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On the before the Treasurer approaches the dispatch box in Canberra, various state-based media outlets around the country have reported on what's in the Federal Budget 'for them'.

In what appears to be an acknowledgement of the Federal Government's less than stellar record of recent years of investing in the state which is seeing the highest population growth, Victorian media are reporting 1/3 of all the money to be allocated in the Federal budget tomorrow will be allocated to that state.

It includes one big pre-announcement already made, $5 billion for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link which at this point doesn't have a preferred corridor as planning working is still ongoing, using funds allocated from 2017's State and Federal budgets.  The outcome of which will not be known until later in the year.

$475 million will be allocated to 'Monash rail' according to the Herald Sun - the State Government has already outlined money will be allocated to plan for a light rail link. It doesn't appear the money to be allocated by Canberra will be tied to a specific solution however they do want the option of implementing a heavy rail line as well according to the local News Corp paper.

Regional Roads, unsurprisingly, see a fair bit of Canberra love with money to finalise duplications from Traralgon and Sale mentioned in local reports and the Federal Government will allocate $1.75 billion to the North-East Link.

New South Wales media have re-hashed pre-budget announcements including $400 million for duplicating the Port Botany freight railway line and $50 million for the business case on Western Sydney's airport railway lines.

The budget will also include just under $1 billion for the Pacific Highway Coffs Harbour bypass with the Daily Telegraph taking a decidedly, boo-hoo, poor us, line on the percentage of funding to be allocated by the Federal Government to New South Wales this year.

In all, Brisbane media are reporting $5.2 billion will be allocated to that state including projects such as the <a href="/news/brisbane-metros-draft-design-report-released-for-consultation">Brisbane Metro</a>, upgrades the Bruce Highway and other regional roads in Queensland.

The Bruce highway upgrades alone are worth $3.3 billion according to the Courier Mail and it reports that since 2013 it will have allocated or spent upwards of $10 billion on the main road north of out of Brisbane.

The Lion's share of the $1.8 billion allocated to South Australia will be spent on Adelaide's South Road upgrade which has been transforming over the past few years to give Adelaide a non-stop north-south road which bypasses the CBD.

The Gawler line electrification project will receive $220 million according to the Adelaide Advertiser.

The Bridgewater Bridge in north Hobart will be rebuilt with $461 million to be allocated to the replacement cost of the 1940s era bridge.  $120 million will be allocated to revitalising Tasmania's freight rail network as well according to The Mercury.

In Perth, the Federal Government has already announced it will add a further $1 billion to Perth's Metronet initiative.

The NT News, disappointingly, did not grace its front page with a croc image/story today.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Parliament_House_Canberra_Dusk_Panorama.jpg">Wikipedia</a>.
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Alastair Taylor

Canberra outlines where its $24.5 billion in transport infrastructure funds will be allocated this year

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The re-opening of the Hurstbridge line along with the new Rosanna station marks the end of major civil works which included lifting the railway over Lower Plenty Road, lowering it under Grange Road, duplicating a tunnel between Rosanna and Heidelberg and building a new station.

The Hurstbridge line only had two level crossings on Spring Street's list of 50 and the recent works has removed the second of three single-track bottlenecks on the line. 

The first single track bottleneck, the bridge over the Merri Creek just north of Clifton Hill, was removed in <a href="https://railgallery.wongm.com/second-merri-creek-bridge/">2008/2009</a>, the final bottleneck is the single track section from Greensborough to the end of the line at Hurstbridge. The State Opposition has already announced as part of the election platform that they would do this as a priority if they were elected in November.

A new timetable which will add peak services to the Hurstbridge line will begin in August and works at Rosanna station will continue, namely landscaping and station fitout works - a common theme with level crossing removal projects to date.  Dandenong corridor stations have been re-opened at the point where services can resume, not necessarily when all work in the station precincts is complete.

Now that foreseeable works on the Hurstbridge line have been completed, focus shifts to other level crossing removal projects.

As works progress on the extension of the South Morang line to Mernda, on the same line, at Reservoir and Bell Street, two-level crossing removal projects have been mooted.

