Melbourne is to build a giant fairground wheel similar to the London Eye, in a move which the city hopes will finally allow it to compete with arch-rival Sydney's two architectural icons the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The 100-metre-wide wheel, to be called the Southern Star, will cost A$40 million (HK$175 million) and will be part of a A$900 million shopping and entertainment complex in the city's redeveloped Docklands area.
The wheel, which could attract up to a million visitors annually, will be completed in time for the Commonwealth Games, which Melbourne will host in 2006.
Melbourne has been in Sydney's shadow for decades. Where Sydney has world-renowned architecture, Melbourne lacks landmarks of distinction. Sydney has a sparkling harbour and golden beaches; Melbourne has a sluggish, muddy river, the Yarra.
Steve Bracks, the premier of Victoria state, hopes the giant wheel will change all that.
AAI think it's going to be one of the key places where people gather as part of the Commonwealth Games,'' he said. AABut also, it's going to be a place of entertainment for Melbourne and Victoria for a long time to come.''