The Andrews Labor Government has released a strategy to manage water at Fishermans Bend to ensure plans to create new jobs and housing on the edge of the CBD can be achieved.
Minister for Business Precincts Martin Pakula launched the Fishermans Bend Water Sensitive City Strategy, the largest water sensitive urban design project in Australia which will facilitate development, reduce pollution, improve climate resilience and boost biodiversity.
Initiatives range from a whole-of-precinct to street scale to solutions for individual buildings, including green roofs, smart rainwater tanks and a water recycling plant in development by South East Water.
The Water Sensitive City Strategy applies world’s best practice in managing water impacts of climate change in urban environments, significant to Fishermans Bend given its location next to the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.
Fishermans Bend is Australia’s largest urban renewal project, covering 480 hectares that will be home to 80,000 residents and 80,000 jobs across sectors including advanced manufacturing, engineering, design and creative industries by 2050. It is planned to be Australia’s largest Green Star Community.
The Strategy was developed with Melbourne Water, South East Water, the cities of Melbourne and Port Phillip, Water Sensitive Cities Australia and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect.
The precinct is home to global firms like Boeing, Siemens and Leonardo, and leading local companies Sypaq and ACS Australia, as well as Melbourne University and the Commonwealth Government’s Defence Science and Technology Group.
The Labor Government committed $179.4 million in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 to support stage one of the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct development at the former GMH site. Development of this site will demonstrate best practice sustainability initiatives and showcase a water sensitive approach.
Learn more about the Fishermans Bend Water Sensitive City Strategy at fishermansbend.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Business Precincts Martin Pakula
“Fishermans Bend has massive opportunities for new jobs, housing and innovation and that’s why it is so important we get our water use right when we are setting up this precinct.”
As stated by Minister for Water Lisa Neville
“Water sensitive infrastructure is integral to building stronger climate resilience, and that is exactly what this project at Fishermans Bend will help us achieve.”
As stated by Fishermans Bend Development Board Chair Meredith Sussex
“This innovative approach to water management builds on the sustainability and liveability goals for Fishermans Bend and will inform further detailed infrastructure and public realm planning for the precinct.”
As stated by City of Port Phillip Mayor Marcus Pearl
“This partnership approach, led by the Victorian Government, has resulted in an innovative strategy which will reduce the impact of flooding, clean stormwater before it enters the Bay and provide a climate-resilient water supply.”
As stated by City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp
“The Fishermans Bend Water Sensitive City Strategy is another exciting step forward for this ambitious urban renewal project and we look forward to continued close collaboration with the Victorian Government and the City of Port Philip to deliver the vision for this new precinct.”
