Key details
Location
Fishermans Bend, Port Melbourne
Bunurong Country
Policy objective
Urban renewal
Economic Development
Client
Department of Transport and Planning
Key partner
University of Melbourne
City of Melbourne
Overview
The Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct is part of Fishermans Bend, Australia’s largest urban renewal project, consisting of five precincts across two municipalities – the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip.
Development of the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct, formerly the General Motors Holden (GMH) site commenced with a $197.7 million funding package from the Victorian Government.
Stage 1, being delivered by Development Victoria and the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) includes remediation and the installation of crucial infrastructure and services to create an investment-ready precinct.
Development of the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct will act as a catalyst to drive private sector investment and development. By 2051, the Precinct is projected so support up to 30,000 jobs in science, technology, engineering and associated fields, underlining its pivotal role in driving innovation and shaping the future workforce.
The Precinct will also foster collaboration between industry and the education sector, spearheaded by the University of Melbourne and will support Victoria as a powerhouse in manufacturing.
By 2050, Fishermans Bend is expected to be home to approximately 80,000 residents and provide employment for up to 80,000 people.
32ha project area
New Centre of Innovation
$197.7m Invested in stage 1
Stage 1
The early work on Stage 1 was completed in 2024 and delivered by Development Victoria. It included demolition of vacant plant and equipment, site remediation works, service relocations and early civil works to prepare the land for the future construction of the Stage 1 roads and a new public park.
Construction has also started on the main works in Stage 1, with Winslow Infrastructure Pty Ltd appointed to complete these works.
Main works include the establishment of an east-west connection through the site by linking Salmon Street and Todd Road, creating public realm and open space, and unlocking development ready sites for related industry investment.
In addition to the main works, OneWifi has been appointed to roll out smart poles within the precinct which are capable of boosting 5G, local Wi-Fi networks and supporting EV charging.
Timeline
- Development Victoria acquire the 32 hectare General Motors Holden site in Fishermans Bend.
- The University of Melbourne announces it will purchase land at the GMH site to develop its School of Engineering Campus.
- State Government announce funding commitment of $179.4 million to deliver Stage One of the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct
- Completion of Phase 1 of a helicopter gearbox Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Facility (MROF)
- Settlement of University of Melbourne Land Sale Contract for the delivery of the new campus
- Commencement of design and statutory approvals phase for Stage One of the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct
- Main works started
- University of Melbourne engineering, design and advanced manufacturing campus scheduled to open
Progress to date
- Development Victoria acquired the former General Motors Holden (GMH) site in Port Melbourne in 2017 when it was a vacant industrial site.
- Completion of early works and start of main works for Stage 1 of the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct.
- Progress to support Stage 1 of the University of Melbourne purpose-built campus for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology and the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning. The campus is expected to open in 2026.
- Completion of a Helicopter, Gearbox Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Facility (MROF) for Leonardo Australia.
Location
The Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct is strategically located at the centre of the Fishermans Bend National Employment and Innovation Cluster, which in turn forms part of Australia’s largest urban renewal precinct at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne, Victoria.
The Precinct site is less than 5 kms from the edge of Melbourne’s CBD and has good access to the West Gate Freeway and CityLink. The site was formerly known as the General Motors Holden (GMH) site and is bounded by Salmon Street and Todd Road.
DV acknowledges the Bunurong people as the Traditional Custodians of the land now known as Fishermans Bend.
History of Fishermans Bend and the GMH Site
- 1830s: Port Melbourne became the main arrival point for ships visiting Melbourne
- 1930s: Location of early aviation development, where from the 1930s the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation manufactured aircraft in its Lorimer Street factory
- 1936: Fishermans Bend site acquired by Holden for new headquarters and assembly plant
- 1945: General Motors Holden open Social Centre – built as a dining hall seating 580 employees
- 1946: After the war ended and when the Australian government was looking to take advantage of the manufacturing capability built up during those years, Holden engineers at Fishermans Bend began work on the new sedan
- 1948: First Holden car rolled off the line at the Fisherman’s Bend plant
- 1956: Car manufacturing ceases at the site after Holden opened other plants in South Australia and Victoria
- 1964: Plant 3 is redeveloped, and Salmon Street frontage replaced by the Technical Centre
- 2016: Holden ceases engine production at the GMH site
- 2016: The Minister for Planning establishes the Fishermans Bend Taskforce, which released the Fishermans Bend Recast Vision for public consultation, setting a framework to guide the redevelopment of Fishermans Bend
- 2017: Development Victoria acquire the 32ha General Motors Holden site in Fishermans Bend
- 2018: The Fishermans Bend Framework is released, containing the long-term strategic plan for the development of Fishermans Bend up to 2050
- 2018: The University of Melbourne announces it will purchase land at the GMH site to develop its School of Engineering Campus
Who to contact about this project
Customer service
Ph: 03 8317 3400
Contact us
Media
Ph: 03 8317 3700
media@development.vic.gov.au
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Updated on 25 June 2025