MELBOURNE: Waterfront City & Central City Studios (Part 1)

[tayser]

it's got the green light:

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,5309354%255E2862,00.html

Sign-off for new studio
By GENEVIEVE LALLY
18oct02

DEVELOPERS of Melbourne's showcase film and TV studio at Docklands have been given the green light to forge ahead with the $110 million project.

They have satisfied all the hurdles necessary for final sign-off.
The final contracts - signifying financial closure - were signed last night.

A spokesman for Treasurer John Brumby said the project was on track and all documents had been signed.

"Demolition at the site will be complete by next Thursday," spokesman Tom Laurie said. "And the construction team will be on site the following day."

He said filming would begin in the studios in early 2004.

Developers Central City Studios Holdings were given an extra month on September 17 to come up with their share of cash for the $110 million complex.

The studios will be paid for with $40 million of government money - $31.5 million as a low-interest loan and $8.5 million for land - and CCS will provide a further $10 million.

Mr Laurie last night confirmed that the adjacent $60 million commercial complex would be underwritten by CCS executive chairman Sino Guzzardi and the Bank of Melbourne.

Mr Brumby has said that achieving financial closure revolved around planning approval and environmental sign-offs.

The final sign-off will come as a relief to the Government, which could call voters to the polls as early as next month.

The Opposition has slammed the project for its extended delays and uncertain financial backing.

[Blabbyboy]

Great stuff! :cheers:

[aussie man]

FANTASTIC news...have they released any official plans or rendering??? Whats the project actually going to entale???

Thanx guys,
Matt:)

[aussie man]

wasn't this posted in the other forum??? ANyway...this is great news...can't wait to see Docklands really start booming.

Thanx guys,
Matt:)

[SteveMelb]

Hallelujah! took them long enough, didn't it?!

Very interesting that they're already on site! damn wasting no time on the construction phase

[homer]

Finally, the web-site has been launched with artist impressions. Here it is.....

http://www.centralcitystudios.com

:)

Does anyway have details / pics of the 2 shortlisted bids for Waterfron City by Lewing Developments Pty Ltd. and
MAB/Austexx ???

Cheers
Homer

[tayser]

finally, yet there's somewhat sweet F.A. on their own site, apart from a tenancy expression of interest form lol :D

tays

[homer]

Probably because there's no tenants/film committments yet. Bracksy just wanted to start it up because Paramount fell through and we're so behind Sydney and the Gold Coast in terms of film production.

Homer

[tayser]

Originally posted by homer
Probably because there's no tenants/film committments yet. Bracksy just wanted to start it up because Paramount fell through and we're so behind Sydney and the Gold Coast in terms of film production.

Homer

film production yes, but how many of those films which have been made in Sydney & G.C. are Australian ? ---- not many ;)

The Central City deal in effect is supposed to focus on Australian talent / movies with the odd international movie, and what better place to have that done ? a city which has dictated so much of our TV industry since TV first came to air in 56 for the Olympics - a new Australian film era will hopefully follow ;)

tays

[melbman]

Is Central City studios going to be as good or better than Fox Studios in Sydney.






:?

[kasperluke]

Well it isn't going to have a theme park component...it probably won't have as many 'major' movies...

[tayser]

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by melbman </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Is Central City studios going to be as good or better than Fox Studios in Sydney.
:?</td></tr>
</table>

different markets,

apples and oranges.

so um, no, they're not going to be comparable even.

cheers

tays

[A-brain]

Construction is well underway quietly at the rear of New Quay .. piling is well advanced..

I have a feeling this Studio will start off low key but probably will attract quite a fair bit of 'bigtime' business as studios realise that Melbourne & Victoria has a huge array of natural & manmade features of all styles to shoot against.. and that Melbourne is a much cheaper city to work in than Sydney ..

It wouldn't even surprise me if it is bought out in a few years time by one of the major studios who attaches their name to it - particularly if the Aussie Dollar stays low in the long term..

Paramount would be an obvious choice since they had already gotten involved with the failed studio city at the same location, and the other major companies are also involved in Sydney & the GC.

Remember you heard it here first!!

[tayser]

reckon it's worthy of taking pics yet Adrian ?

if so I'll snap some tomorra.

cheers

tays

[A-brain]

Its a big bunch of piles stuck in the ground with some construction huts.. so I'd say don't go way out of your way.. but if ya down there..

[kasperluke]

Section on the news tonight... about how the government favoured the company that go the tender and got a better deal then other companys! They also showed concrete being poured on 'a site'. Assuming it could be the studios!

[silvermb]

all the pilings are in and it seems construction proper is underway

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/ccstudios_20030312.JPG

[tayser]

sort of glad I didnt bother getting pics of it now, nothing much, I'll leave it up to people driving around the city to take the pics lol ;)

tays

[chrisaus]

are there plans to get rid of that massive power pole ?
howcome the soil is so dark?

[Lord Melbourne]

Well apparently Chris, the power pole keeps the soil dark by

conducting alpha-sigma waves and if we get rid of it the

nutritional level in the soil drops and whamo the soil colour

lightens. We wouldn't want that now would we ?

[homer]

A new web-site has been launched at http://www.centralcitystudios.com with some interesting specs. There is no info on the tenant take up. Anyone have any news? It seems that the opening date has been pushed back to March 2004 (from end of 2003). Any news on the latest constuction status.

Cheers
Homer

[tayser]

the "industry focused commercial complex" looks to be about 12 levels or over!

thanks for that homer!

tays

[MG2]

Just had a look at the fox and warner brothers studios and central city seems to easily match the other two studios in Australia... quite impressive actually :)

MG2

[homer]

Constructions pics now available in the News section of the web site http://www.centralcitystudios.com these are 2 weeks old. Has anyone been there lately to see the latest status?

Homer

[silvermb]

lucky I made a detour for a change this week

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/ccs_20030513=2.JPG

[BigVman]

Crikey,
they're actually building stuff there!
Good-O. Will have to have a goosey next time I drive past.;)

[Clem]

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by BigVman </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Crikey... Good-O... goosey</td></tr>
</table>

Steve Irwin..? is that you?

[A-brain]

In a way its a suprisingly fast rate of construction now..

I reckon Waterfront City will start construction in a big way roughly when Central City is about completed.. all to be done by 2006 of course.. (Of Course!)

..

[kasperluke]

It is all very close to the Fwy these sounds studios! I was quite suprised i saw them when I drove past. They better have good sound proofing!

[bearbrass]

Where all the knockers now!

[Blabbyboy]

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by bearbrass </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Where all the knockers now!</td></tr>
</table>
In SYDNEY! :D :tongue: :D

[A-brain]

Progress continues at a pretty fair pace..

http://users.bigpond.net.au/speckled10/DSC00529.jpg

Since silvers last pic from a few weeks ago the 2nd stage has been completed and the third (seemingly bigger) stage is now underway..

Still a bit of a wasteland but will be great when it opens..

[tayser]

lol @ wasteland - a tin shack in the middle of nowhere ;)

tays

[Bluestar]

ZING! Here I was thinking this was another Bracksian waste of everyone's time...low and behold they are actually building stuff.
Steel portal frames and concrete panel construction will go nice and fast compared to your average 91 storey skyscraper :rant:

Supurb!

Blue

[homer]

Well. It's been a long time since we discussed the rest of Waterfront City. The Architects will be Building Design Partnership (BDP) from the UK in collaboration with the Australian architectural firm Hassell. BDP's other stuff looks pretty interesting, check out http://www.bdp.co.uk . Hassell's stuff includes The Age Print Centre Project and the North Sydney Olympic Pool. They are also designing the apartments in the Herald & Weekly Times building on the corner of Flinders and Exhibition Street.

Don't know when more detailed plans will come out and when construction will start. It's gonna be an uphill battle to get it mostly completed for the 2006 games considering the current lack of builders.

Anyone have any more news?

Cheers
Homer

[Fountainhead]

I have been talking to Hassell people in Brisbane as I want to get onto their team for waterfront city. It has been waiting to get the full green light for a few months. I have been told it is signed off by Bracks and HAS to be done for 2006, but they will not start ramping up for a month or so....that was a month ago.

[Grollo]

This project shouldn't take that long to complete, there are no high rise buildings, so three years should be ample time. I'm sure the wheel and the retail compnent will be finished by 2003, the only problem is the apartments and the hotel. It would take a brave developer, in the current climate, to go ahead with the apartments and the hotel. Since it looks like a lot of the apartments are actually on top of the retail buildings this could be a problem.

Renderings:

http://www.docklands.com/precincts/images/WFCity06.jpg

http://www.docklands.com/precincts/images/WFCity05.jpg

http://www.docklands.com/precincts/images/WFCity04.jpg

http://www.bdp.co.uk/graphics/news/pictures/2003/mel_waterfrontcity.jpg

http://www.docklands.com/images/WFCCity_anim2.gif

[uewepuep]

Is it just me or are there wind power generators in the top of this pic?
http://www.docklands.com/precincts/images/WFCity05.jpg

[DrDan]

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by uewepuep </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Is it just me or are there wind power generators in the top of this pic?
http://www.docklands.com/precincts/images/WFCity05.jpg</td></tr>
</table>

Yep, they're a significiant feature of the project - part of their environmental, renewable energy approach. I'm sure they'll be popular. They'd be huge and it's not everyday that you see wind turbines in the middle of a big city like Melbourne.

[kasperluke]

There are some updated pictures of the studios on their site under the NEWS section... it is all in FLASH so you can't link the pictures unfortunatently!! They have gone up pretty quickly!

http://www.centralcitystudios.com/home.html

[Billy the Kid]

Great news for Victorian filmakers!

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,6814402%255E2862,00.html

ready to roll
By IAN HABERFIELD, State political reporter
27jul03

MELBOURNE'S $110 million Docklands Film and Television Studio will be ready for lights, camera, action early next year.

The controversial studio complex now includes three huge film studios -- one 25m tall (eight storeys) -- on the site vacant three months ago.
A fourth studio shell is under construction and work on the fifth is scheduled to begin next month.

The five studios will have office and production facilities, while the largest, 2400sq m, will have a pool to film scenes such as those in Titanic.

State and Regional Development Minister John Brumby said work on Victoria's film and television studio was half completed, with its opening expected about March next year.

"The progress has been extraordinary and the project is well advanced," he said. "This will lead to huge investment, new jobs and the renaissance of the film industry in our state."

Mr Brumby said Victoria was internationally recognised as a centre for film and television production excellence and the new facilities would be the icing on the cake.

"We boasted films such as Mad Max, Malcolm, The Man from Snowy River and Picnic at Hanging Rock in the 1970s and 1980s," he said.

"While we produced other popular movies in the 1990s -- Amy, The Castle and Proof -- our share of national film activity fell significantly," he said.

"In 1997-98, NSW film and television production outstripped Victoria by $208 million -- $310 million in NSW compared with $102 million in Victoria.

Following that success, Mr Brumby said, the Bracks Government undertook a review of Victoria's film and television industry.

"The review saw a major shake-up of the industry, with Film Victoria established as a dedicated organisation providing strategic leadership and assistance to the local industry," he said.

"It also stressed the need for the Government to facilitate investment in new film and television infrastructure. In 2001, the Premier announced Victoria would have a film and TV studio complex.

"When coupled with initiatives already in place, the decision provided a boost in confidence for the local industry. In 2001-02, film and television production topped $170 million -- well above the $102 million in 1997-98."

Mr Brumby said the Docklands studio would make Victoria the film capital.

"It will position our state as a major centre for film and television by generating an additional $100 million annually in film production," Mr Brumby said.

"It will create an additional 1000 film and television industry jobs, and hundreds of jobs in the construction phase."

[Clem]

Originally posted by kasperluke
There are some updated pictures of the studios on their site under the NEWS section... it is all in FLASH so you can't link the pictures unfortunatently!!
Puh-leeeese...
http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/ccs1.jpg
http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/css2.jpg
http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/css3.jpg
http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/css4.jpg
http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/css5.jpg
http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/css6.jpg
This was in June, and it's changed a lot since then. Someone with a camera get down and take photos.

[tayser]

I still haven't seen, not even noticed it out of the corner of my eye, when at NewQuay......... must be smallish lol ;)

[bearbrass]

Drove over the Bolte Bridge the other day and you get a good view of the studio complex from the road.
Looks quite large and they are moving along quite quickly.

[MG2]

Just a reply from the Docklands Report thread as requested by Tayser....

I saw prefab stairs and chairs being delivered to the area today so it looks like major construction work is done on most of the studios with minor conmstruction and finishing now to start. I also suspect that the opening date for March next year will be met on time. I'll be sure to report any news.