No official engineering solution has been announced but consultations have been underway for more than a year.

Complexity is the word that best describes Reservoir - a maze of intersecting roads plus a major aqueduct easement need to be factored into the design. 

The two options in the area, according to the Level Crossing Removal Authority's (LXRA) website, are rail over road or rail under road.  Comments made in recent days on the community page have been <a href="https://your.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/reservoir-level-crossing?tool=qanda#tool_tab">answered</a> that the preferred solution will be announced within months.

Bell Street is effectively in the same boat - no preferred solution has been chosen however the LXRA website does say that all four possibilities were being assessed (road under rail, rail under road, rail over road and road over rail).

<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/grande_road.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The new rail underpass at Grange Road in Alphington - 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/grande_road.jpg?itok=5WMQ84UJ" title="The new rail underpass at Grange Road in Alphington - image: LXRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The new rail underpass at Grange Road in Alphington - image: LXRA</figcaption></figure>
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Rosanna station and the Hurstbridge line re-open

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Autumn is, sort of, here and the mild weather has continued with a raft of sites around the city powering along - the lack of rain in the past few months will likely benefit many project's construction schedules.

here's a snapshot of some of the projects that are under construction, using images posted on the forum during April.

As always, click on the forum link above each image to view more images &amp; the discussion threads.

 

From the <a href="/news">Moonee Ponds Projects &amp; Construction thread</a>.

<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/moonee_p_markets.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Former Moonee Ponds markets site - image originally posted by Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="423" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/moonee_p_markets.jpg?itok=m8rlp4rb" title="Former Moonee Ponds markets site - image originally posted by Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Former <a href="/news">Moonee Ponds markets site</a> - image originally posted by Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>From the <a href="/news">South Yarra projects &amp; Construction thread</a> - demolition has begun on the Yarra One site.

<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/yarra_one_sy_demo.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Yarra One - image originally posted by UM 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/yarra_one_sy_demo.jpg?itok=vKIYkdgV" title="Yarra One - image originally posted by UM user Redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/news">Yarra One</a> - image originally posted by UM user Redden</figcaption></figure>From the <a href="/news">311 Spencer Street thread</a>.

<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/311_spencer.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="311 Spencer Street - image originally posted by Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="401" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/311_spencer.jpg?itok=0xrbRBcH" title="311 Spencer Street - image originally posted by Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/news">311 Spencer Street</a> - image originally posted by Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>It's been a while since the East End had a decent-sized tower under construction - from the <a href="/news">72-82 Collins Street</a> thread.  Thanks to GlennWilson for the aerial image of the site from above, shown as the lead image.

<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/72-82_collins.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="72-82 Collins Street - image originally posted by UM 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/72-82_collins.jpg?itok=JZxGQVCV" title="72-82 Collins Street - image originally posted by UM user Redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/news">72-82 Collins Street</a> - image originally posted by UM user Redden</figcaption></figure>To quote the original forum post - "Floorplate just above ground, only another 175m left to go" - from the <a href="/news">Capitol Grand</a> thread. 

<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/capitol_grand_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Capitol Grand - image originally posted by 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/capitol_grand_0.jpg?itok=NHCZIes_" title="Capitol Grand - image originally posted by Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/news">Capitol Grand</a> - image originally posted by Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>Site clearing works continue and a perimeter has been established around the <a href="/buildings/st-boulevard-601-st-kilda-road-melbourne">St Boulevard</a> <a href="/buildings/st-boulevard-601-st-kilda-road-melbourne">601 St Kilda Road</a> site.

<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/601_st_kilda.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="St boulevard - 601 St Kilda Road - image originally posted by UM 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/601_st_kilda.jpg?itok=CWelRmzW" title="St boulevard - 601 St Kilda Road - image originally posted by UM user Redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/st-boulevard-601-st-kilda-road-melbourne">St boulevard - 601 St Kilda Road</a> - image originally posted by UM user Redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/buildings/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">​​​​Premier Tower's</a> core now well and truly making its presence felt on the corner of Bourke &amp; Spencer Streets.  From the <a href="/news">Premier Tower</a> thread.

