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The Federal Environment Minister - who also happens to be a Victorian Member of Parliament - released a <a href="http://tenplay.com.au/news/melbourne/2015/10/12/Bid%20for%20a%20Monash%20Fwy%20makeover">wish-list of projects</a> to "fix" Melbourne's congestion which unsurprisingly read like a road-lobbyists cheat sheet, complete with a mention of Melbourne Metro for balance.

Greg Hunt is the member for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_of_Flinders">Flinders</a> which covers the entire Mornington Peninsula, surrounds the shoreline of Western Port and covers both Phillip and French Islands; and it was no surprise the Monash Freeway featured prominently in the ridiculed shopping list of road projects.

In his <a href="http://heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/greg-hunt-has-crossed-the-line-between-promises-and-political-fantasy-on-victorian-transport-system/story-fni0ffsx-1227567998164">Herald Sun column</a> Jeff Kennett rightly called out the Federal Minister's plan, labelling it political fantasy owing to the lack funding commitments. The Age's state political editor Josh Gordon likewise <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/comment/greg-hunt-is-lost-in-the-detail-of-his-185year-plan-for-melbourne-20151014-gk8re3">opined</a> on Greg Hunt's plan and the <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/9/5/3/b/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gk8re3.png/1444868912972.jpg">Spooner cartoon</a> which accompanied the editorial has a nice play on the backstory.

It is unfortunate there are politicians out there who are still flying the flag for the East West Link, when its credibility has been utterly destroyed with the release of its business case after the Andrews Government came to power.

And while I agree with Jeff Kennett that the "plans" are rubbish without any funding commitments, no-one seems to have made mention of <a href="/news/and-on-the-third-day-infrastructure-victoria-was-born">Infrastructure Victoria</a> in all of this.

The Victorian Government established this agency in an attempt to remove the politics of transport infrastructure planning and spending, and the "missing link" project from the Eastern Freeway to the Metropolitan Ring Road (from Greg Hunt's list) is exactly the kind of concept which needs to be studied by Infrastructure Victoria.

If we recall some of the rhetoric that was lavishly reported in the mainstream media on the East West Link, namely that it would act as a high-capacity limited-access road alternative to the Monash/West Gate Freeways, then this should be studied by Infrastructure Victoria along with its costs, benefits, environmental impacts. Just like any other transport project, regardless of mode, going forward.

There is a federal election coming and with the recent Liberal party leadership turmoil, it would be tempting to dismiss these plans as just a Federal MP trying to shore up votes before the election. But then, Greg Hunt's seat is what you would call an ultra-safe Liberal seat, where the two-party preferred result at the last election was 62/38.

It is just rubbish and childish politics, thankfully this is being called out. Josh Gordon sums it well <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/comment/greg-hunt-is-lost-in-the-detail-of-his-185year-plan-for-melbourne-20151014-gk8re3">in his article</a>:

<blockquote>
My guess is both Turnbull and Andrews have worked out just how thoroughly sick people are of hollow rhetoric and political brinkmanship when it comes to infrastructure funding. Indeed, according to Coalition sources, focus group research bears this out.
<cite><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/comment/greg-hunt-is-lost-in-the-detail-of-his-185year-plan-for-melbourne-20151014-gk8re3">Josh Gordon: "Greg Hunt’s Melbourne 2200: on a road to nowhere"</a></cite>
</blockquote>

I wrote the following when the legislation to set up Infrastructure Victoria was passed through Parliament in September:

<blockquote>
Infrastructure Victoria will be required to create a 30-year infrastructure strategy which assesses the current state of infrastructure in the state and identifies Victoria's infrastructure needs and priorities over the 30 year period. Furthermore the legislation requires the Government to provide a formal response to the 30-year strategy by creating and then publishing a five-year infrastructure plan within 12 months of Infrastructure Victoria releasing its 30-year strategy.

The Government's response and five-year plan must also identify the priority projects "including an explanation of how the priority projects will achieve the social, economic and environmental objectives stated in the 30-year infrastructure strategy".
<cite><a href="/news/and-on-the-third-day-infrastructure-victoria-was-born">Alastair Taylor: "And on the third day... Infrastructure Victoria was born"</a></cite>
</blockquote>

The election of the Andrews Government is evidence on how populist infrastructure policies can help you get into power, but when the same group of people establish an agency able to call out future populist infrastructure policies, then it is time to change tactics.

The game has changed and the sooner political strategists realise this, the less foolish the politicians they advise will look.

Lead image credit: Wikipedia.
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Alastair Taylor

Comment: Greg Hunt's "fix list" - nothing to see here

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The Victorian Government today announced the appointment of board members to Infrastructure Victoria, an agency which will be tasked with assessing Victoria's infrastructure needs in an apolitical way.