MG2

[Grollo]

Waterfront City would have to at least start marketing soon if they are to meet there target of opening in time for the Commonweath Games (scheduled completion November 2005).

Docklands really needs some more urabn style development like this:
http://www.sydney.hassell.com.au/email/melb/waterfront.jpg

[Fountainhead]

I agree....this project is shaping up to be the best thing to happen to docklands yet. It will actually give the area a real focus and heart, and should prove to be busy most of the time. It will also revitalize the area and kickstart the zone behind the newquay towers.

I just started working on this project with Hassell, as one of the design architects. This precinct will be very different to anything else done at docklands. I had a look at the marketing brochures in the office today, and it is looking damn fine:D They are starting to market the retail as proirity No1, but the residential marketing is still quite a way off... as we only just started to really design it!! It will be slightly different to that picture though and will be more varied, like a true urban streetscape. The residential marketing is not a big priority yet, as it can be built very quickly once the retail is out of the ground.

I don't think anybody realizes just how DENSE this project will be. The buildings vary from 2 up to about 10-12 storeys and are quite close together....it will be VERY URBAN!! The first stage is what will be complete for 2005, and that includes the 120M ferris wheel, most of the retail and about half of the apartments (the shop-top street stuff in that pic).

Other parts are the Victoria Showcase (which is the "iconic" centre-piece on the harbourfront), the harbour-front apartments, and other things like a hotel and more commercial. I think we are due to lodge town planning docs in the next month or two....construction should start early next year.

[tayser]

hah! awesome :guns1:

...slip us a 60 level tower somewhere Fountainhead!

...and while you're at it, KILL THE FERRIS WHEEL!

thanks!

I'll pay you later, or something ;)

it's all good!

[chrisaus]

Originally posted by tayser

...and while you're at it, KILL THE FERRIS WHEEL!


HERE HERE:master:

[Clem]

What Chrisaus said.

[Grollo]

Sounds similar the the central section of Victoria Harbour with a mixture of individual commerical/residential buildings up to 40 metres and small streets in between. Should be some very healthy competition between Waterfront City and Victoria Harbour to get retail leases and to sell more apartments.

[bearbrass]

Mummy Mummy I love the Giant Ferris Wheel!:applause: :cheers1: :soon:

[Dean]

The wheel is 120m Tall???

Is that right??? I didnt think it was going to be that high

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

[BraddyBoy]

Went for a drive down Dudley Street (ahem......sorry..."Docklands Drive") yesterday. And was surprised by the large film studio buildings...

Last time I was down that way (about 1.5 years ago), it was at 2am with my car club mates, running illegal street drags.. hehe (even the security guard who rocked up in his Toyota Echo had a run.)

You can still see the start line we sprayed on the road ;)

[Fountainhead]

Originally posted by Grollo
Sounds similar the the central section of Victoria Harbour with a mixture of individual commerical/residential buildings up to 40 metres and small streets in between. Should be some very healthy competition between Waterfront City and Victoria Harbour to get retail leases and to sell more apartments.

The great thing about Waterfront City is that the developers are really gung-ho about the retail....which will create an instant suburb around what is essentially an outdoor shopping centre. Our benchmarks are things like Cockle Bay Wharf and King Street Wharf, as well as UK / Dutch models.

My impression of Vic Harbour is that each apartment / office building will be done one at a time, so it will take a while before a full street-scape is developed. They are two pretty different ways of developing what will probably be fairly similar outcome in the end, but I think WC will get most of the prize retail. Good to see both are adopting the Melb. laneways / major street mix. I think that Vic Harbour will have more of a local "neighbourhood" feel, because there won't be the same degree of tourist "wow" factor. Also, if it is developed slower, it will probably have a truer diversity to the buildings. I think the masterplan will "evolve" further around market needs, so I expect BIG things in the next major cycle!! Vic Harbour is more appropriate for a 60+ storey mega tower....maybe north edge facing Waterfront City on the Collins / Bourke intersection:D

The projections are something like 3 million will come just to look at the wheel.....And yeah, the ferris wheel is a pretty corny idea, but at least it will get people there.

[Fountainhead]

Originally posted by Dean
The wheel is 120m Tall???

Is that right??? I didnt think it was going to be that high

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

This is no pansy-arse playground ferris wheel mate;) Will be called the "Southern Star"....It will have a great skyline view!

[Dean]

Originally posted by Fountainhead
This is no pansy-arse playground ferris wheel mate;) Will be called the "Southern Star"....It will have a great skyline view!

The Docklands website says that the wheel will be 100m tall.

Has it been upgraded...? i guess u'd know if you're up close and personal with the design process.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

[Clem]

http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/ccs1a.jpg
http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/ccs2a.jpg
http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/ccs3a.jpg
http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/ccs4a.jpg
http://www.fooled-forever.net/clem/ss/ccs5a.jpg

[Fountainhead]

Originally posted by Dean
The Docklands website says that the wheel will be 100m tall.

Has it been upgraded...? i guess u'd know if you're up close and personal with the design process.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

The diameter of the wheel is 100M, but taking into account the pods and their supporting structures to the wheel, and the fact that the public entry is 3 levels above ground, the total height adds up to about 120m above the ground.

[bearbrass]

Originally posted by Fountainhead
The diameter of the wheel is 100M, but taking into account the pods and their supporting structures to the wheel, and the fact that the public entry is 3 levels above ground, the total height adds up to about 120m above the ground.

Great stuff Fountainhead! Should have sensational views asross the whole docklands area.

[kasperluke]

Drove past today...there are many heavy moving equipment on the waterfront city site....and it is all boarded up....what will be getting built first??

[Fountainhead]

Early groundworks just starting. First part to get built will be lots of this sort of stuff, plus the observation wheel :

http://www.sydney.hassell.com.au/email/melb/waterfront.jpg

That image shows one retail street (there are two retail streets each with two levels of retail , plus loads of apartments over)

The retail will get built first as a base, and apartments will be marketed whilst retail is u/c, but units will definately go ahead. This is not like other docklands projects being built one bit at a time, as most of WFC will be built at the same time!

This is.... THE BIGGEST PROJECT CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN AUSTRALIA!!!!

....SO GET EXCITED:D

Prelim website is up, not much content yet though:

http://www.waterfrontcity.com.au

[tayser]

It's been bugging me for a while now, but Fountainhead, in that rendering above, is that lowest visible level actually "sea level" or below ? Such as it's just an open-air subterranean level, or have i completely got my bearings wrong ?

any chance of seeing a sneak peak re: plans ? ;)

[A-brain]

W-O-W !! This is *fantastic* news if it really is U/C.. and the website is pretty bloody good for a 'prelim' ..

Definately the next major destination for Melbourne to get excited about ..

In the past few years we have had major new desitinations open including Melb Museum, Fed Sq, New Quay and soon QV & Melb Central re-opening ..

Just when you thought it would dry up after that.. bring on WC !!

The Brand Outlet retail is the genius stroke that'll really bring the punters down in droves to shop & play .. the inner city does lack good convenient outlet shopping (Bridge Rd & Smith St are quirkier) ..

One really important aspect as well is that it will help stop New Quay from feeling like an 'isolated' destination.. and more of it's own complete urban village (Conder will help bridge that gap too)...

[Fountainhead]

Originally posted by tayser
It's been bugging me for a while now, but Fountainhead, in that rendering above, is that lowest visible level actually "sea level" or below ? Such as it's just an open-air subterranean level, or have i completely got my bearings wrong ?

any chance of seeing a sneak peak re: plans ? ;)

Lowest level is street level....will be escalators to get to the upper level shops. Lower level will directly connect to major tram stop and waterfront.

No chance of a sneak peak yet, but those from the website are fairly close in terms of scale and intent:

The "Southern Star"
http://www.waterfrontcity.com.au/images/schematicEnt.jpg

Waterfront Piazza: The central building is the preliminary scheme for the Victoria Showcase which is not going ahead yet, but hopefully will get built as the waterfront "icon".
http://www.waterfrontcity.com.au/images/schematicPiazza.jpg

I would love to show you guys some more images, wait another month or so until planning is lodged. Oh, this will also be a destination for the Volvo "round the world race in 2005;)

[tayser]

mmmm, looking über-urban! ;)

what about site stats, such as:

distance from waterfront to wheel, distance from Nequay East to Newquay West [basically the dimensions] - you can't easily guage how big this momma will be when there's literally nothing there right now!

thanks for that!

[Grollo]

WTF is that wave building in the rendering that they are also using as their logo?

They have some balls releasing apartments in teh curren tmarket, I think they would delay release for at least a year like every other developer seems to be doing.

I think the big money spinner for this development will be the 'big box' retail (Brand Direct). There is nothing like this in the inner city at the moment and it will be a big success which should anchor the rest of the development, I presume that's what they will be building first as well.

Are the big wind generators still on the plans?

[Billy the Kid]

Great stuff Fountainhead.
This should be the most exciting and best development around for some time and will really make Docklands "zing"

[Fountainhead]

Originally posted by Grollo
WTF is that wave building in the rendering that they are also using as their logo?

They have some balls releasing apartments in teh curren tmarket, I think they would delay release for at least a year like every other developer seems to be doing.

I think the big money spinner for this development will be the 'big box' retail (Brand Direct). There is nothing like this in the inner city at the moment and it will be a big success which should anchor the rest of the development, I presume that's what they will be building first as well.

Are the big wind generators still on the plans?

The wavey building is the "victoria showcase" - meant to be an exhibition building showcasing the best of victoria. Has'nt been given the full go-ahead yet, but is intended to be an iconic waterfront focus. That wave is just a quick concept of course.

The "apartments" are quite varied, and not your standard off-the-shelf typical stock. They will only start marketing in 3-6 months time though. Problem is, they are integral to the "main street" concept behind the development, so will probably be built no matter what. Given the focus of this development in 2005/06 with the commonwealth games and volvo race, it has to be built!!

The big box retail will actually be built last! That stuff is stuck behind the wheel in a precinct that will be developed last. The concept behind the majority of retail is "main street" inner city / CBD shopping, which is stage 1. The idea is to create a "bourke street" type feel in the docklands... Most of the retail is small specialist stores and cafes / bars / restaurants. They have actually begun marketing this project internationally for retail tenants, so it is quite serious. There will hopefully be cinemas and a theatre in the second stage. There is also some commercial office space and home-offices proposed.

Yes, the wind generators are still in:) They will be part of an urban style park connceting to moonee ponds creek....

[Billy the Kid]

One should read this negative and bitching article in the HUN remembering that News Corp is the owner of the Herald Sun newspaper also runs the Fox studios in Sydney in copmpetition with Central City
But ofcourse it does not mention that fact anywhere in the article.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7494955%255E2862,00.html


Studio waits for big break
By FIONA HUDSON, city editor
08oct03

BEHIND-the-scenes dramas are plaguing the taxpayer-backed $110 million Docklands film and television studios months before doors open.

The upheavals come as operators battle stiff global competition to attract bookings to use the complex.
Taxpayers have committed at least $40 million to the project, due to open in March.

Central City Studios won the tender with a promise to lure up to 19 films or television series in the first year, but is yet to sign formal contracts with any clients.

Central City director Sino Guzzardi said it was too early to panic about booking levels. But, recently:

SOME shareholders are considering legal action after a falling-out with studio chiefs.

THE studio manager has left the project, leaving few members of the original team behind the winning tender still involved.

OPERATORS say they will struggle to meet strict local production quotas built into the contract to boost the Victorian film industry.

STUDIO bosses are yet to establish a promised foundation planned to offer rent subsidies to struggling local film-makers.

Mr Guzzardi, a kingpin in the hotel movie distribution business, told the Herald Sun an American movie house was on the verge of signing a $116 million contract to shoot an action drama at the Docklands complex.

Two television series producers had signed letters of intent to start filming in May, with two more deals in the pipeline.

A planned cluster of commercial buildings at the site was already 50 per cent leased before drawings had even been submitted to town planners, he said.

"Things are going well," he said.

But dissident studio shareholder Rocky Wood said the lack of firm bookings was a major worry. "When we were planning the project we thought if we reached this stage without bookings we'd be desperate," he said.

"The costs start the day you open. We can't afford to have it empty for days or weeks."

Mr Wood said a key part of the winning tender had been a deal with an American firm to manage and market the studios.

"But they've dumped the firm and they're going it alone," he said.

Film Victoria chief executive Sandra Sdraulig said in addition to the marketing efforts of Central City Studios, film industry officials were heavily promoting the facilities overseas.

