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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

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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