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<h2>Comment</h2>

There's much to admire about Rodney Maddock's advocacy piece in The Conversation - '<a href="https://theconversation.com/our-growing-big-cities-need-new-centres-of-employment-heres-melbournes-chance-93067">Our growing big cities need new centres of employment - here's Melbourne's chance</a>' - the three projects he advocates for have been in the public domain for quite a while now.

The Vice Chancellor's Fellow at Victoria University says the state government should get a wriggle on with Australian Education City in East Werribee, announcing which site will house the new Footscray Hospital and the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.

It's worth attempting to add more meat to the bones on two of the VC's favoured projects as they do have a wider context.

Interestingly enough, only today has the Federal Government finally reached an agreement with the State Government to transfer funds in order for the Spring Street-led Regional Rail Revival programme to kick off. At the same time, Victoria has signed up to the federal government's inland rail project.

The agreement is significant as it represents the merry-go-round of new federal infrastructure ministers coming to a stop so focus can shift to other announcements made in both state and federal budgets last year: how to spend the money on studying how the Melbourne Airport Rail Link can be sped up.

Note also that Sunshine is getting the rolls royce treatment from the Victorian Planning Authority as it has been designated a <a href="https://vpa.vic.gov.au/project/sunshine-employment-cluster/">national employment and innovation cluster</a>.

Australian Education City had some more time in the limelight recently when the Herald Sun reported Jacobs were undertaking the design of the new centre which reportedly will have a $30billion value.

The paper also reported that in order to sufficiently service the precinct with Public Transport multiple options are under investigation including a diversion of the Werribee line through the site between Werribee and Hoppers Crossing stations or a dedicated driverless train system linking with Hoppers Crossing and Werribee Stations.

The University campus that will form a major part of the precinct would also eventually enrol up to 45,000 local and international students and the precinct would have a focus on technology industries.

<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/australian_education_city1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Conceptual render of Australian Education City- from Herald Sun/AEC"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/australian_education_city1.jpg?itok=Edydpb1c" title="Conceptual render of Australian Education City- from Herald Sun/AEC" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Conceptual render of Australian Education City- from Herald Sun/AEC</figcaption></figure>With talk about possibly diverting the Werribee Line or linking a standalone system to the existing stations on the Werribee Line, it's a good idea to also look at what else is happening in the region.

Just recently Wyndham council approved the master plan for a new suburb to be built adjacent to the regional rail link called Mambourin which is being billed as a 5-minute city where residents will have a 5-minute walk or bike ride to everything they need, including public transport services (that is of course, when the station at Black Forest Road is built).

We've known the land around the regional rail link was going to be developed for new town centres and suburbs however they are coming into sharper focus.

As its name suggests, the regional rail link, it was originally designed for giving regional services a faster, separated from metro trains, run into and out of the city but the Geelong line is increasingly doing the job of metro.  

The public hearings on Fishermans Bend are underway and as reported yesterday, little by little more detail on the heavy rail line is creeping into the public domain.

<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/mm2_routes.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Screenshot from GTA Consultants expert witness statement"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="453" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mm2_routes.png?itok=NUdw_hsl" title="Screenshot from GTA Consultants expert witness statement" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Screenshot from GTA Consultants expert witness statement</figcaption></figure>The above image is from <a href="/news/public-hearings-on-fishermans-bend-draft-framework-have-kicked-off">GTA Consultants expert witness statement</a> that's been published on the Fishermans Bend community <a href="https://engage.vic.gov.au/application/files/3415/2030/6979/Document_70_-_Strategic_Transport_-ITP_Peer_Review_-_John_Kiriakidis.pdf">engagement site</a> and it provides a wider view of the thinking behind where the second metro tunnel might go.  

The Integrated Transport Plan, produced by Transport for Victoria, came up with two alignment options which originally didn't show how they would connect with rail network to the west however the image above makes it pretty clear the heavy rail alignment will connect to the Werribee Line.

With the Fishermans Bend planning work likely to be complete by mid-year, Australian Education City and ongoing suburban &amp; town centre development on either side of the regional rail link, it's not hard to imagine how Melbourne Metro 2 &amp; the Melbourne Airport Rail Link can be used as great enablers for poly-centric aspirations for the West.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.victrack.com.au/projects/past-projects/regional-rail-link">VicTrack</a>
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Alastair Taylor

Rail will be the enabler of the polycentric city aspirations of Melbourne's West

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Following submissions that were published on the Victorian Government's engage website in early February, public hearings have kicked off to provide the opportunity to those that have lodged a submission to make a more detailed submission to the review panel.