Chief executive of Sydney's Fox Studios Michael Harvey said given the global climate, the Docklands studios would face tough competition.

Mr Guzzardi said State Government quotas stating at least 25 per cent of productions filmed at the studios to be local were unlikely to be met.

"We'll try . . . but the reality is, most of it won't be local", he said.

Precise details of a promised foundation that would offer local film producers subsidised rent were yet to be worked out with the State Government, he said.

"That's not in operation for a little while yet . . . but it will go ahead," he said.

A spokesman for state Treasurer John Brumby said it was up to studio operators to attract clients and meet their contractual obligations.

[SydneyDude]

wow, the good stuff just keeps coming for you vics ay! Lucky buggas! That looks fantastic.

I would like to see something like this on Sydneys shipping ports when they get closed down.

[A-brain]

Well a minor update on Waterfront City..

As noted in the New Quay thread, there is new boarding & hoarding signage on the Footscray Rd frontage of the Waterfront City site, with lots of images inc. an image of the ferris wheel!!

In addition there does look to be preliminary works of some kind going on at the site, so either way it still looks like all go for Waterfront City!!

tays .. Can you update the Quick links so it say 'Century City Studios & Waterfront City' - currently only says the former ..

Either that or even possbly create a spearate thread for WFC .. tho I think one is enough for both..

[kasperluke]

They are digging away on the site! All guns blazing.. at least 3 bulldozers I counted! It seems to be a very large area!

The hoarding etc has been around the site for a couple of monts well i saw it a couple of months ago anyway!

As for the studios here is what it looked like today! They have gone up quick! Almost look usable!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/lukekasper/MelbourneNov/DSC00037.JPG

[tayser]

A-Brain: done.

can't wait for the car parks to disappear in Kasper's pic above ^^ :P

[Grollo]

Haven't seen this exact waterfront city rendering before:

http://www.ingrealestate.com.au/development/images/projects/wfront_pop1.jpg

[pixaus]

Central city studio;s website has been updated with nov pics check it out: http://www.centralcitystudios.com/home.html

Studio 3 and 4 are almost complete with their internal fit out, and the rest is well on its way to a march 2004 completion...great stuff:guns1:

[DrDan]

As you can see from that photo, the studios are being painted a nice gunmetal grey. Looks better than concrete anyway, especially from bolte bridge which is what I was worried about.

[tayser]

bring on the studio office tower component :guns1:

[tayser]

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/28/1077677016578.html

In the can - film studios finished
By Kirsty Simpson
February 29, 2004

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1077677015881_2004/02/28/29DOCKLANDS,0.jpg

Treasurer John Brumby with film studio officials Sino Guzzardi and Peter Barteles.
Picture: Joe Castro

Construction of the Central City film studios in Melbourne's Docklands has been completed, two weeks ahead of schedule.

Only one film project has been announced so far - a small-budget local movie by comedian Jimeoin will begin in mid-March - but chairman Sino Guzzardi said he expected the three-studio complex to operate at capacity within one to two years.

Mr Guzzardi is set to announce four local and international projects during the next few months.

"Regardless of what it is, a television commercial to Godfather 15, we should be in a position to take care of it," Mr Guzzardi said.

Treasurer and Innovation Minister John Brumby, on a tour of the studios yesterday, congratulated the developers on finishing construction on Friday, ahead of schedule.

"Victoria now has the kind of world-class studio facilities seen as essential by our film and television industry for its long-term growth," he said.

The State Government invested $40 million in the project and Mr Brumby said it was an excellent example of the Government's public-private-partnership policy.

"As with all major projects developed under the PPP initiative, the Government employed a rigorous strategy to ensure responsible management of the state's investment in the studio."

Mr Brumby said the studio's proximity to the city and major roads was a great advantage in competing with studios on the Gold Coast and in Sydney.

Mr Brumby said the studios should employ 500 to 600 people when working at capacity, and be a boon to nearby businesses.

[lenicrombie]

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/03/16/docklands,0.jpg Designer discounting for DocklandsDocklands' Waterfront City developers will use heavily discounted fashion labels to enter a vastly expanded city retail market.

Waterfront City's joint venture partners, ING Real Estate and the Lewis Land Group, this week announced plans for the $600 million first stage development of the $1 billion project, to be completed in time for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

The precinct, set to include 36,000 square metres of retail space, will open after the city's retail market has expanded by 140,000 sq m, basically equivalent to Melbourne's largest suburban shopping centre, Knox City.

Of Waterfront City's 36,000 sq m, approximately 20,000 sq m will be filled by "direct brand" retail outlets.

Direct brand outlets would include major fashion brands and manufacturers such as Oroton, Esprit and Polo Ralph Lauren, selling current and post-season fashion, discounted by up to 60 per cent.

Waterfront City will be the second bargain outlet west of the city centre, with the group Direct Factory Outlet (DFO) taking up 27,000 sq m in the Spencer Street Station redevelopment in 2005.

Melbourne already has a direct brand outlet in Nunawading, called Brandsmart, while DFO operates at Moorabbin and is planning another outlet for Essendon.

The 19.3 hectare site will include 135 low-rise residential developments aimed at the owner occupier market, priced between $450,000 and $1.5 million.

There will also be a marina, entertainment piazza and the 120 metre high Southern Star observation wheel.

With its entertainment zones and waterfront access, the retail precinct was designed to be a day out for families and tourists, Waterfront City project manager William Peppard said.

He would not say whether the group had any firm commitments to take up space, but said it was talking to existing direct brand retailers, as well as international fashion groups.

Retail space due to be completed in the central business district by the end of this year includes 46,000 sq m of the partially complete Queen Victoria site and 8000 sq m at the GPO Centre in Bourke Street.

Existing space of 56,000 sq m is being refurbished at Melbourne Central, with another 3000 sq m being added. The 27,000 sq m Spencer Street redevelopment will be finished in 2005.

CB Richard Ellis director Josh Loudoun said he believed Waterfront City's retail concept was not likely to compete directly with city retailers because it would target a different market.

"This concept does not exist in the city and they are bringing in customers for a different spend," Mr Loudoun said. "They are introducing something new and not simply replicating something that already exists."from the age 16-03-2004

[Aussie Steve]

Did anyone else get an invite to the preview of Waterfront City in the mail today?

Thursday 25 March 5-6.30pm
The Sunset Room

[barneybuck]

Interesting.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,9262110%255E2862,00.html


$40m wheel deal
Kamahl Cogdon, property reporter
13apr04

DEVELOPERS behind a giant Docklands ferris wheel are looking for a sponsor for the $40 million landmark.

Waterfront City developers want a big business to put its name to the 120m Southern Star Observation Wheel in the mould of Telstra Dome and Vodafone Arena.
Waterfront City entertainment director Fred Maybury said the wheel, modelled on the London Eye which is sponsored by British Airways, provided a unique opportunity for a company looking for local and international exposure.

"It's going to be quite an iconic attraction for Melbourne," he said.

"It's going to be 120 metres in height, which is the equivalent of a 40-storey building, and it's going to attract in excess of 1.5 million visitors in its first year of operation.









"It really is going to deliver a unique branding opportunity."

Mr Maybury said the sponsorship hunt had already led to a number of prospective sponsors and he hoped to announce a deal within three months.

He would not reveal the likely price tag of the sponsorship but said it would be significant.

Due to open in early 2006, the wheel is a centre piece of the $900 million Waterfront City development, which includes a huge waterfront piazza, public marina, entertainment piazza, discount shops for big-name brands and up to 490 low-rise flats and townhouses.

[Grollo]

New Watefront City Renderings:

The Southern Star:

http://www.waterfrontcity.com.au/images/schematicEnt.jpg

The Piazza:
http://www.waterfrontcity.com.au/images/schematicPiazza.jpg

Main Street:
http://www.waterfrontcity.com.au/images/schematicRetail.jpg

[dynamoultraclean]

That looks sensational. Whether or not it turns out like that is yet to be seen, but we can only hope :D

[Grollo]

Well construction is underway and it's on the market so I think this should be very close to what it will end up like.

[tayser]

I read a paragraph on a rail news from an archive last month stating that there's been plans submitted (or about to be?) for a tram line from La Trobe / Harbourside to the west of Sudholz Street along Docklands drive [and Harbourside Esp.].

w00t - I just hope they divert the #86 - RMIT Bundoora / Telstra Dome down there so you can catch it from Bourke Street :D

[Blabbyboy]

i think it would be a good idea if the wheel was called: THE OZSCRAPERS Southern Star!!! woo hoo!!!

[A-brain]

Waterfront City is all go...

http://users.bigpond.net.au/speckled10/DSC00825.jpg

Piles galore lined up on the waterfront side ... ready to go..

[MG2]

F*cking awesome!!

I've been hanging out for this area to take off! *does a dance*

MG2

[dynamoultraclean]

I'm still having trouble figuring out where it is... Next to New Quay and opposite Dock 5?

[tayser]

New quay is in the bottom right of this pic

http://www.docklands.com/docklands/neighbourhoods/waterfrontcity/images/WFCity02.jpg

[MG2]

It's a shame that Docklands Drive will cut the precinct in half... be better if they built a bridge there or even put a section of it underground...

MG2

[BigVman]

Dynamo - you couldn't be any less vague.

I stand corrected on this project - good to go.

[A-brain]

MG2 I think a section of it is .. and I have confidence that Docklands Drive will be reduced to like a friendly pedistrian crossing type intersection probably with nice paving - so it will maintain the atmosphere from one side of the road to the other hopefully..

[dynamoultraclean]

Ah yes, that pic puts it all in perspective. Thanks tays :)

[silvermb]

there's around 300 concrete piles lying around onsite

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/wc200408.jpg

[kasperluke]

Nice pics Mark!. What are the concrete piles used for? Are they going to be driven into the ground further? This Picture was taken firther west from New Quay wasn't it?

Is there anything happening behind NQ, where the ferris wheel should go?

[plotstyle]

What are the concrete piles used for?

docklands is loose...

[kasperluke]

docklands is loose...

Yeah.........i suppose i didn't ask the question properly.

Do the piles get left like that? Well obvioulsy they don't. What is done with them now that they are hanging out of the ground? Are they joined with other base foundations somehow? Because there seems to be a lot of them with no room left the ground floor of the building.

[Favco750]

Piles are for foundations, footings, supports, bases, pads, whatever you care to name them. Docklands is pretty much home to some of the shite-est ground in Melbourne, so to achieve a solid base to begin with, the piles are driven into the ground until they strike solid ground or buried treasure, such as rock. Once they are down as far as they can go, the tops are then chewed off, leaving the reo exposed, which then gets tied into foundations for the building. Sometimes even machinery such as large mobile cranes needs these footings underneath their out-rigger supports or else they fall over. And that's before any towers or highrise structure goes up.

[kasperluke]

Thanks Fav! :)

[Favco750]

That's only a layperson/casual observers Point of view. there are heaps more up to speed people on piles here than me!!

[tayser]

Central city's finally pulled something in:

HUN (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,10763381%5E661,00.html)

$40m movie to be made locally

14sep04

A $40 million adaptation of the Marvel comic classic, Ghost Rider, will become Victoria's most expensive feature film when it begins production at Melbourne's Docklands studio complex next year.

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks announced the new production for the Central City Studios, along with an $11 million commercial television drama, Last Man Standing.

Filming on the big screen version of the comic classic is expected to run five months and employ 500 people after it begins next January.

There is speculation US actor Nicholas Cage will play the lead, a motorcycle stuntman who wreaks vengeance on villains to ensure the safety of his true love.

The Channel Seven series, Last Man Standing, will begin production in October and is expected to employ 1000 people.

"This is going to be a hub of activity in the first half of next year with 1500 people milling around here (and) enormous economic activity around the state as a result of it and of course that's the sort of activity we're aiming for in the future," Mr Bracks said.

[MG2]

Fina-frickin-lee! Great news!

MG2

[Drunkill]

Nice, now all we need are more films over the next five years to secure the place as a rivel to Fox studios in sydney, and cheaper then hollywood!

[Muse]

Ghostrider!?! :|

Quote: "There is speculation US actor Nicholas Cage will play the lead, a motorcycle stuntman who wreaks vengeance on villains to ensure the safety of his true love."

More importantly, it will bring the $$$s in.

....

[A-brain]

Sweet news - though $40m is a pittance these days for a Hollywood movie - (even more so if its A$) .. but its a good shift up in gear for the studio to get something of quality under it's belt.

Bring on Waterfront City as well - should be a good buzz down there in the next few years..

