Fishermans Bend – A best practice project for Melbourne's future

Fishermans Bend – A best practice project for Melbourne's future
Urban EditorialSeptember 28, 2016

As someone who has spent much of his career in residential development, collaborating with leading architects and designers to create unique living spaces, there is no doubt in my mind that Fishermans Bend is the single most important urban renewal project of our generation.

With population forecasts suggesting Melbourne will grow by roughly 95,000 people annually for the next 35 years - at the end of which we will almost double in size to 7.7 million residents - our city needs to look at innovative, carefully-planned infill sites just like Fishermans Bend in order to support our growing population and ensure all residents have access to the appropriate infrastructure, amenity and quality of life that have contributed to Melbourne’s ongoing status as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

With Fishermans Bend forecast to house over 80,000 people and support 60,000 new jobs once complete, this 455-hectare area is a prime case study for Melbourne’s future planning policies and a key driver to support a substantial number of residents over the coming years.

That’s why it has never been more important to get the policy right.

Developers must take ownership of the precinct and accept that they have a responsibility to work collaboratively alongside government, planners and designers to ensure the best possible outcome for the site and its prosperity into the future.

We can’t afford to let Fishermans Bend become another iteration of the Docklands. From the outset, early provision of transport and infrastructure is needed to support population growth, as well as access to schools, well thought out public spaces, medical facilities, retail and entertainments options.

This must be facilitated not only by at a government and infrastructure level but also at a local level from developers through the early provision of key on-site amenity such as retail and resident amenity.

Another non-negotiable is the provision of not just quality housing but a holistic mixed-use approach including commercial and hotel offerings. This ensures not only a diversity of housing types – which adds character and creates a unique sense of place – but also encourages myriad uses from daytime into night, ranging from home and work life through to quality recreation and leisure.

By developing a number of opportunities for residents and workers to engage with the precinct, and by delivering them early on in the precinct’s lifecycle, we can encourage the creation of an authentic community that is the cornerstone of any new neighbourhood.

In May 2016, the Victorian Government released the Fishermans Bend Recast Vision for community consultation. It identified the Wirraway precinct of Fishermans Bend as a family friendly, urban neighbourhood. Extensive amenity including cafes, restaurants, specialty retail, and small businesses will line Plummer Street Boulevard, accessible via walking and cycling routes interspersed in the area and connected to Port Melbourne.

With its position bordering the established surrounds of Port Melbourne and its transport links connecting residents to the CBD, Bayside and beyond, this precinct is set to offer one of the best locations in Fishermans Bend.

As a stakeholder in the Wirraway Precinct, Third Street is passionate about bringing the vision of Fishermans Bend to life, which is why our first project in the area, P.M, will be designed for the local market with a range of architecturally-designed apartments and townhouses, along with a world-class serviced apartment hotel. We envisage the hotel as a drawcard to the area, supporting local businesses and ensuring diversity in demographics and use.

Fishermans Bend – A best practice project for Melbourne's future
Amenities intended for P.M. Image: Third Street

Our residential apartments will bring a touch of international glamour to the precinct, with extensive podium outdoor entertainment areas, a health spa, and abundant communal rooms available for residents’ use. Our rooftop horizon pool and bar is quite unlike anything in Melbourne, and is inspired by the architecture of L.A.

We are committed to delivering a vibrant lifestyle precinct on the ground floor early on in the development’s lifespan, with a restaurant and bar, grocer and deli, gymnasium, and state-of-the-art business centre. Again we view this as an opportunity to encourage a wide variety of uses within the precinct and provide the kind of amenity new precincts like these depend on.

In order to protect the integrity of the neighbourhood, we will be taking this vision one step further by restricting the leasing of these key retail sites to premium brands and service providers whom we feel will add real value to the precinct long-term.

Not only does this help to safe-guard the vision of our project but it helps to ensure the long-term success of the precinct as a whole. It is this sort of commitment that will, if employed throughout the precinct, create the best version of Fishermans Bend and deliver a best-practice revitalisation precinct for all Melburnians to enjoy.

Twenty years ago, the Docklands didn’t have a masterplan to ensure the cohesion of the project. Now, we have learnt from our past and as such, the Fishermans Bend Recast Vision sets out a tangible strategy to achieving a lively, thriving community that supports Melbourne’s future growth. In it, the government has outlined the ten key focus areas for the project moving ahead.

The timely provision of infrastructure, a vibrant mix of uses and activities, a high quality built environment, a great place for families, and distinctive and diverse neighbourhoods are included in its objectives.

Around the world, we have seen transformations breathing new life into former industrial sites, creating communities of strong urban character, boasting vibrant culture and dynamic lifestyles. The Meatpacking District of Manhattan, the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles, and SoHo in London, all provide benchmarks for our industry and help visualise what can be achieved when we focus on the very best outcome for our city and its people.

