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Air travel data company OAG recently published data that assessed the world's top ten city pairs by revenue - which airline makes the most money on an individual route - and Qantas and its Melbourne-Sydney route was given second place.

Between April 2017 and March 2018, <a href="https://www.oag.com/blog/billion-dollar-route">OAG reports</a> Qantas earned $854,692,402 USD ($1.051 billion AUD using March 2018 exchange rates) by flying between Melbourne &amp; Sydney.

The highest earning route was British Airways' London-Heathrow to New York-JFK route ($1,037,724,867 USD / $1.276 billion AUD) and the third highest earning route was Emirates' Dubai to London-Heathrow route ($819,409,702 USD / $1.008 billion AUD).

As OAG points out, 5 of the top 10 routes have London on one side of the city pair but all but the Australian route are either trans-continental or inter-continental flights (New York to Los Angeles, San Francisco; Toronto to Vancouver; London to Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Doha, Dubai; and Sydney to Singapore).  

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/top_10_revenue.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Top 10 Revenue Routes - image: OAG"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/top_10_revenue.png?itok=MCbR58mg" title="Top 10 Revenue Routes - image: OAG" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Top 10 Revenue Routes - image: <a href="https://www.oag.com/blog/billion-dollar-route">OAG</a></figcaption></figure>Melbourne and Sydney is a considerably shorter route compared to the North American trans-continental flights and the lack of any other major city pairs located within 1000km of each other in the top 10 list provided by OAG speaks to the heavy reliance on aviation we have in Australia.

In the top air routes by traffic (either the number of frequencies or the name of passengers flown), those city pairs are dominated by domestic routes around the world, especially those that are less than 1000km apart.  

Seoul to Jeju, Tokyo to Sapporo, Tokyo to Fukuoka, Tokyo to Osaka, Delhi to Mumbai, Melbourne to Sydney, Beijing to Shanghai, Sao Paulo to Rio de Janiero and Johannesburg to Cape Town have all at some stage made it to a 10 busiest air route list.

With the exception of Tokyo to Osaka, and Beijing to Shanghai, those common city pairs all have very little in the way of fast land transport links that would compete on a time basis with aviation. (Japan's Shinkansen network technically reaches Fukuoka and Sapporo, for the most part, however, the travel times can be upwards of 5 hours by rail, Beijing to Shanghai via the fastest train still takes a touch under 5 hours).

None of the aforementioned top busiest routes get a mention in the OAG routes by revenue release, except for Melbourne to Sydney.

The prevailing dismissive argument for high-speed rail in Australia amongst advocates and anyone engaged in transport issues - those who like to highlight existing problems or those who are passionate about how we might do things differently - is that Australia's population is too sparse for it to work in this country.

Casual reminder: the numbers above are for Qantas only (I assume it also includes Jetstar) - Virgin Australia, although the smaller of the two mainline operators has a significant amount of services flying between the two cities each day as well, the real amount of money earned by airlines between Melbourne &amp; Sydney will be much more than just over $1billion AUD per annum.

Seeing the dollar amounts associated with the very high volume of people who travel between Melbourne and Sydney offers up some fairly significant food for thought. The current revenue that Qantas earns roughly correlates with the projected revenue figures from the 2012 &amp; Rudd Government-era East Coast High-Speed Rail study.

In that <a href="https://infrastructure.gov.au/rail/publications/high-speed-rail-study-reports/files/HSR_Phase_2_Chapter_8.pdf">study</a>, it projected roughly $2 billion in revenue shortly after the opening of a high-speed rail link between Melbourne &amp; Sydney (Sydney &amp; Canberra would open first with a projected ~$500 million in operator revenue).
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Alastair Taylor

Airline revenue data on Melbourne-Sydney air route is food for thought

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Victorian Liberal opposition leader Matthew Guy has promised that if elected to government in November, he would pursue an extension project for the Cranbourne line to Clyde in Melbourne's outer south-east.

