Collaborating to engineer a sustainable world at Fishermans Bend

The University’s bold new engineering and design campus at Fishermans Bend will put industry at the heart of how we engage in research and innovation.

Located within Melbourne’s new innovation precinct for advanced manufacturing and design, our 7.2-hectare brownfield site at Fishermans Bend provides the ideal setting to create a place of large-scale research, project-based learning and industry collaboration.

Artist's render of Fishermans Bend campus viewed from above

The $540 billion investment for stage one of the campus will unlock new opportunities to connect with local and global industry, push boundaries and deliver real impact for society and the planet.

Opening in 2024, the campus will provide 55,000 square metres of purpose-built facilities, expanding the practical capabilities of Melbourne School of Engineering (MSE) and Faculty Architecture, Building and Planning (ABP) for industrial scale experimentation, prototyping and pilot testing.

“Our students and researchers will be able to put ideas straight into action right here in Melbourne, working with industry on cutting-edge research and development to design and engineer solutions for some of the world’s greatest challenges”, University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell said.

Our students and researchers will be able to put ideas straight into action right here in Melbourne, working with industry on cutting-edge research and development to design and engineer solutions for some of the world’s greatest challenges

Under the Victorian government’s new priority precincts portfolio, the University is leading the way in attracting more investment in advanced manufacturing to the Fishermans Bend Employment Precinct, providing a key catalyst for the creation of a globally connected, thriving public realm in a world-class innovation destination. Melbourne is Australia’s most innovative city, ranking 11th overall in the Innovation Cities Global Index.

Economic consultants Acil Allen forecast that the Fishermans Bend campus will contribute $4.253 million to the Victorian economy and create 11,122 new jobs by 2040.  Australia’s largest urban renewal project, Fishermans Bend is expected to accommodate 80,000 people and create 80,000 new jobs by 2050.

Progress

In 2019, we finalised the campus development framework and functional brief, ready for concept design and early works to begin in early 2020. Construction will start in 2021.

Artists's render of building on Fishermans Bend campus

The campus will open at the start of the 2024 academic year, with a population of 4,000 students, staff and industry partners.  This is expected to grow to 10,000 by 2032.

“The University of Melbourne will drive innovation at our new Fishermans Bend campus, with a centre for excellence in engineering and design attracting the brightest students and researchers, as well as world-leading industry partners,” University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell said.

Industry engagement

Our new campus will be a destination for local and international industry partners for technology research, collaboration and innovation.

Artist's render of people wandering around Fishermans Bend campus

We will share laboratory, research, study and public spaces with an ecosystem of industry partners and collaborators. Facilities will provide an adaptable environment that enables big ideas to be realised from research, through testing and validation, to full scale opportunity.

Designed for interactivity and deep collaboration, Fishermans Bend campus will be a preferred base of operations for creative industry partners from global household names and national leaders to emerging local disruptors.

Purpose-built facilities

MSE research capabilities at Fishermans Bend will focus on renewable and affordable energy, transport, materials, infrastructure and resource management innovations.

Drone photo of Fishermans Bend precinct viewed from above

These new facilities will include:

  • Wind and water tunnels
  • Smart grid technologies
  • Prefabricated buildings and construction standards lab
  • Electric vehicle and engine propulsion testing
  • Autonomous systems testing

“First class facilities at an industrial scale will strengthen our ability to collaborate with industry for the benefit of society, fostering creativity and experimentation, and providing vibrant places for research and learning.”

Alumni opportunities

MSE alumni make up a network of almost 36,000 engineering and IT graduates across 104 countries.

We are excited about the partnership opportunities unlocked by Fishermans Bend campus,
including opportunities to connect and collaborate with our expansive and unique alumni community.

Through partnerships and collaboration, we want to continue the legacy of education as two-way, on-going process, where we can learn from each other in different and innovative ways.

Talk to us about how you can get involved - email us at fishermans-bend@unimelb.edu.au