<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/premier_tower_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Premier Tower - image originally posted by 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/premier_tower_0.jpg?itok=G9m9c-O2" title="Premier Tower - image originally posted by Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/news">Premier Tower</a> - image originally posted by Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>​​​​​​
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A snapshot of Melbourne's construction - May 2018

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The priority TAFE courses that will attract no fees, as outlined in yesterday's Victorian budget, has translated into multiple funding commitments to new TAFE facility construction and upgrades across Victoria.

The Bendigo Advertiser is today <a href="https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/5375241/bendigo-tafes-599-million-game-changer/?cs=80#slide=1">reporting</a> the $59.9 million announced for Bendigo TAFE's City Campus is a 'game-changer' and the money will be used to build 'a planned stage redevelopment for the creation of three separate TAFE precincts for education, community and commercial'.

Also on the cards in Bendigo is a portion of $20 million to be used for the acquisition of a site for a new court building within the city. 

Last year's budget included $1 million to plan for the consolidation of local council and state government public services in a new facility on a site that currently houses offices for the City of Greater Bendigo on <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ktd6aCTX6Ak">Lyttleton Terrace</a>, the Bendigo Advertiser <a href="https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/5372353/gov-hub-to-provide-jobs-vibrancy-to-cbd/?cs=80">reports</a>.  $16 million was allocated for the project in this year's state budget.

Like the Bendigo initiative, Ballarat has similar yet more advanced project dubbed the <a href="https://developmentvictoria.engagementhub.com.au/ballarat-govhub">Ballarat GovHub</a> that is undergoing a formal planning process before it is scheduled to enter construction by the end of the year.

In Ballarat, the city benefits from the state budget with the ordering of 5 new X'Trapolis trains which are assembled at Alstom's workshops in the city.  After assembly, trains are then hauled with a locomotive to Melbourne for commissioning.

Tim Pallas' fourth budget had $460 million earmarked for a new Ballarat Base Hospital - which construction is expected to start in 2020. 

Roads and rail feeding into Ballarat are seeing hundreds of millions of dollars allocated through the budget. 

Track and signalling upgrades from Ballarat to Maryborough and Ararat feature in the <a href="https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5373303/201819-state-budget-wins-and-losses-for-ballarat/?cs=62">Ballarat Courier's breakdown</a> for the regional as well as $90 million for the planning and pre-construction work on the Beaufort and Ararat bypasses on the A8 Western Highway.

The Geelong Advertiser is <a href="http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/state-budget-201819-big-win-for-geelong-businesses-with-cut-to-regional-payroll-tax/news-story/d3c34e92ca3972d3c2628aecbc483ba5">today</a> trumpeting the almost $1 billion worth of initiatives for the Geelong region.  One of the headline announcements was the formal allocation of funds - to the tune of $152.3 million - to Geelong's City deal which was first announced by the <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/city-deals-create-more-opportunities-victoria">Prime Minister in January</a>. 

Lara, in Geelong's northern suburbs, will be the site of a new $700 million prison and Barwon Health will be the recipient of one of the new emergency department crisis hubs - the $700 million announced for drug and mental health initiatives was one of the only surprises in the Treasurer's speech yesterday.

The Shepparton News is, of course, focusing on the moneys allocated to the region for the upgrades to the Shepparton &amp; Seymour rail line.

"Shepparton rail line windfall" is the headline on an <a href="http://www.sheppnews.com.au/2018/05/02/142369/shepparton-rail-line-windfall">article</a> which says the $313 million was more than what the local independent member for Shepparton thought would be allocated in the budget.  The upgrades would allow the line's services to rise from 5 return services a day to 9.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://twitter.com/bendigo_tafe">Bendigo_Tafe on twitter</a>.
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Victorian Budget: the big ticket items funded outside of Melbourne

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Laurence sits down with DKO's Koos de Keijzer this week.

Why do suburbs in Perth and Darwin look like suburbs in Melbourne?  Why can Australia's suburbia be somewhat homogenous?  Vive La Différence! 

