Matt Dillon
The Victorian government has released the final version of the Fishermans Bend Framework for what has been described as Australia’s largest urban renewal project. The Framework has been applauded by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
Covering about 150 hectares, Fishermans Bend is an area of land located in Port Melbourne, about 1km north of Melbourne’s CBD.
The final Fishermans Bend Framework builds on the commitments made in the initial draft, which stipulates that all developments in the new precinct achieve a minimum 4 Star Green Star rating. Buildings larger than 5,000 sq m must be built to a 5 Star Green Star standard.
The Fishermans Bend Framework also features a social housing uplift scheme.
“When governments really take the time to listen and consult extensively and in good faith, the outcomes for the community are invariably improved, as is the case with this city-changing precinct,” says the GBCA’s Jonathan Cartledge.
“We are delighted the government has embraced the Green Star – Communities model and chosen to require even more environmental rigour at Fishermans Bend.”
Cartledge says that independent certification of the project is key.
“Benchmarking Fishermans Bend developments against the GBCA’s 4 and 5 Star Green Star rating requirements is important,” he says. “But only certification will provide community confidence that these goals are being met.
“A key benefit of certification is that it provides independence, rigour and transparency to the assessment process.”
“Independent third-party certification from the GBCA provides assurance and integrity, unlike unverifiable claims of ‘equivalency’. Such outcomes should not be permitted, as they risk undermining in the implementation phase for the bold vision the government has set out for Fishermans Bend.
“We look forward to continuing our engagement on this vital project through our ongoing collaboration with the Fishermans Bend Taskforce to support the government’s work, and inform how Green Star may be taken up at a building level within the precinct utilising the planning frameworks and other initiatives.”
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