Coode Island, Industrial river island in Melbourne, Australia
Coode Island is a 97-hectare river island located where the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers meet, roughly 4 kilometers west of Melbourne's center. Today it functions as a key part of the port, housing docks, container storage areas, and rail infrastructure.
The island was created in 1886 when engineers cut a canal through Sandridge swamp to straighten the Yarra River. This reshaping of the waterway laid the foundation for its later development as an industrial and port site.
During the 1920s, the island supported a population of individuals who established residences in abandoned ships and makeshift structures.
The site is part of the port area and primarily used for commercial activities, with limited public access. Visitors should be aware this is an active industrial and port zone, so it is important to follow safety guidelines.
In the 1920s, a community of people lived on the island in abandoned ships and makeshift shelters. This informal settlement disappeared as commercial development of the site expanded.
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