Also on the agenda are towers and podiums - how well do they work in places like Southbank?

You can listen to our previous episodes <a href="/guides">here</a>, and don't forget to subscribe through the Apple podcast app!

<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/435315957&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 12 - Koos de Keijzer from DKO

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This year's Victorian Budget included an allocation of $5 million to complete the planning work for Fishermans Bend, the city's largest and most ambitious redevelopment precinct.

$3.8 million will be used for the planning work required to get Fishermans Bend its first secondary school.

$1 million will be used to finalise plans for the first rail-based public transport link from the CBD to the redevelopment precinct with a business case to be developed for both active and public transport links.  A ministerial media release refers to this as a 'tram bridge, connecting Fishermans Bend and the CBD'.

The transport initiatives for Fishermans Bend were floated when the draft framework plan for the precinct were unveiled in <a href="/news/walking-bikes-and-public-transport-the-big-focus-in-fishermans-bends-integrated-transport-plan">October 2017</a>. 

On top of corridor identification - a bridge across the Yarra from Collins Street to Hartley Street just beyond Yarra's Edge was the preferred option - the draft transport plan for the region included two tram branches - one which would travel west along Turner Street (north of the West Gate Freeway) and one that would travel west along Fennell and Plummer Streets (south of the West Gate Freeway).

The draft transport plan also came up with two preferred heavy rail corridors, better known as Melbourne Metro 2. 

There was no specific reference to this aspect of Fishermans Bend's transport planning work in the budget speech, however, the $50 million announced to speed up Geelong rail services and marrying it with the planning work for Melbourne Airport Rail Link might shed more light when that report is concluded.  

Elsewhere in the budget, just under $600,000 has been allocated for new exterior design standards and the Planning Minister announced $25 million will be allocated to increased safety inspections for high-rise buildings.

“There’s nothing more important than keeping people safe – that’s why we’re inspecting more high-rise buildings for dangerous and flammable materials, and cracking down on dodgy builders who flout the rules,” Planning Minister Richard Wynne said.

The new exterior design standards come on top of the apartment design standards that were rolled out in December 2016.

No new first home ownership initiatives were announced as part of the 2018/2019 budget.

The budget furthermore allocated $1 million for the development of an online portal which will provide access to better information on public land; $9.7 million will be allocated to processing planning permits faster; $3.5 million will help speed up council's assessment processes on new subdivisions.
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Victorian Budget: Fishermans Bend to get $5 million to complete planning work

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<h2>Analysis</h2>

Victorian Treasurer, Tim Pallas, has handed down the Andrews Government's fourth and final budget prior to the state election to be held in November.

You can't help but feel that this budget is one geared for the coming election, but also it's pretty clear the state government is grasping the population growth challenge with significant investment in skills in job areas that the Treasurer himself has said are in short supply.

Many of the initiatives contained within the budget papers were announced prior to today, including transport planning initiatives such as the <a href="/news/analysis-the-new-tram-route-from-caulfield-to-monash-university-and-rowville">south-east light rail line planning work</a>, marrying together <a href="/news/spring-street-allocates-50-million-toward-planning-work-for-faster-rail-services-to-geelong">higher-speed rail services to Geelong with Melbourne Airport's rail link study</a> and <a href="/news/spring-street-unveils-22-billion-suburban-and-growth-area-roads-upgrade-package">suburban road upgrades</a>.

Instead, the surprises left to the Treasurer to unveil include a skills boost with a policy to make TAFE courses in 30 different disciplines the state needs to be free, a large amount of money allocated to mental health and a payroll tax incentive for businesses based outside Melbourne.

Other analysts are framing the budget as one where the battle for the next state election will be in the 'burbs however the payroll tax cut for regional businesses appears to throw the gauntlet down at the feet of the opposition who have been pursuing a decentralisation policy for Victoria.

It might not be the silver bullet for increasing the movement of population and employment growth away from Melbourne but building on last year's tax cut adds another dimension to the decentralisation debate, with a decent amount of policy, now unveiled, to back it up.

