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<h2>Comment</h2>

In a perfect world, different levels of government would work well with each other, with the layer of government who's better placed to plan for a region's future - the state government - producing, consulting and updating plans over time with the Federal layer swooping in every now and again, choosing to help out financing new infrastructure projects the state government has deemed a specific region will need.

That's how we'd want things to work, alas, if the public slanging matches are anything to go by, we know that something altogether different occurs.

One day after the Western Sydney City Deal was announced, Tim Pallas, the Victorian Treasurer, has put out another one of his colourful 'Prime Minister for Sydney' media releases.

It feels as though they are designed for maximum multi-platform tabloid media coverage given that segment of the local media's penchant for overt Melbourne boosterism-jingoism.

I must admit, I tend to smile whenever I see the headlines float about the internet because who doesn't like to see when our leaders give the 'roaches north of the Murray a good clipping. The entertainment/joy lasts about ten seconds, however, and with nauseating predictability, those ten seconds of hilarity get shorter and shorter the more that line of attack is used.

One figure Spring Street likes to repeatedly use is the percentage of Federal infrastructure funding states get - New South Wales gets 45% and Victoria gets 10% despite having 25% of the country's population.

On face value, the criticism headed northward is valid.  But it loses its lustre when it's so often repeated.

With Infrastructure Victoria's purpose to 'take the short-term politics out of planning' trashed on the day its draft report was released, when the Premier ruled out altering the road pricing regime, the constant public sniping at Canberra doesn't bode well from altering the perception that infrastructure planning is anything but political.

The Victorian Infrastructure Plan sets out priorities and projects underway right through to 2021, but in reality, the transport section is just a shopping list of items the current government - for the most part - announced either during the election or has given little justification other than they want to 'fix' congestion.

For instance, in the last budget round, we saw that money would be made available to study how getting the Melbourne Airport Rail Link built faster might happen - according to previously released network development plans there was a dependency on the Metro Tunnel before the Airport Rail Link could be built.

Changed plans are fine, even welcomed when the benefits could be realised sooner and kudos to the Federal Government who've come in over the top and said 'let's get it done sooner'.  The reason why they did that is not important, it's the fact they're willing to accelerate infrastructure delivery that is important.  

It follows that if this Federal Government is willing to accelerate certain projects, then why not give them a long laundry list of them.

The one shining beacon Spring Street has released is its regional network development plan - even the state opposition's pledge over the weekend to remove the 'classic V/Line fleet' and replace with new trains appears to be based on this plan.

Plan Melbourne's vision of a 20-minute city is unquestionably an admirable goal but in the context of a growing city, how would that be achievable from outer to middle ring areas of the city where, increasingly, roads will be unable to cope with increased levels of use as jobs are concentrated in areas like Monash, La Trobe, Dandenong South, Sunshine and Werribee East?

Rather than lobbing pebbles at Canberra using predictable one-liners, Spring Street should be releasing its updated public transport network development plans so the debates, consultations and updates can get underway, nurturing public support for them in the process.

Cheap shots across the Murray might be easy, but winning the argument by pointing out the lack of commitment from the Federal Government on thorough evidence-based and community-backed transport infrastructure plans is the right thing to do.
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Alastair Taylor

Spring Street jumps up and down at Western Sydney City Deal, hasn't released Melbourne PT network development plans

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The Prime Minister and New South Wales Premier were at the University of Western Sydney on Sunday to announce the Western Sydney City Deal which among other things will kick off an ambitious rail network for Sydney's outer-outer suburbs.

Key amongst the primary announcements was the commitment of up to $50million from both the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments for the purposes of conducting a business case for an entirely new north-south rail line that will connect Sydney's North West, West and South West with the new Western Sydney Airport and "aerotropolis".

Documents published after the announcement estimate the total cost of a new rail line from Schofields in Sydney's north-west to Macarthur in Sydney's south-west would weigh in between $17 and $20 billion 2017 dollars.

