- Published:
- Friday 17 April 2015
Fishermans Bend will be home to a new jobs precinct, with the Andrews Labor Government expanding plans for the development and doubling the size of the urban renewal area.
Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, today announced that a new plan for Fishermans Bend, focused on people and jobs, will underpin the site’s development over the next 30 years.
The plan will help build a liveable community – not a soulless skyline with no services. It will address concerns about height and density of buildings, the absence of open space and the lack of local consultation.
Fishermans Bend will now be planned as five distinct neighbourhoods, drawing on best planning practice to find the right locations for new housing, public transport, schools and community services.
A new business precinct has been added to Fishermans Bend. This increases the size of the urban renewal area from 250 hectares to 455 hectares to support existing industries and encourage more jobs.
The plan encourages development and growth. It gives businesses certainty while reassuring councils and the community that standards of living will be maintained.
The Minister will now be responsible for determining applications for projects 25,000 square metres and above, in line with the rest of the Capital City Zone. A 40-storey interim height limit will be mandated for the Montague and Lorimer areas.
The Labor Government will work with the community every step of the way, with an open, robust and transparent plan for people on the ground. Locals will be invited to apply for community positions on development committees and there will be a formal exhibition.
Community engagement and new governance arrangements will be in place by the middle of the year, with strategic planning expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2016. Formal exhibition of the recast precinct is planned for the second half of 2016.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne
“The Liberals had a plan for a soulless skyline with no services and no standard of living. We have a plan that puts people first – providing the space and comfort residents will want and the jobs and services residents will need.”
“By getting on with our promise for five distinct neighbourhoods in Fishermans Bend, we’re developing a blueprint for overhauling industrial land and creating places close to the city where people actually want to work and live.”
“A community can only be as tall as it is deep. We’re not interested in simply rubber-stamping skyscrapers. Smart development thinks about residents and their quality of life.”