Bolte Precinct plan revised

Bolte Precinct plan revised

The City of Melbourne has approved an amended development plan for the Yarra’s Edge Bolte Precinct that includes plans for maritime, public space and wellbeing facilities at the site’s western end.

The parcel of land on Lorimer St, part of which sits directly under the Bolte Bridge, has been discussed since 2006 when the initial precinct plan was approved.

Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said he was glad to see progress on the site.

“I think the Docklands community will be ready for this to happen,” he said. “It’s good to see it getting to this point.”

The current Yarra’s Edge Bolte Precinct Development Plan was approved by the planning minister in 2013 under the premise that the Metropolitan Fire Bridge would build an emergency services centre at the western end of the site.

However, in 2015 the MFB withdrew its interest and as a result, the 50-metre building earmarked for the site was no longer relevant.

Development Victoria (the site’s owner) has now applied for built form of up to 90 metres along the Lorimer St frontage.

It has said the amended mixed-use precinct will incorporate a “blend of commercial and residential uses, as well as community recreation and open space areas”.

As part of this, it has proposed:

A health and wellbeing hub;

Maritime waterfront facilities; and

Arts and recreation facilities within the current heritage sheds.

Cr Nicholas Reece said he was glad the collaboration between the council and Development Victoria had yielded a strong outcome.

“I’m pleased to report they have got to a very good landing on the future of this site,” he said.

“It is a very determined ambition of this current council to see more kilometres of river and waterfront opened up to people for public pedestrian access across the city, and this masterplan will certainly allow for the delivery of that.”

The application is subject to approval from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

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