The Western Sydney Airport near Badgery's Creek is scheduled to open for operations in 2026 and the first phase of the new north-south outer suburban cross-town line is likewise scheduled to open in time for the start of aviation operations.

The first phase will run from St Mary's where the new line will interchange with the existing T1 Western branch line to the new airport.

<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/west_syd_rail.png" rel="gallery-all" title="The preferred network vision from the Western Sydney Rail Needs Scoping Study - image: TfNSW"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="372" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/west_syd_rail.png?itok=fahdRSj3" title="The preferred network vision from the Western Sydney Rail Needs Scoping Study - image: TfNSW" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The preferred network vision from the Western Sydney Rail Needs Scoping Study - image: <a href="https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/western-sydney-rail-needs-scoping-study">TfNSW</a></figcaption></figure>Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) has <a href="https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/western-sydney-rail-needs-scoping-study">published a Western Sydney Rail Needs Scoping Study</a> which, at a high level, depicts corridors that over time will see upgrades or new rail lines built.

The Sydney metro - the first phase of which is nearing completion and commencement of operations - even comes gets a gong with extensions to connect with the new outer-suburban north-south orbital rail line in Schofields.

The Sydney Metro West which aims to add more passenger-carrying capacity between Sydney's CBD and Parramatta, is no newcomer to the spotlight with local Sydney media reporting on it extensively, however the scoping study places it firmly in context of the Greater Sydney Commission's vision for the metropolitan area of Sydney to develop three distinct CBDs over the coming decades.

For Melburnians unfamiliar with Sydney, an equivalent distance covered by this new north-south outer-suburban orbital rail line in Western Sydney would be connecting Ringwood and Frankston via Dandenong. 

Naturally, however, in Western Sydney's case, Dandenong would be the equivalent position of a new airport complete with major urban development plans to build a third CBD and associated residential areas for the metropolitan area.

<h2>Comment</h2>

Only last week I <a href="/expert-insights/buying/lets-heed-infrastructure-australias-message-be-more-ambitious-with-melbournes-public-transport-network">opined</a> about getting more ambitious with Melbourne's public transport network and this week we have a very clear example of an ambitious vision elsewhere.  

I am extremely conscious of the pitfalls of comparing Melbourne &amp; Sydney, especially when it comes strategic development - it's an apples and orange scenario in that Melbourne has a distinct advantage of having many hundreds (if not a few thousand) hectares of land located adjacent to the centre of the city that could provide a development pipeline for half a century.

That naturally flows to Public Transport planning that focuses on adding dedicated tracks in the inner-city to support growth over the same period.  Melbourne Metro 1, Melbourne Metro 2 and the City Loop configuration plus all the supporting projects like level crossing removals are testaments to this.

Like (but also, arguably, unlike) Sydney, Melbourne does have significant job centres outside the inner-city - especially in the middle ring in Melbourne's east - but to date, there appears to be little interest in even publicly studying the utilisation of rail, running cross-town against the existing radial network, as a catalyst to connect these major suburban centres with people living in other regions of Melbourne's metropolitan area.

As Jago Dodson points out in his <a href="https://theconversation.com/all-the-signs-point-to-our-big-cities-need-for-democratic-metro-scale-governance-92417">Conversation piece</a>, metro-scale governance in Australia primarily lies within state government departments around Australia and they are therefore subject to ebb and flow of state government election cycles.

While there's definitely a space for debating how to govern &amp; therefore plan for our metropolitan areas better in future, we're still reliant on our state government departments to 'come up with the goods' and we're still waiting on <a href="https://transport.vic.gov.au/">Transport for Victoria</a> to come out of the shadows and shows us what they've been working on with regards to network development plans across all modes of Victoria's public transport network.
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Western Sydney gets a City Deal, ambitious rail-based transit vision

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Laury's back this week and cover off a new planning application on Lygon Street in Brunswick East, how the Melbourne Airport Rail Link and Melbourne Metro 2 should have a coordinated planning response at Southern Cross and Clayton's new station &amp; the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster.

