The State Government are currently leading the design component of the project, includes including testing the construction feasibility of the concept design through technical site investigations and engagement with service authorities. This work is well underway and is anticipated to be completed late-2026. Council’s is closely involved in reviewing the design and providing feedback to help ensure the project aligns with Council’s specifications and the endorsed concept design.

Council is also working closely with the State Government to secure funding for the project from the Fishermans Bend Development Contribution Plan (DCP). Once there is a commitment from the State Government for the funding, Council will then be able to confirm a program of construction.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Open Space Project Delivery Team on this email openspace@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Council sought community feedback in November and December 2024 on a range of options to upgrade Smith Street; as part of a proposal to deliver safety and amenity improvements triggered by the Narrarrang Primary School development. This feedback informed Council’s endorsement of a preferred Concept Design. A copy of the meeting minutes from 7 May 2025 Council Meeting can be found here.

The endorsed concept design proposes to retain two-way access along Smith Street and will deliver improvements to the eastern side of the street between Tarver Street and Williamstown Road where it interfaces with the school, including:

• New footpaths

• New landscaping

• Pick-up/drop-off zone for vehicles

• New kerbing

These upgrades will support safer student access around the new Narrarrang Primary School, while also minimising the impact to properties on the western side, which have existing crossover access to Smith Street.

The purpose of the concept design is to test the spatial configuration of these elements, which will be subject to refinement and feasibility testing through the detailed design phase.

For more details on the project, you can read the report that went to Council on the Smith Street Upgrade here.

In May 2024, the State Government announced that a new primary school would be built in Fishermans Bend, located at 299 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, now known as the Narrarrang Primary School.

Construction of Narrarrang Primary School has recently been completed and will provide places for up to 650 students from Prep to Year 6. More updates on Narrarrang Primary School can be found here

Since the announcement of the school, Council has been working with the State Government on a package of projects that will improve safety and amenity around the school. The following projects have since been completed:

• A truck ban for Smith Street, between Williamstown Road and Plummer Street between 8.00-9.30am and 2.30-4.00pm.

• Speed limit reduction on Smith Street to 40km/hr operating at all times.

• A 40km/hr school zone limit will be in place along Williamstown Road on school days between 8.00-9.30am and 2.30-4.00pm.

• A new pedestrian traffic light on Williamstown Road, to the west of Smith Street.

• A raised wombat crossing on Smith Street, near the intersection of Williamstown Road.

Council is now working with the State Government to secure funding to upgrade the eastern section of Smith Street between Tarver Street and Williamstown Road, referred to as Smtih Street Stage 1 Upgrades.

About the precinct

About the precinct

Fishermans Bend is Australia's largest urban renewal precinct, covering 485 hectares just 3km from Central Melbourne. By 2050 it will be home to 80,000 residents, 80,000 workers and 20,000 tertiary education students.

The Fishermans Bend Framework 2018 is the State Governments plan for the transformation of Fishermans Bend. The Framework sets the vision for the area, including a network of new and upgraded parks, streets, and community facilities to be delivered over the next 30 years to ensure liveability as the precinct grows.

In 2023 the State Government released the draft Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Development Contributions Plan (DCP) which identifies a range of essential local infrastructure projects that will be funded by contributions collected by developers over the next 30 years.

Smith Street is identified in the draft DCP to be upgraded in the longer-term (2045 onwards). Council is advocating to the State Government to bring forward some of this DCP funding to support delivering the Smith Street Stage 1 Upgrade project, to improve safety and amenity around the Narrarrang Primary School.

The balance of the Smith Street upgrades will be delivered in the longer term (2045+), in line with the draft DCP program, when existing commercial properties redevelop into residential uses.

You can click on the images below to zoom in.