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<h2>Comment</h2>

Apparently, 9 minutes will be shaved off the time to travel from Pakenham and the City when the Monash Freeway expands, yet again.

“The [Monash] freeway will be widened between Warrigal Road and Eastlink and between Clyde Road and Cardinia Road, cutting an estimated nine minutes off a peak-hour trip between Pakenham and the city,” according to a joint federal and state government media release.

The language might resonate with some voters but there comes a point where you have to call out rubbish.

Pakenham has a population of just under 50,000.  It's no small fringe suburb by any stretch of the imagination, but it also has an even better way of travelling "to the city", it's called a train.

The Monash Freeway might give Pakenham-dwellers a traffic-light-free journey to the city (at very least, to Montague Street or Kings Way) but not everyone in Pakenham is travelling to the city, nor is everyone who lives in any suburb between Pakenham and inner Melbourne travelling to the city. 

Huge amounts of traffic enter and exit the freeway between the aforementioned endpoints every day so why the focus on the extreme fringe to the centre of the city?

Central Melbourne does not need more cars funnelled into it.  I repeat, central Melbourne does not need more cars.  It is the one place which is incredibly accessible via the public transport network from any point in the metropolitan area and the one place where space is at such a premium that there are far more worthy land-uses than car parking.

The language that governments use when describing mega-road projects is understandable and calibrated to address specific interests - if its a new road, there will be time travel benefits and an upgrade will most likely 'appear' to fix things. 

Time savings are easily digestible and resonate but in the case of making trips from the outer suburbs to the city faster, the problem that permeates elsewhere - people believe its best to drive to the city when there are good alternatives - and those alternatives, the train network at the very least, is seeing improvements at the same time.

The Pakenham and Cranbourne lines are seeing major upgrades - tomorrow, Monday the 18th, there will be no level crossing between Dandenong and the City which removes the train and car conflicts, station facilities have been rebuilt and over the medium term a new signalling system and new route will allow even more trains to run on the corridor.

There might be some travel time benefits - a few minutes here, a few minutes there - when the new fleet of trains takes over total operations on the Pakenham/Cranbourne line, ditto when the route is altered to only stop at the new ANZAC station before getting to Town Hall/Flinders Street, but there could be more.

If the Monash is getting an extra lane in each direction every 5-10 years, and now we're finally seeing a one or two generational leap in rail technology and operations on the Dandenong corridor, is it not time to deliver big travel time benefits for train users by adding more track and running permanent express services?

We've discussed many of the constraints of track expansion in Melbourne on Apartments.com.au before and at the city end it'll get expensive, but the East-West Link is expensive, the West Gate Tunnel is expensive, the North-East Link is expensive. 

Melbourne's South East is the only section of the metropolitan area that is set to continue greenfields development out to the growth boundary and will include two of the five National Employment and Innovation Clusters (Dandenong South and Monash) as well as continue to enjoy direct rail access to the major job cluster at the end of the Pakenham/Cranbourne line in the city.

Road projects seem to be at least partially justified because freight users require them - with employment set to concentrate in Monash in particular, don't the governments owe it to the future employees of central Melbourne, Monash and Dandenong to connect these areas with fast express train services?

Lead image credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monash_Fwy_W_from_Tooronga_peak.jpg">Wikipedia</a>.
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Alastair Taylor

Monash Freeway upgrades: 9 minutes of short-term congestion relief

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Adelaide Airport will begin immediate construction on a $165 million expansion which will expand floor space, shopping and dining areas as well as expand international departure and arrival space.

Work is set to begin in earnest with the key focus of the expansion being on improving the passenger departure and arrival experience, <a href="https://www.adelaideairport.com.au/corporate/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nr-terminal-expansion-14.6-final.pdf">a statement</a> from the airport says.

When the new terminal opened in 2005, Adelaide Airport gained a single terminal for both international and domestic flights.  Unique among the major capital airports in Australia (however Canberra has since joined Adelaide in this respect), some gates could be ringfenced and secured for international departures and arrivals or switched back for domestic use.