[Drunkill]

This will not be a hollywood film, it will be a Melbourne film =D
But still, a movie is better then no movie, wait for this to come out, and that new series, then more things shall happen.

[Billy the Kid]

Wonderfull news for the people that work in the film and TV industry in Melbourne lets hope this is astart of even bigger things.
Do I hear dopey Dolye bitching in the background still??

[tayser]

~10 seconds of footage from Coxy's Big Break (GET ME A GUN! :D) - 13 meg (uncompressed 7 Digital stream) - not for the faint hearted

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/dump/coxyswaterfrontcity.mpg

if you're on dialup: get broadband :)

[tayser]

Hassell's site:

http://www.hassell.com.au/siteImageStore/WFC_02.jpg

http://www.hassell.com.au/siteImageStore/WFC_01.jpg

:eek:

the buildings are bulkier & higher than I thought!

[perthwa]

wow great renders, expect that crappy arse ferris wheel

[kasperluke]

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/lukekasper/waterfront.jpg

So about the digital zoom!

[Muse]

^^ Cool. Preliminary works are in full swing :okay:

[idle21]

WOW. I just watched the video from Coxy's Big Break that tayser posted, Waterfront City will be much nicer than everyone thinks (or at least me). While it does seem to have a tacky world fair sort of feel (hope that makes sense to someone) it does however add a lot of density to the area, something docklands is severly lacking. The leadup from the waterfront to the ferris wheel is really nice. There are two or three 'laneways' that look like they have some real character, it seems like a modern Bourke Street Mall, just discount shops I suppose. Anyway can't wait for real construction on this to begin.

Does anyone know if the ferris wheel is planned to be ready for the commonwealth games? Maybe some of this precint will even be ready for the Volvo Ocean Race next year, but thats probably pushing it.

[idle21]

Tayser, is there any interesting information revealed on Coxy's Big Break, or just more PR friendly stuff.

There are so many retail areas in the city now Bourke Street Mall, QV, redevloped MC, Crown, Southgate shopping centre, the list seems to be growing very rapidly, is supply exceeding demand?

[Fountainhead]

The first stage between the waterfront and docklands drive will be ready for the volvo yacht race and comm games

[Blabbyboy]

i can't stand the ferris wheel but i suspect it will go up quite quickly once they decide to do it, becos it doesn't take long to put it together and "pull it up" like the london eyeball.

[greynurse]

The "Ferris wheel" should become a sort of beacon for the Docklands area so I suppose its not all that bad.

[idle21]

anyone else noticed the massive concrete slab that has been erected on site?

I'm not sure what its going to become, anyone know?

sorry i don't have any photos i was driving across bolte at the time

[perthwa]

Waterfront City looks at mothballing apartment plan

Nelson Yap
December 15, 2004

Developers of the $1 billion Waterfront City project at Melbourne’s Docklands are set to mothball plans to build several hundred apartments on the partial waterfront site.

The consortium comprising of Lewis Land and ING developments proposed both homes and apartments for Waterfront City, but the Docklands over stressed residential property market has forced the group to rethink their short term strategy.

Waterfront City is a mixture of bulk retail, residential and commercial developments as well as the Southern Star ferris wheel set to rival the London Eye. The wheel is still seeking sponsorship after eight months of marketing.

The response to Waterfront City’s eclectic mix of warehouse apartments and home-offices has been met with an extremely luke warm response from investors and owner occupiers.

Embarrassingly for both companies a recent media release described the development as: “Melbourne's New Urban Quaker Prepares to Come Alive”. Many property media thought on reading the release the group were setting up a religious “quarter” on the site.

The imminent scraping of plans for residential at Waterferont City follows the recent axing of Lend Lease’s Park Terraces at the Victoria Harbour Melbourne Docklands precinct.

It is believed the few buyers who paid deposits for Park Terraces have been given exceptional deals at Lend Lease’s Dock 5 residential tower adjacent to the highly praised National Bank’s Docklands headquarters.

The failure by both developers to gain momentum in residential sales is a reflection of the Docklands residential property market awash with resales, talk of mortgagee auctions and a flood of investor stock seeking renters.

Few would doubt Docklands enormous potential and the excellent management of the massive development site by Vicurban under difficult circumstances applied by both the Kennett and Bracks governments, however, real estate analysts told propertyreview.com.au yesterday that not enough staging of residential developments took place in the initial design phase of the massive development that is larger than Melbourne’s existing CBD.

“In just three years we have seen around 3000 apartments developed at Docklands in a place no one even thought about living in less than a decade ago. Add to that mix thousands of other apartments built around Melbourne’s inner city during the same period and you have a massive oversupply of mostly investor stock,” one analyst told propertyreview.com.au.

“Next year we have another 3500 apartments due for settlement. I don’t have to draw a picture do I?” she added.

Another agent told propertyreview.com.au yesterday that vendors at Docklands were increasingly “motivated” to sell.

“It hasn’t reached the point of selling at any price, but you only have to look at domain.com.au or realestate.com.au to realise the pressure on many investors today. In the short term at Docklands it is not going to get any better.”

Waterfront City is proposed to be open late next year.

http://www.propertyreview.com.au/archives/2004/15122004/headline/image/waterfrontcity.jpg
Docklands wheel of misfortune?

http://www.propertyreview.com.au/archives/2004/15122004/headline/15122004001.html

[The Collector]

Fountainhead you're our inside man on this project.
How true is the report above?

[Aussie Steve]

I can tell you for a fact that Lease’s Park Terraces @ Victoria Harbour has been put on hold.

[Grollo]

Sounds pretty reasonable to me, the major error that the docklands authority has made is releasing all of the prtecincts to the amkert at the same time. Although the standard of development has been excellent, the devlopment that has occured so far is all over the place and there are huge vacant lots in between.

The waterfront City site is in the worst location and ais the least impartant site and should be developed last.

I was very surprised that they didn't put the whole development on hold until about a year ago. If they put it hold for five years we would end up with a much better, higher denisty development.

The problem with docklands at the moment is not the location or the number of apartments but all the doom and gloom artciles in the press.

[Fountainhead]

Could be a good thing, in that a delay will give some maturity to the precinct. The fundamentals are really good - the basic masterplan is good, irrespective of the wheel, but it needs the residential to make it a vital environment.

[Lightning~Bolt]

anyone else noticed the massive concrete slab that has been erected on site?

I'm not sure what its going to become, anyone know?

sorry i don't have any photos i was driving across bolte at the time


could be the base for the wheel!! I hope so...

I'm no construction kingpin, but the wheel would obviously need a base, but it would not be a preset conctrete slab would it? most likely the wheels base would be poured concrete?

[plotstyle]

could be the base for the wheel!! I hope so...

I'm no construction kingpin, but the wheel would obviously need a base, but it would not be a preset conctrete slab would it? most likely the wheels base would be poured concrete?

hmmmmm
:hilarious

[Fountainhead]

Well, I have the wheel construction sequence drawings somewhere at work.....

The wheel has 6 gigantic steel pylon supports, which will touch the ground on shaped concrete "feet" which are only say 5M square and effectively act as pile caps for very deep concrete piles. However, the wheel is not u/c yet, and is in the second stage of WFC, which is not on site yet. It won't take that long to construct actually....once the pylons are up it will be assembled pretty quickly

I hav'nt been to site in a while but I imagine the big conc slab is the base for the public plaza on the harbourfront. The whole site will actually built up 1M off the ground on piles, beams and slabs, as the land is basicly a swamp - so there will be a lot of big slabs before the buildings go on top.

[Fountainhead]

Sounds pretty reasonable to me, the major error that the docklands authority has made is releasing all of the prtecincts to the amkert at the same time. Although the standard of development has been excellent, the devlopment that has occured so far is all over the place and there are huge vacant lots in between.

The waterfront City site is in the worst location and ais the least impartant site and should be developed last.

I was very surprised that they didn't put the whole development on hold until about a year ago. If they put it hold for five years we would end up with a much better, higher denisty development.

The problem with docklands at the moment is not the location or the number of apartments but all the doom and gloom artciles in the press.

True, the precincts should have been developed gradually. However, that did'nt happen so it's a moot point.

The thing about Waterfront City is that it is mostly retail, not residential. It will be built, and pretty quickly too. The retail component over two levels covers a massive amount of land. The problem that the project has though, is that a certain percentage of residential has to built at the same time as the retail, as construction access to the site will be limited once the shopping centre part is finished. There is no construction access into the middle of the site once the retail is finished as there will be pedestrian only streets / laneways. So, the probelm this project has is that the developers have to build some resi now - that has been what has stuffed them up in the market.

WFC is not like Vic Harbour or New Quay etc - it is very much like QV, a single project with multiple components, it's effectivey an outdoor shopping centre with some resi over rather than individual buildings. THe real problem is that if the residential is canned, which I have not heard it has been - then it may end up just as a two storey shopping precinct and nothing more, which will be the real tragedy in the long term.

I totally agree - that article plays up heavily to the press gloom about the apartment market but as usual it is totally inaccurate. There are NO plans currently to build several hundered apartments. The actual number of residential proposed in the first stages (including the wheel precinct) is about 100-120, and about 60% of those are apartments, the rest are single townhouse style residences

Yes, it is in the worst location, but it also has a completely different aim than the other precincts - tourism

[dynamoultraclean]

Next project: to clean up the ship yards of western Melbourne.

[silvermb]

here you are Fountainhead, looks like oversized warehouses early days. how long before the first phase is complete

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/woc200412.jpg

[Lightning~Bolt]

Fountainhead did you manage to find the construction phase of the wheel at work? is it possible to scan them in?

silvermb how did you get so close to the construction site? Did you have to ask permission to get in?

Also from those pics, it doesnt look that "swampy" land to me...

[Aussie Steve]

All construction is happening near the waterfront. There is no work happening inland.

[Blabbyboy]

while you're talking about releasing developments to the market over time, i'm lamenting the hodge podge of good/mediocre/crap architecture we're now stuck with!

[Grollo]

Everything you ever wanted to know about Waterfront City phase 1 is here:

http://www.signatureworkplaces.com.au/

Retail and office units 2-3 levels high, no residential.

[Blabbyboy]

What happened to that movie Ghostrider they were going to make in Melbourne with Nicholas Cage - has it fallen through? Somebody scan the net for goss!!!

[tayser]

look in For everything else in your world.

[silvermb]

ahhh i love this pic

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/woc200501.jpg

[sakor1]

WTF is with the bicycle?

Stu

[Drunkill]

Ghost rider, the movie will start filming at central city studios tomorrow, heard it on the radio, Ncik Cage came to melbroune on friday, was very low key, and headed straight to toorak, to the house he will live in for most of the next 6 months of filming, better be a good movie with lots of explosions and stuff :P

[Muse]

....better be a good movie with lots of explosions and stuff :P
:nuts: :crazy: :clown: :crazy2: :rock:

[sam_L]

Haha i had a good laugh at that bike. Maybe it's art?

[Blabbyboy]

Ghost rider, the movie will start filming at central city studios tomorrow, heard it on the radio, Ncik Cage came to melbroune on friday, was very low key, and headed straight to toorak, to the house he will live in for most of the next 6 months of filming, better be a good movie with lots of explosions and stuff :P
I am so relieved that this is going ahead!

[OzAsian]

Some good news .http://www.theage.com.au/news/Film/Foreign-film-upturn-a-tale-of-two-cities/2005/03/05/1109958155904.html

Foreign film upturn a tale of two cities

By Karl Quinn
March 6, 2005


Lifestyle, laneways, aggressive marketing and Sydney have helped put Melbourne back on the Hollywood map.

At the tail end of 2003, David Pratt, the Los Angeles-based representative of Ausfilm, a government-funded body charged with attracting Hollywood film productions to Australia, told The Age, "In the six years I have been doing this job, I haven't seen it this tough."

Mr Pratt was right on the money: 2004 turned out to be something of an annus horribilis for the local industry, and Victoria was particularly hard-hit. In 2003 the Victorian film, television and commercials sector was worth $150 million. In 2004, it dropped to just $115 million. The biggest decrease was in foreign film production - down from $22 million in 2003 to less than $1 million a year later.

Now, though, things couldn't be more different. With two Hollywood productions - Columbia's Ghost Rider and Paramount's Charlotte's Web - spending a combined $80 million here, the state's production slate is already well up on last year. According to Film Victoria, the value of productions up to mid-February was already around $164 million.