<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/406838739&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>

Lead image credit: Level Crossing Removal Authority.
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Weekly Podcast: Episode 5 - Planes, Trains and Cranes

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Demolition of the Port Phillip arcade on Flinders Street has begun which signals the start of major works on the new Town Hall station as part of the Melbourne Metro project.

The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority through its Metro Tunnel facebook page posted the first images of buildings coming down.

<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="750" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmetrotunnel%2Fposts%2F2097194390502823&amp;width=500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="100%"></iframe>

Town Hall, which was earlier referred to as <a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">CBD South</a>, will have an underground paid-area connection to Flinders Street station as well as three separate surface entries located at the Collins Street end of City Square, Federation Square and on the site of the now-being-demolished Port Phillip Arcade.

According to the draft development plans for CBD South/Town Hall on the Metro Tunnel website, Cocker Alley and Scott Alley which run south from Flinders Lane will become access points to the new entry to be building on the Port Phillip Arcade site.  The main pedestrian entrance to Town Hall station will be from Swanston Street.

The only three buildings fronting Swanston Street &amp; Flinders Street to survive the demolition will be the Nicholas Building, Young &amp; Jacksons and 222-224 Flinders Street which currently has Dangerfield as its tenant.

<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/metro_tunnel_plan1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="The public entrances to the Swanston Street Town Hall station entry - image: MMRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="315" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/metro_tunnel_plan1.png?itok=hy4jVpZZ" title="The public entrances to the Swanston Street Town Hall station entry - image: MMRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The public entrances to the Swanston Street Town Hall station entry - image: MMRA</figcaption></figure>The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority also <a href="https://www.facebook.com/metrotunnel/photos/a.1900123403543257.1073741836.1771719843050281/2098099137079015/?type=3&amp;theater">posted images</a> of the A'Beckett Street acoustic shed that is nearing completion and will join the already complete Franklin Street shed which allows work to run around the clock whilst minimising noise and dust in the immediate vicinity of the State Library (formerly CBD North) station construction site.

The MMRA describes the construction process that will be deployed at both State Library and Town Hall stations as trinocular caverns.

<blockquote>
Three overlapping tunnels will be mined by road headers to create a wide open space that allows the concourse and platforms to be integrated on a single level.

The result is a spacious station cavern with vaulted ceilings, rather than two separate tunnels separated by a cross passage. The total platform width at the CBD stations will be around 19 metres – some of the widest underground metro platforms in the world.

This construction technique is uniquely suited to the CBD's highly variable geological conditions.
<a href="http://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/construction/building-the-tunnels-and-stations"><cite>Metrotunnel.vic.gov.au</cite></a>
</blockquote>

<a href="/new-apartments/north-melbourne-vic-3051">North Melbourne</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/parkville-vic-3052">Parkville</a> and Anzac stations will be built using a cut and cover method. 

The Melbourne Metro tunnel will allow the Pakenham/Cranbourne lines to join with the Sunbury line, provide new track capacity through central Melbourne to run higher frequencies that will see positive increases in services across approximately two-thirds of Melbourne's rail network.

The Victorian Government announced in late February the project was already one year ahead of schedule and is set to commence operations by the end of 2025.

<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/museum_1975_pro.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="La Trobe Street with Museum, now Melbourne Central, station under construction in 1975 - image: PRO"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/museum_1975_pro.jpg?itok=tiH7y3iT" title="La Trobe Street with Museum, now Melbourne Central, station under construction in 1975 - image: PRO" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>La Trobe Street with Museum, now Melbourne Central, station under construction in 1975 - image: <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-12/melbourne-underground-rail-city-loop-construction-photos/5516134">PRO</a></figcaption></figure>
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Demolition on Port Phillip Arcade signals start of major works on the new Town Hall station

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Hot on the heels of the new Noble Park station opening, Clayton is rapidly approaching its open date as well.

The Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) noted on its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/levelcrossings/">facebook</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/levelcrossings/"> page</a> that the first part of the catenary is now in place, as well as the first pieces of track as well as new lifts.

The Clayton section of the Caulfield to Dandenong rail corridor level crossing removal programme is a single section of elevated track that will traverse both Clayton and Centre Roads.

This contrasts with the Noble Park section which has, in effect, two smaller elevated sections over Heatherton Road and Corrigan Roads plus another over Chandler Road.

<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/clayton3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lift cores now in place on the new Clayton platform - image: LXRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/clayton3.jpg?itok=JqfT6DZ6" title="Lift cores now in place on the new Clayton platform - image: LXRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lift cores now in place on the new Clayton platform - image: LXRA</figcaption></figure>The Pakenham/Cranbourne lines form one edge of the wider Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster, with Clayton station the closest to the heart of the precinct (centred on Monash University).

State Government agency, the Victorian Planning Authority, released a <a href="https://vpa-web.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Monash-NEIC-framework-plan_March2017_WEB.pdf">draft framework plan</a> in March 2017 which highlights the primacy of Clayton station in terms of rail transport.

Similarly, a new priority shared path exists within the draft framework plan which appears to link Clayton Station to Monash University via the Monash Medical precinct. The Monash Medical precinct has a new children's hospital for Melbourne's south-east.

<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/clayton2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The new elevated track around Clayton - image: LXRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/clayton2.jpg?itok=-q7gGdKc" title="The new elevated track around Clayton - image: LXRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The new elevated track around Clayton - image: LXRA</figcaption></figure>The Clayton Station precinct is no stranger to new urban development as well with 11 projects located in the suburb according to the Urban Project Database.

9 of the projects are residential, representing just under 1000 new residential units across multiple project statuses. 

There is 1 commercial project located very close to the station, with the final project being the new Biomedical Learning and Teaching building at Monash University's main campus.

Like all main suburban centres between the CBD and Dandenong, <a href="/buildings/m-city-2107-dandenong-road-clayton">Clayton is high on the priority</a> watchlist for new projects as the new rail infrastructure is commissioned and mid next decade an even higher level of service begins with the opening of the Metro Tunnel.

We'll be watching!

See below for a list of all current projects located in Clayton.
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Clayton's near-complete station is ringed by eleven projects

We're well and truly into 2018 and that means there's been significant progress being made on construction sites all around the city.

Like previous iterations, this is not an exhaustive list - more of a snapshot of the construction activity around the city, and also on our forum.

As always, click the title above each image to see more of them in their individual&nbsp;forum threads.

<a href="/news?">From the North and West Melbourne forum thread</a> - Melbourne Village &amp; Flagstaff Green.

<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/p2271112.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Melbourne Village site in West Melbourne is being excavated rapidly - image: UM user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p2271112.jpg?itok=3V2BYGJ0" title="The Melbourne Village site in West Melbourne is being excavated rapidly - image: UM user redden" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>The <a href="/buildings/melbourne-village-377-spencer-street-west-melbourne">Melbourne Village</a> site in West Melbourne is being excavated rapidly - image: UM user redden</figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

<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/p2271114.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Flagstaff Green - image: UM user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p2271114.jpg?itok=I3M1zpl4" title="Flagstaff Green - image: UM user redden" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/flagstaff-green-15-batman-street-west-melbourne">Flagstaff Green</a> - image: UM user redden</figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

From the&nbsp;<a href="/news?">Swanston Central</a>&nbsp;forum thread.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/p2030801.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Swanston Central - image: UM user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p2030801.jpg?itok=3nbgsiw8" title="Swanston Central - image: UM user redden" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/swanston-central-168-victoria-street-carlton">Swanston Central</a> - image: UM user redden</figcaption>
</figure>

From the <a href="/news?">Carlton &amp; Parkville forum thread</a> - student accommodation central.&nbsp; Atira &amp; Urbanest @ 599 Swanston Street.

