Fishermans Bend flood risk and transport options raises council concerns

FISHERMANS BEND will be a megasuburb on the city’s fringe, but one council has raised concerns over its flood risk and general livability.

Artist image of how Plummer St might look as part of the Fishermans Bend project.

MELBOURNE’S planned megasuburb of Fishermans Bend faced risk of major flooding but the state government’s draft plan had not resolved the issue, says City of Melbourne.

A city council submission also raised concern about the “lack of commitment” to early delivery of new tram routes to the precinct which could house up to 80,000 residents.

The Andrews Government has released a draft framework for the Fishermans Bend redevelopment that will comprise four distinct residential zones and an employment precinct.

In its response to the document, the city council said issues of flooding/drainage linked to sea-level rise and extreme storms had not been resolved.

Fishermans Bend plan — Buckhurst Street, Montague

“(The issue) remains a critical risk for future development due to the low lying nature of Fishermans Bend,” said the report, due to go before a council meeting on Tuesday. It said that Melbourne and Port Phillip councils were working on a proposal for an integrated levee and “cloudburst” strategy solution to manage water flows.

The city council said it supported new public transport options for Fishermans Bend, “but there is concern around a lack of commitment to early delivery, particularly in relation to the new tram routes”.

Proposed four tower development by Salvo at Johnson Street South Melbourne in Fishermans Bend precinct

There was also uncertainty over the siting of future underground rail stations as part of the future Metro 2 project and “until this decision is made, optimal land use patterns will not be realised”.

The council also sought assurances that planned public transport and pedestrian bridges across the Yarra River to Docklands would ensure the ongoing use of the waterways for river traffic and marine operations.

The government said the framework was developed with solid input of both councils and the draft had plans for everything communities needed.

“(This) is about getting the planning right to build a neighbourhood that the community deserves,” Planning Minister Richard Wynne said.

“This is the largest urban renewal project in Australia. It’s an ambitious and innovative project that’s going to create thousands of jobs, new parks and sports ovals, schools and public transport as the local population grows.”