Advertisement
AdvertisementMany of the challenges identified by Mr Pratt in December 2003 remain: Americans still harbour a fear of flying after September 11; the Australian dollar is even stronger (it was about US70 cents then, and 79 cents now); and Australia is still a long, long way from Beverly Hills. So what exactly has changed?

According to Ghost Rider executive producer Bennett Walsh, much of Victoria's renaissance as a film location can be put down to none other than Sydney. "Mission: Impossible 2 really made people back home take notice of Australia," says Mr Walsh of the Tom Cruise vehicle shot in Sydney and outback Australia in 1999. "The Matrix sequels (both shot at Sydney's Fox Studios) raised awareness too," he says. "And when people saw George Lucas was in Sydney to shoot the Star Wars films, well, suddenly they really paid attention."

Ghost Rider is Mr Walsh's second production in Australia; last year he made the military adventure Stealth in Sydney. When director Mark Steven Johnson looked at Melbourne, Mr Walsh says, "he fell in love with it, especially the laneways and the architecture and the river with the network of bridges". (Before you go getting a warm, fuzzy feeling, he adds that Ghost Rider is set in a "nondescript city in Texas".)

Mr Walsh was speaking to The Sunday Age at the end of the first week of shooting in and around the motorcycle precinct in Elizabeth Street.

"It was difficult," he says of the night shoot that involved 200 people and 45 trucks loaded with gear, "but not insurmountable".

In a few weeks, the bar will be raised just a little higher when the second unit starts work - that's another 150 people and 30 trucks of gear. It dwarfs anything Melbourne has seen before in terms of movie productions, and it demands a high degree of flexibility on the part of the council, the Melbourne Film Office and other interested parties.

But if it all comes off, the rewards are potentially enormous. "I wouldn't say Melbourne is being held hostage," says Mr Walsh. "But what I see here with Ghost Rider and Charlotte's Web is the challenge to open this city up as a competitor to Sydney and the Gold Coast (Movie World)."

Charlotte's Web producer Jordan Kernan is similarly bullish about Melbourne's prospects of attracting more Hollywood productions. "I think there will be an upturn in production here," he says, "because our experience, other than the weather, has been fantastic.

"Seldom in any environment do you get all that's promised you, but that's exactly what we've had here. Other than the weather," he says again.

Mr Kernan says the production was wooed "extremely aggressively" by Film Victoria. He means it as a compliment. "They were very helpful, helped us find locations, find crew," he says.

Film Victoria CEO Sandra Sdraulig uses the word "aggressive" too when describing how the organisation has sought to attract foreign production. "We analyse the scripts for them, suggest locations, take them out to visit locations," she says.

To help grease the wheels of industry, Film Victoria has at its disposal a $2.4 million a year "production attraction fund", a largely discretionary pool of money that can be used to help offset the costs of setting up a production office in the state.

In addition, foreign productions can access a federal tax rebate of 12.5 per cent on all expenditure in the country - including some or all of the cost of hiring, say, a Nicolas Cage. Ms Sdraulig says the precise formula is complex, varies from film to film and is usually commercial-in-confidence.

But economic incentives are just part of the picture.

High on the list of factors that attracted Bennett Walsh to Melbourne, in spite of what he describes as a "lack of depth" in terms of crews (about one-third of his crew has come from interstate), was lifestyle considerations. Internationally, Australia is competing with Mexico, Eastern Europe, South Africa and Canada for the Hollywood dollar. Canada has long been the preferred option for offshore shoots. "But the quality of life in Australia is just that much better," says Mr Walsh.

He says that, to the best of his knowledge, Nicolas Cage has no intention of flying back to Los Angeles during the Ghost Rider shoot. And he says co-star Peter Fonda plans to spend his entire time in Australia, despite a seven-week break in filming.

The big loser in this new-found enthusiasm for Melbourne is the Gold Coast. Queensland's share of the national film production slate plummeted last year to just $53 million, its lowest return since the Movie World studios were constructed in 1991.

"The Gold Coast is at the bottom now," says Mr Walsh of the three major film production centres in Australia. "You go there to build, meaning sets. It's fine for a studio-based feature like a Peter Pan, but it's no good if you need urban scenes, because there's just no city there."

That doesn't just hold it back during working hours, either. "Melbourne is a really cultured, interesting city, comparable to Boston or San Francisco," says Mr Kernan. "I stayed up on the Gold Coast a few years ago when we were making the George of the Jungle sequel.

"I was in Surfers Paradise, staying in the Palazzo Versace, and it's a really nice hotel, but after a month or so you just find there's nothing to do at night. If I was to live anywhere in Australia," he adds, "it would be here."

[Dean]

"The Gold Coast is at the bottom now," says Mr Walsh of the three major film production centres in Australia. "You go there to build, meaning sets. It's fine for a studio-based feature like a Peter Pan, but it's no good if you need urban scenes, because there's just no city there."

That doesn't just hold it back during working hours, either. "Melbourne is a really cultured, interesting city, comparable to Boston or San Francisco," says Mr Kernan. "I stayed up on the Gold Coast a few years ago when we were making the George of the Jungle sequel.

"I was in Surfers Paradise, staying in the Palazzo Versace, and it's a really nice hotel, but after a month or so you just find there's nothing to do at night. If I was to live anywhere in Australia," he adds, "it would be here."

I loved the last 4 paragraphs LOL... If the Qlder's see this they'll choke on their 'Bundy and Coke's' :runaway:

[tayser]

:lol:

I read that last night and after thinking bout it, decided not to post it for that reason.

:runaway:

[Favco750]

I loved the last 4 paragraphs LOL... If the Qlder's see this they'll choke on their 'Bundy and Coke's' :runaway:

How can one choke on the nectar of the gods???? :cheers:

[Dean]

^^ LOL

[Grollo]

:lol:

I read that last night and after thinking bout it, decided not to post it for that reason.

:runaway:

hehe same here it would have been thread closed after an hour or so :-)

[lenicrombie]

he musnt have liked the big brother house or wet and wild

[stand by me]

Looks like the investment on the CC Studios is starting to pay off.

[Drunkill]

Scooper 'Paris' sent us the official letter from Vengeance Productions about the 3-month Ghost Rider shoot in Melbourne. The sheet says that filming will continue until June:

My Name is Paris and I live in Melbourne where they are filming Ghost Rider. I work as a security guard on the Collins St and i was finishing my shift when I was heading toward Collins St, then I saw four white trucks three of the trucks had CityStar Catering and the Last one had VENGEANCE PRODUCTION on the side of it who are the company who are producing the film and they were backing up some equipment (No sign of Nicholas Cage) I also have a letter of the Fliming Proposal of Ghost Rider that i got from my boss at work it outlines were they are going to be shooting the next locations.

Some highlights from the letter are the locations of shooting:

The production is a large scale motion picture and is the first of its size to be shot in Melbourne using the new Docklands studios.

Vengeance Productions intends to film scenes for the movie at the following locations in the CBD, over the next 3 months:

-Little Collins Street (between Exhibition & Swanston Sts.)
-Flinders Lane (Swanston & Queen Sts)
-Godfrey Street
-Francis Street

The letter also says that shooting is taking place mostly at night and "a motorcycle will need to be operated at speeds of up to 80km h." Cool indeed.


Picture galllery here http://images.phoenixonline.co.uk/thumbnails.php?album=11

[salamagd]

I think I also managed to snap a picture of these mysterious trucks in Rusell St on Friday, as well as seeing them there today as well. They've been around a lot!

http://img208.exs.cx/img208/6056/Eureka19Mar001.jpg

[Drunkill]

seems that would be them. My woodwork teachers frined said he got to blow up a porche... yes blow one up, and flip another car, hes helping out with some of the stunts. We have our own movie here guys, common be exxited, even if it is a comic book movie lol.

Also, one of the scenes they have an MBF firetruck there, but on the side that the camera faces, its Texas fire dep. so yeah, they stuck a new logo on the door.

[BigVman]

They've been doing a lot of filming over the past 2-3 weeks near my work at Melb Central. In Lt Lonsdale b/w Queen and Elizabeth htey've taken over a car park and built some streetscape sets. There was a big explosion scene the night I worked a night shift 2 weeks ago. A friend said he saw Nic Cage riding a bike and stack it (not meant to I don't think) but he was OK.

[DrDan]

does anyone know what's happening with the ferris wheel at waterfront city? Do you think it will be up in time for comm games?

[Kylie]

They were also filing in Treasury Gardens the other week...they changed all of the light posts to look like old fashioned gas lamps (since changed back) and has some amazing gargoyle like scupltures along side the paths...all looked very spooky...

[tayser]

Eh, what's this Irresistible movie?

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12687169%5E2862,00.html

Stars in black-and-white sky
Sam Edmund
29mar05

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,430307,00.jpg
Black and white converts: Hollywood couple Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon become instant Collingwood fans at the MCG.
Picture: Wayne Ludbey

JUST when you think the black-and-white army can't get any bigger, Eddie McGuire rolls out the big guns.

Hollywood couple Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins are officially Collingwood's newest supporters.

The pair, with sons Miles and Jack, watched the Magpies do battle with the Western Bulldogs at the MCG yesterday.

The famous family wasted no time fitting in, proudly donning Collingwood jumpers and scarves before joining McGuire and club officials for the president's lunch.

Sarandon, in Melbourne working on the film Irresistible, said she loved our game.

"The grace of this game is fantastic compared to our football, where they are all bumbled up with pads," she said.

Robbins, a renowned sports lover, was just as keen on the local product. "This sport is wonderful," he said.

"It reminds me of hurling, the Irish sport where if you gave everyone sticks, would be quite similar.

"We're having a great time. Thanks for having us."

Miles and Jack were each presented with signed Collingwood guernseys.

_________________

got Sam Neil & Georgie Parker in it.... release 2006.... hrm, BTW, I can't WAIT for The Extra.

[Grollo]

Action! City film business booms

Date: March 2 2005

By Paul Kalina

American actor and political firebrand Susan Sarandon arrives in Melbourne this month to take up the lead role in the psychological thriller Irresistible, one of several features poised to end last year's drought in local film production.

The Oscar-winning actor will play a mother driven to the edge by paranoia over her husband's co-worker. Sam Neill will play her husband and upcoming British actor Emily Blunt the co-worker. It is the first film Sarandon has made in Australia, although she has worked with Australian directors George Miller (in Lorenzo's Oil and Witches of Eastwick) and Gillian Armstrong (Little Women).

Irresistible is written and directed by Ann Turner, whose previous films include 1994's Dallas Doll, which starred American comedian Sandra Bernhard, and Hammers Over The Anvil. Sarandon's role was written for an American.

The film is co-produced by David Parker, who with Nadia Tass was responsible for Malcolm, The Big Steal and Amy. It will be shot around Melbourne this month and next. The film is backed by the Australian Film Finance Corporation, Film Victoria and British outfit Baker Street Media Finance.

Irresistible, together with five local and US features in production and pre-production in Melbourne, signals a reversal of fortune for the local feature film industry, which virtually ground to a halt last year just as the controversial Dockland Film Studio was gearing up for business.

The Extra, Hating Alison Ashley and Tom White were among the few features shot in Victoria last year.

Now shooting in and around Melbourne are Ghost Rider, starring Nicolas Cage, Charlotte's Web (both US productions), The Book Of Revelation and the self-financed Lost And Found. M, by Romper Stomper director Geoffrey Wright, is expected to start shooting in May.

The Dockland Studio is booked for the next 18 to 24 months with Ghost Rider as well as several television projects.

Film Victoria chief Sandra Sdraulig said the boom was the result of aggressive marketing of Melbourne as a film destination, as well as extensive developmental work of projects assessed for the quality of their scripts and strength of their creative teams.

"We are starting to see the materialisation of hard developmental work that has taken place over the past 12 months," she said.

Crews and facilities are stretched to the limit, with some productions relying on interstate crews to meet demand.

Paparazzi, already following Nicolas Cage, are promised a field day with Sarandon and Charlotte Web's child-star Dakota Fanning, though their itineraries are closely guarded.

In a separate move, Village Roadshow chairman Robert Kirby said last week that the cinema exhibition and distribution business would make "a significant investment" in the production of local films over the next few years. He said the local film industry offered a genuine business opportunity.

http://www.theage.com.au/text/articles/2005/03/01/1109546867598.html

[Aussie Steve]

$60m wheel of misfortune (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12696717%255E2862,00.html)
Herald Sun (www.heraldsun.com.au)
Jeremy Kelly
30 March 2005

THE cost of a giant ferris wheel planned for Docklands has blown out by $20 million and will not be ready for the Commonwealth Games.