<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/p2140918.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Atira - image: UM user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p2140918.jpg?itok=fyWK7AcI" title="Atira - image: UM user redden" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption><a href="/developments/north-melbourne-vic-3051">Atira</a> - image: UM user redden</figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

<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/p2271089.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Urbanest at 599 Swanston Street - image: UM user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p2271089.jpg?itok=3aYGn6dH" title="Urbanest at 599 Swanston Street - image: UM user redden" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/599-605-swanston-street-carlton">Urbanest at 599 Swanston Street</a> - image: UM user redden</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/news">18 Moray Street</a> site is now underway with site clearing

<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/p2271050.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="18 Moray Street - image: UM user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p2271050.jpg?itok=DZ9nlJ8B" title="18 Moray Street - image: UM user redden" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption><a href="/new-apartments/imperium-hotel-18-24-moray-street-southbank">18 Moray Street</a> - image: UM user redden</figcaption>
</figure>

The finishing touches to <a href="/news?">Shadow Play</a> are happening at ground level.

<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/p2271052.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Shadow Play - 105 Clarendon Street, Southbank - image: UM user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p2271052.jpg?itok=CDRFXNuH" title="Shadow Play - 105 Clarendon Street, Southbank - image: UM user redden" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/shadow-play-105-clarendon-street-southbank">Shadow Play</a> - 105 Clarendon Street, Southbank - image: UM user redden</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/news">839 Collins Street</a> looks to be roughly half-way through constructing its floorplates.

<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/p2070857.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="839 Collins Street - image: UM user redden "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p2070857.jpg?itok=BfekGscb" title="839 Collins Street - image: UM user redden " width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>839 Collins Street - image: UM user redden</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/news?">Australia 108</a> continues its rise.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_6950.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108 - image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="345" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6950.jpg?itok=FFFSNCMs" title="Australia 108 - image: Mark Baljak" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> - image: Mark Baljak</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/news">Moonee Ponds Market</a> site is firing along and the final stage has just been released for sale by Caydon.

<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/dsc_0213_zpsimn4tlgj.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Former market site, Moonee Ponds - image: UM user GlennWilson"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/dsc_0213_zpsimn4tlgj.jpg?itok=NRAxyNkX" title="Former market site, Moonee Ponds - image: UM user GlennWilson" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Former market site, Moonee Ponds - image: UM user GlennWilson</figcaption>
</figure>

Lead image: <a href="/news">Number 1 Collins Wharf</a>, by redden.

A snapshot of Melbourne's construction - March 2018

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An episode dedicated entirely to Infrastructure Australia's release of its paper: <a href="http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/future-cities.aspx">Future Cities - planning for our population growth</a>.

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Weekly Podcast: Episode 4 - Infrastructure Australia's Future Cities paper

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Infrastructure Australia's (IA's) recent release of its Future Cities paper included 15 recommendations which overwhelmingly called for the Federal Government to play a greater role in the growth of our cities and similarly, the recommendations called for a paradigm shift.

The federal agency like its state counterpart, Infrastructure Victoria, highlighted road pricing and the need for it to change and there were other cross-over themes like sweating existing transport &amp; social infrastructure assets as well as calling for an end to the business-as-usual development of Australia's cities.

Future Cities also calls on governments to shift toward greater investment in public transport.

<blockquote>
[Recommendation] 8: Australian governments should increase investment in public transport infrastructure in cities experiencing significant population growth.

Investment in mass transit is crucial to reducing congestion, increasing accessibility and reducing the rate of emissions growth. This is particularly relevant for higher density areas where space is limited.

Governments should prioritise:

<ul>
<li>High capacity public transport trunk routes linking key centres and transport nodes</li>
	<li>Regular and reliable feeder public transport routes, designed to connect to trunk routes and maximise the reach of the network</li>
	<li>Prioritisation of road space for high occupancy vehicles including trams and buses</li>
	<li>Walking and cycling as principal means of transport within centres and to transport nodes.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>

In Melbourne's case, the first dot point is something that needs to be explored in greater detail.  For instance, there's an obvious key centre that the Public Transport network serves incredibly well and one that has a good 20 years worth of new investment that could occur to increase capacity.