The distributed media release announced <a href="http://www.infrastructure.org.au/Content/MrJimMiller.aspx">Jim Miller</a> being appointed as the inaugural Chair. Jim Miller was an Executive Director at Macquarie Capital from 1994 to 2015 and has extensive experience in the infrastructure sector. He is currently the Deputy Chair of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia.

<a href="http://www.fsc.org.au/about-us/the-board/director,-maria-wilton.aspx">Maria Wilton</a> is named as Deputy Chair. Maria Wilton is the Managing Director of Franklin Templeton Investments Australia and is a director of the Financial Services Council of Australia and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Professor <a href="http://www.monash.edu/about/structure/senior-staff/vice-chancellor/profile">Margaret Gardner</a>, the current President and Vice Chancellor of Monash University as well as <a href="http://www.carnivalaustralia.com/about-us/executive-members/ann-sherry-ao.aspx">Ann Sherry</a>, the former CEO of Westpac New Zealand and the Bank of Melbourne, are also set to join as members of the board.

The secretaries of the <a href="http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/index.php/about/keystaff">Department of Premier and Cabinet</a>, the <a href="http://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/About/Structure-and-functions/Senior-management">Department of Treasury of Finance</a> and the <a href="http://delwp.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/300719/DELWP-Organisation-Chart-September-2015.pdf">Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning</a> will also join the board.

<h2>Background</h2>

Infrastructure Victoria was set up last month as <a href="/news/and-on-the-third-day-infrastructure-victoria-was-born">reported on Urban.com.au</a>.

One of the new body's tasks is to devise a 30 year infrastructure strategy for Victoria and publicly release it by the end of next year. Apartments.com.au is looking forward to it.
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Spring Street announces inaugural board members for Infrastructure Victoria

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On Grand Final Day the <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-157000-seat-super-stadium-that-never-was/story-fni5ezdm-1227553859565">Herald Sun ran an article</a> about plans from the 1960s which would have seen the now defunct AFL Park - aka Waverley or Arctic Park - see its capacity rise to 157,000 patrons. The numbers are broken down into 126,000 seats and standing room for a further 31,000.

Similarly the plans envisioned space for an eye-popping amount of cars: 25,000. These were truly the glory days of auto-centric thought-bubbles and planning.

You can <a href="http://www.anthonycosta.com.au/content/vfl-park-stadium-never-was">view the brochure</a> which has been scanned by Anthony Costa.

On top of the space for 25,000 car parks there were plans for a 1,150 seat function room, 700 seat restaurant, corporate boxes which could fit 2,200 patrons, another oval as well as indoor swimming, baseball, basketball, athletics and gymnastics facilities and interestingly a 300 capacity bus terminal.

Using the Grand Final as an example and the inevitable "filling up" of the stadium, had the plans gone ahead (and if the stadium was still there!), moving 157,000 people in and out of the site would have been diabolical.

In auto-utopia, 25,000 cars could effectively carry 100,000 of the total 157,000, but the rarity of cars having a passenger in each of its seats spells the end of that idea. There would still be a heavy reliance on public transport.

If we assume the average occupancy of each car would have been a more realistic 2 people, 50,000 would have arrived by car to the stadium, leaving the remaining 107,000 for public transport.

The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_Melbourne_Transportation_Plan">1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan</a> which is synonymous with the freeways we now have also saw proposals for the Rowville Rail Line which would have served the site. But even the rail line's capacity to move large amounts of people on days where the stadium would have been filled are dubious.

The original Rowville Line plan - as opposed to the line by the same name many are familiar with which was studied under the previous State Government - would have seen a link between Huntingdale and Ferntree Gully throughout the North/Wellington Road corridor creating an outer suburban loop line.

At the end of 1972 the Hitachi trains were introduced to Melbourne's network and according to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitachi_(Australian_train)#Configuration">documentation</a> from the early 80s the maximum capacity for these trains was 1500 people.

For simplicity's sake, if the need for trains to interact with existing lines to transport people further beyond the scope of the Rowville line is disregarded, a two track railway out the front of Waverley on Wellington Road using the crush load figures for Hitachi trains would have had capacity to move 30,000 passengers per hour in each direction. And that figure assumes a very high frequency of 20 trains an hour during game / special event times.

In reality the Rowville Rail line would have needed to interact with both the Belgrave line and Dandenong lines (and fight for capacity) thus bringing down the capacity figures further.

If the Rowville line were constructed only as far as Rowville and became a branch of the Dandenong corridor, the passenger movement capacity would have been halved (as there would be no train paths to the Belgrave Line).

Similarly the 300 bay bus terminal would have had capacity to move in the region of 20,000-25,000 people in an hour, if you assume every bus had the same crush capacity as those that do today: 68 passengers per bus.

