draft Fishermans Bend Framework

In this season of callistemons and roses, the draft Fishermans Bend Framework was released.

It is just over a year since the Vision for Fishermans Bend and each of its precincts was adopted.

While it is understandably tempting to dive straight into your area of interest – whether it’s transport, heritage or sustainability – the framework is designed as an integrated approach to the planning for Fishermans Bend. Every objective is inter-related in the Framework.

The organising principle of the Framework is Green Star Communities – a rating tool developed by the Green Building Council of Australia. Green Star Communities is not only about buildings. It covers five elements: governance, economic prosperity, liveability, environment and innovation. Committing to Green Star Communities as the Government has done means committing to performance being assessed/rated over time.

The Framework was released even as two of the earliest projects to gain planning approval under former Minister Guy reached completion – the Gravity tower and 164 Ingles St. It is unlikely that either of these projects would be supported under the newly released framework which seeks to avoid both the over and under development of sites.

89 Gladstone St – Gravity Tower

164 Ingles St

The map showing developments under construction and approved at the end of 2017 (p18) illustrates the concentration of development pressure in the Montague precinct to the north.

It is even more tempting to go straight to the pages that sum up the heights and setbacks across the renewal area but the planning approach is more nuanced and detailed than that. Rather than relying only on height controls, the amount that can be built on a site is guided by Floor Area Ratios. The approach has been adopted to encourage more diverse building types that respond to the constraints and opportunities of sites, rather than just the tower on podium which has been the pattern of development to date. More intense development is allowed around the proposed public transport infrastructure.

The framework allows for Floor Area Uplift (FAU) where a developer is allowed to build more floor area on a site in exchange for making a contribution of an agreed public benefit. In the framework the agreed public benefit is for for affordable housing and additional open space.

Here are three things I strongly support in the Framework which are consistent with all the views expressed to date on Port Places:

(1) The emphasis on walking and cycling.

Make Fishermans Bend a great place to walk for people with a wide range of abilities and needs (Objective 1.2, p30)

Make Fishermans Bend an exceptional place to cycle (Objective 1.3, p33)

(2) Detailed objectives on tree canopy and green infrastructure, (Objective 4, p60)  open space linkages and biodiversity. (Objective 6, p63)

(3) The Framework has a much deeper respect for and understanding of Fishermans Bend’s history – natural and cultural – than the 2014 Framework plan. Heritage and character are recognised as integral to a sense of place and identity.

The Framework is supported by a range of background studies, all of which are available from the Fishermans Bend website.

Since this is such a hugely important project, I will return to highlight different parts of the Framework over coming weeks.

There are many opportunities to speak with members of the Fishermans Bend Taskforce about the issues that are closest to you and to form your view on the Framework.  Submissions are due on 15 December.

Friday 3 November

8am onwards at the South Melbourne market

Sunday 19 November

Drop-in session 11am-1.30pm Sandridge Room, North Port Oval, 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne

Presentation/Q&A 1.30-3pm

More

Fishermans Bend – all the documents and updates