That's the CBD and adjacent areas along with the well-publicised Network Development Plan, but what other places in metropolitan Melbourne could we justifiably call a 'key centre'?

The Victorian Planning Authority is a good start - it designates Monash, La Trobe, Sunshine, East Werribee and Dandenong South as National Employment and Innovation Clusters.  These are areas which have high amounts of existing employment spaces as well as serving as regional precincts for other social infrastructure &amp; services like hospitals and education facilities.

Coincidentally, the Victorian Planning Authority is set to complete the major masterplan work it has been conducting over the past two years at the Monash, La Trobe and Sunshine National Employment and Innovation Clusters.

As part of testing the performance of the transport network against Infrastructure Australia's three city growth scenarios, various road and public transport projects were used in the models - the West Gate Tunnel, Melbourne Metro, Level Crossing removals - and curiously even projects like the East-West Link.

One large public transport project which was not included in the models, despite a good deal of initial information being in the public domain thanks to Infrastructure Victoria, was Melbourne Metro 2.

Nevertheless, it's also useful to contrast the state of public transport projects north of the Murray with those that are in the public domain down here.

<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/syd_rail_congestion_ia.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Rail congestion in Sydney under Infrastructure Australia's growth scenarios"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="414" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/syd_rail_congestion_ia.png?itok=gVSSLUjz" title="Rail congestion in Sydney under Infrastructure Australia's growth scenarios" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rail congestion in Sydney under Infrastructure Australia's growth scenarios</figcaption></figure>The Greater Sydney Commission's <a href="https://www.greater.sydney/three-cities">three-city vision</a> stands out in those rail maps above, especially the re-balanced medium density scenario (bottom right tile) with North-South and East-West rail lines interconnecting in the traditional CBD, Parramatta and at Badgery's Creek. 

Sydney's rail network allows for train-to-train connections outside the CBD already, however the network, should it be built as outlined in the medium density scenario depicted in the tile on the bottom right, would take that to the next level.

Melbourne however?  Still much of the same muchness, despite well-known centres actively being master-planned right now by the VPA. 

This is not a centralised versus decentralised growth argument - there are lots of jobs as well as land to create space for more in the inner-city and there are many hundreds of thousands of jobs equally located outside of central Melbourne.

Our transport network already services the city &amp; suburban job market, however work is underway to concentrate even more jobs in suburban areas where the Public Transport network does far less of the heavy lifting.

<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/mel_rail_congestion_ia.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Rail congestion in Melbourne under Infrastructure Australia's growth scenarios"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mel_rail_congestion_ia.png?itok=YepsA6zi" title="Rail congestion in Melbourne under Infrastructure Australia's growth scenarios" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rail congestion in Melbourne under Infrastructure Australia's growth scenarios</figcaption></figure>The Infrastructure Australia report makes mention of generic bus and tram network improvements and there are no doubt many high profile projects involving those public transport modes that will see the light of day over the next few decades.

Melbourne's heavy rail network will undergo major changes - Infrastructure Australia included the City Loop changes into its list of modeled projects - but it's basic suburbs to city function remains constant.

Infrastructure Australia says that government should focus more on public transport that links key centres, perhaps it's time to finally do a study that looks at partial or full orbital rail corridors in the inner and middle suburbs.
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Let's heed Infrastructure Australia's message: be more ambitious with Melbourne's public transport network

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Infrastructure Australia after the release of its Future Cities: planning for our population growth paper is calling on the Federal Government to take a leadership role in the development of Australia's cities.

The paper's executive summary starts with "Australia’s largest cities are facing a watershed moment in their growth and development."

<blockquote>
In the coming 30 years the size of the Australian population will grow substantially. Between 2017 and 2046, Australia’s population is projected to increase by 11.8 million people. 

