Prime Southbank Site Hits The Market
A key Southbank intersection is poised for transformation as the City Jeep showroom on Normanby Rd hits the market, with an anticipated sale above $25 million. The high-profile 3030 sqm corner site, just 1.5 km from Melbourne’s CBD, has long showcased brands like Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge. Colliers Melbourne head of investment services Matt Stagg notes the site, soon available for vacant possession, offers potential for high-rise residential or commercial development, pending approvals. This sale aligns with state-backed efforts to evolve the Fishermans Bend precinct with planned parklands and connections to nearby commercial and educational sites.
Fishermans Bend Potential as Hub in Melbourne's Electric Air Taxi Network
Microflite, operator of Melbourne's Yarra River heliport, and vertiport developer Skyportz are exploring electric air taxi sites to serve Melbourne, beginning with the current helipad. Microflite COO Rodney Higgins aims to replace the tourism helicopter fleet with quieter, eco-friendly electric taxis. Skyportz, collaborating with architects, envisions a multimodal hub at Batman Park on the Yarra and potential sites at Fishermans Bend or the Port for a larger vertiport base. Fishermans Bend could also host a network of landing sites, positioning the area at the forefront of sustainable urban air mobility.
FB IDEAs Launches New Innovation Hub in Fishermans Bend
FB IDEAs has unveiled its new Incubator and Innovation Hub, a dedicated space for emerging businesses, industry connections, and innovative ideas to grow. Just steps from the upcoming Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct, the hub provides practical workspaces and fosters a collaborative community of creators and entrepreneurs. With affordable access to hot desks, meeting rooms, and team spaces, FB IDEAs offers a launchpad for projects in advanced manufacturing, engineering, and design. Subsidies are available for initiatives that align with FB IDEAs' mission to support the region’s evolving innovation ecosystem and activate spaces during the precinct’s development.
Extra bus services in Fishermans Bend a Success
Fishermans Bend has seen a significant rise in bus usage, with nearly 11,000 more trips over the past six months compared to last year, following the addition of 460 weekly services on Routes 235 and 237. These enhancements increased weekend frequency on Route 235 to every 20 minutes and weekday service on Routes 235 and 237 to every 10 minutes until 9pm, extending Fishermans Bend's connectivity. Additional improvements on Route 606 contributed to a 30% increase in patronage, all as part of Victoria’s Bus Plan to support public transport access and urban renewal at Fishermans Bend.
Flood-proofing cities by using digital twins in urban design
Dr. Nano Langenheim, Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture at the University of Melbourne, is leveraging digital twin technology to address complex design and infrastructure challenges at Fishermans Bend. By integrating data and urban design, her team evaluates flood risk and optimises green infrastructure in tightly constrained streetscapes. This digital approach enables scenario testing for sustainable urban planning, supporting the project’s ecological renewal while addressing flood risks and community engagement through visualisation tools.
100 Years of Innovation: Stiebel Eltron Leads Electrification at All Energy Conference
At the recent All Energy Australia 2024 conference, Fishermans Bend-based Stiebel Eltron presented their latest energy solutions, sharing their latest energy solutions and connecting on new ways to create a sustainable future together. Celebrating a century of innovation, highlighting their commitment to sustainable energy advancements. Watch a video of Paul Vines from Stiebel Eltron chat with Jonathan Gifford about the role of heat pumps in electrification and their integration with solar PV at the recent event.
ADM Podcast on Land Forces 2024 Feat. Sypaq and QinetiQ
In ADM Podcast 79, industry leaders at Land Forces 2024 discuss key developments in defence and technology. Cathy O'Carroll and Graeme Bick of QinetiQ share insights into the lifecycle of long-range weapon testing and evaluation, data management, and workforce challenges, especially for Australia's GWEO program. Amanda Holt, CEO of SYPAQ, highlights SYPAQ's recent DEF129 contract success and offers advice for SMEs navigating defense contracts.
Plan for the Future of Montague
Feedback on the draft Plan for Montague has emphasised the importance of preserving heritage while reimagining the laneway network as the area transforms over the next decade. There was strong support for the ‘destination laneways’ concept, alongside a clear desire to foster and grow small businesses, particularly in the creative and hospitality sectors. Respondents also highlighted buildings with unique character they wished to see incorporated into future developments.
