The Docklands Central Pier may be set to play host to a floating surf beach in a radical new proposal to bring 1.5 metre waves to the heart of Melbourne.
The Docklands Surf Park is the creation of engineering firm Arup and local architect Damian Rogers, and is seeking to construct a floating man-made salt-water beach alongside a giant wave pool.
The estimated $8 million project would feature a 160 metre long heated pool, deck, beach and grassy area to float off the end of Docklands Central Pier. The adjustable artificial waves would cater to the inexperienced surfers while also offering five-foot waves for the vets, across a 30-metre-wide breaker for 160 metres.
“Just to be able to hear the waves breaking and go for a surf – even if you’re not a surfer, to be able to sit there and watch it,” Rogers said.
“The wave can be died down for multiple different user groups.
“It would just be a great place to be. Yet another great place for people in Melbourne to go.”
The council has not yet thrown support behind what it believes to be an “interesting” proposal.
“The City of Melbourne has not committed any support for this project and has only been approached informally to be advised of this private sector initiative,” the council said in a statement.
“Our feedback to Arup was that it was an interesting concept, if private funding were available for the infrastructure.”
The construction of similar water parks in Europe have fallen in the €5 million territory but “local context and conditions will have a significant impact on the costs in Melbourne”, according to Arup.
Photo: ABC News