That’s equivalent to adding a new city, roughly the size of Canberra, each year for the next 30 years.

This paper identifies the choices facing our largest cities and the best pathways to respond.
<cite>Infrastructure Australia - Future Cities: planning for our population growth, <a href="http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/files/future-cities/Executive-Summary.pdf">Executive Summary</a></cite>
</blockquote>

While citing the four largest cities in Australia will see 75% of the growth in that period, the paper has an added focus on Melbourne and Sydney.

For both cities, Infrastructure Australia has provided three different growth scenarios - low-density development (effectively business as usual laissez-faire growth), concentrated high-density growth (toward the inner regions of each city) and a balanced growth scenario which in Melbourne's case would see the inner-city still see a significant amount of development but the western suburbs would pick up the slack and be the focus for growth.

Each of the three scenarios is then scored against four performance indicators: a) performance of the transport network, b) access to jobs, c) access to and demand for social infrastructure (hospitals, schools) and d) access to and demand for green space.

<a href="http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/future-cities-melbourne-maps.aspx">Melbourne</a> and <a href="http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/future-cities-sydney-maps.aspx">Sydney</a> get extra special treatment in the documents and tools that Infrastructure Australia released last week with both getting an interactive map which walks you through the scenarios and their respective performance scores.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WnjF9WHm9TU" width="100%"></iframe>

The paper's analysis of the 'Melbourne of today' points to the uncompetitiveness of public transport in relation to private transport for those who live outside and don't work within the centre of the city.

It says "the dominance of private vehicles is enhanced by uncompetitive travel times, compared to private vehicles, provided by public transport."

<blockquote>
Figure 2 shows average trip times in inner, middle and outer-Melbourne, by mode. It shows significantly higher trip times for public transport than any other mode.

This is partially because public transport journeys are skewed to commuting, which are generally longer than leisure trips. Journeys by private vehicle also tend be for a broader range of purposes, such as short trips to the local shops, which would reduce average times.

Nevertheless, in order to increase its mode share, public transport will increasingly need to compete with private vehicles.

To do this, travel times will need to improve.
<cite>Infrastructure Australia - Future Cities: planning for our population growth, <a href="http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/files/future-cities/Chapter-2.pdf">Melbourne now and in 2046</a></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/melbourne_travel_times.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Average trip times by mode and region - Infrastructure Australia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="451" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melbourne_travel_times.png?itok=scLcaa0M" title="Average trip times by mode and region - Infrastructure Australia" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Average trip times by mode and region - Infrastructure Australia</figcaption></figure>The paper's <a href="http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/files/future-cities/Chapter-3.pdf">analysis</a> of the three scenarios and their various performance rankings paints an alarming but not an altogether surprising picture that flies in the face of government media bites about 'fixing congestion'.

"Under all scenarios, private vehicle use and congestion increase". 

Other quoteworthy passages from the analysis section include "the increase in demand across all scenarios affects road and public transport congestion levels"

<blockquote>
The data shows that in contrast to public transport, additions to the road network under the three scenarios do not decrease overall congestion from the reference case.

This indicates that while targeted road construction remains important, the scale of capacity enhancements required to meet demand and in turn to moderate congestion, particularly during the peak, is not achievable through construction alone
</blockquote>

Under a centralised high-density growth scenario, the burden of moving so many people around shifts from the heavy rail network - which would still remain radial &amp; focused on still moving commuters from the suburbs - to the tram network.

More broadly across the three different growth scenarios, Public Transport mode share only increases from 14% today to 22-23%.  This might be explained because projects such as Melbourne Metro 2 - that Infrastructure Victoria has done some initial work on - were not included in the list of projects that were modelled by Infrastructure Australia.  Curiously, the now defunct East-West Link was included in the modelled projects.

The top 3 key findings for Melbourne are: unplanned growth delivers the worst outcome for Melbourne, public transport is crucial to improving accessibility for a city of Melbourne's size and private vehicles will continue to play an important role in Melbourne however, across all scenarios congestion significantly increases, and adding new roads is only part of the solution.

