This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
VICTORIAN Planning Minister Richard Wynne has taken an extraordinary step in tearing up his predecessor Matthew Guy’s Fishermans Bend legacy, “calling in” 26 live development applications for the precinct.
The applications are for high-density projects and account for development worth a speculated $4.5 billion, and thousands of dwellings and retail and commercial spaces.
“What Matthew Guy did at Fishermans Bend stinks,” Wynne said. “We make no apology for putting a stop to this development free-for-all – we’ll get the planning right and give Victorian families a community they can be proud of.”
It is the latest salvo fired in ongoing spat between the Minister Wynne and Guy, who is now Liberal Opposition leader. Victoria is expecting a state election in November.
The Australian Institute of Architects yesterday backed Wynne’s move.
Incoming Victorian Chapter president Amy Muir said the government had made the right decision for the long-term sustainable development of the area.
“Fishermans Bend is a significant site that will shape and define our future as a city and as a growing community.
“The rezoning of Fishermans Bend prior to the implementation of planning controls or a holistic masterplan sets a dangerous precedent for providing imbalanced developments and ill-conceived built environments leading to long-term detrimental effects upon immediate and surrounding communities,”
“We now have an opportunity to rectify this error and properly plan for what will be a construction project that spans some four decades.
“It is imperative that we have processes in place in order for the best design outcomes to be implemented. This is not about quick fix solutions but rather considered, holistic design solutions that acknowledge the significance and legacy of the project.
“We are very aware of the commercial endeavours that these projects hold. However we also understand that there needs to be a balance between commercial intent and the quality of the design outcome,” Muir said. “Building communities is a complex undertaking and it requires a sensitive and a rigorous design consultation process from the very beginning.”
The public tussle between Wynne and his predecessor Matthew Guy, now opposition leader, has been punctuated by ad hoc and unexpected moves. Late last year, Minister Wynne’s approval of a 13-storey mixed-use tower above the new Ormond train station in Melbourne’s south-east was blocked at the final stage of approval in unusual circumstances when the Greens and Australian Conservatives sided with the opposition in the Upper House to pass a rejecting motion.
In 2012, as part of the Liberal Baillieu government, Guy sensationally rezoned 240 hectares of mostly-industrial land on the city’s south fringe to Capital City, effectively doubling the size of the CBD. That was later expanded to 480 hectares.
The sudden change prompted a wave of transactions with inflated price tags, as developers looked to snap up property for medium and high-density residential projects, despite fears that the precinct would suffer from a lack of transport and social infrastructure.
The current Labor Government last year released a draft Fishermans Bend Framework, which provided guidelines on tower developments of 20 storeys or higher, as well as separations and mandatory setbacks. Interim controls introduced included a height limit of 40 storeys. Finalised controls are expected later this year.
The precinct remains earmarked to accommodate 80,000 residents and80,000 local jobs by 2020, four primary schools, a public secondary school and open space two-thirds the size of Docklands.
The 26 live applications will be referred to an independent advisory committee, with developments of less than 12,000 sqm immune from the call. Of those, 11 are before VCAT. A statement from Minister Wynne said that if approved, those projects would create densities three times that of Southbank.
“The Labor Government is righting Mr Guy’s wrongs at Fishermans Bend, ensuring Australia’s largest urban renewal project creates a neighbourhood families can be proud of – and not just a windfall for lucky landowners,” it said.
“Matthew Guy gave a big pay day to developers but didn’t give a second’s thought to the facilities that families need.”
Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley said, “Matthew Guy’s planning mess left us with a soulless Fishermans Bend where unplanned high rises were let loose on the community, and the interests of local residents were ignored”.
Australian Property Journal