The new expansion will see this 'swing configuration' continue however a single gate - number 18 - will become a permanent international gate where the focus of improving international passenger facilities will be.

A second international baggage claim belt will be added in the international arrivals hall and a new common user premium lounge will be constructed.

Other improvements include relocation of the Virgin Australia lounge and an expansion of office space for airlines and regulatory authorities based at the airport.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SseeZna6lvU" width="100%"></iframe>

<blockquote>
Since we opened the existing terminal in 2005, our overall passenger numbers have increased by close to 50 per cent.

Our international passenger numbers alone have almost tripled over the same period. This extraordinary growth means we need to keep growing our existing facilities.

While we still have sufficient gate capacity to meet future forecast growth in the number of flights, we’re reaching capacity within the terminal.

This expansion will allow us to be fit-for-purpose based on our future growth forecasts.
<cite>Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Mark Young</cite>
</blockquote>

Virgin Australia's Group Executive, Rob Sharp, said: "the relocation of the Virgin Australia Lounge presents an exciting opportunity and we look forward to sharing more detail on our plans in due course."

The expansion is going to see a 'complete refurbishment of retail areas, resulting in a more than 80 per cent increase in the overall size of the terminal’s retail and dining precinct across domestic and international areas,' according to an airport statement.

Federal Government statistics show Adelaide's busiest domestic route is to Melbourne with 2 475,200 people flying between the city pair over the year ending March 31st, 2018.

This compares with Australia's busiest city pair, Melbourne-Sydney, which sees 9 191,700 passengers fly between the two cities.

For the year ending March 31st, 2018, Adelaide saw 985,748 people use the airport on international flights and if it continues to grow at the rate it did over the past 12 months, it could join the top 5 international airports in Australia within a few years.  Gold Coast is currently in 5th spot with 1,079,568 flying in and out internationally.

Watpac has been appointed builder for the expansion and work is set to be completed in 2021.

Lead image credit: Adelaide Airport.
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Adelaide Airport starts $165 million expansion

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Manufacturing on the new fleet of Melbourne trains, dubbed the High-Capacity Metro Train (HCMT) fleet, that will run on the Pakenham/Cranbourne lines and eventually through the metro tunnel to the Sunbury line, has kicked off in earnest at an assembly facility in Newport.

The bodies of the new trains are being manufactured offshore however key components are being locally built including bogies, traction motors and pantographs.  All the components are being assembled at the Newport facility where the trains will then roll on to the network.

The rolling construction blitzes the state government has been announcing at regular intervals of late point to the scale of the changes to infrastructure required for the new trains.

The last two vehicle types to enter into the Melbourne train fleet, the Siemens and the X'trapolis, were, for the most part, assembled offshore and then delivered to the network and their introduction did not yield the infrastructure changes that are happening on the Pakenham/Cranbourne lines for the latest entrant to the fleet.

The current shutdown relates to commissioning the latest piece of the level crossing removal project in the Dandenong corridor - where the new trains will run.  The next construction blitz, outlined last week, will include upgrading the catenary (overhead wires and stanchions) between Pakenham and Dandenong.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X3Mn9y2mXMs" width="100%"></iframe>

Bogies for the new HCMTs are being manufactured in Bendigo, the traction motors in Morwell and the pantographs in Hallam.  Final assembly is carried out in Newport where Downer, as part of the Evolution Rail consortium who won the $2.4 billion contract in 2016, has spent $16 million upgrading facilities in the historic rail yard.

The first delivery of a train for testing is expected later in 2018 and they will undergo a testing regime before the first set is placed in active service, tentatively scheduled for mid-2019.

Pakenham East is the site of the new maintenance (as well as some storage) facility for the HCMT fleet and its construction has attracted the attention of enthusiasts who are providing their own drone footage and commentary on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWfJaiBNLIY">Youtube</a>.

If everything runs to schedule, the 65th and final train will be delivered by 2023, two years before the Melbourne Metro tunnel is set to open.

