If you’ve wandered through Melbourne’s Docklands lately, you might have noticed something different about the old Shipping Control Tower, it’s gotten a much-needed facelift. Standing tall in Victoria Harbour, this piece of maritime history has just undergone significant restoration work to keep it standing proud for future generations.
Back in 1966, the tower was the nerve centre of Melbourne’s busy port operations. Ship pilots, tugboat operators and emergency crews all relied on the structure to help manage the flow of vessels in and out of the harbour. When port activities shifted west in the early 1990s, the tower was decommissioned but left standing as a tribute to its vital role in the city’s maritime past.
The recent makeover, delivered by Development Victoria, was far more than a cosmetic upgrade. Crews tackled major concrete repairs, retrofitted windows, installed new lighting and electrical systems, and restored the distinctive crow’s nest, a lookout once used to scan the horizon for ships and hazards.
“This tower tells the story of Docklands’ industrial past,” said Ronan Mellan, Acting Group Head Precincts at Development Victoria. “It’s fantastic to see it restored and ready to face whatever the next few decades throw at it.”
The tower itself is no ordinary relic. Designed by architect C J Smith, it once operated around the clock with state-of-the-art radar and communications equipment, along with staff amenities to support 24-hour shifts. Its restoration now ensures this rare piece of Melbourne’s maritime infrastructure will continue to be a feature of the Docklands skyline.
For locals across Port Phillip and beyond, the revitalised Shipping Control Tower stands as a proud symbol of Melbourne’s working harbour history – and a reminder that even in a rapidly changing city, some icons are worth preserving.
