Station Pier lost to Melbourne

The other day, the actual gateway to the Station pier, Melbourne’s sea gateway, was locked and guarded with a sign that said [paraphrased] no cycling, no skateboarding, no going near the ships, no vehicle access and no anything [sic] on sailing days.
Everyday is a sailing day.
We have managed to repress and indeed even regress a part of Melbourne, which should be vibrant and alive.
And please don’t use ‘Terrorism’ as an excuse. Firstly, it was not an issue when the pier redesign was botched and secondly, how much difference does anyone really believe it will make to a committed terrorist to be told to get off their skateboard? Please. The day we let these murderers without God or legitimacy of cause [9/11 and M11] rule our lives in fear that something just may happen, we have lost. Melbourne is not a concentration camp and should not have a sea entrance, which gives that impression.
Personally, I have tootled around a good bit of the world, watched machine gun toting police in Paris guard rubbish bins, had a very large black man stick the barrel of a handgun in my face in Hollywood, walked through airports in gun-crisis [Los Angeles everyday] and, as a consequence, really believe Australia is a fantastic place to live – let’s not ruin it as a result of a political and media driven scare-mongering frenzy!
We are restricting access to a public place [Station Pier] because of an assumed threat but, we as Australians, can not and will not live in fear of something which may or may not happen at some time to someone. If our politicians and sales driven media have their way we would be terrified to leave the space under our desks for fear of being blown up, shot or generally maimed by the murderous hordes invading our naïve and pristine environment. This scare mongering is the real terror! The actual terrorist act is frightening but the fear that something may happen is the real and true face of terror.
It will take a switched on politician to say to their constituents, “take all the precautions you need but enjoy life – don’t let threats pervade your existence – don’t succumb to ‘terror’ – be aware but enjoy life”.
Closing down our sea-gateway to tourists and locals will never stop the committed murderer but by restricting access it does send the message that we Victorians are scared and that the murderers have already won.
Political Party ‘1’: “Our Party doesn’t believe people want to continually live in fear of something which may or may not happen and will strive to have some common sense re-instilled into how we perceive ourselves and the way we conduct our lives. As a starting point we will endeavour to create a Melbourne Sea-Gateway that is welcoming, attractive and provides a focus for Melbournians and visitors alike. Whilst taking all appropriate precautions we will open up Station Pier and create …..”
Political Party ‘2’: “Your Party is inviting terrorism into Australia”.
Political Party ‘1’: “Our party deals with reality, not assumed threats and most certainly does not want Australian’s to live in fear. Being cognisant of world events and taking appropriate steps does not mean living in a cardboard box! We all live through the fear and possibility of having an accident whilst driving [I assume far greater than the ‘terrorist attack’] yet still manage to enjoy the experience and enjoy life. Our Party will support the recreation of that great Australian trait. Let the media beware of irresponsible by-lines and desperate journalism.”
This may be an opportunity to create a difference and even if, God forbid, something does happen it will have reminded Australians that they do indeed have resilience, will not live in a cardboard box, accept life as it comes and are not afraid to take action when necessary - whilst all the time enjoying life.
Please, create a Melbourne-unique pier infrastructure which will bring back fisher-people, rubber-neckers, walkers, cyclists, skateboarders, bladers – all people who want to enjoy life through things such as cafes, quasi museums, displays, market stalls, people selling Ophelia’s, tours, water taxis, sailing schools, jet ski hire, dive schools under the pier, a tourist tram terminus at the wet end of the pier, buskers, soap-box people – the list goes on.
We all know that vision, taking responsibility and decision making is not the forte of politicians or councils but surely someone out there can see the opportunity we are all forsaking through collective apathy? Surely someone has the clout to create the impetus for a Melbourne-specific-community-impactful-development? Surely someone can see that if we leave it to the people who rate process, the normal political excuse for not actually doing anything, well above results it will never happen?
Come on Melbourne, it’s not that hard nor does it need to take that long. If I can see the problem and the solution then so can everyone else.