From Wednesday March 14th, the Minister for Planning, represented by Susan Brennan SC and Rupert Watters, was allocated 5 days to call on various expert witnesses across the Urban Design, Urban Planning, Transport Planning, Landscape Planning and Architecture disciplines.

As each week progresses, tabled documents are appearing on the public hearing's website and this week much of the supporting documentation that Minister's expert witnesses have provided has been uploaded.

GTA Consultants have produced two expert witness statements now available to view, one of which, written by John Kiriakidis, includes a clearer map of where stations might be built should the government prioritise its construction.

<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/gta_peer_review_rail_fishbend_2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Screen capture from GTA consultants expert witness statements"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="443" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/gta_peer_review_rail_fishbend_2.png?itok=e67-u2gM" title="Screen capture from GTA consultants expert witness statements" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Screen capture from <a href="https://engage.vic.gov.au/application/files/3415/2030/6979/Document_70_-_Strategic_Transport_-ITP_Peer_Review_-_John_Kiriakidis.pdf">GTA consultants expert witness statements</a></figcaption></figure>The <a href="https://engage.vic.gov.au/application/files/3415/2030/6979/Document_70_-_Strategic_Transport_-ITP_Peer_Review_-_John_Kiriakidis.pdf">peer review report into the Integrated Transport Plan</a> also responds to transport-related questions from the two main municipalities and other large submissions the review process had received.  Likewise, the report assesses whether mode share targets will be achievable within the scope of the outlined plan.

The Integrated Transport Plan that was devised under the guidance of Transport for Victoria shortlisted two different alignments for heavy rail through Fishermans Bend and Kiriakidis's expert witness statement argues the route through the Fishermans Bend employment precinct may be the better of the two.  

<blockquote>
At this stage, the ITP provides an acknowledgement that the southern alignment offers slightly better performance.

Based on my experience, the addition of another 20,000 jobs in the northern precinct could counter-balance results to the extent that the northern rail alignment is more favourable.

By way of example, when looking at the attractiveness of a Plummer Street Station for those working in the Employment Precinct it is worth considering the distance for potential passengers from the Plummer Street Station to the Employment Precinct, and the severance and barrier effect of the Westgate Freeway on movement.

This is illustrated below
</blockquote>

<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/gta_peer_review_rail_fishbend_3.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Comparing walking distances from existing stations in Melbourne - image GTA Consultants"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="288" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/gta_peer_review_rail_fishbend_3.png?itok=7Rz9UTgl" title="Comparing walking distances from existing stations in Melbourne - image GTA Consultants" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Comparing walking distances from existing stations in Melbourne - image <a href="https://engage.vic.gov.au/application/files/3415/2030/6979/Document_70_-_Strategic_Transport_-ITP_Peer_Review_-_John_Kiriakidis.pdf">GTA Consultants</a></figcaption></figure>The expert witness statement calls for 'further analysis should be completed in relation to the impact of the additional 20,000 jobs in the employment precinct' and what impacts it 'may have on the preferred rail station and the two-short-listed heavy rail alignment options'.

According to the <a href="http://www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/115814/Fishermans-Bend-Part-A-Submission-Final-19-Feb-2018.pdf">Minister's response</a>, dated 19th of February, a funding (infrastructure delivery) plan is the process of being written, which GTA Consultants have referred to throughout their expert witness statement in relation to answering the transport-related questions from large submissions.

Stage 1 panel hearings kicked off on March 1st and will run to March 28th, stage 2 hearings run from April 9th until May 24th.  

To view all the tabled documents, see <a href="https://engage.vic.gov.au/fishermans-bend-draft-framework/fishermans-bend-tabled-documents">engage.vic.gov.au</a>.
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Public hearings on Fishermans Bend Draft Framework have kicked off 

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The City of Moreland at its upcoming meeting has a recommendation from council offices to approve the draft Cooling the Upfield Corridor Action Plan which would see a community consultation session begin in early April.