Likewise, the trial of the high capacity signalling is set to take place on the South Morang-soon-to-be-Mernda line before being installed and actively used between Sunshine and Dandenong when the Metro Tunnel opens. 

Having to straddle, for the most part, the 'old way of doing things' under conventional signalling and to operate with an even newer signalling system points to the scalability that is being built into the new train fleet.

A mock-up was on display in Birrarung Marr over the 2017/2018 summer and other consultation rounds have seen many tweaks that have informed the final design that is now set to ramp up in production.

To read more about the new HCMT fleet, see <a href="https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-projects/high-capacity-metro-trains/">transport.vic.gov.au</a>.

 
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Manufacturing kicks off on Melbourne's High Capacity Metro Trains

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Frasers Property has gained approval from Whitehorse City Council for its mixed-use community on the former Burwood Brickworks site that will create 700 new homes and contain what's being dubbed the world's most sustainable shopping centre.

First profiled on Apartments.com.au in <a href="/news/frasers-property-invites-eoi-to-design-construct-operate-its-rooftop-farm-at-burwood-brickworks">February 2018</a>, the development will feature a mix of apartments, townhouses and detached houses on the expansive site.

Woorlworths Group brands including a Woolworths Supermarket and Dan Murphy's will anchor the 12,700sqm Burwood Brickworks shopping centre and over 50 expressions of interest were received in the call out for operators of the roof-top farm.

Frasers Property says they have whittled down the 50 EOIs to a shortlist and are targeting a mid-year turnaround for selecting the operator.

The developer expects the first apartments, medium-density and detached housing lots to be completed by late 2020 with 3000 jobs to be created during construction and then 700 ongoing jobs in the shopping centre once complete.

<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/ospace_wetland_final.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Open space areas at Burwood Brickworks - image: supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ospace_wetland_final.jpg?itok=tlugjF-w" title="Open space areas at Burwood Brickworks - image: supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Open space areas at Burwood Brickworks - image: supplied</figcaption></figure>Burwood Brickworks shopping centre is aiming to make the centre the first retail development in the world to achieve Living Building Challenge certification through multiple initiatives including generating 105% of the energy required to power the building.

According to Frasers Property, there will be strict procols in place to re-purpose up to 99% of construction waste away from landfil and that the use of local, salvaged and sustainable materials will reduce the centre's carbon footprint.

“We will demonstrate that developing a net positive sustainable shopping centre – one that gives more than it takes from its environment – is not only commercially viable, but preferable" says Peri Macdonald, executive GM, retail at Frasers Property.

The entire redevelopment zone will include 2.5 hectares of open space that will include community facilities which two large public spaces that adjoin the shopping centre.

<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/brickworks_view03_april_2018.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Burwood Brickworks shopping centre - image: supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/brickworks_view03_april_2018.jpg?itok=ECdugjE6" title="Burwood Brickworks shopping centre - image: supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Burwood Brickworks shopping centre - image: supplied</figcaption></figure>Hacer Group has been appointed to building the new Burwood Brickworks shopping centre with the first sod of soil turned on the 12th of June.
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Burwood Brickworks approved

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Brisbane's Cross River Rail project has had $733 million allocated to it in the 2018 Queensland state budget that was handed down by Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad this afternoon.

In the budget speech to state parliament, the Treasurer put Brisbane's Cross River Rail at the centre of the Palaszczuk Government's infrastructure spend.

<blockquote>
In a fast-growing state, investing in key infrastructure supports job creation, it boosts business confidence and it delivers the services Queenslanders need to maintain our way of life.

Our delivery of the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project recognises this.

Sadly, the Federal Government and those opposite don’t.

During the five-year construction period, Cross River Rail will support an average of 1,500 jobs each year, and up to 3,000 jobs in the most intensive year of construction
<cite>Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Jackie Trad</cite>
</blockquote>

The Cross River Rail project aims to provide another north-south path for South East Queensland's metropolitan rail network, alleviating congestion on the Merivale Bridge and opening up new station catchments in the heart of Brisbane's CBD and Woolloongabba.

