Did you know that Australiëhaven in Amsterdam was once a neglected area? Now it’s a bustling hub. Let me tell you its story.
Australiëhaven is an important part of Amsterdam’s Amerikahaven. It’s an inlet harbor. The Amerikahaven itself was dug in the 1970s. It’s located south of the Noordzeekanaal. This area used to be the Ijpolder.
The Australiëhavenweg a road connecting the Hornweg to the Noordzeeweg runs alongside the harbor. Goods trains use the tracks that run alongside this road. The road was extended in 1983. It now connects to the Haarlemmerweg. A viaduct over the Amsterdam-Haarlem railway line was built. This allowed for a direct connection. However this viaduct was demolished in 2000. The Australiëhavenweg now has a direct ground-level connection. This is via bridges 2391 and 2392. A noteworthy art piece Plastische tekens in steen by Ben Guntenaar is located near the former viaduct. It was previously at the Confuciusplein. Another artwork Aarde by Herbert Nouwens is also nearby.
The PostNL sorting center is located on Australiëhavenweg. So is the Afval Energie Bedrijf. This plant generates electricity by burning waste. The Amsterdam water purification plant is also nearby.
In 2022 a new quay was completed. This quay allows larger vessels to dock at the Australiëhaven. Before the construction the northern side of the Australiëhaven was undeveloped land. The new quay measures over 400 meters long. Its height is over 15 meters. The construction included dredging the harbor to a depth of almost 15 meters. About 140000 m3 of dredged material was removed. The project also included the remediation of about 1000 m3 of contaminated soil.
The project’s completion marked a transformation for the Australiëhaven. The once neglected area is now a more attractive location for businesses. It showcases a blend of industrial activity and environmental consciousness. The improvements benefit the overall functionality and aesthetic appeal of this vital Amsterdam harbor. The Australiëhaven is a testament to the city’s ongoing development. It’s a story of transformation and renewal. A reminder of Amsterdam’s ever-evolving maritime landscape.