It’s now up to us as in industry to put our money where our mouths are and work together to deliver on this vision and ensure we all create the best possible versions of each project, in order to in turn ensure the long-term success of Fishermans Bend.

David Joachim is founder and Director of Third Street, a Malvern-based property developer.

Editor's Picks

Exclusive: Gardner Vaughan smashes Bokarina price record with Bask penthouse sale
First look: MADE Property doubles down in Kirribilli new apartment market
Spyre Group brings successful Queensland blueprint to Melbourne with Hampton Ltd
Saxon Street by Milieu to bring new housing and urban design to Brunswick’s cultural core
Construction begins at Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct

Related Projects

16-22 Maud Street, Newstead QLD 4006
16-22 Maud Street, Newstead QLD 4006
16-22 Maud Street, Newstead QLD 4006
Price
Contact agent
35-37 Mount Street, Prahran VIC 3181
35-37 Mount Street, Prahran VIC 3181
35-37 Mount Street, Prahran VIC 3181
Price
Contact agent
118-124 Benelong Road, Cremorne NSW 2090
118-124 Benelong Road, Cremorne NSW 2090
118-124 Benelong Road, Cremorne NSW 2090
Price
Contact agent
118-120 Matthew Flinders Drive, Cooee Bay QLD 4703
118-120 Matthew Flinders Drive, Cooee Bay QLD 4703
118-120 Matthew Flinders Drive, Cooee Bay QLD 4703
Price
Contact agent
26-62 Kinross Road, Thornlands QLD 4164
26-62 Kinross Road, Thornlands QLD 4164
26-62 Kinross Road, Thornlands QLD 4164
Price
Contact agent
9-11 Baroonba Street, Whitebridge NSW 2290
9-11 Baroonba Street, Whitebridge NSW 2290
9-11 Baroonba Street, Whitebridge NSW 2290
Price
Contact agent
18 Ransley Street, Penrith NSW 2750
Perle, East Side Quarter, Penrith - 18 Ransley Street, Penrith
18 Ransley Street, Penrith NSW 2750
Price
Contact agent
Ernest Cavanagh Street, Gungahlin ACT 2912
Raya, Gungahlin - Ernest Cavanagh Street, Gungahlin
Ernest Cavanagh Street, Gungahlin ACT 2912
Price
Contact agent
39 Browning Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101
39-41 Browning Street, South Brisbane - 39 Browning Street, South Brisbane
39 Browning Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Price
Contact agent
675 Gardeners Road, Mascot NSW 2020
Kiara North, Mascot - 675 Gardeners Road, Mascot
675 Gardeners Road, Mascot NSW 2020
Price
Contact agent
187 Salvado Road, Jolimont WA 6014
Jolie, Jolimont - 187 Salvado Road, Jolimont
187 Salvado Road, Jolimont WA 6014
Price
Contact agent
47 Maning Avenue, Sandy Bay TAS 7005
Grace Residences - 47 Maning Avenue, Sandy Bay
47 Maning Avenue, Sandy Bay TAS 7005
Price
Contact agent
Cove Lane, Narooma NSW 2546
Cove, Narooma - Cove Lane, Narooma
Cove Lane, Narooma NSW 2546
Price
Contact agent
52-56 Ramsay Street, Five Dock NSW 2046
Ava, Five Dock - 52-56 Ramsay Street, Five Dock
52-56 Ramsay Street, Five Dock NSW 2046
Price
Contact agent
2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
The Alfred - 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Price
Contact agent
129-131 Russell Ave, Dolls Point NSW 2219
ALLURE COLLECTION - 129-131 Russell Ave, Dolls Point
129-131 Russell Ave, Dolls Point NSW 2219
Price
Contact agent
62 Constitution Avenue, Parkes ACT 2600
The Eastbourne on Commonwealth Park - 62 Constitution Avenue, Parkes
62 Constitution Avenue, Parkes ACT 2600
Price
Contact agent
155 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Sandpiper, Broadbeach - 155 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach
155 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Price
Contact agent
33 Vulture Street, West End QLD 4101
33 Vulture Street, West End QLD 4101
33 Vulture Street, West End QLD 4101
Price
Contact agent
19 Governor Terrace, Murarrie QLD 4172
Park Hill Village Collection, Murarrie - 19 Governor Terrace, Murarrie
19 Governor Terrace, Murarrie QLD 4172
Price
Contact agent
122 Marine Parade, Miami QLD 4220
Nalu, Miami - 122 Marine Parade, Miami
122 Marine Parade, Miami QLD 4220
Price
Contact agent
34 Jacaranda Place, Indooroopilly QLD 4068
34 Jacaranda Place, Indooroopilly QLD 4068
34 Jacaranda Place, Indooroopilly QLD 4068
Price
Contact agent
167 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach QLD 4218
