The Victorian state government has announced it will establish a consultative committee made up of experts and representatives from the community to help decide on the future of Australia’s biggest urban renewal project at Fishermans Bend.
The announcement from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning indicated a significant step in its promised shift to a consultative planning approach with a long term focus.
Seven committee members and one chairperson will be selected to make up the Fishermans Bend Advisory Committee. Four of the members will be selected based on their expertise in planning, environment, transport or infrastructure, while the other three will be from the local community.
The move comes after it was announced in April 2015 that an additional business district would bring the total size of the urban renewal project to 455 hectares. It is predicted that around 80,000 people will live in the area by 2050.
The development of Fishermans Bend was first proposed by the Victorian Government in 2012, with the land previously used for heavy industry throughout its history. The area sits just six kilometres south-west of Melbourne’s CBD.
The planning process is projected to be completed by early next year, with formal release of the new plan for the area due around the middle of 2016.
The closing date for applications is Thursday 28 May 2015.
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