A recast vision

Minister for Planning Richard Wynne last month released a new vision for Southbank’s future neighbours at Fishermans Bend, which is now being put to the community for consultation.

There was a consultation at the Boyd Community Hub on Tuesday, June 7 and local residents can also have their say on the new draft vision online or in person at a number of events until July 1.

Consisting of 455 hectares of land and five precincts across two municipalities – the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip – it is expected that by 2050, the new suburb will be home to 80,000 residents and employ 60,000 people.

Mr Wynne said that the focus of the renewed vision was on livability, sustainable development and jobs growth across the five separate neighbourhoods of Montague, Sandridge, Lorimer, Wirraway and the new employment precinct.

The Montague precinct, much of which includes areas of Southbank and South Wharf, was an early victim of former Liberal planning minister Matthew Guy’s Capital City rezoning of the urban renewal area.

Thus, the area spanning Cecil St and City Rd around to Boundary St in Port Melbourne and Normanby Rd has already been subject to more than 10,000 approved apartments, and there’s more to come!

The government has acknowledged this in its vision for the precinct stating it “will have taller buildings, taking advantage of transport links, with laneways and renovated older buildings.”

It has also earmarked Buckhurst St to be the precinct’s central spine, with plans for a tree-lined street, which would be home to retail and dining destinations.  

Construction is already underway on a new primary school at Ferrars St and a new community park has been allocated opposite the future school on Buckhurst St.

“We’re making sure Fishermans Bend is a place people want to work and live, with the right infrastructure and plenty of housing choices for families,” Mr Wynne said.

“We are determined to properly plan Fishermans Bend and are making sure the community is part of the process, we’re maximising this rare opportunity to create new neighbourhoods close to the city.”

Upcoming community consultations will be held on June 18 at the Fishermans Bend Community Centre and on June 25 at the Sidearm Gallery Cafe on Normanby Rd in Southbank.

For more information visit www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au