50,000 by car, 30,000-60,000 by train, 20,000-25,000 people by bus. We're getting closer to 157,000, but not quite yet.

Kudos to the VFL for being bold however it's at this point I'm giving up even attempting to make sense of how people would have been able to get to and from the site with relative ease and without much of a delay on key event days; the "back of the envelope" numbers where I've been overly generous in some cases just don't make sense.

And thankfully, we dodged that 1960s bullet. Contrast it with Tullamarine Airport - the other 1960s/1970s era mega-project - and its lack of public transport access: just yesterday a $1.3 billion project to expand the Tullamarine Freeway and City Link kicked off.

Lead image credit: Herald Sun
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1960s plans for Waverley Park expansion: South East Melbourne dodged a bullet

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Sitting in Moonee Valley City Council's offices last week and looking over the plans for <a href="/news/moonee-ponds-in-the-market-for-some-high-rise-activity">Hall and Margaret streets</a>, it struck me that we are starting to see the same level of developer confidence in Melbourne's suburbs that used to be contained to Southbank back in the 1990s.

Southbank Towers which stands 28 levels high, completed in 1997 and built by ubiquitous Southbank developer Central Equity, was a new milestone for the developer back in the day.

If you peruse <a href="http://www.centralequity.com.au/s_past_projects.php">CE's long list</a> of completed projects, you will see Southbank Towers set a new benchmark in scale for Central Equity which prior to Southbank Towers was building smaller-scale buildings in the inner city on both sides of the Yarra.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m0!3m2!1sen!2sau!4v1443402034680!6m8!1m7!1sZcLlSQmUyz3x_dlyyNinEw!2m2!1d-37.8231592!2d144.9607381!3f151.71915787117135!4f31.37611199527079!5f0.4000000000000002" style="border:0" width="100%"></iframe>

The municipalities of Melbourne, Yarra, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Maribyrnong are referred to the inner sub-region of the previous State Government's Plan Melbourne strategy (from the archives: <a href="/news/how-much-urbanism-will-central-melbourne-need-to-build-by-2031">How much urbanism will central Melbourne need to build by 2031?</a>) and it is no secret these five LGA's are seeing the vast bulk of medium and high density dwellings built.

But as I say when we field requests from other media outlets about Melbourne development data, we really need to pay far more attention to the suburbs.

<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/plan_melb_central_subregion_0_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The inner sub-region of Plan Melbourne with the previous Government's proposal for a cross-city rail tunnel"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="399" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/plan_melb_central_subregion_0_0.jpg?itok=LK-83JuD" title="The inner sub-region of Plan Melbourne with the previous Government's proposal for a cross-city rail tunnel" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The inner sub-region of Plan Melbourne with the previous Government's proposal for a cross-city rail tunnel</figcaption></figure><h2>Why is 20 levels significant?</h2>

For no particular reason other than if we go back over the tall building history of Melbourne to the late 1950s when ICI House was constructed on land outside the CBD.

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICI_House">ICI House</a> has 20 levels, was once Australia's tallest building and at the time was the building which made a statement and set the cat amongst the pidgeons in terms of sending buildings even higher, just like Southbank Towers did for residential buildings in Southbank.

<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/orica_house.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="ICI House. Image CC BY SA Wikipedia."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="774" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/orica_house.jpg?itok=DJRpLedD" title="ICI House. Image CC BY SA Wikipedia." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>ICI House. Image CC BY SA Wikipedia.</figcaption></figure><h2>The hills are alive with sound of piling rigs</h2>

Earlier this year we reported on <a href="/news/whitehorse-towers-box-hills-largest-development-approved">Whitehorse Tower's approval</a> and it has since sold out and started construction.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_6632.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Whitehorse Towers site works in full swing. Image Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="463" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6632.jpg?itok=FaHyxguH" title="Whitehorse Towers site works in full swing. Image Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Whitehorse Towers site works in full swing. Image Mark Baljak.</figcaption></figure>As the suburb's name suggests, Box Hill is an elevated area so when you build a tower, or two in Whitehorse Towers' case - 36 and 26 levels respectively - the towers become more prominent when viewed from a distance. Not to mention I dare say the views from this project will be utterly spectacular.

However when you take a good look at the other development within a one kilometre radius, a development story emerges of a suburb that is not too dissimilar to that of one company's: Central Equity.

We are tracking <a href="/new-apartments/box-hill-vic-3128">21 projects</a> in Box Hill and most are in the four to tweleve level range. Some examples include Chloe, <a href="/buildings/elland-avenue-2-elland-avenue-box-hill">Elland Avenue</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/757-station-street-box-hill">757 Station Street</a>. This is replicated in other major suburban nodes in Melbourne.

