Boosting Innovative Technology jobs in Melbourne

The VPA was pleased to join Minister for Planning Richard Wynne and Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis at the MYOB office in Cremorne on 11 September to launch a new policy aimed at supporting enterprise precincts.

The VPA will now undertake planning in partnership with the City of Yarra to support Cremorne as a hub for creative industries and as a terrific place to live.

MYOB joins other technology groups moving to Cremorne including Seek, Carsales.com and REA Group, as well as a dynamic mix of freelance creative and start-up industries that has seen the area dubbed ‘Silicon Yarra’.

The Enterprise Precincts policy will support jobs growth in areas already attracting emerging economy businesses.

It will guide decisions around transport, governance, use of public land and business assistance in areas such as Cremorne, and aim to reduce the council planning burden for a host of businesses: from urban makers to co-working spaces.

Cremorne is one of a number of Melbourne inner urban areas attracting clusters of creative, technology, and innovation startups, drawn by the presence of like-minded entrepreneurs, heritage buildings, co-working spaces, a mix of large and small land parcels left by departing large industries and good public transport.

Other Emerging Precincts of this nature include parts of Collingwood, South Melbourne and Brunswick, which share the potential to grow business and jobs outcomes when they receive co-ordinated support.

Mr Wynne announced $150,000 of Streamlining for Growth funding for the Victorian Planning Authority and the City of Yarra to work in partnership with Cremorne’s creative local community, to identify transport, amenity, liveability and business improvements as well as strategic redevelopment sites to further grow the hub.

Reinforcing inner Melbourne’s Enterprise Precincts is estimated to add $900 million to the Victorian economy by 2036, creating extra jobs and improved productivity in the areas.