In last year's budget, Spring Street unveiled an enormous regional railway package - to the tune of $1.5 billion - which was focused on improving capacity on regional rail lines. 

The big three regional cities on the western flank of the state have enjoyed "freewayification" of their primary connections to Melbourne, in some case for multiple decades, and the current government is now focused on the public transport connections.

It makes sense we start to see where the economic incentives are headed for regional growth and the payroll tax cut.  The payroll tax rate for regional areas (2.425%) from July 1 will be 50% of the metro business rate (4.85%).

Another interesting initiative which fits with the high population growth and 'big build', as the state government calls it, that's currently underway is a huge rollout of funding to train people for in-demand skills. 

The state will monitor skills needs and periodically update the list of courses that will be free.  The Premier tweeted the TAFE courses that will be free of charge from next year:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
JUST ANNOUNCED: 
From next year, all these major TAFE qualifications and apprenticeship pathways will cost you nothing to complete in Victoria. That's right. No course fees. Nothing. Free. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VicBudget?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VicBudget</a> <a href="https://t.co/rNYfyvHtvQ">pic.twitter.com/rNYfyvHtvQ</a>
— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/991162430213378049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2018</a>
</blockquote>

If it ever became 'cool' again to borrow big to build nice things, Victoria's in a very good position. 

As it stands, the budget documents show that net debt in the state will rise to 6% of Gross State Product by the 2021/2022 financial year (up from 5.4% this year) and the Victorian Treasury is estimating the state will become a half trillion dollar economy by 2021/2022 with a GSP of $523.3 billion and $31.4 billion in net debt.

<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/netdebt.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Projected net debt to GSP"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="296" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/netdebt.png?itok=a2O2o-f8" title="Projected net debt to GSP" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Projected net debt to GSP</figcaption></figure> See all the budget documents on <a href="https://www.budget.vic.gov.au">budget.vic.gov.au</a>
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Victorian Budget 2018, a spotlight on some new initiatives

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As we approach the end of the build-out phase of the level crossing removal programme in the Dandenong railway corridor, it's a good opportunity to step back and look at the big picture of what's happening along Melbourne's busiest rail line.

'The Dandenong Corridor' effectively refers to the railway line that cuts through Melbourne's south-east from the City to Dandenong, at which point the railway line splits into two branches, heading to Pakenham and Cranbourne.

Thanks to the level crossing removal projects in the area, we now have a veritable list of milestones whereby service quality on the Dandenong corridor will improve.

The most recent initiative by the state government, from their long-list of pre-budget announcements, included money to be allocated to operate services within the Dandenong corridor every 10 minutes after the peak until 10pm, each week night.

It's not quite the London Underground, Paris Metro or Tokyo Subway, however with a little bit of love from the state transport planners - especially now that bus operators are moving toward new contracts - to create a frequent bus feeder network up and down the line, the Dandenong corridor soon and well into the future should be a focus for residential and employment land-use intensification.

When trains run directly to Flinders Street (which they will, permanently, once the metro tunnel is open), it takes 40 minutes to travel to the city where trains stop all stations to Caulfield, express to South Yarra train from Dandenong to the City (when the metro tunnel opens, they will express to Domain/ANZAC and then the next stop is Flinders Street). 

With the metro tunnel, signalling improvements, newer trains, it's conceivable, but not confirmed, a couple of minutes might be shaved off that journey time as well.

Regardless, up to 40 minutes to the City is a pretty good commute time, but also we can't ignore another large elephant in the south-east: the Monash cluster which will soon have a plan to grow employment and diversify land-use within the large area that neatly sits halfway between the city and the outer branches of the Dandenong corridor.

<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/vic_interactive_zone_map.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Screenshot centred over Springvale on the State Government's Interactive Planning Scheme Map"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="289" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/vic_interactive_zone_map.png?itok=pDEFIIDs" title="Screenshot centred over Springvale on the State Government's Interactive Planning Scheme Map" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Screenshot centred over Springvale on the State Government's <a href="http://mapshare.maps.vic.gov.au/vicplan/">Interactive Planning Scheme Map</a></figcaption></figure>Taking a tour on Spring Street's new <a href="http://mapshare.maps.vic.gov.au/vicplan/">interactive planning scheme map</a>, we can see zoning supports intensification already, especially around the old towns that grew up along the 100+-year-old rail line and now form part of Melbourne's middle ring.