The 120m structure is set to cost $60 million and will not be finished until at least late 2007.

Another woe is the failure to attract a naming rights sponsor for the Southern Star Observation Wheel.

The wheel, which will have 21 pods each holding up to 22 people, will be at the northern end of the Waterfront City development at the Docklands.

Each ride will last about 25 minutes. Tickets will cost up to $25.

The developers of the 19ha project, which will include restaurants, shops and housing, had said the wheel would be a viewing platform for some of the Commonwealth Games sports to be held at Docklands next year.

But Mark Broomfield, managing director for Waterfront City developer ING Real Estate, said yesterday it would not be ready until at least November 2007.

He attributed the $20 million blowout to a more complicated design and the rising cost of steel.

He denied there were doubts that the wheel would be built.

"We are very committed to it," Mr Broomfield said.

"We see it as a very important part of creating the entertainment precinct."

He said he was involved in negotiations with several national and international companies over a sponsorship deal, but he declined to name them.

Opposition major projects spokeswoman Louise Asher said the wheel would be an eyesore and inappropriate for Melbourne.

"Melbourne is a city of style and class and I don't think this is the best thing for it," she said.

A spokesman for Major Projects Minister John Lenders said the Government would not help finance the ferris wheel.

In a parliamentary report submitted after a European trip in 2002, then planning minister Mary Delahunty described London's giant wheel The Eye as "spectacular on a sunny, balmy evening" but it was "not for Melbourne".

She said a city needed spectacular tourist attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben for the wheel to work.

[Grollo]

I really couldn't care less if the wheel gets built or not. It is far enough out of the way that it wouldn't have any significant effect upon the city, but that also means the views won't be that great because it is mostly surrounded by industrial and port related uses.

I think a couple of high tech roller coaster type rides would be a much better option for the site, not a theme park because they are lame and wouldn't suit inner Melbourne but a couple of way cool rides would be good.

[Aussie Steve]

Big wheel keeps turning (http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Big-wheel-keeps-turning/2005/03/30/1111862433511.html)
The Age (www.theage.com.au)
30 March 2005 - 11:40AM

Developers of a giant observation wheel, similar to the London Eye, say they are sticking to their plan to build the structure in Melbourne despite cost blowouts and construction delays.

The 120m high wheel is planned for Melbourne's Docklands precinct.

The cost of the project had blown out by $20 million to $60 million, The Herald Sun said today.

ING Real Estate managing director Mark Broomfield, who is in charge of the Waterfront City development, said today the wheel would go ahead even though it would not be ready for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March next year.

"It's true to say there has been an increase in price but there's also been an increase in the design and size of what we were originally contemplating.

"We've been doing a lot of design development and coming up with a better product," he told ABC Radio.

"I think it's also fair to say that we are in the real world and this thing is made of steel, and steel prices... have increased dramatically over the last two or three years.

"We're fine-tuning some of the structure in the building underneath the wheel... and we're planning to be letting the contract in July this year," he said.

Mr Broomfield expected the wheel would be finished in 2007.

"It's around a two-year build, it is quite a complicated and delicate structure. It will require probably two or three months of safety checking once it's erected."

[Kylie]

Don't get me wrong, I actually like the idea of the wheel (and LOVE the London Eye), but does anyone actually think this wheel will be a financial success?? Melbourne just does not have the tourist numbers to support it, and it's going to be shoved down the arse end of Docklands...what's the bet (if it ever gets built that is), that it will be closed within 2 years...or operating only on weekends during the warmer months and slowly rusting away until it gets shutdown anyway. It's hard to imagine anyone queueing to take ride on a cold and wet Monday in winter. I just can't believe anyone would put money into this madness. It works in London coz they get over 20 million tourists a year, it's in a brilliant position, and there are virtually no other highrise viewing platforms anywhere in the city. Melbourne's wheel fails on all 3 counts I'm afraid.

[OzAsian]

Good to see the massive Indian film industry discovering Melbourne as well as the US.
The Bracks governments investment in CC Studios is starting to pay off.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Film/Melbourne-weaves-a-web-of-film/2005/04/12/1113251626125.html


Melbourne weaves a web of film

By Nassim Khadem
April 13, 2005

Before the Gold Coast's Warner Brothers and Sydney's Fox Studios, Melbourne was considered the film capital of Australia.

Now with the Docklands film studio, and aggressive campaigning by the State Government and Film Victoria, Melbourne looks to be on its way to claiming back the title.

In the past year, movie and feature film productions in Victoria have contributed $94 million to the economy, according to Film Victoria. In the past four months alone, nine films have been produced in Melbourne, including two of the biggest-budget movies made here - Ghost Rider, starring Nicolas Cage, and Charlotte's Web.

Others being filmed around town include Irresistible, starring Susan Sarandon, the local Ana Kokkinos' film The Book of Revelation, and Salaam Namaste, an Indian feature film.

So much is being filmed that producers are having to import skilled crews from interstate.

The Book of Revelation producer Al Clark (of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert fame) says Melbourne is congested with filmmakers. "The downside of shooting in Melbourne at the moment is that you can't drive a city block without coming across some other film crew," he said.
Irresistible producer David Parker (who produced Malcolm) says that although the skill base is more limited than in Sydney and Queensland, Melbourne is easier to film in. "It's more film-friendly, it's easier to get around, and even though we don't have the beauty of the harbour we have great locations in Melbourne," Parker said. The filming of Irresistible created 60 jobs, contributing about $6 million to Victoria's economy, he said.

AusFilm chief executive Trisha Rothkrans says Melbourne has been buzzing with local film productions because of the new studios, a successful marketing strategy by Film Victoria and film-friendly policies of the State Government.

State Treasurer John Brumby said the surge in local production was directly related to the new studios. "If you look at the aggregate of Ghost Rider and Last Man Standing, it's well in excess of $50 million. Last Man Standing (shot in Melbourne this year) has employed about 1000 people during the course of its production. So the studios have been extraordinarily important in attracting the best local production and the big blockbuster overseas productions," he said.

Film Victoria chief executive Sandra Sdraulig says her organisation worked on an intensive campaign to fight for business against other cities. "There are a number of discussions that we are having, and without a doubt we will see more movies made in Melbourne," she said.

But producer Tom Burstall (Devil in the Flesh and Great Expectations, The Untold Story) fears the success may be short-lived. "At the moment you could say that things are really ticking along, and that's fantastic, but I think in six months' time . . . it may be that Ghost Rider is finishing up, and the only things shooting are Blue Heelers and Neighbours," he said.

Burstall says offshore filmmaking is fickle: a Hollywood blockbuster may inject a huge sum of money but does not provide ongoing employment.

But Mr Brumby says people will continue to flock to Victoria to make movies because of the urban landscapes, lifestyle, climate and closeness to regional settings. "We made a deliberate decision four years ago to re-establish Victoria as the film capital in Australia," he said. "We had that mantle in the '70s and '80s but we lost it."

Movies being made in Melbourne

Irresistible
Filmed until the end of this month. Starring Susan Sarandon, Sam Neill, Emily Blunt.

Ghost Rider
Filmed at Docklands and locations around Melbourne until June. Starring Nicolas Cage, Wes Bentley and Sam Elliott.

The Book of Revelation
Filmed until late this month. Starring Tom Long, Greta Scacchi, Colin Friels.

Charlotte's Web
Filmed at Greendale and Williamstown until end of May. Starring Dakota Fanning.

M
In pre-production, expected to start in May. Starring Sam Worthington.

Salaam Namaste
Indian feature. Being filmed in locations around Melbourne and Fairhaven until end of this month. Starring Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta.

[Aussie Steve]

There has been plenty of filming in Stonnington suburbs including Prahran and Malvern.

[akam1]

I have to disagree Kylie - everone said the same about the Melbourne Aquarium - but that has been a success. I think the wheel will work well where it is going.

[Drunkill]

it will be the same as the Aquarium in times as well, weekends and holidays it will be busy (hopefully) and during the week it will have a few visitors but not that many.

[lenicrombie]

ING takes on Docklands development on its own
By Helen Westerman
April 14, 2005


International real estate group ING Real Estate will develop Dockland's $1 billion Waterfront City on its own after the Sydney-based Lewis Land Group of Companies this week withdrew from the joint venture.

Each said the change would not affect the development. Marketing of its low-rise residential apartments is scheduled to begin next month.

The 19-hectare Melbourne project sits in the north-west section of Docklands. It will include a marina, waterfront piazza and a 120-metre observation wheel as well as commercial and retail space.

Lewis Land will become a "major investor" in the project.

Chief executive John Cleland said: "We've just got a lot on at present and we've gradually been changing our focus to bring more and more investment property into our portfolio, so we're not reliant on the lumpiness of being developers and having to sell things," he said.

A big component of Waterfront City will be Harbour Town, a group of boutiques retailing heavily discounted designer fashion, a concept that ING Real Estate and Lewis Land have developed in Queensland, Perth and Adelaide. Lewis Land will manage Harbour Town's sales, marketing and leasing.

Advertisement
AdvertisementWaterfront City's first stage, a public piazza, is scheduled to open in November. The second stage, including the observation wheel and Harbour Town, is due to be finished in 2007.

Lewis Land's major projects include the Sovereign Island residential development on the Gold Coast.http://www.theage.com.au/news/Business/ING-takes-on-Docklands-development-on-its-own/2005/04/13/1113251682666.html

[Aussie Steve]

Oh dear. Not too good!

[Drunkill]

GHOSTS INHABIT CITY HUNTS

Hollywood action flick Ghost Rider will soon be shooting some big scenes in locations around Melbourne.
For a chance to see Nicolas Cage at work on the $51 million production, whispers are that the Newport railyard is the place to be next week.
Melbourne Showgrounds have been transformed into a carnival for filming tonight and tomorrow night, the AXA Plaza on Collins St will be the location for an action scene this month involving a wall of fire, and a spectacular motorbike jump is planned for Tesltra Dome.

Filming is also continuing at the Cragiburn bypass.

That was in the MX on April 4th, took me awhile to get it up here, i was going to do it earlyer, but forgot.

from herald sun
Extra call
FOR those who want to be part of a major Hollywood production, rather than just a spectator, Charlotte's Web is the film for you.

Producers need at least 1000 people for extras for a major country fair scene. A casting call will be held at Banyule Theatre Complex, Buckingham Drive, Heidelberg, from 10am on Saturday. The dress code is casual, applicants must be 15 or older and must be available for nine days. The country fair scenes will be filmed in Heidelberg, probably this month and the first week of May.

Film-set city
THE Ghost Rider cast will hit the streets in coming weeks to film some spectacular action scenes. The Newport railyards is tipped as a key location in the coming days, while Melbourne Showgrounds were the setting for carnival scenes that were shot last night and on Friday. AXA Plaza on Collins St will be the location for an action scene this month and Telstra Dome will be the setting for a major motorcycle stunt. If you see any other locations for Ghost Rider, or any other films in production around town, drop me a line on (03) 9292 2502
I also heard that they did some shooting under the Sandhurst rail bridge in the last 2 weeks, some night shoots.

Anyway, wall of fire at Axa plaza. sounds cool.

[AUboy]

Southbank looked absolutly amazing tonight!!!! Every building was flood lit while the filmed Ghost Rider. American cop cars filled the street opp the foot bridge, Swat cars and everything. They used the footbridge as a major scene for the film. I was even asked to be an extra. There was around 3 massive cranes holding a wire run camera that spanned accross the river. The buildings all had their lights on aswell. Massive!!!!

Also, while on Docklands, the space next to channel seven has been put up for sale!!

[sirbugalugs]

Lights, camera, action!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/sirbugalugs/w.jpg

[Lightning~Bolt]

Also, while on Docklands, the space next to channel seven has been put up for sale!!


thats great news! how big is the block? what do you think they will/can develop there? some commercial development? or residential? dont think it can be residential can it because of its position next to broadcasting?

any new businesses looking for new head qaurters, this is your chance to get hold of some prime real estate.

[Drunkill]

http://superherohype.com/nextraimages/graxaset4.jpg
Ghost Rider is still filming 2nd Unit at AXA Plaza on Collins Street in Melbourne CBD. I went down last night to observe and they were filming an exterior action sequence outside the AXA building which has been dressed as the 'Longhorn Insurance Company'. The ghost-rider motor cycle was parked at the base of the building and wheels set alight. The action double had the special helmet with yellow lights attached (I assume these are reference markers to allow compositing the fire effects in post-production)and was approaching the police who reacted and ducked in response. Earlier in the evening the swat team and police were filmed firing their weapons, which was quite loud. Security stated that most sequences involving gunfights have to be filmed after midnight.

