Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area (FBURA) Integrated Development Contributions Plan (DCP)

Fishermans Bend is the largest Urban Renewal Precinct in Australia. Covering approximately 480ha across the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip, it is proposed to deliver 80,000 residents and 80,000 jobs by 2050. There are five smaller precincts within Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area: Lorimer, Montague, Sandridge, Wirraway, and the National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC).  

Background 

Significant portions of Fishermans Bend are subject to flooding.  The Fishermans Bend Framework (2018), prepared by the Department of Transport and Planning (previously DELWP) includes a target for 2050 to reduce the impact of storms and floods, including sea level rise. The range of planned infrastructure interventions aim to reduce the risk and mitigate the impact of stormwater, riverine and coastal flooding in Fishermans Bend in consideration of rising sea levels. Flood mitigation and climate change are factors that require long term planning horizons. The Victorian Planning Provisions require land use and development to plan for sea level rise by 2100.  

Development Contributions Plan (DCP) Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) 

As part of the proposed Development Contributions Plan (DCP) Melbourne Water has designed the flood mitigation scheme that includes 11 major critical flood management infrastructure projects comprising levees, pump stations and upgraded pipe networks. These assets are planned to be designed and delivered over the next three decades.   

The Department of Transport and Planning has proposed to introduce an Integrated DCP for the Fishermans Bend capital city zoned sub-precincts through Planning Scheme Amendment GC224. The inclusion of these projects in the DCP will streamline infrastructure funding.   

Projects included in the DCP are informed by the Fishermans Bend Water Sensitive Cities Strategy (May 2022). Some of the proposed assets are located beyond the Fishermans Bend northern boundary in the proximity of the Yarra River (Birrarung).  

Melbourne Water is currently undertaking further technical work to refine the location, alignment and design of the levee, pump stations and drainage and pump stations and alignment of drainage lines, which will inform the finalisation of the DCP.   

Timeline