Fishermans Bend Business Forum Calls for Urgent Action as Audit Reveals Major Delays in Fishermans Bend Development

The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office has found the Fishermans Bend urban renewal project is significantly behind schedule, with key infrastructure and planning timelines now pushed out by at least five years to 2055. The audit highlights delays across vital components, including a proposed tramline, bike paths, schools, and public spaces; raising concerns over government delivery.

Fishermans Bend Business Forum President Guy Naselli, also Managing Director of NSL Property Group, voiced the frustration of local stakeholders: “We see a lot of businesses who built on the expectation these changes would come sooner. The big needle mover for the area would be public transport. We’ve been hearing about this tram since 2012.” He emphasised the critical need for infrastructure to match the scale of investment already made by businesses and developers in the area.

Naselli’s concerns echoed across media coverage, including an interview on 3AW and a feature in The Age, where he called for faster progress, quoting Field of Dreams: “Build it and they will come.” With only 35% of housing and 12% of jobs targets currently met, the Forum continues to advocate for timely delivery of transport and infrastructure to unlock the precinct’s full potential.