The plaque below was unveiled on Tuesday 13 July 2010 by the Premier John Brumby at South Wharf.

“The first settlement of Melbourne was on the Yarra where there was a source of fresh water and a landing place for shipping. Gradually over the years Melbourne’s city centre turned its back on the river.

By the start of the 1980s this part of the river was an area crying out for attention. Its wonderful opportunities were ignored: its closeness to the city’s heart, its intimacy of scale and its sunny north-facing south bank.

The strategy we developed in the 1980s sought to make the river a central part of the experience of the city centre, to capitalise on its many qualities and to make the river frontages as attractive as possible to people.”

Professor David Yencken AO, Secretary of the Ministry for Planning and Environment from 1982-1987.

“I have always believed that good planning remains the essential discipline for determining the growth of a sustainable city.

It was a privilege during the 1980’s to work with David Yencken and the senior officers of the Planning Department on the critical elements of the Southbank strategy. To see this forgotten part of the heart of Melbourne developed, adding to the quality and extent of the pedestrian precinct on both sides of the river was deeply satisfying.

More recently I have been delighted to see the second planning axis come into being, joining park lands and gardens to the East and Docklands to the West. This has been a fulfilment of our original strategy and contributes to the essential liveability of Melbourne.

The Yarra River has not only been restored to its place as a central feature of the city but has become a positive focus. The old ‘drain’ has gone.”

Professor The Honourable Evan Walker AO, Minister for Planning and Environment from 1982-1986.