<h2>Moonee Ponds: the east can't all have the fun</h2>

As reported earlier this morning, <a href="/news/moonee-ponds-in-the-market-for-some-high-rise-activity">Caydon have lodged plans</a> for two more towers on what's known as the Readings site in Moonee Ponds, the tallest of which punches through the old Melbourne barrier of 20 levels.

Like its 20+ level counterpart in the East, Moonee Ponds is elevated - around 45 metres above sea level - and the area is not without high-rise residential precedent.

<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_6580_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Caydon's new proposal for Hall Street. Image from Planning Application"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="644" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6580_0.jpg?itok=EnoJhqHN" title="Caydon's new proposal for Hall Street. Image from Planning Application" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Caydon's new proposal for Hall Street. Image from Planning Application</figcaption></figure>The proposal which is currently before Moonee Valley City Council measures 68 metres and when taking the already elevated position into account, the tower like Whitehorse Towers will act as an anchor in the suburban skyline should it be approved in its current form.

Moonee Valley already has one building complete above the 20 level barrier in Travancore and another under construction opposite Flemington Racecourse, however the Hall Street proposal is first in the elevated section of Moonee Ponds and in its traditional activities district.

<h2>Hills and public transport, a recipe for development confidence?</h2>

The location of both of these suburbs in elevated areas is significant however I would argue there is something far more significant.

Both Moonee Ponds and Box Hill are two of suburban Melbourne's richest "non-rail junction" public transport nodes: they are both simply major stations on single rail lines.

While Box Hill's rail frequency does benefit from the junction-effect of combining rail services into a single line at Ringwood in this case, Moonee Ponds and Box Hill are hubs for all three modes of public transport: heavy rail lines, trams and both boast large bus hubs (although, Box Hill bus hub is <a href="/news/is-it-time-to-reconfigure-the-moonee-ponds-transport-interchange">better connected to heavy rail than Moonee Ponds</a>).

<h2>Where could the 20 level barrier be breached next?</h2>

If I were a betting man, the rail junction suburbs of Melbourne outside the inner city - Dandenong, Caulfield, Ringwood, Camberwell, Newport and Sunshine - are likely to be the next suburbs to stare down the old Melbourne barrier.

Dandenong is ever so close with <a href="/developments/dandenong-vic-3175">Spectra</a> having 17 levels and the suburb has another 22 projects ranging in floor heights from four to twelve. Ringwood is half way there with 10 levels at <a href="/buildings/233-east-233-maroondah-highway-ringwood">233 Maroondah Highway</a>, the suburb has another five projects in the four to eight level floor height range.

Camberwell? Despite its penchant for fostering celebrity NIMBYism, it actually chalks up eleven projects in the three to nine level range.

Caulfield has not reached the heights that Ringwood has as yet in the same region Malvern East has <a href="/buildings/vanguard-781-807-dandenong-road-malvern-east">Vanguard</a> at 18 levels as well as a good mix of four to eight level projects. Sunshine has a sole <a href="/developments/sunshine-vic-3020">nine level building</a> on the database and we are not tracking anything for Newport as yet.
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20 years after Southbank Towers, the suburbs are punching through the 20 level barrier

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It was a one man show on Monday night's <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/">QandA</a>. The Federal Leader of the Opposition was answering questions from a Ballarat audience and made a curious remark that the Australian Labor Party (ALP) are the public transport party.

Fumbling through a list of large-scale public transport projects around the country, Bill Shorten looked to be in the most uncomfortable position all night.

A follow up question on the feel-good grandiose infrastructure project of the age - high speed rail on the east coast - appeared to make the Leader of the Opposition even more uncomfortable when he appeared to confuse his answer, by talking about how 10 years ago he said the country should build an inland rail line on the western side of the Great Dividing Range. The inland rail project is about moving freight between Victoria and Queensland, high speed rail is getting people out of the air and onto trains.

Is this really the best the public transport party - at least at a Federal level - can muster?

If anything the most blindingly obvious thing to talk up on a national platform is jobs. And public transport, believe it or not, is a big job creator.

Contrast the messaging surrounding public transport to other areas where the ALP lays claim to the political mantle: health and education. You would be hard pressed to find an ALP politician who could not talk about these two policy areas in more detail than Bill Shorten managed to do with public transport on Monday night.

The communications from the ALP playbook in these two areas is as follows: Expansionary education policy = a smarter society with more opportunity. Expansionary health policy = a happier and healthier society. In both cases where the state chooses to spend more money in expanding physical infrastructure - building more schools and building more hospitals - the end result is always the need for more people to work in the two respective sectors.

It is exactly the same in public transport.

Expanding bus routes, which is the best way to rapidly provide high quality public transport in suburban areas, requires more bus drivers. Jobs. Expanding tram / light rail lines requires more drivers. Expanding heavy rail lines requires more drivers. Jobs.