The 10.2km of new twin-track will connect the Beenleigh/Gold Coast trunk at Park Road with the Nambour/Redcliffe/Shorncliffe trunk just beyond Bowen Hills.  5.9km of the new track will be in tunnels.

Exhibition station, currently only open and serviced during special events, will become a full time station serving Brisbane's inner north and a new interchange station, Boggo Road, will be built in the vicinity of Park Road station offering transfer opportunities to train passengers.

Roma Street will also be connected to the Cross River Rail tunnel offering further connection opportunities to rail services throughout all of Queensland.

<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/crr_alignment_qld_gov.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The route of the Cross River Rail project (blue) and Brisbane Metro - image: crossriverrail.qld.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="944" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/crr_alignment_qld_gov.jpg?itok=gJw3R6pG" title="The route of the Cross River Rail project (blue) and Brisbane Metro - image: crossriverrail.qld.gov.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The route of the Cross River Rail project (blue) and Brisbane Metro - image: <a href="https://www.crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/info/#rail-route-top">crossriverrail.qld.gov.au</a></figcaption></figure>Along with the Cross River Rail project, the Treasurer confirmed the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Project has also been funded.

Approximately 40km in length, the single track section between Beerburrum and Nambour to the north of Brisbane will be duplicated and paid for by the Federal and State Governments.  

Canberra will be funding the project to the tune of $390 million and the Treasurer announced the Queensland portion of the funding will total $161 million.

Central Station will also yield $7 million to pay for general upgrades that will see modernisation of platforms, stairs, escalators, a new roof and additional escalators from the station's concourse to ANZAC Square.

To view the Treasurer's speech and Queensland Budget 2018 documents, see <a href="https://budget.qld.gov.au/">budget.qld.gov.au</a>.
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Brisbane's Cross River Rail, Nambour duplication works funded in Queensland budget

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The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday the 10th of June foreshadowed another 2018 NSW budget initiative that would see an upgraded signalling system rolled out to existing Sydney Trains railway lines.

Starting with the T4 Illawarra and T8 Airport line, a new signalling system will be rolled out that will allow trains to safely travel closer together which in turn allows trains to run more frequently.

It will be a progressive change and the new system isn't expected to be in use until the 2020s and the amount to be allocated over the forward estimates in 2018's state budget is $880 million.

Sydney Trains chief Howard Collins said that the new signalling system could theoretically allow trains to run every 90 seconds, however trains won't be running on that kind of frequency any time soon.

The Premier said that after the initial upgrades have been installed, it is expected the T4 Illawarra line will see an extra 5 services in the peak and the T8 Airport line will see an extra 8 services in the peak.

"Digital signal and control" system is how the new system has been described; similarly the Victorian Government refers to the signalling upgrades for the Melbourne Metro tunnel and the new cross-town line as "high capacity signalling" - in essence, these two terms used by different state governments refer to signalling that will employ a moving block system, most likely using <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications-based_train_control">Communications-based train control</a> (CBTC).

Sydney Metro, as it will be operationally independent of the rest of the Sydney Trains network, will use a CBTC system - Alstom and its <a href="http://www.alstom.com/Global/Transport/Resources/Documents/brochure2014/Sydney%20Metro%20Northwest%20-%20Case%20study%20-%20English.pdf?epslanguage=en-GB">Urbalis 400</a> system were selected as part of the Operations, Trains and Systems contract.

<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/fb_vs_mb_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Safety distance (safe-braking distance) between trains in fixed block and moving block signalling systems - wikipedia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="223" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fb_vs_mb_0.jpg?itok=YgJTpmda" title="Safety distance (safe-braking distance) between trains in fixed block and moving block signalling systems - wikipedia" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Safety distance (safe-braking distance) between trains in fixed block and moving block signalling systems - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications-based_train_control">wikipedia</a></figcaption></figure>Moreover, the New South Wales Government has announced it will extend its Public Transport Access upgrades program in the 2018 state budget.

