The Andrews Labor Government is moving forward with its plans to fix Australia’s largest urban renewal project, Fishermans Bend, releasing the response to the independent Ministerial Advisory Committee’s first report.
In July 2015, Minister for Planning Richard Wynne appointed the independent committee, an 11 member team of experts and community representatives, to provide independent advice on how to overhaul the 455-hectare precinct to reflect community expectations and promote vibrant new neighbourhoods.
The committee released a scathing review of the previous Liberal government’s approach to rezoning land overnight without consultation, causing land costs to spike and lumping future governments with higher costs to provide sites for schools, parks and infrastructure.
The report included 40 recommendations focusing on transport, future infrastructure, design controls, community engagement and sustainability.
Mr Wynne said 34 recommendations have been adopted in full, six in part, including the need for a new planning taskforce dedicated to drafting plans.
Staff from Places Victoria, the Metropolitan Planning Authority, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip are now working in the same office, drawing on the strengths and talent from each organisation.
The Labor Government’s response to the report was released to coincide with the first Fishermans Bend community engagement forum which more than 300 people were registered to attend on Monday, February 29 at North Port Oval.
Mr Wynne and the Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley, will addressed the community and discussed future plans for the five Fishermans Bend neighbourhoods.
The government response and information about the Fishermans Bend plans can be found online:
Quotes attributable to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne
“We’re drawing from some of the best planning minds in the state to address the planning issues at Fishermans Bend and are including the community so we have a shared vision for each neighbourhood.”
“Urban renewal planning for a 455-hectare former industrial area so close to the city is an extraordinary opportunity to generate jobs and deliver more housing and close to the CBD.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020