Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area expands, interim height limits applied

The Planning Minister has announced the expansion of the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area which will now include the entire area which lies north of the West Gate Freeway between the West Gate Bridge and the Bolte Bridge (excluding West Gate Park).

The expansion means the total amount of land which will now come under the Capital City Zone will increase from 250 hectares to 455 hectares. The Planning Minister is the responsible authority for approval of development applications which have a gross floor area that is larger than 25,000 square metres.

Likewise, the existing precincts of Montague which straddles either side of the Port Melbourne #109 Tram and Lorimer, the pocket of land located behind Yarra's Edge and bordered by the West Gate Freeway and the Bolte Bridge, will have an interim height limit of 40 levels applied whilst a revised structure plan for Fishermans Bend is conducted.

The new business precinct which at present hosts the operations of companies such as Boeing, Herald & Weekly Times, Kraft, General Motors Holden and Toyota is located within the City of Melbourne local government area. Lorimer, until today, was the only precinct located within the City of Melbourne's jurisdiction. The three other existing precincts - Montague, Wirraway and Sandridge - are located within the City of Port Phillip.

At present we are tracking 18 projects in the Fishermans Bend area and these projects will not be subject to the new interim height controls. A fact sheet provided to Urban.com.au states 'existing permit applications will be determined by the Minister for Planning as required under the planning scheme provisions in place at the time of application'.

All new applications will be assessed with the interim height controls as shown in the following map.

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