The City of Melbourne is working in partnership with the Victorian Government on the planning, design and delivery of urban renewal in Fishermans Bend. The former General Motors Holden (GMH) site, also referred to as the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct (FBIP) is located in the Fishermans Bend National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC) and already caters for a substantial number of workers. It is planned to experience significant employment growth over coming years to eventually accommodate 40,000 jobs. A key part of the redevelopment of the Fisherman’s Bend NEIC is the Victorian Government-owned former GMH site, which will be a catalyst for the area’s transformation into a centre for innovation in advanced manufacturing, engineering and design.

This project will improve street safety and amenity in the immediate term by delivering active transport infrastructure along Turner and Graham streets. It will also improve access to the GMH site as it develops over the coming years to include the new University of Melbourne campus (an initial stage is set to open in 2024). Through including public art, street greening, and new digital infrastructure such as 5G and NBN, the project will showcase early activation within the precinct.

Significant volumes of large trucks is a safety issue and deters people from walking and cycling in this area. This project will help Graham and Turner streets work better for all users, by separating people walking and cycling from those in motor vehicles. This project will make it safer and easier for people walking and riding bikes to access their workplaces and cross streets. We want to ensure people can safely ride between River Esplanade and Fishermans Bend, creating an important cycling link which is an early component of a future comprehensive cycling network.

Some changes to the kerbs and road line markings will be made to create safer conditions for people walking, riding and driving. This will include some traffic calming measures to help reduce vehicle speeds for cars and trucks approaching locations where their paths of travel cross the new shared path.

This refers to art that seamlessly enhances the practical requirements of a project, such as being embedded into a footpath, creating designs into structures such as concrete retaining walls or working with architects to utilise practical components such as façade shading for artistic outcomes.

Digital infrastructure refers to internet connectivity like 5G and NBN, as well as sensors and devices that collect data on the environment, and people and vehicle movement through the precinct. We are in the process of developing a digital infrastructure plan and there will be further opportunities to input into this plan later in development.

We are proposing to plant up to 300 new trees within the nature strip on the southern side of Turner Street. Trees will be a selected mix of small to medium sized Australian natives and evergreen trees. In areas where tree planting may not be possible, the option for low level shrubs and groundcovers is being considered.

Species selection will be based on the growing conditions and any limitations created by the existing services underneath the nature strip. Species will be consistent with the Urban Forest Strategy objectives, ensuring they provide opportunities for increased biodiversity, habitat and support comfortable microclimates for people in the new public spaces.

Selected areas of new greening are anticipated to be planted in early September 2021 with final planting for the project following completion of the new bike infrastructure scheduled in mid-2022.

To create the space needed for a protected pedestrian refuge island crossing off Turner Street, at its intersection with Graham Street, it is proposed to remove two all day parking spaces

An opportunity to enable further greening of Turner Street at the Salmon Street end is being explored. This may result in additional parking changes.

The project will embed many of the aspirations for the future Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct in its approach to design, construction and activation. Additionally, the shared pedestrian and bike infrastructure will act as an access corridor to the Innovation Precinct. More information about the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct can be found here.

Construction will take place in early-mid 2022. All property owners and occupiers will be informed well ahead of the start date to ensure that construction is managed appropriately alongside any business or property needs.

We are seeking feedback on how we can improve the safety, feel and function of Turner Street for bike riders and pedestrians. The City of Melbourne wants to gather data from the community and stakeholders so that we can make informed decisions about how further improvements could be managed and delivered in Fishermans Bend. This might include improved signage and wayfinding, path surfacing, lighting, greening, the creation of small scale open spaces with seating or low-scale infrastructure, and other measures to make the area more attractive for people walking or riding. We will incorporate your feedback where possible, however we need to also factor in the complexity of the street’s underground and overhead utility services.

The community is invited to provide feedback on how the City of Melbourne can create a safe and inviting cycling and pedestrian experience through this project via the online survey or by visiting us down on site at the placemaking hub located at the Salmon Street plaza.

A temporary placemaking hub has been installed at the entrance to the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct site on Salmon Street. This marks the beginning of an exciting program of activations which we encourage you to get involved in, whether it be for a taco lunch, an exercise session, or a talk about future development around Fishermans Bend. The hub will be a focal point for early activation and engagement activities not only for the Gateway to GMH project, but for the long term vision for the Fishermans Bend NEIC and the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct.

Local workers, property and business owners and operators, as well as other interested community members will be engaged in other aspects of the project and surrounding developments (broader precinct planning, activations, digital infrastructure) via the placemaking hub and direct communication.

Further information on the activation program will be updated on this web page over the coming weeks as we navigate COVID safe restrictions.

Engagement with Traditional Custodians has commenced and this will be ongoing throughout the project. The outcomes inform the vision of the project to better connect to the history and future of this place, through activity undertaken at the placemaking hub, public art integrated into the bike path and increased biodiversity.

You can stay informed about project news and updates by following the project page on Participate Melbourne. Updates can also be found on the State Government website: fishermansbend.vic.gov.au