Matthew Guy announced that a price tag of $457 million is what it would cost to extend a dual track railway south-east from the current terminus at Cranbourne to Clyde with two new stations, one at Cranbourne East and a new terminus at Clyde.

The extension would follow the path of the former South Gippsland line that was closed by the Kennett Government in the 1990s. 

No new level crossings would be created as part of the extension project.  There are 5 roads which cross the former South Gippsland railway line corridor between Cranbourne Station and the former location of Clyde station, which presumably would be where the new station would go.  The roads are:

<ul>
<li>South Gippsland Highway, immediately next to the existing Cranbourne terminus.</li>
	<li>Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road.</li>
	<li>Broad Oak Drive.</li>
	<li>The intersection of Casey Fields Boulevard and Berwick-Cranbourne Road.</li>
	<li>Clyde-Five Ways Road.</li>
</ul>
The opposition leader wants to change transport habits in the outer south-east.  "Extend the railway network now, put it in place now, and [change] people's habits around public transport now rather than hoping in 20 years time they leave their car", Matthew Guy told 9 News Melbourne. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
One of the state's busiest rail lines will be extended into one of Melbourne's fastest growing suburbs, under a multi-million dollar plan unveiled by Liberal Leader <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewGuyMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MatthewGuyMP</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/andrew_lund?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@andrew_lund</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9News?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9News</a> <a href="https://t.co/0ck8Iy3a3V">pic.twitter.com/0ck8Iy3a3V</a>
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/1016958737351786496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2018</a>
</blockquote>

Cranbourne station would be rebuilt as the railway line would be lowered under existing roads reports <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/matthew-guy-pledges-nearly-500m-to-extend-cranbourne-train-line-20180711-p4zqtr">The Age</a> and the <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/coalition-leader-matthew-guy-promises-487m-extension-of-cranbourne-line-to-clyde/news-story/0c001e01fe76f2910df60124212fd968">Herald Sun</a> reports the mostly single-track section of the Cranbourne line between Dandenong and Cranbourne would be duplicated after the extension to Clyde has been completed.

<h2>Analysis &amp; comment</h2>

Two of the Andrews Government's level crossing removal projects are under construction in the region.  Thompsons Road is being lifted above the rail corridor next to Merinda Park station and the railway line is being lifted over Abbotts Road in Dandenong South.

The logic of extending the railway line to Clyde doesn't fail any pub test simply because this would extend the Cranbourne line out to the Urban Growth Boundary in the south-east however it is curious that the opposition leader said the extension will happen first before the duplication of the Cranbourne line.

We now know that extra capacity will be 'baked in' to the Cranbourne line as it along with the Pakenham line - as well as the Sunbury line when the metro tunnel opens - will have a dedicated fleet of trains which will have more capacity than any sub-fleet that currently operates Melbourne's services.

And because of this capacity boost - in train size, not frequency increase - it doesn't throw up any red flags at this stage as at least there is a commitment to duplicate the in-use tracks in future.

The only issue is how this fits in the grander scheme for Melbourne's future railway network.  The sitting member in Cranbourne is retiring at the November election - and you might have guessed, the seat is marginal - and clearly, the opposition want to make a contest out of it.

I don't begrudge a political party exploiting opportunities such as that but just like the government in office, the focus is on the small local issues without giving any impression on how larger network-wide issues will be sorted.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewGuyMP">Matthew Guy on </a><a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewGuyMP">twitter</a>.
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Victorian opposition commits to extending Cranbourne line if elected in November

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Infrastructure Victoria has today begun consultation on its first update to the state's 30 year infrastructure strategy that was first unveiled in late 2016.

The first step in the update process, that will run over the next 18 months, is to confirm strategy objectives, IV says.

"The objectives for the first strategy were developed through close consultation with stakeholders and the community.  We think they are just as relevant today but we need to know if stakeholders and the community agree", Michel Masson, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria, said in a recent newsletter.