To view the interactive maps and documents, see <a href="http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/future-cities.aspx">www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au</a>. 

Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/136315829@N03/34346958400/in/photolist-Uk896W-UVnqGe-UKajm8-UPQq5A-UGDBvp-XbvJid-WzLwuF-Y7QBMN-EqoDqs-YPh8uH-Zt9nTY-Ypt9RH-UznUd4-XazeeP-VBsMb6-XdUWcp-VyeVjq-YeJy4b-22YDiSy-VcKFPi-22TYsKf-VP2ub6-YaDSEY-21QUu3S-YbVX6t-C7srgo-Vu3ja2-Tds3VR-UaQpUb-UN7mZ3-VoXHQw-22TYtBA-VfiYc8-YsmeRi-Tds5da-UiyoKN-YwE4hQ-YMUPcD-VQhrx5-Wj4Ea7-ZiHrB1-J7u66c-CUuCPn-YwnACU-21HyRRQ-24e8gvG-SJRZAV-TwM4C3-TVbb1g-YjNhtE">flickr</a>.
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Infrastructure Australia calls on Federal Government to provide more leadership on cities

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Further change to Chapel Street's streetscape could be on the way should a new development application lodged with Stonnington City council from joint venture proponents Franzé developments and Sampieri Group gain approval.

Located across addresses 430-438 Chapel Street and adjacent to the Temperance Hotel, Franzé and Sampieri have proposed a 7 level mixed-use building that would see retail, commercial/office and residential spaces. Located in South Yarra's Activity Centre Zone 1, the site is covered by a heritage overlay.

The retention of the heritage facade 'has provided an opportunity to distinguish two unique retail tenancies' according to the proponents. At 800 square metres, the site was purchased on the market late in 2017 with Jackson Clement Burrows installed as the proposal's design lead.

22 one, two and three bedroom apartments are included. The ground floor retail spaces weighs in at 550 square metres with 1,000 square metres of commercial office space across two levels.

<h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
This project will form an important part of the ongoing development of the Chapel Street precinct which is going through vital progression and change with the recent announcements regarding the redevelopment of the Jam Factory and former Spotlight sites.

“The site has the benefits of two significantly different streetscapes which make it a really exciting project. The Chapel Street interface will provide a more traditional retail and food and beverage offering, aiming to attract premium tenants which will help improve the overall quality of the pedestrian experience and promote further patronage
<cite>Paul Franzé, Managing Director of Franzé Developments</cite>
</blockquote>

The proposal seeks to have two active frontages, one to Chapel Street and one to Bray Street running parallel to Chapel on the eastern aspect of the site.

The Bray Street frontage includes a pocket park that has been designed by Aspect Studios and is intended to be a flexible, functional public space that includes seating, green infrastructure incorporating water sensitive design that according to the proponents will be 'ideal for community and potential food and beverage use'.

Podium heights will differ depending on the street - on Chapel Street the podium is 3 levels and designed to fit comfortably with the scale of neighbouring structures and to Bray Street the podium will be 5 levels in height.

<blockquote>
The three-level frontage to Chapel Street sits comfortably with the scale of the neighbouring structures and the tower form above is generously set back.

A five-level podium to Bray Street hugs the tower form, creating the illusion of three interlocking components and the soft and monochromatic façade is a considered and sensitive transition between the neighbouring contemporary and traditional structures.
</blockquote>

The development application was lodged with Stonnington City Council late last year, and joins additional current project in both Melbourne and Geelong.

<h2>430-438 Chapel Street Project Team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: joint venture of Franzé Developments and Sampieri Group</li>
	<li>Architect: Jackson Clement Burrows</li>
	<li>Planning: proUrban</li>
	<li>Landscape Design: Aspect Studios</li>
</ul>
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Franzé Developments & Sampieri Group eye off Chapel Street

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

Alastair Taylor

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