<a href="/new-apartments/carnegie-vic-3163">Carnegie</a>, being the closest suburb to the city when you exclude Caulfield, is and has seen a major transformation with many projects underway, recently built or in the pipeline.  <a href="/new-apartments/murrumbeena-vic-3163">Murrumbeena</a> doesn't have the same scale of Commerical zones but it is surrounded with Glen Eira and general residential zone which can support new apartment buildings up to 3 levels.

Hughesdale, the boundary between Glen Eira and Monash are in the same boat as Murrumbeena and <a href="/new-apartments/oakleigh-vic-3166">Oakleigh</a>, one of the largest centres within Monash, is subject to Commercial Zones which allow for a mix of uses.

Further down the line at Huntingdale, Westall, Sandown Park and Yarraman, there is no existing major retail strip or regional activity centre to piggyback off like in <a href="/new-apartments/clayton-vic-3168">Clayton</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/springvale-vic-3171">Springvale</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/noble-park-vic-3174">Noble Park</a> and Dandenong, but, again like in Murrumbeena and Hughesdale, the railway stations are surrounded by general residential zoning.

Clayton and Noble Park are like Carnegie in that they are liberally covered by a mixture of zones which allow for different typologies and when you throw Springvale and its very large &amp; diverse mix of zones surround its station, these three centres which skirt the edge of Monash cluster will be in prime position to take advantage of the demonstratable upgrades to the rail network that will be rolled out over the next 5-7 years.

And <a href="/new-apartments/dandenong-vic-3175">Dandenong</a>, at the end of line where frequencies will be the greatest is not shy of favourable planning zones nor a decent pipeline of existing projects that will see new buildings diversify the commercial-focused major south-east Melbourne centre.
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All the ingredients for land-use intensification on the Dandenong corridor are now in place

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The pre-budget announcements of the initiatives to be contained within the budget continued over the weekend with the State Government announcing a $2.2 billion suburban &amp; growth area arterial road upgrade package.

Thankfully, at least some of the roads which were mentioned in the pre-budget announcement will include active transport infrastructure, such as shared bike &amp; pedestrian paths, to be built alongside most of the roads which will be duplicated from two to four lanes.

This announcement adds to the western arterial roads package which was first unveiled in November 2016 with both northern suburbs seeing 6 roads upgraded and the south eastern suburbs to see 7 arterial upgrades.

The upgrades are summarised as follows, click the hyperlinks to see a map of the area.

Northern:

<ul>
<li>Duplicate Craigieburn Road between <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/7mNdQkXt2gs">Mickleham Road and Hume Freeway</a> in Craigieburn.  A new shared cycling and pedestrian path will be built on both sides of the road.</li>
	<li>Widening Sunbury Road from two lanes to four between <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/gLhbkqz57pG2">Powlett Street and Bulla-Diggers Rest Road</a> in Sunbury.  A new shared cycling and pedestrian path will be built.</li>
	<li>Duplicating Bridge Inn Road between <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/QGqfUEDDKLR2">Plenty Road and Yan Yean Road</a> and Yan Yean Road between Kurrak Road and Bridge Inn Road in Doreen.  New walking and cycling paths will be constructed alongside both roads.</li>
	<li>Duplicating Epping Road from two to four lanes between <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/NYdAcq8q9GG2">Craigieburn Road East and Memorial Avenue</a>. A new shared cycling and pedestrian path will be built.</li>
	<li>Upgrading three intersections at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/HJEXZxFzdHC2">Main Road, Porter Street </a><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/HJEXZxFzdHC2">and</a><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/HJEXZxFzdHC2"> Foote Street</a> on Fitzsimons Lane in Eltham.</li>
	<li>Duplicating Childs Road in Mill Park from <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Gjxipp66DcG2">Beaumont Crescent to Prince of Wales Avenue</a>.  A new walking and cycling path will be built along Childs Road.</li>
</ul>
South Eastern:

<ul>
<li>Duplicating Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road in Pakenham from two to four lanes between <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Y7rXerFacpo">Princes Freeway and Manks Road</a>.  A new walking and cycle path will be constructed.</li>
	<li>Duplicating Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road in Cranbourne from two to four lanes between <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Bp6PcyXADsP2">Thompsons Road and South Gippsland Highway</a>.</li>
	<li>Duplicating Lathams Road in Seaford from two to four lanes between <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/i71zykUmnjv">Oliphant Way and Dandenong-Frankston Road</a>, including a new bridge over Peninsula Link.</li>
	<li>Widening Pound Road West/Remington Drive in Dandenong South from two to four lanes between <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/RwUnZTFfJq22">Abbotts Road and South Gippsland Highway</a>, with a new bridge over the Cranbourne rail line.</li>
	<li>Duplicating Hallam North Road from two to four lanes between <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/HthdkEkGVrv">Heatherton Road and James Cook Drive</a>.  A new shared path will be constructed.</li>
	<li>Intersection and road safety upgrades on <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/mWvVoPWqQrw">Golf Links Road</a> from Peninsula Link to Baxter-Tooradin Road and Grant Road from Baxter-Tooradin Road to Frankston-Flinders Road in Langwarrin South.</li>
	<li>Upgrading two intersections with traffic lights on <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/AamT9ER59AH2">Thompsons Road</a> in Cranbourne.</li>
</ul>
The longest duplications appear to be Sunbury Road, stretching from Sunbury itself to Bulla and Koo Wee Rup Road from the Princes Freeway to Manks Road.

Koo Wee Rup Road is a faster route for vehicles between the Princes/Monash Freeway to the South Gippsland Highway and has previously been mooted as a freeway.  Perhaps this upgrade is a prelude to that.

Pound Road West and Lathams Road are two upgrades contained wholly within Industrial/Employment zones that will use overpasses over the Cranbourne railway line and Peninsula Link respectively. While the duplication of Childs Road will not reach as far as the South Morang railway line, a level crossing is still present in this area.
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Spring Street unveils $2.2 billion suburban and growth area roads upgrade package

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The final construction blitz and shutdown of rail services on the Dandenong corridor to enable the final section of the level crossing removal projects in the area to be completed has been announced.

From May 29th to June 17th buses will replace trains - the Level Crossing Removal Authority has not announced between which stations the railway line will be shut down, instead simply referring to 'sections of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines'.

At the completion of the shutdown, the new Murrumbeena and Carnegie stations will be opened for passengers and all four level crossings between Caulfield and Oakleigh will be gone.

The track will be opened on June 17th through Hughestdale Station, however the station itself will not be open for passengers - the Level Crossing Removal Authority says that work will continue on that station, post-shutdown, and will be opened to the public 'later in the year'.

The State Government has also confirmed that in the budget, set to be released next week, $572 million will be allocated to upgrade rail infrastructure from the City to Pakenham/Cranbourne.

Upgraded power infrastructure and the official allocation of funds for the already announced high capacity signalling system will be funded.  The State Government also says this will help pave the way for the duplication of the Cranbourne line and will kick off the detailed investigative work on the Sunbury line to allow the new fleet of High Capacity Metro Trains to run on the line.

<blockquote>
Together with the Metro Tunnel, and new high capacity trains, the works will transform Melbourne’s busiest train lines – delivering more services, better reliability and room for an additional 234,000 peak passengers every week from Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham.

The existing project to remove the level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong has included the delivery of upgraded power, new track, longer platforms and modernised signalling.

This new project will expand these upgrades along the entire corridor to ensure new, high-capacity trains can reliably run all the way from Cranbourne and Pakenham to Sunbury – linked through the CBD by the Metro Tunnel.
<cite>Spring Street <a href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/upgrading-the-cranbourne-pakenham-and-sunbury-lines/">media release</a></cite>
</blockquote>

With the completion of Dandenong corridor's level crossing removal programme, Spring Street has announced trains will run every 10 minutes beyond the peaks on weekends.