Similarly, it is a manufacturing story in disguise. Remember the car industry? The component manufacturers may well be able to re-tool and re-skill to support an expanding renewable energy sector, as Bill Shorten mentioned in the same QandA session, but there is also the natural segue into onshore public transport vehicle manufacturing.

Health and education is very much in the DNA of the ALP but based on the Federal Leader's performance on Monday night, his relative ease in fumbling points he should have indeed remembered and his inability to connect sustainable transport to an economic narrative ultimately suggests that when it comes to claiming the party of public transport title, the ALP have a long way to go.

Lead image credit: <a href="http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/qanda/FA1407H034S00">ABC iView</a>
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Are the Federal ALP really the 'public transport' party?

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Singaporean developer <a href="/developers/world-class-global">World Class Land</a> has formally appointed Brookfield Multiplex as builder for Australia 108, with on-site piling to commence in October.

The tower will become <a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Melbourne's first super-tall skyscraper</a> measuring 319 metres housing 1,105 apartments over 99 levels. A super-tall skyscraper is a building which measures more 300 metres in height.

<a href="/">Apartments.com.au</a> has learned that construction will have five stages. The first stage of construction is scheduled to be completed in 2018 and the entire building will be completed in 2020.

The construction stages have the following milestones:

<ul>
<li>Stage 1: up to level 40, 491 apartments, to be completed late 2018</li>
	<li>Stage 2: up to level 56, 252 apartments, to be completed mid 2019</li>
	<li>Stage 3: up to level 66, 162 apartments, to be completed mid 2019</li>
	<li>Stage 4: up to level 86, 120 apartments, to be completed early 2020</li>
	<li>Stage 5: up to final level, 80 apartments, to be completed mid 2020</li>
</ul>
Stages 2 and 3 will be complete in different months in mid 2019 and the awarded construction contract is valued at $500 million.

<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/aus_108_site_rs.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108 site in August. Image Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aus_108_site_rs.jpg?itok=Ve-I7-vk" title="Australia 108 site in August. Image Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Australia 108 site in August. Image Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure>
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Brookfield Multiplex appointed builder for Australia 108, piling to commence in October

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Judging by reports observed on various media platforms over the past 24 hours, it seems there are a lot of people and lobbyist groups waiting to tap the new Prime Minister on the shoulder and talk about their cause.

From people hoping for change on issues such as marriage equality and climate change - which Malcolm Turnbull is well known for having a different view from his party - to more traditional lobbyists such as the Australian Chamber of Commerce: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/15/queues-begin-outside-malcolm-turnbulls-door-to-push-policies">they're everywhere</a>.

It looks like many will be disappointed, at least in the short term. <a href="http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/transcript-vote-on-the-liberal-party-leadership">In his own words</a>, at a media conference shortly after the leadership ballot result was announced:

<blockquote>
The Prime Minister of Australia is not a president; the Prime Minister is the first among equals. And you can see that the partnership between me and Julie, the partnership with our colleagues will be a very clear cultural demonstration that we are operating in a traditional cabinet manner. And that means Lenore [Guardian Political Editor] that I’m not going to make policy pronouncements from this podium tonight. Of course policies change, they change all the time, but they will be when people should have the confidence that we will be making decisions in a thoughtful and considered manner, recognising the significance of the work we have to do as the Government of Australia.
<cite><a href="http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/transcript-vote-on-the-liberal-party-leadership">Malcolm Turnbull, September 14, 2015</a></cite>
</blockquote>

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was quick off the mark, exclaiming on Twitter that he is keen to talk shop with the new Prime Minister. Presumably the 'PT' reference relates to undoing the damage the outgoing Prime Minister caused by his dogmatic approach to funding rail projects in cities.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm">@TurnbullMalcolm</a>. Keen to discuss partnering on PT, roads, health, education and jobs for Victoria. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash">#auspol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/springst?src=hash">#springst</a>
— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/643397001732747265">September 14, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>It is worth pointing out Malcolm Turnbull's fervent use of public transport will have been saving taxpayers money, that is at least up until today, assuming the Australian Federal Police put the kibosh on him continuing to commute on public transport from this point on. Imagine how much the following trips would have cost had a Government car (or taxi) been used.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<a href="https://twitter.com/Billandbecks">@Billandbecks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WickBurner">@WickBurner</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tweetsyjoy">@tweetsyjoy</a> not so. Two trams yesterday but Monday in sydney was a record - 7 trains <a href="http://t.co/Op1A66r1NK">pic.twitter.com/Op1A66r1NK</a>
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm/status/626254767317127168">July 29, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div>
</div> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/7dn7ERMqPL/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Flinders Street station magnificent in the dawn.</a> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by turnbullmalcolm (@turnbullmalcolm) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-09-10T20:06:06+00:00">Sep 10, 2015 at 1:06pm PDT</time>
</div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
And here comes today's tram - the number 70 to take us to Hawthorn and a morning with <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshFrydenberg">@JoshFrydenberg</a> <a href="http://t.co/zeGCmct6nj">pic.twitter.com/zeGCmct6nj</a>
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm/status/642070078083608576">September 10, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Regular users of Twitter, Facebook or Instagram may have stumbled on Malcolm Turnbull's posts, where the new Prime Minister is frequently pictured on public transport or snapping away in our cities.