The Premier announced a further $133 million will be allocated in the budget and then used for accessibility upgrades at a further 11 stations around the Sydney and regional networks.

North Strathfield, Kingswood, Hazelbrook, Wyee, Blayney, Mittagong, Clarendon, Hawkesbury River, Wahroonga, Taree, Roseville and further upgrades to Glenbrook, Beecroft, Millthorpe and Como stations will be the beneficiaries of the money to be allocated in the budget.

Since 2011, including the $133 million announced by the Premier, $2 billion has been spent on accessibility upgrades across stations, wharves and interchanges in New South Wales.
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NSW Government unveils plans to upgrade Sydney Trains with next generation signalling

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The New South Wales Government in its budget, to be released this week, will allocate $15.6 million to deliver increased bus services in metropolitan Sydney as part of a wider $1.5 billion program that will deliver bus fleet renewal and expansion.

1000 new services will be run through the Northern Beaches and 500 new services will be added to the network in Western Sydney.

400 buses are set to be replaced over time as part of the $1.5 billion statewide bus program and the fleet will expand by 30 buses to deliver the increased services throughout the Northern Beaches, Wentworth Point, Penrith, Blacktown and Lane Cove.

“Around 20 of these new buses will cater for the increased demand in school services across the state,” the NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, said.

<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/plr_stage1_map_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Parramatta Light Rail stage one route map - image: Transport for NSW"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="510" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/plr_stage1_map_0.jpg?itok=f9sIRAKr" title="Parramatta Light Rail stage one route map - image: Transport for NSW" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Parramatta Light Rail stage one route map - image: Transport for NSW</figcaption></figure>Parramatta's Light Rail is one step closer with approval granted at the beginning of June for stage one which will see Westmead and Carlingford connected via Camellia and Parramatta's CBD.

The NSW Government will allocate $1 billion toward the project from this year's budget and the government expects a tendering process to be complete with contracts signed by the third quarter of 2018.

The final cost of the light rail line will be known following the tender and contract process.

The eastern end of the light rail route will see existing heavy rail services that run on the single-track Carlingford line cease and the corridor will transition to include two tracks for light rail vehicles.

Early works have begun with the announcement in May that Ventia had been awarded the contract to begin remediation works on the site of the new stabling and maintenance facility in Camellia.

Telopea, one of the existing heavy rail stops on the Carlingford line that will be converted to light rail, saw a master plan and rezoning proposal released in 2017 that would include between 4000 and 4700 new social, affordable and private homes to be built over 20 years.

In late March, the Minister for Social Housing, Pru Goward, commenced engagement with the development community through an expression of interest campaign to deliver key aspects of the redevelopment at Telopea.  That EOI period has now closed and proposals are now being evaluated by the NSW Government.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hgdj802zzkI" width="100%"></iframe>

In October 2017 the NSW Government announced the preferred route for stage two of the Parramatta Light Rail which would see a 9km extension from stage one begin at Rydalmere and then run along the north side of the Parramatta River then crossing southwards through Wentworth Point and terminate at Sydney Olympic Park. 

Stage two is currently in a consultation round and a finalised business case is expected in 2018.
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Sydney to see increased bus services; Parramatta Light Rail stage one gains approval

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The days are now at their shortest for the year and the overnight lows dip perilously close to 0 degrees, however, construction is still powering along and our photo-taking Apartments.com.au forum members remain undeterred.

Here's a snapshot of the construction activity that has been captured by forum members and Apartments.com.au staff alike and as always, click the links that accompany each image to see more in the project forum threads.

<a href="/news">311 Spencer Street</a> - image originally posted by Apartments.com.au member redden

<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/p5141768.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="311 Spencer Street - image by urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p5141768.jpg?itok=2jtJ9nnt" title="311 Spencer Street - image by urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>311 Spencer Street - image by Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/news">Rima with a dash of 8 Lygon</a> in Brunswick East - image: Mark Baljak

<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/img_1598.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rima in Brunswick East - image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1598.jpg?itok=pVBLw-9C" title="Rima in Brunswick East - image: Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rima in Brunswick East - image: Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure><a href="/news4">Ibis Styles</a> on Southbank - image originally posted by Apartments.com.au user redden

<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/p5261885.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ibis Styles on Southbank - image by urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p5261885.jpg?itok=akxF4Z_K" title="Ibis Styles on Southbank - image by urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ibis Styles on Southbank - image by Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/news8">Australia 108</a> bathed in sun in late May, taken by yours truly.

