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

Alastair Taylor

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

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

Western Sydney gets a City Deal, ambitious rail-based transit vision

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

Weekly Podcast: Episode 5 - Planes, Trains and Cranes

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

Demolition on Port Phillip Arcade signals start of major works on the new Town Hall station

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

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

<html><body>
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>.

<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/403819047&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 4 - Infrastructure Australia's Future Cities paper

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

Let's heed Infrastructure Australia's message: be more ambitious with Melbourne's public transport network

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

Infrastructure Australia calls on Federal Government to provide more leadership on cities

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

Franzé Developments & Sampieri Group eye off Chapel Street

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

Joel Robinson

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

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

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

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

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

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

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

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

Alastair Taylor

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