The draft action plan came about as a result of the Moreland Council's overarching 2017-2018 plan and it seeks to focus on mitigating the urban heat island effect in the corridor that spans both Brunswick and Coburg from Park Street to Gaffney Street.

Moreland's officer report sets the cost of action of the initiatives which have a defined scope just shy of $10 million over the next 11 years.  The report also notes there are other initiatives which could be leveraged including VicRoad's Revaitalising Sydney Road study.

<blockquote>
Currently, VicRoads is investigating opportunities to revitalise Sydney Road which could include options to reconfigure the Sydney Road to allow for tree planting and prioritise pedestrians and cyclists. 

Through these negotiations, Council is committed to ensuring that Sydney Road will retain its function as the civic and commercial heart of the Brunswick and Coburg Activity Centres whilst ensuring the inclusion of street trees and prioritisation of pedestrians and cyclists.

The Draft Action Plan identifies greening and cooling strategies for the Sydney Road/Upfield Corridor area under 6 themes:

<ul>
<li>Theme 1: Streets for People – Interventions that re-allocate space within existing streetscapes to create new landscaped areas.</li>
	<li>Theme 2: Influencing outcomes in the private realm – Building collaborative relationships to increase greening opportunities within the private realm.</li>
	<li>Theme 3: Utilising Council owned car parks – Harnessing opportunities to add landscaping to Council owned land.</li>
	<li>Theme 4: Planting in side streets - Increase tree canopy cover within the side streets off Sydney Road</li>
	<li>Theme 5: Sydney Road - Increase planting opportunities within the Sydney Road streetscape</li>
	<li>Theme 6: Additional Interventions – Potential projects requiring new funding which harness opportunities to cool/green the corridor. </li>
</ul>
<a href="http://moreland.vic.gov.au/globalassets/key-docs/meeting/agenda-council-upc/council-agenda-14-march-2018.pdf"><cite>Moreland Council Officer's report on Cooling the Upfield corridor Action Plan - page 343</cite></a>
</blockquote>

<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/cooling_upfield_corridor.png" rel="gallery-all" title="The area included in the action plan's scope - image: Moreland Council."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="630" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cooling_upfield_corridor.png?itok=cPTLt0VM" title="The area included in the action plan's scope - image: Moreland Council." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The area included in the action plan's scope - image: Moreland Council.</figcaption></figure>Moreland already has endorsed Urban Forest Strategy (2017) which among other things aims grow the existing canopy in the municipality by 5000 trees per annum and the Cooling the Upfield Corridor Action Plan seeks to align the tree planting initiative into appropriate areas in the Sydney Road/Upfield corridor.

Sydney Road is sparsely populated with vegetation and one of the projects the officer's report lists as scope to be confirmed is opportunistic landscape planting to be carried out in conjunction with private landowners within close proximity to Sydney Road.

The officer's report also lists Coburg Streetscape Masterplan and Sydney Road Revitalisation projects as scope to be confirmed - in Sydney Road's case that project is being led by VicRoads, not the council.

The draft action plan is attached to the upcoming council meeting agenda, you can view it <a href="http://moreland.vic.gov.au/globalassets/key-docs/meeting/agenda-council-upc/council-agenda-14-march-2018.pdf">here</a> (from page 341 onwards).

If the council endorses the action plan, community consultation will open from April 4th and run to May 16th.
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Moreland Council set to open its Cooling the Upfield Corridor Action Plan to community consultation

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Last night, the ABC's flagship current affairs programme, 4 Corners, devoted an entire episode to defining what a 'big Australia' really is.  Later on, another hour was dedicated to big Australia on Q&amp;A which started to explore how we, as a nation, might do things differently but it ultimately failed due to the lack of planning/architecture/urban design academics or practitioners on the panel.

On 4 Corners, presenter Sarah Ferguson ends her opening dialogue with "[Reporter Ben Knight] explores what a big Australia might look like and whether we have a plan to get there". 

Innes Willox, the chief executive of the Australian Industry Group says in the closing minutes of the programme "Not everyone wants to live in a quarter acre block, not everyone wants to live miles and miles away from where they work - which is the inevitable consequence of this."

"But what we do need to do is to give people choice, affordable realistic choice and that should be the goal of our policymakers. It's an issue of planning and planners need to get it right so that we are able to accommodate the needs of the community."

