<html><body>
<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>
</body></html>

Alastair Taylor

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

<html><body>
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>.
</body></html>

Public hearings on Fishermans Bend Draft Framework have kicked off 

<html><body>
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.
</body></html>

Moreland Council set to open its Cooling the Upfield Corridor Action Plan to community consultation

<html><body>
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.
</body></html>

Q&A tackles big Australia but there was one big gap

<html><body>
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.   
</body></html>

Spring Street announces bans on certain types of combustible cladding

<html><body>
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>.
</body></html>

Three rail corridors across VIC, NSW, QLD receive federal money for business cases

<html><body>
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>
</body></html>

Weekly Podcast: Episode 6 - UoM, Melbourne's commercial pipeline, and is Malcolm Turnbull Sydney-centric?

<html><body>
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>
</body></html>

Laing O'Rourke secures contract to transform Sydney's Central Station

<html><body>
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.
</body></html>

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>
</body></html>

A look at City of Darebin's advocacy in regards to expanding the Bell Street level crossing removal project

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

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Alastair Taylor

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News