Note: The film has reverted to the original acronym for SWAT which is
Special Weapons Attack Team. This has recently been changed to Special
Weapons And Tactics for a more PC climate.

http://superherohype.com/nextraimages/graxaset13.jpg
More pictues at http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=2924

I got a scoop for all you Ghost Rider fans. I received a letter from my boss today from Vengeance Productions stating that on May 2nd, Monday they are going to be filming scenes at night on Lt Collins St from Exhibition St to Swanston Walk.

Filming is expected to take place 8pm to 5am. There will be 12 action vehicles parked in various positions on Lt Collins involved in a small pyrotechnic effect of car window shattering and also involving a motorcycle traveling at speed (Ghost Rider's Hell Cycle).

[tayser]

this won't be released for another 12 months eh?

[Drunkill]

nope, not till august next year i think, so i'm guessing quite a few special effects shots.

or just a longer shooting =D
Anyway it seems there lots of explosions and stuff, so i'll be happy.

[tayser]

:lol:

'SPLOSIONS!!!

:)

August? ouch.

[Drunkill]

Ghost Rider Release Date Set
Source: ComingSoon.net
March 15, 2005


ComingSoon.net reports that Columbia Pictures has set a August 4, 2006 release date for Ghost Rider.

Yes indeed Tayser, 'Splosions! the best type of pyrotechnics ;)

[lenicrombie]

i hope its bigger than titanic



and it sells 3 billion dvds with the eureka tower on the cover

[salamagd]

I got a scoop for all you Ghost Rider fans. I received a letter from my boss today from Vengeance Productions stating that on May 2nd, Monday they are going to be filming scenes at night on Lt Collins St from Exhibition St to Swanston Walk.

Filming is expected to take place 8pm to 5am. There will be 12 action vehicles parked in various positions on Lt Collins involved in a small pyrotechnic effect of car window shattering and also involving a motorcycle traveling at speed (Ghost Rider's Hell Cycle).


This is directly outside my building, so I'll have to pop down and get some photographs tomorrow afternoon and night. They have already started this evening setting up some of their equipment and safety barriers.

[Grollo]

Nobody is taking much notice but Waterfront City is coming along nicely:

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/waterfront%20city.jpg

[dynamoultraclean]

Great pics in all threads Grollo. The fantasy that is the docklands is coming to life!

[MG2]

Good God! That came from nowhere! I can't wait for this bit to be finshed :) I remember looking at the huge expanse of dirt and water from the Rialto thinking there's no way it's going to work. Five years later I've lived there myself and understand just how unique this opportunity is for Melbourne.

MG2

[sirbugalugs]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/sirbugalugs/IMG_4232_12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/sirbugalugs/IMG_4252_12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/sirbugalugs/IMG_4238_12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/sirbugalugs/IMG_4235_12.jpg

[silvermb]

current Sydney-Hobart champ Scandia

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/woc 200505.jpg

and to compare, alot of detail still to be applied. will look far better when the next stages either side of what is currently u/c goes up.

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/woc ima.jpg

[tayser]

very King Street Wharfish-like.

well that above render is IMO.

[Drunkill]

Looks very good right now. but more greenery would be nice, no parks over this side of the city really =\ oh well.
On the appeal...
I have to give Mark a lot of credit, he cracked it. It was always like a little bit of a weird complex story, it's like the Devil and Daniel Webster, but done in a way that makes it even more complicated, and Mark just turned it into the ultimate Western. It's sort of High Noon meets Shane and the Good, the Bad and the Ugly kind of a thing. It has an atmosphere. Well they do things with this motorcycle, that you wouldn't have thought you can do that with a machine! Like going straight up a skyscraper, and then what we call the Jesus ride. I won't tell you what it is! (laughs)
Thats on ghost rider... What building will they drive up?! hopefully it is not a fake one (SFX only) hopefully its a building in the CBD!
Imagine them driving up Eureka =D i wish.

[AUboy]

Looks very good right now. but more greenery would be nice, no parks over this side of the city really =\ oh well.

Thats on ghost rider... What building will they drive up?! hopefully it is not a fake one (SFX only) hopefully its a building in the CBD!
Imagine them driving up Eureka =D i wish.

I'm pretty sure it was AXA HQ.

[mugley]

Waterfront City's other role: Luftballoon airport...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/wfcb01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/wfcb02.jpg

[tayser]

Neun und neunzig....

:banana2:

[Lightning~Bolt]

fantastic pics there silvermb!! keep up the good work mate!

[Lightning~Bolt]

the new giant wheel is meant to be started in july, what should we be looking for for its constructions e.g. what sort of construction materials will they use? a giant concrete slab or something?

[Grollo]

The "your companies name here - cheap!" wheel?

[Lightning~Bolt]

The "your companies name here - cheap!" wheel?

hahahahaha!! i like that ;-)

but seriously what would the have to doing for such a structure, the last media release said:

"We're fine-tuning some of the structure in the building underneath the wheel... and we're planning to be letting the contract in July this year," he said."

that was back 30th March this year.

[sirbugalugs]

http://web.aanet.com.au/sirbugalugs/docklandswaterfront2.jpg

[tayser]

mmm, very appealing if you ask me.

[Arunava]

Don't like the part about most of the residences having two car spaces - really shouldn't be necessary in an inner-city location. Otherwise, all good.

[Lightning~Bolt]

pretty cool article! does anyone really believe the first stage will be ready by november?

pretty cool having a large space like fed square, and big tv screens, be pretty happening down there saturday nights once its all finished!

[mugley]

Haven't had a photo update for a while...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/wfc07031.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/wfc07032.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/wfc07033.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/wfc07034.jpg

[melb2006]

Starting to take shape.This project will give the Docklands the boost it needs.

[jlb]

those poles look kinda like a copy of the leaning effect already done at the exhibition centre.

[A r c h i]

Starting to take shape.This project will give the Docklands the boost it needs.

Hit the nail on the head ther apart from lunch time and in the evenings and the holidays there arent to many folk down at Docklands. The reason? No shopping or entertainment at the moment. In other words no where for women to drag along their boyfriends and husbands, a favourite past time of alot of Melburnians.

[A r c h i]

those poles look kinda like a copy of the leaning effect already done at the exhibition centre.

It would be a reference to the wharehouses and sheds that were demolished.

[DrDan]

re: new ferris wheel, will it be up in time for the comm games? It shouldn't really take that long to put up, and it would be good for tourism and the city over this period.

(londoners might get angry though!)

[A r c h i]

I was never a big fan of ferris wheels and I'm not too keen on copying other cities either, which i find to be extremely tacky. Befor the ferris wheel goes up they should build a proper ice skating rink. Does anyone know if one will get built at WfC? I remember when they first announced the development a couple of years back, land was set aside for such a building and the Governmebnt agreed to contribute to it but I've heard nothing since. Btw how crap was the ferris wheel proposal for sandridge bridge. first it was on it, then at Southbank and then on Northbank. And yet it still made it to the final two despite the fact it wasn't on the bridge. Grollo and FK's coccoon should have won by default. We were robbed of a decent project.

[The Collector]

^^^AGREE!!! :bash:

[comingsoon]

Ferris wheel smerris wheel. Melbourne deserves better. Something original.

[wowsim]

Ferris Oblong?

[comingsoon]

Yes that'd be better. LOL.

[A r c h i]

You know what would be even better? Ferris Bueller! He he.

[Grollo]

They should dump the ferris wheel and put up a mad 120m high roller coaster instead :-)

[jlb]

Speaking of roller coasters... a tender was put out recently for a study to determine the feasibility of a theme park in Melbourne.

[Alexander21]

Wasn't Paramount supposed to have a theme park at Docklands?

[kichigai]

Paramount were going to build a theme park and studio on the waterfront city site but couldn't get the money together to go ahead with the project.

[wowsim]

Its a shame coz if they had done it properly it would have probably survived. Especially with the massive increase in foreign tourists. I think a major theme park can survive in Australia outside the GC. The problem with Wonderland was it didnt have a strong studio to base itself on, and it was way, way out in the boonies....Sega World and Fox's Backlot were just crud and were gagging to fail from the get go.

[A r c h i]

Aah memories of Wonderland...like that dodgey roller coaster built out of timber i thought i would die on. He he. Having said that my knees and shoulders took a bruising that day.

[tayser]

AFR
Shipping into Melbourne's Waterfront City
Mathew Dunckley
14 July 2005

Melbourne Docklands development Waterfront City is almost 75 per cent sold months from completion following a $5.5 million deal with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

Developers ING Real Estate Development, together with Colliers International released the 3200 square metre strata office space for sale earlier this year.

Under the latest deal MSC has purchased 1033 square metres in six suites, leaving eight of the offering on the market.

Waterfront City is made up of 28 separate commercial suites on the waterfront and on-site car parking.

ING Real Estate Development Australia managing director Mark Broomfield said commercial construction was 65 per cent complete, on budget and on target for completion by November.

"We are not surprised by the market's response to our decision to create work environments that can grow along with their businesses," he said.

"What people expect from their work environments is vastly changing and with only eight suites still available, commercial businesses have clearly been quick to realise this and act accordingly."

Mr Broomfield said energy and water demand would be reduced by 30 to 50 per cent and all tenancies would receive a green fit-out guide and access to iPort Smart technology.

A number of food and beverage hospitality tenancies as well as a public piazza, pier and marina were also earmarked for completion by November.

MSC is the second largest shipping line in the world. Managing director Kevin Clarke said the company would move into the "appropriately located" harbour-side residence later in November.

[auslankan]

[QUOTE=tayser]AFR
Shipping into Melbourne's Waterfront City
Mathew Dunckley
14 July 2005

Melbourne Docklands development Waterfront City is almost 75 per cent sold months from completion following a $5.5 million deal with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

Developers ING Real Estate Development, together with Colliers International released the 3200 square metre strata office space for sale earlier this year.

Great news for this project and Docklands in general.

[Favco750]

Its a shame coz if they had done it properly it would have probably survived. Especially with the massive increase in foreign tourists. I think a major theme park can survive in Australia outside the GC. The problem with Wonderland was it didnt have a strong studio to base itself on, and it was way, way out in the boonies....Sega World and Fox's Backlot were just crud and were gagging to fail from the get go.

Only way a theme park could survive here if it had a retractable roof. Go to Luna Park on a rainy day and it is like a ghost town. And no-one could argue that they have big mortage repayments on all the modern equipment and rides that they have updated.

I think something along the lines of ferris wheel/amusement park etc etc is a good idea, but the market research must be thorough. And being in Melb, which has such a parochial sports, especially AFL following, would a theme park work.

Sidebar, has anyone been to the AFL hall of Fame?? Is is any good or does it suck balls?

[wowsim]

hmm i dont think rain would be a deal breaker....plenty of theme parks have to deal with it, hell melb only averages about 5 more rain days a year than Sydney....so if it worked out the other issues i'm sure a theme park could work....
I'm not really sure what a strong support for AFL has to do with the viability of a theme park?

[Favco750]

What is the current number of theme parks in Sydney wowsim? Luna Park and ???????????? And if Luna Park wasn't on the harbour with awesome views and direct ferry access and the closest and therefore the cheapest ferry trip to and from the quay??????

And AFL is Melbourne. Full stop and no more. Look at the huge numbers of people that go to docklands each and every winter weekend, and then ask any of them what they noticed. They catch a train, walk across a bridge, watch some ping pong in tight shorts, then go back over the bridge onto the train.

There's nothing wrong with that, that's what they want to do so god bless their cotton socks. But the competition for leisure time/facilities in Melbourne has a very big power hungry and almighty powerful competitor in AFL. Just turn on any radio, tv or open a newspaper from the back, even in summer to see what a funpark would be up against. That is just how Melbourne is.

There is a good reason that the 4 biggest theme parks in the country are all within a 25km radius from each other. The climate is the over-riding reason plus the fact that people are there in leisure time, ie holidays. Try and argue with the kids that a trip to the goldy doesn't include a trip to wet&wild, sea world, Dream world and WB movie world and see how long it takes them to have you in the family court on charges of child neglect. Try and name another massivly successful theme park that is not located in a high density holiday area. I can only think of Australia Zoo and it is a stone's throw from the second most popular holiday destination on the East Coast.

I live in Melbourne and it is a good place to live, but I have also been a few different places and I have never experienced such a parochial town towards one facet of life than Melb and AFL. People reckon JayT is biased towards 'Vegas, well take a step back and look in the Melb mirror. It is just a very big town in love with a very big game which leaves very little time for very few different activities, especially at this time of year. And unfortunately, a new theme park that has to start from scratch would struggle through the winter months from a severe lack of public interest and a severe dose of bank interest.

