More-than-Human Urban Design

Fishermans Bend

2 min read

Fishermans Bend refers to a precinct in Port Melbourne on the south of the Yarra River.

History

Pre-colonisation

The people who identify as speakers of Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung languages (and the respective variants to these names), are part of the confederate Kulin nation and have a deep attachment to the Melbourne area, and in the case of Fishermans Bend, specifically the sand flats at the delta of the Yarra River, and the coastal edges around Hobsons Bay.1

Colonial history2

The Sandridge area in the earliest colonial period of the late 1830s was essentially ‘The Beach’, and this was the main arrival point for ships to Melbourne. Emerald Hill, situated south of the Yarra River and opposite the City of Melbourne, was in the 1840s only a small settlement, centred around the prominence of the Emerald Hill. Early maps show very little in the spaces between the nodal points of Sandridge, Emerald Hill and Melbourne town. In between these small embryonic townships was open country, as yet unsold land, and vested in the British Crown.

Challenges

Fishermans Bend is a challenging site for non-human species for several reasons.

The site is heavily polluted around former and current industrial sites. Contaminated water limits non-human access to safe consumables (food and water).

The industrial zoning of the area results in a steady flow of large vehicle traffic, again reducing connectivity between habitat fragments like Westgate Park and other parks.

There is limited planting of native vegetation that species like the Blue banded bee, Blue-tongue lizard, Growling grass frog, and Superb fairy-wren need to access shelter, respite while moving between habitat fragments, and food.

The limited proximity to green spaces and street planting also harms the human population given the proven benefits of access to nature. This also limits the appeal of the area as a residential zone.

Future

Urban renewal

The Victorian Government describes Fishermans Bend as:

Australia’s largest urban renewal project covering approximately 480 hectares in the heart of Melbourne. Fishermans Bend consists of five precincts across two municipalities – the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip – and connects Melbourne’s CBD to the bay.

By 2050, it will be home to approximately 80,000 residents and provide employment for up to 80,000 people.

Urban ecology strategy

Guidelines

The study provides design guidelines to achieve four key areas of the Framework goals.

  • Urban forest
  • Urban heat
  • Wind
  • Biodiversity

In biodiversity priority corridors the following should be maximised in corridors and adjacent private space: vegetation structure diversity (tall grasses, shrubs, short and tall trees), potential incompatible uses, and contiguous medians.

Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design principles should be applied to ensure resources are provided for diverse animal species, including shelter (e.g. dense, protective shrubs), food (e.g. flowers, fruits, seeds, pollen, nectar) and nesting sites/shelter (e.g. tree cavities), and water.

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Objectives

Specifically, the report recommends planning strategies to create biodiverse precincts in Fishermans Bend. They identified seven objectives these precincts should achieve:

  1. A place that honours Indigenous culture
  2. A place with seven seasons
  3. A place known by its diverse ecosystems
  4. A place for the senses
  5. A place of shifting waters
  6. A place that’s comfortable and beautiful in any weather
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Footnotes

  1. Aboriginal Country - Fishermans Bend ↩

  2. Social History of Fishermans Bend ↩

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