On 27 February 1986, the Webb Dock line was opened by Minister for Transport Tom Roper.
[2][3] This attracted some controversy, as the line used 1,600 mm broad gauge,[4] which was criticised by ANL, claiming that it was costing the shipping industry millions of dollars per year (ANL contributed to the building of the line, and used dual gauge within its area of the dock).
After being opened, the line spent months with few (if any) trains using it, reportedly due to a clerk's dispute and shunters strike.
[5] It was last used in 1992 and formally closed on 14 June 1996 as part of the construction of the Docklands Stadium.
Earlier plans for the line included running it via the Port Melbourne beachfront.