A lot of talk about planning, but very little planning voices were heard last night.

4 Corners is adept at kicking off national debates and there's no disputing they haven't done it in this instance, but the Q&amp;A follow up degenerated right from the outset with the first question seeking an easy solution (wind back immigration) rather than asking how we might do things differently.

"Do you think our politicians understand how angry Australians are about our mass immigration programme?" the questioner asked.

Bob Carr's answer after extolling the virtues of immigration, was to call for the pace to be wound back.

This specific area of debate no doubt will have legs and many people will focus on it, but it is too easily sidetracked into an argument about yearning for a yesteryear that just doesn't exist anymore - where the only mass-market housing choices young people had were quarter acre blocks on the fringe.

Times have changed, our cities have dramatically changed and both Melbourne and Sydney are no longer twee suburban outposts at the bottom of the world.

The entire hour dedicated to big Australia on Q&amp;A was dominated by the symptoms of high population growth in a poor, particularly transport, planning world and when it looked like panelists might start exploring how Australia might be able to do things differently, host Tony Jones would either shut down the conversation or another of the panelists would interject and take the conversation on a completely new path.

The Grattan Institute is a think-tank that's been at the forefront in prosecuting the case for a change to the way governments price access to roads and when the chief executive, John Daley, began talking about the institute's research in this area, there was an interjection and the topic stopped dead. Tony, the interjection should have been taken as a comment.

If big Australia is to be debated, then isn't it right that the audience is presented with possible solutions that address the symptoms we are all feeling?

As 4 Corners pointed out, the time in the day when people are going to notice population growth the most is when they need to transport themselves from home to their place of work, education, to the shops or during their leisure time.

Likewise, as 4 Corners further pointed out, Melbourne &amp; Sydney are playing catch up with public transport investment with governments still willing to 'balance' infrastructure spend between road expansion and public transport expansion to chase the marginal electorate votes.

Maybe the ABC chose not to have a planning, architecture or urban design professional on the Q&amp;A panel or on 4 Corners for fear of looking too technocratic, however, their voices were sorely missed on Monday night's coverage.

They are the professionals who are skilled at communicating the 'what could be' to audiences - much better than lobbyists &amp; politicians - and we'll all be poorer if they don't get the airtime.
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Q&A tackles big Australia but there was one big gap

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The Victorian Government has announced it will ban the use of aluminium cladding panels that have a polyethylene core of more than 30% and expanded polystyrene will also be banned on buildings with 3 or more levels.

The changes were announced by the Planning Minister, Richard Wynne, on Saturday morning along with new guidelines for building surveyors.  The Victorian Cladding Taskforce, who made the recommendations, was set up in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster in London.

<blockquote>
There’s nothing more important than public safety, which is why we’re cracking down on the use of dangerous materials on worksites.

We’re putting a stop to dangerous combustible cladding being used on Victorian buildings. This has been allowed to go on for too long and we’re ending it.

The rules are clear: if builders use these dangerous flammable products, they’ll face disciplinary action from the VBA.
<cite>Victorian Planning Minister, Richard Wynne</cite>
</blockquote>

The Victorian Cladding Taskforce, which counted former premier Ted Ballieu and former deputy Premier John Thwaites as members, originally identified 1,369 buildings as most likely having aluminium cladding panels with a polyethylene core or expanded polystyrene but that figure has reduced.

A Spring media release states the taskforce established 579 buildings had not begun construction and a further 129 were only part way through construction.

The Victorian Building Authority has had its powers and resources beefed up and has purportedly assessed 87 buildings as part of a Victoria-wide audit.  If any building is to be found non-compliant, the VBA and municipal building surveyors will be issuing emergency orders to rectify building facades.

<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-10/victorian-government-moves-to-restrict-use-of-flammable-cladding/9534926">Speaking to the ABC</a>, Wayne Liddy from the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors said the peak industry group wanted to see an increase in mandatory inspections.

<blockquote>
Give us the rule book, the guidelines, and we can enforce it and administer these measures of compliance.