167 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach QLD 4218
167 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Price
Contact agent
21 Queens Way, Yeerongpilly QLD 4105
Yeerongpilly Green - 21 Queens Way, Yeerongpilly
21 Queens Way, Yeerongpilly QLD 4105
Price
Contact agent
445-449 River St, Ballina NSW 2478
Solhaven - 445-449 River St, Ballina
445-449 River St, Ballina NSW 2478
Price
Contact agent
52 Sunset Boulevard, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
52 Sunset Boulevard, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
52 Sunset Boulevard, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Price
Contact agent
6 Jack Brabham Drive, Hurstville NSW
Horizon Hurstville - 6 Jack Brabham Drive, Hurstville
6 Jack Brabham Drive, Hurstville NSW
Price
Contact agent
49 Seena Drive, Edgeworth NSW 2285
49 Seena Drive, Edgeworth NSW 2285
49 Seena Drive, Edgeworth NSW 2285
Price
Contact agent
Lot 118 Ocean Steamers Road, Port Adelaide SA 5015
Lot 118 Ocean Steamers Road, Port Adelaide SA 5015
Lot 118 Ocean Steamers Road, Port Adelaide SA 5015
Price
Contact agent
203 Ashmore Road, Benowa QLD 4217
203 Ashmore Road, Benowa QLD 4217
203 Ashmore Road, Benowa QLD 4217
Price
Contact agent
774 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
774 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
774 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
Price
Contact agent
6 Homelea Court, Rivervale WA 6103
6 Homelea Court, Rivervale WA 6103
6 Homelea Court, Rivervale WA 6103
Price
Contact agent
7002 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
7002 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
7002 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
Price
Contact agent
3 Delos Way, Sorrento WA 6020
3 Delos Way, Sorrento WA 6020
3 Delos Way, Sorrento WA 6020
Price
Contact agent
77 Sutton Street, Redcliffe QLD 4020
77 Sutton Street, Redcliffe QLD 4020
77 Sutton Street, Redcliffe QLD 4020
Price
Contact agent
119 Queen Street & 86 King Street, Bendigo VIC 3550
119 Queen Street & 86 King Street, Bendigo VIC 3550
119 Queen Street & 86 King Street, Bendigo VIC 3550
Price
Contact agent
181 Prospect Road, Prospect SA 5082
181 Prospect Road, Prospect SA 5082
181 Prospect Road, Prospect SA 5082
Price
Contact agent
593-595 Albany Highway, Victoria Park WA 6100
593-595 Albany Highway, Victoria Park WA 6100
593-595 Albany Highway, Victoria Park WA 6100
Price
Contact agent
1-28, 40 Civic Way, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
1-28, 40 Civic Way, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
1-28, 40 Civic Way, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
Price
Contact agent
93-97 Bay Street, Brighton VIC 3186
93-97 Bay Street, Brighton VIC 3186
93-97 Bay Street, Brighton VIC 3186
Price
Contact agent
22-38 & 27-31 The Avenue, Coburg VIC 3058
22-38 & 27-31 The Avenue, Coburg VIC 3058
22-38 & 27-31 The Avenue, Coburg VIC 3058
Price
Contact agent
1F Ashline Street, Wollert VIC 3750
1F Ashline Street, Wollert VIC 3750
1F Ashline Street, Wollert VIC 3750
Price
Contact agent
Lots 100 & 900 Kentucky Court, Cockburn Central WA 6164
Lots 100 & 900 Kentucky Court, Cockburn Central WA 6164
Lots 100 & 900 Kentucky Court, Cockburn Central WA 6164
Price
Contact agent
1260-1272 Malvern Road, Malvern VIC 3144
1260-1272 Malvern Road, Malvern VIC 3144
1260-1272 Malvern Road, Malvern VIC 3144
Price
Contact agent
472 Regency Road, Prospect SA 5082
472 Regency Road, Prospect SA 5082
472 Regency Road, Prospect SA 5082
Price
Contact agent
273A Gorge Road, Paradise SA 5075
273 Gorge Road, Paradise SA 5075 - 273A Gorge Road, Paradise
273A Gorge Road, Paradise SA 5075
Price
Contact agent
270 The Esplanade, Miami QLD 4220
270 The Esplanade, Miami QLD 4220
270 The Esplanade, Miami QLD 4220
Price
Contact agent
2 & 6 Austral Parade, East Bunbury WA 6230
2 & 6 Austral Parade, East Bunbury WA 6230
2 & 6 Austral Parade, East Bunbury WA 6230
Price
Contact agent
5 Charles Street, Charlestown NSW 2290
5 Charles Street, Charlestown NSW 2290
5 Charles Street, Charlestown NSW 2290
Price
Contact agent
59 & 69 Merthyr Road, New Farm QLD 4005
59 & 69 Merthyr Road, New Farm QLD 4005
59 & 69 Merthyr Road, New Farm QLD 4005
Price
Contact agent