<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/img_0598.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108 - image: Alastair Taylor"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0598.jpg?itok=URxBYXh5" title="Australia 108 - image: Alastair Taylor" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108 image</a>: Alastair Taylor</figcaption></figure>Central Equity's latest addition to the neighbourhood it's famous for, <a href="/news">Southbank Place</a> - image originally posted by Apartments.com.au user redden

<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/p5261875.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Southbank Place - image by urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p5261875.jpg?itok=72dh1KUK" title="Southbank Place - image by urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Southbank Place - image by Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/news">Melbourne Square</a>'s site continues to be prepared - image originally posted by Apartments.com.au user redden

<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/p6090108.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Square - image by urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p6090108.jpg?itok=KBqvI-OE" title="Melbourne Square - image by urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Square - image by Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/news1">Aurora Melbourne Central</a> - image by Mark Baljak

<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/img_1693.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aurora Melbourne Central - image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1693.jpg?itok=XnBkl33p" title="Aurora Melbourne Central - image: Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aurora Melbourne Central - image: Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure><a href="/news">Conservatory</a> nearing structural and facade completion - image by Mark Baljak

<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/img_1909.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Conservatory - image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1909.jpg?itok=O2eml66F" title="Conservatory - image: Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Conservatory - image: Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>​​​​​<a href="/news0">Marque Maribyrnong</a> - image by Mark Baljak

<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/img_1799.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Marque Maribyrnong - image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1799.jpg?itok=nDaf1wmr" title="Marque Maribyrnong - image: Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Marque Maribyrnong - image: Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>Check out other project's construction status by visiting our forum at <a href="/news">Apartments.com.au/forum</a>.
</body></html>

A snapshot of Melbourne's construction - June 2018

<html><body>
Major works to remove the Buckley Street level crossing in Essendon are about to kick off with the Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan announcing a new blitz that will see disruptions to both road and rail networks throughout June.

Road Traffic will be diverted away from Buckley Street between Mount Alexander Road and Violet Street on June 8th until June 11th.

Rail passengers on the Craigieburn line will face bus replacements from June 8th to June 10th and from the 21st to the 27th of June.  Trains will be replaced by buses between Broadmeadows and North Melbourne - a good 70% of the entire Craigieburn railway line.

The major traffic diversions will return on June 21st, with Buckley Street closed between Mount Alexander Road and Violet Street, until July 6th.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M3vgPicYshE" width="100%"></iframe>

The Buckley Street level crossing will be removed by sinking the roadway underneath the existing rail grade.  This will be the first of the Andrews Government's 50 level crossing removals to see this design &amp; engineering solution implemented.

The Craigieburn railway line, being one of the first to be built in Melbourne - and it was the railway line which saw the first electric train services in the 1920s - is built along the crest of a hill.

Buckley Street will carve into the western side of the hill and then rise and surface just before the Mount Alexander Road intersection.

The Level Crossing Removal Authority reported over the weekend the final U-trough was installed on the Skye/Overton Road project with catenary stanchions also erected.

The U shape of the dual bridges is designed to minimise noise and the same bridge build technique will be employed at the Kororoit Creek Road level crossing removal in Altona.

<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/skyoverton1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="New bridges over Skye/Overton Road in Frankston - image: LXRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/skyoverton1.jpg?itok=he_dyqpM" title="New bridges over Skye/Overton Road in Frankston - image: LXRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>New bridges over Skye/Overton Road in Frankston - image: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/levelcrossings/photos/a.1631948743546471.1073741890.843601892381164/1965428390198503/?type=3&amp;theater">LXRA</a></figcaption></figure>There are currently 16 level crossing removals under construction with 19 having been completed and another 15 in early planning stages.

