Fishermans Bend Digital Innovation Challenge

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Fishermans Bend Digital Innovation Challenge

Fishermans Bend is Australia’s largest urban renewal project, covering approximately 480 hectares in the heart of Melbourne. By 2050, it will be a bustling precinct home to approximately 80,000 residents and 80,000 workers. The project provides an exciting opportunity to explore how data and emerging technologies can enable our city spaces to thrive now and in the future.

The challenge involves presenting innovative ideas that can contribute to this vision. The winning idea will receive a reward of $90,000.

Our Idea

Co-Farming Hub has joined this challenge using the PWD SmartFarmAbility aquaponics farm. Our idea is to establish community aquaponics farms along the Yarra River and on community land around Fishermans Bend. These farms will be created using recycled materials, promoting sustainability and community engagement.

About Fishermans Bend

Fishermans Bend is currently dominated by low-scale industrial and warehousing uses, but it will transform into vibrant, mixed-use, medium, and high-density neighborhoods. The project will significantly enhance the urban environment, making it a desirable place for living and working.

The gentle curve of the Yarra River and the arrow-straight Williamstown Road are the human-made boundaries of Fishermans Bend. The area has a rich history, with diverse plant life and animals that supported Aboriginal people for thousands of years.

Fishermans Bend

Environmental Challenges

  • Flooding: Parts of the urban renewal area are vulnerable to inundation in tidal events, particularly within the Montague Precinct.
  • Land Contamination: Elements such as heavy metals and solvents may be widespread across Fishermans Bend due to its industrial past.
  • Groundwater Contamination: Elevated levels of nutrients, salts, and metals have been confirmed in the groundwater.
  • Geotechnical Conditions: Variable strength and quality of fill soils and potential differential settlement caused by the consolidation of Coode Island silt.
  • Water: Significant upgrades to the water supply infrastructure will be required if recycled water is not provided.
  • Sewerage: The existing sewerage system provides ample capacity to service Fishermans Bend, with potential for recycled water supply.
  • Energy: Adequate energy supply is available from existing infrastructure, but it must be maintained and protected from development impacts.
  • Transport: Upgrades to public transport, walking, and cycling networks are necessary to meet future population and employment needs.
Environmental Challenges

Timeline

  • Challenge open

    16 March to 5pm 20 May 2022

  • Challenge mixers

    • Tuesday 5 April, 1:30pm (online)
    • Wednesday 6 April, 6:00pm (in person)
    • Neighbourlytics data workshop, Thursday 7 April 2pm (online)

  • Pitch workshops with 25eight

    • Thursday 14 April 12pm (online)
    • Thursday 28 April 6pm (online)

  • 1:1 mentor sessions

    18 to 21 April and 25 to 28 April

  • Pilot stream closed

    15 May 2022

  • Pilot stream submissions review

    2022

  • Ideas stream extension period

    Until 15 June 2022

  • Top three finalists in each category notified + pitch night announced

    29 June 2022

  • Top six finalists announced

    1 July 2022

  • Pitch night at Fishermans Bend

    28 July 2022

  • Voting open for Pilot pitches

    From 28 July to 18 August

  • Announcement of successful pilot

    26 August 2022

  • Winning pilot developed at Fishermans Bend

    From August 2022

Learn more

If you would like to more you can check out the website below

fishermans bend challenge