The 10 objectives are:  Prepare for population change; Foster healthy, safe and inclusive communities; Reduce disadvantage; Enable workforce participation; Lift productivity; Drive Victoria's changing, globally integrated economy; Promote sustainable production and consumption; Protect and enhance natural environments; Advance climate change mitigation and adaptation; Building resilience to shocks.

The state-owned research house is seeing stakeholder feedback on the strategy's objectives through a survey on the Infrastructure Victoria <a href="https://yoursay.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/30-year-strategy/objectives-survey">website</a> by Friday 3rd of August.

Regional Infrastructure needs will also benefit from a focused regional engagement round in order to 'deepen [the] understanding about each region's economic, social and environmental strengths and challenges' according to Infrastructure Victoria.

The research is aiming to develop profiles that use the latest data to build an evidence base of the context for each of Victoria's regions to inform the identification of infrastructure needs.  Dates and times are yet to be determined.

Infrastructure Victoria is also set to publish the evidence base that will underpin the advice it gives to the state government on what infrastructure may be required to enable highly automated and zero emissions vehicles.  

"The evidence base will include all technical reports commissioned for the advice, all documents will be available on our website," Michel Masson said.

A series of information sessions will be held on August 16th where Infrastructure Victoria will provide an overview of the key findings from the technical work.  A Q&amp;A session will also feature on the day.

There are three sessions and interested parties can register on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/automated-and-zero-emissions-vehicles-evidence-base-information-session-1-tickets-47407554271">eventbrite.com.au</a> 
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Infrastructure Victoria begins its first update to the state's 30 year strategy

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Melbourne Airport's owner and operator, Australian Pacific Airports Corporation, has released a preliminary draft for its 2018 Airport master plan that once approved is set to guide the ongoing development of the airfield, terminals, ground transportation and other precincts it controls over the next 20 years.

Every 5 years the current master plan needs to be updated and in the 2018 preliminary draft - which will now enter a public exhibition phase in which members of the public can comment on as is the nature of every airport master plan since privatisation, it builds on the previously approved plan and the fundamental airfield (runway) design has not changed since the 1990-era joint Federal and State Government Melbourne Airport Strategy. 

Melbourne's third runway development has its own <a href="https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/Corporate/Planning-projects/Projects/Runway-Development">planning and consultation framework</a> under development and 2018 draft master plan assumes the full development of the third runway, new taxiways and apron areas will be complete by 2023. 

A key difference between the 2013 master plan and the 2018 draft is the creation of a 5th terminal to the south of terminal 4 - diagrams in the 2013-era documents show a mixture of passenger and freight terminals, the 2018 draft documents show passenger terminals only.

Likewise, a new addition and key change from the 2013 master plan is that in the long-term development concept (beyond 2038), a sixth terminal would be built in the centre of all four runways, near where the air traffic control tower are located.

In a full build-out scenario, terminals 1 (Qantas), 2 (International), 3 (Virgin), 4 (Low-cost), 5 (2018 draft plan terminal) would have the capacity to move 80 million people per annum.  

The airport operator is expecting Melbourne Airport's airfield to be able to handle up to 100 aircraft movements per hour once the third runway is open when the airfield is running in parallel runway mode - up from 60 aircraft per hour under crossing runway modes which currently dominate airfield operations at present.

On top of the third runway development - or Runway Development Program as the operator refers to it - a spokesperson for APAC confirmed there are multiple projects at various stages of design, planning and consultation.

The Melbourne Airport Rail Link has an active study underway but separate from that a project to transition all private vehicles away from the front of the terminals into a dedicated pick-up/drop-off hub to make way for commercial vehicles is also underway. 

Originally the private vehicle transition project was set to get underway sometime next decade but has been fast-tracked due to general growth in passengers and therefore private and commercial vehicles using the airport.

The 2018 draft master plan is now in public exhibition and can be viewed <a href="https://my.melbourneairport.com/masterplan">here</a>.  Community members can ask a question or make a submission through the <a href="https://my.melbourneairport.com/masterplan">My Melbourne Airport website</a>.  The deadline for submissions is the 5th of October.

The master plan will be transmitted to the Federal Transport Minister for approval in December 2018.