We want to see a nationally consistent approach to dealing with the cladding issue. At the moment we don't want to see political point scoring.
<cite>Wayne Liddy,<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-10/victorian-government-moves-to-restrict-use-of-flammable-cladding/9534926"> speaking to the ABC</a></cite>
</blockquote>

The state government has directed the Victorian Building Authority to increase its amount of inspections, up from 2% to 10% per year.   
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Spring Street announces bans on certain types of combustible cladding

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Three intercity rail corridors across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland are set to share in $20million announced at the last federal budget to develop business cases for faster and expanded rail services.

The three separate business cases are expected to be developed over the next 12 months and the money the federal government invests in the business case development will be matched with investment from the three different proponents.

In Victoria, Consolidated Land and Rail Australia (CLARA) - a private organisation which has previously unveiled plans to build a Melbourne-Canberra-Sydney high-speed rail line - has won the competitive selection process.

The New South Wales Government was selected for the rail corridor in that state and the North Coast Connect consortium was selected for Queensland.

The corridors to have business cases developed are Melbourne to Shepparton, Sydney to Newcastle and Brisbane to Nambour/Maroochydore.

According to the <a href="https://infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail/">federal government</a>, CLARA's proposal summary aims to build two new smart cities between the Victorian capital and Shepparton, linking them with some form of high-speed rail.   <a href="https://infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail/files/Fact-Sheet-CLARA.pdf">CLARA claims</a> journey times from Shepparton to Melbourne could be reduced from 3 hours down to, potentially, 32 minutes. 

The <a href="https://infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail/files/Fact-Sheet-NSW-Govt.pdf">New South Wales government aims</a> to reduce the journey time from Newcastle to Sydney down from 3 hours to 2 hours through improvements such as removing regional level crossings, track re-alignments, and junction rearrangement.  

The <a href="https://infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail/files/Fact-Sheet-North-Coast-Connect.pdf">North Coast Consortium </a><a href="https://infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail/files/Fact-Sheet-North-Coast-Connect.pdf">aims</a> improve rail journeys between Brisbane and Nambour through track improvements like curvature easing, duplication to from Beerburum to Nambour, operational systems upgrades to allow for 160kph services as well as build a new rail branch from Beerwah to Maroochydore.    The consortium stated benefits may include reducing journey times from 2 hours to 45 minutes.

The Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities, Paul Fletcher, said once each business case is complete it will proceed to be independently assessed by Infrastructure Australia at which point each proposal will be considered within the context of infrastructure priorities and future budgets as well as taking into account the level of state and private sector investment.

For more information, see: https://infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail/

Lead image credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V/Line_VLocity">Wikipedia</a>.
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Three rail corridors across VIC, NSW, QLD receive federal money for business cases

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Alastair chats with Laury about The University of Melbourne's new student precinct, commercial development and proposals in Melbourne and is Malcolm Turnbull really the Prime Minister for Sydney?

<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/410294355&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>
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Weekly Podcast: Episode 6 - UoM, Melbourne's commercial pipeline, and is Malcolm Turnbull Sydney-centric?

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The New South Wales Transport Minister Andrew Constance has confirmed Laing O'Rourke has secured the contract to build the new Sydney Metro platforms at Central Station. The contractor will also be responsible for building Central Walk, a new underground concourse designed to simplify pedestrian connectivity throughout Sydney's primary rail terminal.

Billed as the biggest improvement to the station in decades, the contract awarded to Laing O'Rourke is valued at $955 million and will see new entrances and simpler interchanges to Central Station.

<blockquote>
This is the start of Central's long-awaited renewal, bringing new entrances and simpler interchanges that will make life so much easier for customers.

Central Station is the gateway to our great city, and we are working to develop a station that blends heritage with innovative design on par with other grand stations around the world.
<cite>Andrew Constance - NSW Transport Minister</cite>
</blockquote>

<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/central-upgrade_sydney-terminal-angle.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="How the terminal platforms will look after 2022 - image: Transport for NSW"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/central-upgrade_sydney-terminal-angle.jpg?itok=bkHfKTvu" title="How the terminal platforms will look after 2022 - image: Transport for NSW" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>How the terminal platforms will look after 2022. Image: Transport for NSW</figcaption></figure>The contract for Central station includes:

<ul>
<li>Excavation and construction of the new underground Sydney Metro platforms beneath existing platforms 13 and 14.</li>
	<li>Central Walk - a new 19-metre wide underground concourse from Chalmers Street which will connect with existing train services, the new Sydney Metro platforms, new and existing light rail services and buses.</li>
	<li>Platforms 12 through to 23 will be accessible through escalators for the first time</li>
</ul>
Work is to be carried out underground and during Sydney Train's scheduled maintenance periods, with the completion of the Central Walk and Central Station metro upgrade contract is expected in 2022.

