“The new Andrews’ Government has reinforced its commitment to Fishermans Bend as a significant urban renewal area for Melbourne,” Jon said. “This has been signified by the recent spate of approvals, the update of the strategic framework plan, new planning scheme amendments, plans for an ongoing comprehensive community consultation process over the next 12 to 18 months and the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Committee.”

In April, Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, announced a new plan for Fishermans Bend, focused on people and jobs, which will almost double the size of the urban renewal area, from 250 hectares to 455 hectares, and underpin the site’s development over the next 30 years.

It will be planned as five distinct neighbourhoods, drawing on best planning practice to find the right locations for new housing, public transport, schools and community services.

The plan encourages development and growth. It gives businesses certainty while reassuring councils and the community that liveability will be maintained.

Jon strongly believes there are significant opportunities for the savvy developer going forwards.

”We have been working in the precinct for the last three years and so have a detailed understanding of what will and won’t work and what both the City of Port Phillip and City of Melbourne are looking for,” he said.

“This is the largest urban renewal area in Melbourne and the potential for quality medium to high density housing and mixed-use development is high,” he continued. “It is strategically located on the doorstep of Melbourne’s Central Business District and benefits from convenient access to the new adjacent employment precinct, a range of community facilities and amenities including the beach and sporting precincts, and existing public transport links.”

The 60-82 Johnson Street development by MAXVIC Pty Ltd, designed by architects Rothe Lowman and successfully guided through the complex planning process by Meinhardt Planning, is a benchmark in terms of what can be achieved.

It comprises a podium with four towers ranging from 21 to 46 storeys and incorporates 1276 dwellings, including 20 home-office dwellings. The podium structure contains a variety of uses including retail, commercial and extensive communal facilities.

The development provides a sustainable, vibrant, mixed-use urban village. Key features include an integrated approach to environmentally sustainable design, a high-quality interface with the public realm, extensive residential amenity, and generous public infrastructure.

Streetscape improvements include enhanced lighting, resurfacing, street furniture, street trees, and WSUD measures. A new midblock pedestrian and bike link complements the fine-grain character of the surrounding area, enhances connectivity and permeability, and creates new open space in the Port Phillip municipality.

Bill McNee, Vicland CEO and joint partner in the proposal, takes pride in the proposal. “We worked closely with Meinhardt Planning and Rothe Lowman to ensure the final product provided a quality development outcome that responded to market conditions for the Melbourne inner-city area. We have a genuine interest in the future of Fishermans Bend and consider this landmark development to make a valuable contribution to Melbourne’s city scape.”

“Going forwards Meinhardt Planning is providing input into the review of the new strategic framework plan,” said Jon. “While from a project perspective we are representing a number of other clients developing high density developments, ranging from 18 to 40 storeys, in the precinct and providing advice to new clients looking to develop in the area.”