The Ministerial Advisory Committee for Australia’s largest urban renewal project, Fishermans Bend, has been announced, and it features experienced built environment professionals.
Landscape architect Lucinda Hartley from CoDesign Studio and architect Robert McGauran from Melbourne-based MGS Architects are among those selected for the Ministerial Advisory Committee. Other experts on the committee include planning expert Michelle Howard, transport expert Eric Keys and land development expert Tania Quick.
McGauran is a member of the Victorian Design Review Panel, and he has specialized knowledge in affordable housing, sustainable architecture and transport, and the design of inclusive community spaces. Hartley co-founded CoDesign Studio, a social enterprise that aims to foster social inclusion and improve community engagement through neighbourhood design.
The committee of 11 includes two mayors: the City of Melbourne’s Robert Doyle and the City of Port Phillip’s Amanda Stevens.
Other committee members include a public administration leader, five built environment and planning experts and three community members.
Planning minister Richard Wynne said that the committee, “brings together the best in planning experts and community members.”
“Fishermans Bend is a big urban growth opportunity for Victoria. We’re making sure we get it right, to ensure Melbourne can accommodate a growing population and remain the envy of the world,” he said.
Over 100 expressions of interest were received after planning minister Richard Wynne announced in May that a committee would be established in line with a promise for a more consultative approach to developing the area. The state government has referred to Fishermans Bend as the largest urban renewal project in Australia due to its vast 455 hectare size.
The first stage of the planning process is expected to be finished by the first quarter of 2016, and the revisited plans for the precinct will be publicly available in the second half of 2016.
Read more about Fishermans Bend’s toxic water issues at the site, the doubling of the size of the land to be developed, and two projects that have been approved for the site, including three apartment buildings by Rothelowman Architects and CHT Architects and an integrated six-tower project by Hayball Architects.