My two cents worth.

[dynamoultraclean]

I'm not really sure what a strong support for AFL has to do with the viability of a theme park?

I, as a massive fan of footy, would prefer to spend $250 on a season membership and go to 17 AFL matches than to spend $80 on some shits and giggles on a roller coaster one wet and windy Saturday afternoon.

The Gold Coast is the place to spend a day, if not 2, if not 3, on QUALITY (Aussie standards) theme parks and to make a holiday out of it. And if I lived on the Gold Coast I would occasionally go to Wet and Wild (my personal fave) on warm to hot days.

[A r c h i]

Melbourne doesn't need theme parks. It wasn't theme parks that won us the title of the world's most liveable city was it? Theme Parks in Melbourne would just be a waste of land.

[Beacon]

I hope to god they don't build a theme park or a stupid ferris wheel. The biggest problem with Melbourne, and Australia in general, is our lack of original ideas. Just because London has a massive ferris wheel doesn't mean we need to copy them. Just because LA has disneyland doesn't mean we need to copy them either. It's so banal and provincial, and shows that Victorian planners are not mature or sophisticated enough to maximise the huge opportunity that is Docklands with any flair or originality. Can you imagine a European city with that much reclaimed inner-city land turning it into a theme park? No, they would use that space for something far more adult.

The Gold Coast can keep them. Theme parks belong in the outskirts, if anywhere at all!

Sorry, couldn't restrain myself.

[A r c h i]

Right On! Ferris Wheels have got to be one of the most pointless rides. The only experience you get is that of the second hand on a clock. Plus they're tacky. Like I said before Melbourne really needs a proper Ice Skating rink that also makes a strong statement architecturally. Afterall Docklands was supposed to showcase the very best in Australian architecture and I don't believe a ferris wheel does that. All it shows is our distinct knack for copying other cities ideas.

[wowsim]

What is the current number of theme parks in Sydney wowsim? Luna Park and ???????????? And if Luna Park wasn't on the harbour with awesome views and direct ferry access and the closest and therefore the cheapest ferry trip to and from the quay??????

And AFL is Melbourne. Full stop and no more. Look at the huge numbers of people that go to docklands each and every winter weekend, and then ask any of them what they noticed. They catch a train, walk across a bridge, watch some ping pong in tight shorts, then go back over the bridge onto the train.

There's nothing wrong with that, that's what they want to do so god bless their cotton socks. But the competition for leisure time/facilities in Melbourne has a very big power hungry and almighty powerful competitor in AFL. Just turn on any radio, tv or open a newspaper from the back, even in summer to see what a funpark would be up against. That is just how Melbourne is.

There is a good reason that the 4 biggest theme parks in the country are all within a 25km radius from each other. The climate is the over-riding reason plus the fact that people are there in leisure time, ie holidays. Try and argue with the kids that a trip to the goldy doesn't include a trip to wet&wild, sea world, Dream world and WB movie world and see how long it takes them to have you in the family court on charges of child neglect. Try and name another massivly successful theme park that is not located in a high density holiday area. I can only think of Australia Zoo and it is a stone's throw from the second most popular holiday destination on the East Coast.

I live in Melbourne and it is a good place to live, but I have also been a few different places and I have never experienced such a parochial town towards one facet of life than Melb and AFL. People reckon JayT is biased towards 'Vegas, well take a step back and look in the Melb mirror. It is just a very big town in love with a very big game which leaves very little time for very few different activities, especially at this time of year. And unfortunately, a new theme park that has to start from scratch would struggle through the winter months from a severe lack of public interest and a severe dose of bank interest.

My two cents worth.

Whoah ok.... i'm not tryin to start some slanging match or anything....I just think a theme park would be viable in Melb, The AFL is a religion here, but the city still manages to embrace museums, art galleries, zoos, aquariums etc etc. Plus obviously a theme park would be a big summer ( late spring and early Autumn)attraction.... I agree with you re:Sydney's theme parks. But if Wonderland had a decent studio (ie Paramount) to base itself on and was in a comparable location in Sydney, say darling harbour, i really thnink it would be going from strength to strength.... it was just way too far out and had a crap theme.....Theme parks can and do survive in less than sub-tropical climates around the world....i think they could work in Australia if they were done very carefully.....

I agree winter would be loss making, but im sure lots of theme parks (euro disney for one) budget for this in their year round operating costs....They would be competing for tourist dollars too, and although small compared to SEQ and Syd, melb's share of international tourists is the fastest growing, so there is a decent market there that cares nothing for AFl.... anyway...thats my 2cs

[comingsoon]

Another reason why the ferris wheel is a bad idea is that the docklands simply isn't a very good place for one IMO. The London Eye works because it affords great views of the embankment and Big Ben and so on. I'm not sure paying $25 for views of Telstra Dome and a bit of water will appeal as much.

[The Collector]

^^^ Or Coode Island, the industrial west and container terminals!! :laugh:

[A r c h i]

^Or housing commission flats to the west.

[tayser]

Why do we want a flipping theme park anyhow? that's what the Gold Coast is for.

[mic]

Keep that tacky shit in the capital of CHEAP - SEQ

[Lightning~Bolt]

its an observation wheel you tools! not only is it for children to have a "fun ride" its also for adults to, to take in some breathtaking views, so what if you have one side that industrial, why would you be looking that way? you have the view of port phillip, docklands, cbd southbank etc.

[Daffy]

Re Gold Coast and Theme Parks - our kids aged 11 and 9 went once to Gold Coast when they were a fair bit younger and enjoyed Movie world. We wanted to go to wet and wild but but was really wet and wild for 7 out of 14 days and too cool for the park. Unfortunately there was not much else to do on the Gold Coast for a young family in ordinary weather (we had to drive for ages to find a public playground with swings, slides and climbing things) so the kids have not really asked to go back.

Some of their friends have been fortunate enough to see Lego land in England and they really enjoyed it. The original was in Denmark and is sucessful so a sensible theme park could probably work in Melbourne. Maybe even a Legoland.

[A r c h i]

Yeah I like Lego. A ferris wheel is a ferris wheel and they won't by me with 'Observation Wheel'. But as with everything only time will tell if its a success or another Melbourne blunder.

[comingsoon]

its an observation wheel you tools! not only is it for children to have a "fun ride" its also for adults to, to take in some breathtaking views, so what if you have one side that industrial, why would you be looking that way? you have the view of port phillip, docklands, cbd southbank etc.Call it a rotund city appreciation device if you like, the fact remains it's an unoriginal idea.

We're only getting one, because London has one.

[Blabbyboy]

favco, how can you say that??? maybe our world class NGV (with its world class blockbusters and the best aussie art collection in the world), the arts scene, the smashing Melb Museum, Melb International Film Fest (and other festivals), our great restaurants, shopping, etc just doesn't grab a footy fanatic?

A theme park a would never work in melb - not enough tourists and the locals just wouldn't take to it. but indoor theme parks are pretty common - like in KL, Edmonton, etc...lots of places with weather that's too hot or too cold.

The wheel is the worst proposal to be approved! I don't need to say any more because everything that can be said has been said. And worse - so many other cities are building bigger ones that the London Eye - including Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai. And the London Eye is the biggest rip-off!

[Lightning~Bolt]

all I see is sooking and negative comments about the observational wheel, then what do you suggest the put in place of it, remembering it has to be of entertainment value? perhaps a giant glasshouse with plants and animals in it?

i personally dont think its a cop-out of the wheel in london, the "eye" is not the only observational wheel in the world, and it certainly is not the first, there are ones all across europe, one notibly in france and spain. the one in london is just simply the biggest, and hence why its so well know; if you have the "biggest of something" that sets a record, its always going to be well known, but know this, its not the only one in the world, so were not copying someone morally, were copying a concept- there is a difference.

[Meldon]

The wheel will fail...there's just not enough tourists in Melb. London is saturated with them, all looking for things to do to fill their days. SO many in fact that they reckon the olympics in London may actually cause a reduction in tourists for that year, as people stay away due to perceived price increases and lack of accommodation availability. I might be proved wrong, but who here would actually pay to go on the wheel...more than once?

[A r c h i]

all I see is sooking and negative comments about the observational wheel, then what do you suggest the put in place of it, remembering it has to be of entertainment value? perhaps a giant glasshouse with plants and animals in it?

I have suggested this a number of times; an ice skating rink.

[Lightning~Bolt]

The wheel will fail

just like the aquarium was suppossed too, now look a it.just like fed sqaure was a bad idea, and waste of tax payers dollars, now it is in the top most visited icons in the WORLD!

there's just not enough tourists in Melb

at the moment melbourne is setting all time records for international flights + tourism to the city, we re also getting a large volume of intersate tourists. there are also plenty of melbournians who would be delighted to go on the observational wheel ride. The whole point to an "attraction" is to attract more visitors, and hence this is what it will do, at least attract more to the area.

I have suggested this a number of times; an ice skating rink.

so an ice skating rink is original, and a giant observational wheel is not? wheres the fine line here people?

or is this ice skating rink of yours unique or something?

[Yoyogi]

I think the Wheel will act as a focal point for the area and hopefully it will become another great place to congregate on special occasions like New Years and watch the fireworks. I was in London this Christmas / New Year and the fireworks were centred around the London Eye and believe me it was spectacular. If I could look forward to something like that once a year, I would be satisfied having the wheel in Waterfront City. REMEMBER, so many people bagged Federation Square while it was being built and now they've all been converted.

[Grollo]

The theme park idea has come and gone, it wasn't going to work.

[comingsoon]

REMEMBER, so many people bagged Federation Square while it was being built and now they've all been converted.Not all of us have been converted.

[comingsoon]

all I see is sooking and negative comments about the observational wheel, then what do you suggest the put in place of itYou sure do argue funny. Why do we need anything there? Less is more sometimes.

[A r c h i]

so an ice skating rink is original, and a giant observational wheel is not? wheres the fine line here people?

or is this ice skating rink of yours unique or something?

The idea isn't unique but the design can be an architectural masterpiece and can be unique. The developers have stated that the 'Southern Star' is modelled on London's Eye. The big difference is Melbourne needs a proper ice skating rink, it doesn't need a ferris wheel. A ferris wheel is one of those things people who don't know what to spend their money on build. The big advantage of the rink is that ice hockey teams, and professional ice skaters preparing for the winter Olympics etc. can also use it. So it can have more than one use. The one down here in Oakleigh is old and is simply not enough.

[A r c h i]

REMEMBER, so many people bagged Federation Square while it was being built and now they've all been converted.

Federation Square is a building and has several things going on within it to cater for Melburnians love for art, cafes, restaurants, movies, horse racing, wine, or just sitting on your ass if you feel like it. The SS Wheel is just a wheel. All you can do is sit there and look out of the pods.

[Yoyogi]

Federation Square is a building and has several things going on within it to cater for Melburnians love for art, cafes, restaurants, movies, horse racing, wine, or just sitting on your ass if you feel like it. The SS Wheel is just a wheel. All you can do is sit there and look out of the pods.

Ok, I wasn't comparing The Wheel with Federation Square, I was just saying that people have a habit of bagging things before they've seen the final product.

[A r c h i]

^ No worries. Thanks for clearing that up. Fair point.

[idle21]

Having lived in suburban Washinton DC for seven years I think I should let you guys know how the american theme parks operate (besides ones in tourist hubs with great climate ie disneyland/world). Washington has a paramounts King's Dominion and Six Flags America. Each of them are only open during the summer months of the year, so i'd say probably four MAYBE five months a year MAX. THey do not operate year round. Obviously it snows in DC so that makes it hard, but I beleive that it is similar for most theme pars until you get down to the real deep south.

Anyhow I don't like the ferris wheel at the moment, but I'm willing to give it time. I used to be a huge fan of waterfront city, but I was expecting some interesting buildings, and perhaps a few things jutting out into the harbour. What have we got? A bloody american style shopping centre. It is a joke. It is going to be such a tacky spot to go, shopping in the CBD is a adventure with tonnes of little shops that you never knew exsisted, docklands is just mass produced multi national companies, I hope I am proved wrong htough because the area has serious potential.

[Favco750]

favco, how can you say that??? maybe our world class NGV (with its world class blockbusters and the best aussie art collection in the world), the arts scene, the smashing Melb Museum, Melb International Film Fest (and other festivals), our great restaurants, shopping, etc just doesn't grab a footy fanatic?



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