Sydney Metro is a 66km driverless train line that is being built in two stages. The first stage - dubbed Sydney Metro Northwest - runs from Cudgerong Road in Rouse Hill to the major north shore centre of Chatswood.

It involves a combination of elevated and underground track being built from Sydney's outer north west to Epping, with the Epping to Chatswood railway line that opened in 2009 re-purposed for the new trains and operating equipment required.

The Cudgerong Road to Chatswood first phase will be operational in 2019 and the second phase from Chatswood to Bankstown is expected to be complete by 2024.

The second phase - dubbed Sydney Metro City &amp; Southwest - of the first Sydney Metro line will involve new tunnels from Chatswood down to the lower north shore and under Port Jackson, Barangaroo, the CBD. It will ultimately surface on the existing Bankstown line at Sydenham. 

The existing rail line between Sydenham and Bankstown will be closed and re-purposed for the exclusive use of the new Sydney Metro trains and operating equipment.

The Central Walk and Central Station contract is a key milestone in the development of the second phase of the Sydney Metro.

<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/sydneymetro_central_metro-platforms.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sydney Metro platforms at Central Station - image: Transport for NSW"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="725" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sydneymetro_central_metro-platforms.jpg?itok=3V2WEY8d" title="Sydney Metro platforms at Central Station - image: Transport for NSW" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sydney Metro platforms at Central Station - image: Transport for NSW</figcaption></figure>
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Laing O'Rourke secures contract to transform Sydney's Central Station

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Spring Street has forewarned the travelling public to expect delays over March and April as major shutdowns occur on key parts of the city's transport network.

From the 16th of March to the 29th of April, the Hurstbridge line will be shut down with buses replacing trains between Clifton Hill and Macleod/Greensborough. 

The Hurstbridge line shutdown will occur in order to complete the Grange Road and Lower Plenty Road grade separation projects as well as open the duplicated track section between Heidelberg and the new Rosanna station.

Grange Road in Alphington will be closed to traffic between Heidelberg Road and Darling Street between the 16th of March and the 6th of April, Lower Plenty Road will be closed to traffic between the 16th and 19th of March.  Lower Plenty Road will again be closed between the 30th of March and the 16th of April between Ellesmere Parade and Turnham Avenue.

On the Cranbourne line, buses will replace trains between Dandenong and Cranbourne for three days starting March 23rd for the Thompson Road level crossing removal project and the next major shutdown on the Caulfield to Dandenong segment will start on the 30th of March until the 16oth of April.

This rail network shutdown relates to the completion and commissioning of the Clayton segment on the Dandenong corridor.  

<blockquote>
On the Cranbourne/Pakenham line, a 17-day blitz from 30 March to 15 April will see two level crossings removed in Clayton and the suburb’s new station open to passengers, with trains travelling on the next 1.4-kilometre section of the new elevated rail line.

Buses will replace trains between Oakleigh and Dandenong from Friday 30 March and Tuesday 2 April, then between Caulfield to Westall from Tuesday 3 April to Sunday 15 April.
<a href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/getting-it-done-six-week-road-and-rail-construction-blitz/"><cite>Spring Street media release</cite></a>
</blockquote>

Early station works at the new Anzac station &amp; existing Domain tram interchange will force the replacement of tram services with buses between the Commercial Road and Shrine of Remembrance stops for all St Kilda Road tram routes between the 5th and 17th of April.  Likewise, the 58 tram will not run between Toorak Road West and Park Street between the 1st of April and the 17th of April.

<h2>Road over Rail selected for Aviation Road</h2>

Aviation Road which crosses in front of Aircraft station has had its level crossing removal solution selected with the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) announcing Aviation Road will be raised over the existing rail tracks.

A new pedestrian underpass will be built where Aviation Road currently crosses the rail tracks with the new road bridge rising within the rail reserve on both sides of the tracks.

A community information session is being held at the Laverton Community Hub on Saturday the 17th of March from 2pm.