Lead image credit: Melbourne Airport.
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Melbourne Airport releases its 2018 draft master plan

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Parramatta's Light Rail project is progressing with a new contract for enabling works being awarded recently; Guardian Cities profiles <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jul/05/meet-the-numtots-the-millennials-who-find-fixing-public-transit-sexy-urbanist-memes">'</a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jul/05/meet-the-numtots-the-millennials-who-find-fixing-public-transit-sexy-urbanist-memes">numtots</a>'; and there's plenty of hotels in the development pipeline despite prolific sharing platforms like Airbnb expanding in Australia.

Stay warm everyone.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Apartments.com.au podcast through your favourite app!

<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/469062789&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=true&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe>
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Weekly Podcast: Episode 22 - Parramatta, 'numtots' and hotels

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The Western Australian cabinet has endorsed two Metronet project definition plans which the WA government says construction in both cases is on track to start next year.

The Yanchep rail extension project will see the Joondalup Line extend northwards from Butler to Yanchep over 14.5km of new track.  The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will provide Perth's first east-west rail link outside the centre of the city, linking the Armadale and Mandurah rail lines through Perth's southern suburbs.

Metronet's extension to Yanchep will include adding three new stations to the Joondalup line at Alkimos, Eglington and Yanchep and the project will also include delivering 14km of new principal shared paths to connect the new stations to the community.

Butler station will see work as well to convert it from a terminus station to a through station so the 13.8km of new dual track passenger railway can connect to the rest of the network.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ZLLDbdW_o8" width="100%"></iframe>

The Thornlie-Cockburn link will see track duplication works carried out on the existing Thornlie branch, and the freight corridor between Thornlie and the Mandurah lines will see augmentation works to move freight rail lines and then two new passenger tracks will be added to the corridor.

Two new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road, effectively bookending the Canning Vale employment area, will be added to the corridor and the line will then join the Mandurah line and run in the Kwinana Freeway median into Cockburn Central Station.

Like Butler station on the Yanchep extension, Thornlie Station will be modified from a terminating station to a through station and Cockburn Central will have a third terminating platform added to the existing configuration for trains coming from Thornlie, allowing passengers to interchange with the Mandurah line. 

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LIdksjI_MIE" width="100%"></iframe>

$1.056 billion has budgeted for both projects of which the Federal Government will be funding $700 million jointly with the WA government's $356 million.

A WA Government media release states both projects returned positive benefit-cost-ratios, a prerequisite for Commonwealth funding, and a briefing to the construction industry will be held on Wednesday, July 2018.

Metronet is a McGowan Government policy that will see greater integration of public transport and development throughout metropolitan Perth.  Metronet encompasses multiple projects including the <a href="/news/perths-forrestfield-airport-rail-link-completes-a-major-tbm-milestone">Airport-Forrestfield</a> rail link and <a href="/news/tenders-for-perth-metronet-armadale-to-byford-extension-released">Byford rail extension</a> project.

The suite of rail projects also includes a brand new line to Ellenbrook from Morley and several level crossing removals across the network as well as an eventual signaling upgrade and fleet renewal program.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Transperth">Currambine station/Wikipedia</a>.
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WA cabinet pushes Yanchep extension and Thornlie-Cockburn link closer to start of construction

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New housing codes for greenfield and low-rise medium-density homes came into effect on July 6th and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment says delivery of new homes in greenfields and in-fill scenarios will be sped up, saving buyers money in the process.

The low-rise medium-density housing code 'seeks to encourage well-designed, dual occupancies, manor houses and terraces to be built under a fast track complying development approval' according to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

The code only applies in areas where councils have permitted medium density housing to be built under the local environment plans.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=31240]

Councils were eligible to apply for the low-rise medium-density housing code implementation date to be deferred to 1 July 2019 - many metropolitan councils have gone down this path - but many councils now see the new code in effect.

The City of North Sydney is one of the councils where the new housing code is now in effect.  See below for a zone map from the council's 2013 LEP, the low-rise medium-density housing code will apply to land zoned with medium density residential (R3).