In the newest mass online media outlet, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2015/08/24/malcolm-turnbull-train_n_8035068">The Huffington Post Australia</a>, an article published in August has an interesting take on the new Prime Minister's tendency to immerse himself in our cities; "for a guy with a personal wealth estimated in the tens of millions, it's admirable to see him slogging it out on the train with the rest of us".

Attempting to heap praise on Turnbull because he is wealthy but mingles with "the rest of us" on public transport is infantile, and unfortunately is another example where public transport systems are popularly perceived as systems for charity when that proposition <a href="http://www.ptua.org.au/myths/rich.shtml">could not be further from the truth.</a>

Centralised city planning from Canberra is not going to happen with a Liberal/National Government in power, however it is a welcome change that the new Prime Minister is an urbanist and has a deep interest in public transport and our cities more generally, unlike his predecessor.

After the dust has settled, the challenge for Malcolm Turnbull will be to make his penchant for urbanism somehow channel into a cities narrative - and have it rub off on federal Liberals - so as we are never confronted with a right-wing anti-city Prime Minister like Tony Abbott ever again.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm/status/563147272515358720">Malcolm Turnbull on Twitter</a>.
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Australia now has an urbanist Prime Minister

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The City of Melbourne has released its draft City Road master plan and published a plethora of documents on its <a href="http://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/city-road">Participate Melbourne</a> website.

The proposed changes include introducing planted median strips in the Kings Way to Power Street section of City Road and in Alexandra Avenue. Slip lanes at the major intersection of City Road and Southbank Boulevard look set to get the chop and there are 3 new pedestrian crossings proposed at Clarke Street, Balston Street; and on Alexandra Avenue to provide a higher quality link between the Alexandra and Queen Victoria gardens.

<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/cityrd-masterplan-proposed-changes.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Proposed changes to City Road. Map from Participate Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="398" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cityrd-masterplan-proposed-changes.jpg?itok=-I5th8EQ" title="Proposed changes to City Road. Map from Participate Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Proposed changes to City Road. Map from Participate Melbourne</figcaption></figure>The intersection of Moray Street / Queensbridge Street / City Road (with Kings Way flying over the top) - which once had a proposal to have a roundabout installed dubbed 'Southbank circus' - is set to see improved pedestrian crossings. There is a proposal to reimagine the space in the Kings Way undercroft and likewise the pedestrian crossings on the Southbank Boulevard / City Road intersection are set to be improved thanks to the removal of the slip lanes.

The intersection with Sturt Street, City Road and Southgate Avenue is set to see improvements as well.

A major pan-Southbank cycling route is also proposed with cyclists being funneled toward St Kilda Road (coming from the south west) via City Road to Balston Street, then along Kavanagh Street and Southbank Boulevard.

<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/city_rd_west_existing.png" rel="gallery-all" title="City Road west, existing street cross-section. Image Participate Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="336" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/city_rd_west_existing.png?itok=pBay-GWr" title="City Road west, existing street cross-section. Image Participate Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>City Road west, existing street cross-section. Image Participate Melbourne</figcaption></figure>The western end of City Road is proposed to have a somewhat noteworthy road reconfiguration with a reduction in footpath width along the northern side, the removal of parking on the southern side and the introduction of fully separated bike lanes and bus/transit lanes.

<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/city_rd_west_proposed.png" rel="gallery-all" title="City Road west, proposed street cross-section. Image Participate Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="334" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/city_rd_west_proposed.png?itok=tXk8MMF-" title="City Road west, proposed street cross-section. Image Participate Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>City Road west, proposed street cross-section. Image Participate Melbourne</figcaption></figure>At the intersection of Sturt Street and City Road a new pedestrian bridge is proposed to enhance connectivity between St Kilda Road and City Road as well as the River. A new ramp from St Kilda Road, located to the southside of Hamer Hall, <a href="http://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/city-road#btn-action-4">is also proposed</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/city_rd_st_kilda_rd.png" rel="gallery-all" title="A screenshot from Participate Melbourne of the proposed pedestrian link over City Road"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="208" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/city_rd_st_kilda_rd.png?itok=g51syW8b" title="A screenshot from Participate Melbourne of the proposed pedestrian link over City Road" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A screenshot from Participate Melbourne of the proposed pedestrian link over City Road</figcaption></figure>All in all 40 on street car spaces are set to be removed, located mainly up the western end of City Road and draft master plan predicts the main car journey impacts will be limited to an extra two minutes in travel time for westbound journeys in the AM peak.