Construction at Aviation Road and Aircraft station is expected to start later in the year.

<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/aviation_road.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The selected design solution for grade separating Aviation Road at Aircraft station - image: LXRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aviation_road.jpg?itok=LYkZmfn-" title="The selected design solution for grade separating Aviation Road at Aircraft station - image: LXRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The selected design solution for grade separating Aviation Road at Aircraft station - image: <a href="https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media/news/road-bridge-to-replace-the-dangerous-aviation-road-level-crossing-in-laverton">LXRA</a></figcaption></figure>Lead image credit: LXRA.
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Major transport network shutdowns announced across March & April

<html><body>
At its April 3rd meeting of last year, the City of Darebin released a technical and pre-feasibility study compiled by Raylink Consulting which looked at solutions for expanding the scope of the Bell Street level crossing removal project to cover 3 additional roads through the use of an elevated rail segment.

Bell Street and Bell station, as well as Reservoir Station and the myriad of roads which converge at that point, are both on the list of 50 level crossings to be removed and went through initial community consultation processes in late 2016.

Much like the work they did for Maroondah Council and the<a href="/news/croydon-station-and-how-its-relationship-with-the-local-area-might-change"> study produced for Croydon station</a>, Raylink consulting has provided an <a href="http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/-/media/cityofdarebin/Files/YourCouncil/HowCouncilWorks/MeetingAgendasMinutes/CouncilMeetings/2017/3Apr/Item601AppendixA-TechnicalandPre-feasibilityStudy-BellStreetLevelCrossingRemoval.ashx?la=en">interesting insight</a> into early estimates of the costs of grade separation.

As the report outlines, the South Morang line has a maximum gradient of 1 in 50 (2%) and advocates for this to change, as the line no longer carries freight trains, to 1 in 40 (1.5%). 

The study compares a trench and elevated rail engineering solution to grade separate Bell Street and Oakover Road as a base case and also looks at extending grade separation to Cramer Street and Murray Road which bookend Preston Station.

<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/bell_preston.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Possible elevated rail solution for level crossing removals at Bell &amp; Preston stations - image: Raylink Consulting"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="253" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bell_preston.png?itok=cW4Y5obI" title="Possible elevated rail solution for level crossing removals at Bell &amp; Preston stations - image: Raylink Consulting" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Possible elevated rail solution for level crossing removals at Bell &amp; Preston stations - image: Raylink Consulting</figcaption></figure>The study ruled out a complete 'underground' solution but examined the impacts of a rail trench both as a base case (Bell Street and Oakover Road) and extended through to Preston station like in the elevated rail scenario.

In terms of costs, Raylink Consulting, with regards to the base case, found an elevated rail engineering solution would cost $135 million and a trench engineering solution would cost $204 million.

When both engineering solutions were extended to cover Preston Station and the two extra roads for grade separation, elevated rail was estimated to cost $247 million.

A rail trench was found only to be feasible if the trench continued all the way through Regent Station and up to Reservoir and that High Street in Reservoir would need to be a rail trench as well - no comparative cost was provided given the extraordinarily long scope of the rail trench in this case.  

The study also looked at grade separation options for Hutton Street and Thornbury station and while the study noted the City of Darebin did not believe this grade separation would have the same benefits as the other four level crossing removals to the north, the report finds there would be difficulty in mixing and matching different grade separation solutions up and down the South Morang line.

On its advocacy page, the City of Darebin took the view that an elevated rail engineering solution is the best fit for the area.

<blockquote>
The evidence presented in the study clearly shows that an elevated rail bridge by far produces the best outcomes for the local community.

It is the only feasible way to remove four crossings as one integrated project. And it's the only way to future-proof Preston's rail corridor.
<a href="http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/en/Your-Say/Advocacy/Current-Projects#Level-Crossing-Removals"><cite>City of Darebin - Advocacy</cite></a>
</blockquote>

The City of Darebin used this study as a submission to the Level Crossing Removal Authority.  The chosen solution and whether the scope of the Bell Street level crossing removal has not yet been announced.  

Lead image credit: <a href="https://your.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/bell-street-preston">Level Crossing Removal Authority</a>
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A look at City of Darebin's advocacy in regards to expanding the Bell Street level crossing removal project

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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