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/nsyd_lep_zones_medium1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="City of North Sydney zoning map. North Sydney LEP 2013"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="408" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nsyd_lep_zones_medium1.png?itok=8aiqEkHu" title="City of North Sydney zoning map. North Sydney LEP 2013" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>City of North Sydney zoning map. <a href="https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maps/77528bd5-a269-eb1f-d07f-94f13e8ab4f9/5950_COM_LZN_002A_005_20130607.pdf">North Sydney LEP 2013</a></figcaption></figure>A spokesperson from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment said the new code will facilitate faster housing supply.

<blockquote>
Low-rise medium density housing is the missing part of the NSW housing stock between traditional free-standing homes and strata-titled apartments.

Medium density housing promotes greater housing choice, diversity and affordability.

It allows for seniors to downsize as well as being a more affordable option for young people.
<cite>Alison Frame, Deputy Secretary of Policy and Strategy</cite>
</blockquote>

Two new design guides have been released for <a href="http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/~/media/Files/DPE/Manuals-and-guides/Low-rise-medium-density-design-guide-for-complying-development-2017-07-05.ashx">complying development</a> and another for <a href="http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/~/media/Files/DPE/Manuals-and-guides/Medium-density-design-guide-for-development-applications-2017-07-05.ashx">development applicants</a> that will aid in planning assessment.

Like the low-rise medium-density housing code, the greenfield housing code is set to allow complying developments which feature one and two storey homes, renovations and extensions to be carried out under a fast-track approval.  The department also says the new code will ensure new residential suburbs are leafier and more environmentally friendly.

<blockquote>
A simplified and tailored Greenfield Housing Code will promote faster housing approvals in new release areas, saving time and money.

The complying development standards, such as building heights, setbacks and landscaping, have been tailored to ensure homes are designed to protect the privacy and amenity of neighbourhoods.
<cite>Alison Frame</cite>
</blockquote>

The Sydney Metropolitan councils which have deferred implementation of the low-rise medium-density housing code to July 1 2019 are listed below.

<ul>
<li>Bayside</li>
	<li>Burwood</li>
	<li>Camden</li>
	<li>Campbelltown</li>
	<li>Canada Bay</li>
	<li>Canterbury-Bankstown</li>
	<li>Cumberland</li>
	<li>Georges River</li>
	<li>Hawkesbury</li>
	<li>Hornsby</li>
	<li>Hunter's Hill</li>
	<li>Inner West</li>
	<li>Lane Cove</li>
	<li>Liverpool</li>
	<li>Mosman</li>
	<li>Northern Beaches</li>
	<li>Parramatta</li>
	<li>Penrith</li>
	<li>Randwick</li>
	<li>Ryde</li>
	<li>Strathfield</li>
	<li>Sutherland Shire</li>
	<li>Sydney</li>
	<li>The Hills Shire</li>
	<li>Willoughby</li>
	<li>Woollahra</li>
</ul>
Developer lobby group Urban Taskforce Australia said its baffling that so many councils were allowed to shirk their responsibility to promote a diverse range of housing types.

<blockquote>
This is a sad day for future generations looking to live an affordable lifestyle in a diverse range of housing types.

All the ‘Missing Middle’ Low-Rise Medium Density Housing Code did was provide a faster approval process for medium density housing types where councils already permitted this type of development in their local government area.

To see this over reaction and backlash against two storey town houses and terrace houses by councils demonstrates just how out of touch they are with young families and other demographic groups looking for somewhere to live.
<cite>Chris Johnson, CEO Urban Taskforce Australia</cite>
</blockquote>

Community group Your Northern Beaches worries about a lack of future consultation on development applications.

<blockquote>
If you thought our area had problems with boarding houses popping up in inappropriate areas, wait until you see the State Govt's new "low rise medium density housing code" which will come into effect 6 July, 2018!

