A $3 million upgrade to Seaworks at Williamstown was officially unveiled on Friday.
The state government-funded renovation of the former Melbourne Harbour Trust workshop – known as the big shed – is the first stage of a bigger plan for the maritime precinct.
The site is home to the Seaworks Foundation, two commercial piers, a boatbuilder, commercial ferry operators, Melbourne Seaplanes, a maritime museum and the Sea Shepherd fleet. It is Hobsons Bay’s second-biggest visitor attraction after Scienceworks, drawing more than 100,000 people annually to its festivals and events.
The upgrade includes a new facade on Nelson Place, large glass panels at the rear, refurbishing a heritage shed, a new mezzanine-level event space, a lift and new toilets.
Ports Minister Luke Donnellan and Williamstown MP Wade Noonan attended Friday’s launch.
“Locals will be amazed at the transformation of this grand old maritime building,” Mr Noonan said.
Seaworks has deep-water port and is Melbourne’s key mooring for local and international tall ships.
Chief executive Pauline Hobbs said the upgrade was just a start.
“It’s the beginning of making the site much more accessible and attractive for users, enabling us to generate revenue to reinvest in the rest of the site,” she said.
“We’re looking for funding to upgrade our piers. Our piers are the connection between the CBD and Williamstown in terms of tourism activities like the Melbourne International Tall Ships Festival and other maritime events.”
A creative technology hub will also soon be developed at the site.
