channel private
investment into Docklands, free
from political interference
• Influenced by private interests –
The Committee for Melbourne

5. A. McArthur 298253
Results/Discussion
• Private influence dominated ‐ Market led development ideology
• But Remarkable outcome ‐ $9 Billion of Development to date – with little
impact on the public purse – undoubted commercial success
• Docklands is what Melbourne’s CBD needed – high‐end corporate space
(Mark Birrell, Minister for Major Projects)
• Would not have been developed to the extend it has without strong private
influence (Alan Stockdale, Treasurer)
• Lacks vital civic space (i.e. Town square) but Tabarts 30‐metre margin crucial
to retaining public ownership of the water (Michael Lindell, Consultant)
• Still a work in progress, should be judged accordingly
• To be socially desirable first needs to be economically feasible
Heavily contaminated gasworks in the 1960's and the site reborn as Docklands Park that now stores rainwater underground for irrigation
Source: (Gibson, 2005)
Victoria Habour Source: (Own Photo,2010)