New publication: Ideas for Fishermans Bend

Applying a water sensitive and low carbon approach to the Fishermans Bend development will increase liveability while reducing environmental impact, according to a new report by the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities and the CRC for Low Carbon Living.

Fishermans Bend is a 258 hectare urban redevelopment project in inner Melbourne, with an anticipated mix of high density residential, retail and commercial developments extending from Melbourne’s CBD towards Port Phillip Bay.

Ideas for Fishermans Bend applies ideas from emerging research and international best practice, focusing on innovation in urban design, water services provision and creating liveable precincts.

The population of Fishermans Bend is anticipated to increase to at least 80,000 people by 2055 and potential for 120,000, if further housing developments are approved.

Four key principles were applied in creating the Ideas for Fishermans Bend discussion paper:

1. Adopting a definition of water security that includes flood resilience, environmental performance and liveability as essential elements of security for a city

2. Consideration of the ‘water-energy nexus’ to maintain a balanced approach to sustainability

3. Using water services or assets to enhance liveability by maintaining community health and wellbeing, creating a sense of place and ultimately drawing people into Fishermans Bend as a destination in its own right

4. Harnessing urban design as a platform to integrate these ideas.

The discussion paper was based on research synthesis workshops held between October 2014 and February 2015 that engaged a variety of participant organisations and other stakeholders.

Click here to view the report.