The new Low Rise Medium Density Housing code will apply where Councils already allow this type of development under the local LEP. Everywhere that currently permits dual occupancy will have this new law apply.

So whats the catch then? Well, even though this has a great opportunity to create a more diverse housing stock for our area, this will remove protections that a Council DA process currently supplies and hand straight to a Private Certifier.

You will not be consulted. 
<a href="https://www.yournorthernbeaches.com.au/single-post/2018/05/16/WARNING---NEW-LOW-RISE-MEDIUM-DENSITY-HOUSING-CODE-coming-our-way"><cite>Your Northern Beaches</cite></a>
</blockquote>
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New Low-rise medium density housing code comes into effect in NSW

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<h2>Comment</h2>

Elections are fun, the posturing in the lead up to them is not, especially when another level of government gets involved.

For those from outside Victoria, the Frankston railway line on Melbourne's metropolitan rail network runs through a series of marginal seats in the Victorian Parliament and at the end of the line, the Federal seat of Dunkley is one of the Commonwealth Government's most marginal seats.

In an era when federal government population policies are keeping the immigration taps open and Melbourne is attracting a big percentage of them, there are pressures right across the metropolitan area with vacancy rates in the vast swathes of new apartments that have been completed in the past 12-24 months are down and the large numbers of people moving to the fringe as well.

In short, the fringe areas which are seeing the growth are in Melbourne's south-east (beyond Dandenong), Melbourne's north (beyond Craigieburn and Epping) and Melbourne's west and south-west (between Werribee and Deer Park). The Frankston line, and for the most part all the marginal state parliament seats, are hemmed in by green wedges inland to the east and Port Phillip Bay to the west.

The only way suburbs dotted along the Frankston railway line will help shoulder the burden of Melbourne's increasing population is through brownfields development - utilising general and residential growth zones as well as any mixed-use commercial zones in existing areas to increase dwelling, and therefore population, density.

The thing is, the bayside corridor - in political terms often referred to as the 'Sandbelt' - hasn't got all that much in the development pipeline compared to the eastern corridor along the Belgrave and Lilydale lines (this rail corridor is in the same corridor as Frankston: no more greenfields) nor the west in general.

The last Victorian election saw the area swing to the ALP and help deliver the current state government and naturally it'll be a battlefield once again because the margins are still small.

Frankston is quite a long distance from the CBD and there are plans, at least from 2013, to extend the electrification of the Frankston line to Baxter, inland, and south-east of Frankston. But much like the slither of developed land between the bay and the south-east green wedge, there's not a lot of scope for Baxter to shoulder the same burden that other regions of Melbourne's metropolitan are destined to do.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/b_carrum_ground_activation_3508x2480_v02.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Station Street in Carrum will be grade separated - image: Level Crossing Removal Authority"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/b_carrum_ground_activation_3508x2480_v02.jpg?itok=Jm8eEoel" title="Station Street in Carrum will be grade separated - image: Level Crossing Removal Authority" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Station Street in Carrum will be grade separated - image: Level Crossing Removal Authority</figcaption></figure>It was with dismay that I read in The Age a few days ago that there appears to be some backroom argy-bargy going on in relation to extending the Frankston line's three tracks southwards from Moorabbin in order to extend express services further down the bay.

Aside from the fact this region of Melbourne is not poised to do as much heavy lifting in terms of housing and employment for Melbourne's increasing population (with the except of the Moorabbin-Bentleigh area), putting political weight behind extending a third track is bygone era thinking.

The Frankston line from Moorabbin to Caulfield and the Belgrave/Lilydale lines from Box Hill to Burnley have triplicate - three - track sections which allow for the peak flow of faster trains to overtake stopping all stations.

<blockquote>
Three tracks was fashionable in Melbourne up until the 1980s, with prominent examples on the Ringwood and Frankston lines. Expresses can overtake slower trains in one direction only.

The catch is that since the 1990s, the amount of inner-city stabling has been reduced markedly, so all those trains need somewhere to go between peak hour runs.