Between 7pm and 10pm, trains between the city and Dandenong will run every 10 minutes - this is an increase in post-peak services from 3-4 trains per hour (15-20 minute frequencies) to 6 trains per hour.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/levelcrossings/photos/a.877411305666889.1073741829.843601892381164/1914460218628654/?type=3&amp;theater">LXRA on Facebook</a>.
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Final Dandenong corridor construction blitz, upgrade of service frequencies announced

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Joel Robinson

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

The long-planned transformation of Brisbane's historic Shafston Estate has taken another major step, with Capella Hotel Group announced as the luxury hospitality partner behind what will become Brisbane's first branded residences.

The project, to be known as Capella Residences Brisbane, is being delivered by Verso Projects at the landmark Kangaroo Point riverfront estate, with completion targeted for 2029.

The announcement follows a series of planning changes to the project over recent years. The site was originally approved in 2023 for a 15-level, 37-apartment development designed by Rothelowman for Burgundy Group before Verso Projects took over the 10,070 sqm riverfront holding and lodged revised plans with Kerry Hill Architects to increase the development to a 25-level tower with 51 apartments.

The latest announcement confirms Capella Hotel Group will bring its branded residential offering to the project, marking just the second Capella Residences development globally after Seoul, and the group's first branded residential project in Australia.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/23-castlebar-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Castlebar Street development</a> will centre around the restoration of the heritage-listed Shafston House, one of Brisbane's oldest residences, originally constructed in 1851 by Reverend Robert Creyke as a single-storey cottage known as Ravenscott.

<img alt="Capella" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b9f4ce5-638f-4d6b-8082-3ca7e4b75fca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-09%20at%207.20.41%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=f7aeqsW_DzOJI4FymWb3lD8NptSfsP7q" />

Capella said the project aligns with its focus on heritage-led developments, with the Brisbane estate combining the restored historic residence with a new luxury apartment tower and hospitality-inspired resident amenities.

Residents will have access to the Capella Living Room, a concierge-led communal space inspired by the group's luxury hotels, alongside landscaped gardens, six swimming pools, wellness and recreation facilities.

The broader estate will also include two riverfront homes, a six-berth private marina, porte cochère arrival experience, secure basement parking and a new section of public riverwalk along the Brisbane River frontage.

The heritage Postal Depot Building will also be retained and repurposed as a guest house, in line with the revised development plans.

The project represents another evolution for the site, which Kerry Hill Architects previously described as a rare opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's most significant heritage estates while creating a new benchmark for apartment living.

"The Shafston Estate provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's finest heritage precincts and to reinstate residential use as a unique site perched on the edge of Kangaroo Point," Kerry Hill Architects said in its Urban Context Report accompanying the planning submission.

"The project will celebrate excellence in sub-tropical residential design, setting a new benchmark for vertical living in Brisbane."

Verso Projects, which now has an $8.5 billion development pipeline spanning more than 6,000 dwellings across apartments, townhouses, retail and commercial projects, said the partnership with Capella would elevate the development beyond a traditional residential project.

"We feel honoured to be restoring Shafston Estate to its former glory, elevating it to new heights of luxury and excellence underpinned by Capella's distinctive service ethos and design philosophy, and making it a standout landmark in Brisbane," Verso Projects CEO Steve Laffey said.

"By partnering with Capella, globally recognised for its refined approach to luxury hospitality and deep respect for cultural and historical context, we will elevate this project beyond a residential offering into a world-class destination."

Capella Hotel Group President Roland Fasel said Brisbane's emergence as a global city made it the right location for the company's Australian residential debut.

"Brisbane is a city on the cusp of something remarkable, and Capella Residences is our commitment to being part of that story," Fasel said.

"The Capella residential experience is more than luxury. It is about a sense of belonging to a place with deep meaning."

Private appointments have now opened for the project, with a display suite expected to open in late 2026 ahead of the planned 2029 completion.

Alastair Taylor

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