Fishermans Bend, a major redevelopment area located just four kilometers from Melbourne’s central business district, has faced significant delays and funding shortfalls, prompting calls from local leaders and business groups for urgent state government investment in public transport infrastructure.

Originally announced in 2013 as a transformative urban precinct, Fishermans Bend was projected to ultimately accommodate 80,000 homes and generate 80,000 jobs by 2050, aiming to become a key hub for CBD workers. The plan included extensive public transport upgrades, such as new tram lines, train connections, and bus services, designed to support the anticipated population and employment growth.

However, a report from the Victorian Auditor General’s Office (VAGO) released last year revealed that these targets have been postponed by at least five years, pushing completion beyond 2055. Since the state government assumed planning authority from the Port Phillip and Melbourne city councils in 2018, only three of 14 large-scale developments approved within Port Phillip have moved forward. VAGO found that only around 35 percent of the housing goal has been achieved over the past eight years.

The precinct also suffered a setback when the University of Melbourne suspended plans for a $2 billion engineering campus on the former General Motors Holden site last year. The absence of promised tram infrastructure, initially expected by 2025, was cited as a key factor contributing to the project’s halt. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that the tram line may be at least a decade—and possibly two decades—away, while a new train connection is not anticipated until after the Suburban Rail Loop is completed in the 2050s.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece and Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin expressed frustration with the slow progress, describing Fishermans Bend as “neglected by the State Government” for more than ten years. Makin emphasized the area’s strategic importance, stating it offers a prime opportunity to address Melbourne’s housing affordability challenges due to its proximity to the CBD and access to employment.

Reece underscored the urgency of prioritizing infrastructure investment before the upcoming state election, noting that while some roadworks have begun, critical projects such as the tram line, expanded bus services, and the proposed Metro 2 rail link remain unrealized. “Until we get investment in this major trunk infrastructure, we are not going to unlock the potential of Fishermans Bend,” he said.

In response, a state government spokesperson highlighted progress to date, pointing to the introduction of nearly 1,500 additional weekly bus services and reaffirming commitments to create a well-connected and carefully planned precinct. However, with major transport projects still lacking funding and extensive delays accumulating, many stakeholders remain concerned about the precinct’s future development and its ability to meet its original vision.