This is problematic with three tracks — in the morning the single outbound track gets congested; this can result in delays and clogged level crossings, and may be problematic when aiming to connect outer suburban centres like Dandenong and Ringwood with express trains (in both directions) from the inner city.
<cite>Daniel Bowen - <a href="https://www.danielbowen.com/2016/02/09/how-many-tracks/">How many tracks</a>?</cite>
</blockquote>

As Daniel Bowen points out, express services on three tracks need to have trains stored at the end of the run - and the inner-city does not have that capacity anymore. 

I can understand a state or federal MP hearing his or her community's concerns about commuting times but in the wider metropolitan context, express services to the city - and doing it in a substandard way - is a luxury, especially as the region we're talking about will not be under the same pressure to shoulder the burden of population growth.
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Two tiers of service on the Frankston is a nice to have, not a necessity

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Enabling works for the Parramatta Light Rail Project in Australia's second oldest city are set to commence toward the end of the year after the NSW Government announced the Diona Ward joint venture had won the contract.

The enabling works will encompass relocation of underground utilities, intersection upgrades, new traffic lights, landscaping, and changes to street lanes and parking.  

The joint venture comprises <a href="http://www.diona.com.au/">Diona</a> and <a href="http://www.wardgroup.com.au/">Ward Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering</a>.

George Street, running parallel to the light rail route on Macquarie Street, will transition from a one-way street to a two-way street and O'Connell street running parallel to the route on Church Street will be widened.

Through Parramatta's CBD, the new light rail line will take over a large amount of traffic space and the enabling works will seek to cater for the major traffic changes prior to the start of construction.

<blockquote>
These enabling works are vital to keep the city moving and to minimise disruption for the people of Parramatta. These changes, while not directly along the Parramatta Light Rail route, will provide additional capacity and connections for everyone in the CBD before, during and after the light rail construction.

Parramatta Light Rail will be fantastic for the region when it opens in 2023, with nearly 30,000 people predicted to use it every day by 2026 to reach essential services and destinations across Western Sydney. 
<cite>Tim Poole, Parramatta Light Rail Program Director</cite>
</blockquote>

Transport for NSW says the most significant change will be on George Street.

"George Street in the Parramatta CBD is set to become two-way, moving traffic through the heart of Parramatta more efficiently by redistributing traffic volumes across the local road network. O’Connell Street will also be widened to four lanes from Barney Street to Albert Street to accommodate additional traffic as an alternative to Church Street."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/parra_phase1_2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Route map of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail project - image: Transport for NSW"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parra_phase1_2.png?itok=OsW5zAEQ" title="Route map of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail project - image: Transport for NSW" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Route map of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail project - image: <a href="http://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/">Transport for NSW</a></figcaption></figure>The Parramatta Light Rail project is broken into two phases with the enabling works package announced this week linked to the first phase.

The first phase of the project will see light rail infrastructure built in-road from Westmead through North Parramatta and the Parramatta CBD to Camellia where the light rail route will replace Sydney Trains services on the Carlingford branch.

The second phase of the project sees an extension of the network eastward to Sydney Olympic Park via Rydalmere and Wentworth Point.

In April a contract to remediate the future depot site for the light rail vehicles was awarded and contracts to supply operate and maintain the Parramatta Light Rail are currently out to tender and are expected to be awarded by the end of 2018.

The Parramatta Light Rail project is a precursor to wider public transport improvements in the region with the Sydney Metro West set to have at least two stations in the region at both Parramatta and Westmead.

Parramatta sits at the centre of the 'Central River City' in the Greater Sydney Commission's <a href="https://www.greater.sydney/three-cities">Three cities vision</a>.

Lead image credit: <a href="http://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/gallery?page=2">parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au</a>
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NSW Government appoints contractor for enabling works on Parramatta Light Rail

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In the era of Airbnb - and its relatively light regulation - you could be forgiven for thinking there mightn't be a need for so many new hotels however investors appear to be unperturbed by the room-and-whole-property-sharing platform and others like it.