The <a href="http://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/city-road#btn-benefits">primary benefits</a> according to the draft master plan include reduced walking distances between pedestrian crossings on City Road (average distances reduced from 240m to 170m), 9,000 square metres of new public space, 1,280 square metres of new footpath space, a net gain of 108 new trees and three upgraded bus and tram stops.

The City of Melbourne will be running walking tours where participants will be able to find out more about the proposed actions in the draft master plan on Wednesday 30th September between 5:15pm and 6pm, Thursday 8th October between 1pm and 1:45pm and on Saturday 10th October between 10:30am and 11:15am. Participants need to RSVP on the Participate Melbourne website and the tours will depart from Southbank Library.

To view the draft master plan and provide your own feedback on the draft master plan, visit the <a href="http://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/city-road#overview">Participate Melbourne website</a>.

Lead image credit: Participate Melbourne.
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City of Melbourne releases draft City Road master plan

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Premier Daniel Andrews and Treasurer Tim Pallas have earlier this morning announced that work is set to start on two level crossing removal projects which were previously foreshadowed in June.

The alliance comprising Leighton Contractors, Aurecon and Hyder Consulting have been formally awarded the contract for level crossing removals at Blackburn Road in Blackburn, Heatherdale Road in Mitcham and Furlong and Main roads in St. Albans.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m0!3m2!1sen!2sau!4v1441667331524!6m8!1m7!1s_3C5TgPAvVL8T53uZ-1Dxw!2m2!1d-37.7441826!2d144.7995151!3f155.31287563945853!4f-1.5376843491907266!5f1.4340163937942116" style="border:0" width="100%"></iframe>

A media release distributed by the Victorian Government states that works at Main Road and Furlong Road are expected to begin by October and will be completed in 2017. The removal of Blackburn Road and Heatherdale Road level crossings is set to start later this year and will take 12-18 months to complete.

The Main Road project will see a new St. Albans station built and the Furlong Road project will see a new Ginifier station rebuilt and moved closer to Furlong Road.

The media release provides a more precise cost figure for the total value of construction of the 4 project sites, $481.2 million, and reiterates the Victorian Government has fully funded the Blackburn Road, Heatherdale Road and Furlong Road projects and the Main Road removal project is jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m0!3m2!1sen!2sau!4v1441675782747!6m8!1m7!1sVj49hBlFAcI3CEsS1fWY6A!2m2!1d-37.7603226!2d144.8117166!3f333.9703258662817!4f-5.2706638250402875!5f0.7820865974627469" style="border:0" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2>Level crossing removals announced to date</h2>

The Dandenong corridor:

<ul>
<li>Grange Road, Carnegie.</li>
	<li>Koornang Road, Carnegie - includes rebuilding Carnegie station.</li>
	<li>Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena - includes rebuilding Murrumbeena station.</li>
	<li>Poath Road, Murrumbeena - includes rebuilding Hughesdale station.</li>
	<li>Clayton Road, Clayton - includes rebuilding Clayton station.</li>
	<li>Centre Road, Clayton.</li>
	<li>Corrigan Road, Noble Park.</li>
	<li>Heatherton Road, Noble Park.</li>
	<li>Chandler Road, Noble Park.</li>
</ul>
Expressions of interest were being sought in June, total value, designs and contractors not yet announced.

The Frankston Line:

<ul>
<li>North Road, Ormond - includes rebuilding Ormond station.</li>
	<li>McKinnon Road, McKinnon - includes rebuilding McKinnon station.</li>
	<li>Centre Road, Bentleigh - includes rebuilding Bentleight station.</li>
</ul>
The Glen Waverley Line:

<ul>
<li>Burke Road, Glen Iris - includes rebuilding Gardiner station.</li>
</ul>
Contracts for these four level crossing removals were awarded to a consortium which comprises John Holland and KBR. $524 million and complete by 2018.