 ​​​​​

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Essendon's turn for a construction blitz - major works to kick off on Buckley Street level crossing removal

<html><body>
On the 1st of June, the amendments to Victoria's Planning &amp; Environment Act 1987 came into force which, among other things, provide a definition of affordable housing in the state.

In essence, the new legislative amendments that are now in force provide a definition for what very low, low and moderate income households are and the act now states that affordable housing is housing for households who fit within the income brackets now outlined.

The definition of affordable housing, as described in law, for Victoria is:

<blockquote>
...affordable housing is housing, including social housing, that is appropriate for the housing needs of any of the following-- (a) very low income households; (b) low income households; (c) moderate income households.
<a href="http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/bill/pablaaaomb2017755/"><cite>Housing Affordability and Other Matters Bill 2017</cite></a>
</blockquote>

Very low income, low income and moderate income households are defined by income ranges that apply to people living in Melbourne or outside of Melbourne.  On the advice of the Planning Minister, the Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria sets &amp; amends the income ranges.

For Melbourne, the household income brackets for very low, low and moderate income households are:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col"> </th>
			<th scope="col">Very low income range (annual)</th>
			<th scope="col">Low income range (annual)</th>
			<th scope="col">Moderate income range (annual)</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Single adult</td>
			<td>Up to $25,220</td>
			<td>$22,221 - $40,340</td>
			<td>$40,341 - $60,510</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Couple, no dependents</td>
			<td>Up to $37,820</td>
			<td>$37,821 - $60,520</td>
			<td>$60,521 - $90,770</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Family (one or two parents and dependent children)</td>
			<td>Up to $52,940</td>
			<td>$52,941 - $84,720</td>
			<td>$84,721 - $127,080</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
For the rest of Victoria, the income brackets are as follows:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col"> </th>
			<th scope="col">Very low income range (annual)</th>
			<th scope="col">Low income range (annual)</th>
			<th scope="col">Moderate income range (annual)</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Single Adult</td>
			<td>Up to $18,380</td>
			<td>$18,381 - $29,400</td>
			<td>$29,401 - $44,100</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Couple, no dependents</td>
			<td>Up to $27,560</td>
			<td>$27,561 - $44,100</td>
			<td>$44,101 - $66,160</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Family (one or two parents and dependent children)</td>
			<td>Up to $38,590</td>
			<td>$38,591 - $61,750</td>
			<td>$61,751 - $92,610</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
With these definitions now described in law, it allows developers, councils and the state government to negotiate affordable housing outcomes with a specific set of unambiguous definitions. 

As <a href="http://www.ratio.com.au/affordable-housing-update">Ratio Consultants</a> note the amendments to the act do not specify what the cost of housing should be for the people who fit within the income bands, noting "it is generally accepted that, to avoid housing stress, housing costs should not exceed 30% of household income."

Likewise, the legislative changes included no targets for affordable housing throughout all or some of the new development pipeline for Victoria but as Ratio further note, the affordable housing can be a strong negotiation tool.

<blockquote>
Councils are increasingly seeking to strongly encourage or even require affordable housing in new developments (City of Melbourne’s West Melbourne Structure Plan and Fishermans Bend discretionary requirements, and Glen Eira’s Carnegie, Elsternwick and Bentleigh Structure Plans).  

The voluntary provision of affordable housing can be a strong negotiation tool with recent agreements including in the Queen Victoria Market Munro Precinct where PDG are providing 15% affordable housing (being 56 apartments out of the total 360).
<a href="http://www.ratio.com.au/affordable-housing-update"><cite>Ratio Consultants</cite></a>
</blockquote>

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has also published guidance for those seeking to negotiate affordable housing agreements within the context of the new definitions, see <a href="https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-strategy/affordable-housing">planning.vic.gov.au</a> for more information.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.vic.gov.au/affordablehousing/">vic.gov.au</a>
</body></html>

Definitions around affordable housing in Victoria come into force

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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