Just this week we've had three hotel reports. It was announced yesterday that the Westin brand will head into <a href="/news/westin-signs-into-adelaides-general-post-office-precinct">Adelaide's GPO development</a>, <a href="/news/little-collins-streets-hotel-precinct-poised-for-another-addition">Little Collins Street in Melbourne</a> could see another hotel, and there are <a href="/news/cromwell-and-pro-invest-refine-their-sydney-hotel-intentions">shifting intentions in Sydney</a> as well.

Hotels are a major piece of a city's tourism infrastructure however they are not the sole accommodation provider - sharing platforms like Airbnb and Stayz, family accommodation and holiday houses all play a part in housing, temporarily, visitors to a city or region.

Sharing platforms increase the size and add competition to the accommodation market however they're likely to face tougher regulation over time.  This <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/councils-scramble-for-new-laws-to-stop-airbnb-pop-up-parties-20180703-p4zp7b">article</a> in The Age is not all that uncommon - short-stay accommodation that disturbs the peace will only go as far as the local community will tolerate it.

The New South Wales Government recently introduced new regulations which among other things limit the number of nights (180 per year) a property can be let out on a short-term rental basis in metropolitan Sydney. Regional areas will have no automatic cap but local councils will be able to impose their own limits, the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-05/airbnb-changes-as-nsw-government-reaches-compromise/9836648">ABC reported</a> last month.

The Victorian Government set up a panel to look at specific short-stay accommodation issues which resulted in a report, and according to the panel's <a href="https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/resources-and-tools/legislation/public-consultations-and-reviews/short-stay-accommodation-panel">website</a>, the government is consulting with stakeholders.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/qf_787_dep_adl_ccbysa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="More people are coming to Australia and we're all travelling more - tourism is booming. Image: flickr"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/qf_787_dep_adl_ccbysa.jpg?itok=CnPA4cSC" title="More people are coming to Australia and we're all travelling more - tourism is booming. Image: flickr" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>More people are coming to Australia and we're all travelling more - tourism is booming. Image: <a href="/https:/www.flickr.com/photos/100780486@N02/38442428926">flickr</a></figcaption></figure><h2>The bigger picture</h2>

In short, Australia - its cities and regions - are going through a tourism boom.  Both domestic and international tourism is growing 2-3x the population growth rate in many cities and the 'traditional' accommodation providers are simply responding to it.

Data from the <a href="https://www.tra.gov.au/">Tourism Research Australia</a> shows total number of domestic visitors to the major 5 capitals has growth between 20% and 42% over the past ten years.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">City</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of visitors, year ending December 2017</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of visitors, year ending December 2007</th>
			<th scope="col">Growth</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sydney</td>
			<td>9,924,000</td>
			<td>7,392,000</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">34%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne</td>
			<td>9,251,000</td>
			<td>6,509,000</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">42%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brisbane</td>
			<td>6,485,000</td>
			<td>4,931,000</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">31%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Perth</td>
			<td>3,943,000</td>
			<td>3,061,000</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">28%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adelaide</td>
			<td>2,791,000</td>
			<td>2,324,000</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">20%</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
International visitor numbers from <a href="http://www.tourism.australia.com/en/markets-and-research/tourism-statistics/international-visitor-arrivals">Tourism Australia</a> also show high growth with the total international arrivals into Australia at the year ending December 2017 sitting at <a href="http://www.tourism.australia.com/en/markets-and-research/tourism-statistics/international-visitor-arrivals">8.8 million representing a 6.6% year-on-year change</a>.

Just as increasing numbers of passengers flying through airports is forcing policymakers to re-think ground transport - Perth has a rail link under construction, it looks like Melbourne will finally get one with the PM chipping in $5 billion - developers also have been busy responding to the continuing growth in tourism numbers right across the country.

To see a list of all hotels on the Apartments.com.au database, click <a href="/developments?rlisting_listing_type_value%5B0%5D=7&amp;items_per_page=10">here</a>.
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Hotels hotels hotels, why so many new hotels?

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

Alastair Taylor

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