The Ringwood corridor:

<ul>
<li>Blackburn Road, Blackburn.</li>
	<li>Heatherdale Road, Mitcham - includes rebuilding Heatherdale station.</li>
</ul>
The Sunbury Line

<ul>
<li>Furlong Road, St. Albans - includes rebuilding Ginifer station.</li>
	<li>Main Road, St. Albans - includes rebuilding St. Albans station.</li>
</ul>
Contracts awarded to an alliance of Leighton Contractors, Aurecon and Hayder Consulting. $481.2 million. St. Albans projects starting in October, Blackburn and Mitcham projects starting later this year.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/planning-and-projects/melbourne-road-projects/main-road-st-albans-level-crossing-removal">Vicroads</a>
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Work to start on level crossing removals in St. Albans

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While you were sleeping on Friday night, the Victorian Government gazetted new interim planning controls for the CBD and parts of Southbank, chief among them is the re-introduction of site plot ratios. A media release distributed at midday on Saturday states the City of Melbourne has been made a referral authority, after the council signed a memorandum of understanding with the Victorian Government.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/central_city_study_area.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Central City Study Area. Image supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="413" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/central_city_study_area.jpg?itok=9EsVqJAe" title="The Central City Study Area. Image supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Central City Study Area. Image supplied</figcaption></figure>All development applications arriving on the Planning Minister's desk before Friday will be assessed under the regime existing prior to the interim controls coming into effect. This means all projects shown in this video distributed by the Victorian Government will not be subject to newly gazetted interim controls.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RUTnLb0udRY" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2>Setbacks and plot ratios</h2>

The <a href="http://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2015/GG2015S256.pdf">Government Gazette from Friday night</a> states that the City of Melbourne Planning Scheme has been amended with the following:

<ul>
<li>A new <a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/283512/43_02s10_melb.pdf">Schedule 10 to Clause 43.02</a> has been inserted to the Design and Development Overlay.

	<ul>
<li>Buildings up to or equal to 100 metres in height will require a tower setback of minimum five metres to all boundaries or from the centre of a laneway above the podium.</li>
		<li>Buildings above 100 metres in height will require tower setbacks to be the equivalent of five per cent of the building's overall height, and likewise these tower setbacks will be required to all boundaries or from the centre of a laneway above the podium height.</li>
		<li>A plot ratio requirement of 24:1 has been added.</li>
	</ul>
</li>
</ul>
A plot ratio - or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floor_area_ratio">FAR (Floor area ratio)</a> - is a tool which relates to Gross Floor Area and prescribes the maximum density allowable for a development site. By way of an example, alongside other new controls as outlined in the link section below, a 1,000 square metre site in Melbourne's CBD will now only be permitted to have up to 24,000 square metres of Gross Floor Area.

The following image was distributed by the Victorian Government on Saturday showing the pre-interim control conditions in central Melbourne. No matter which way you look at it, the new plot ratio requirements appear to be very generous when compared to other cities which use them.

<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/qfgottlaogo0_pzgkrhpsvwiorlo9b8op0zw3brtpam.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne's central area now has an interim plot ratio of 24:1"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/qfgottlaogo0_pzgkrhpsvwiorlo9b8op0zw3brtpam.jpg?itok=rfwuPt1p" title="Melbourne's central area now has an interim plot ratio of 24:1" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne's central area now has an interim plot ratio of 24:1</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>A <a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/66_04s_melb.pdf">schedule to Clause 66.04</a> has been amended to add the City of Melbourne as a recommending referral authority.</li>
	<li>
<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/37_04s01_melb.pdf">Clause 7 in Schedule 1 to the Capital City Zone</a> deals with the prohibition of "overshadowing the northern bank of the Yarra, 15 metres from its edge and any open space at Federation Square, City Square, and the State Library Forecourt between 11am and 2pm from 22nd of March to 22nd September".
	<ul>
<li>Clause 7 likewise introduces a wind analysis requirement.</li>
	</ul>
</li>
	<li>
<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/37_04s02_melb.pdf">Clause 3 in Schedule 2 to the Capital City Zone</a> prohibits the construction of "footbridges, pedestrian ways, vehicle bridges and links across the above ground level of Bourke Street, Collins Street, Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street".
	<ul>
<li>Clause 3 likewise states that "a permit is required to construct a building or construct or carry out works which would cast a shadow between 11am and 2pm on 22nd March and 22 September over public space, public parks and gardens, public squares, major pedestrian routes including streets and lanes, and privately owned plazas open to the public. A permit may only be granted if the responsible authority considers the overshadowing will not prejudice the amenity of those areas".</li>
	</ul>
</li>
	<li>
<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/37_04s03_melb.pdf">Clause 6 in Schedule 3 to the Capital City Zone</a> prohibits "the construction of buildings and works which would cast any additional shadow across the Shrine of Remembrance and its northern forecourt between 11am and 4pm on 22nd September".</li>
</ul>
<h2>Discretionary height limits become mandatory</h2>

Schedules 2, 7, 40, 60 and 62 to the Design and Development Overlay deal with previous discretionary height controls now being mandatory.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/43_02s02_melb.pdf">Clause 2 in Schedule 2 to the Design and Development Overlay</a> outlines the maximum building heights in prescribed areas such as Chinatown, around St. Paul's Cathedral, Town Hall and Parliament.

	<ul>
<li>The maximum permissible heights vary between 15 metres in the Hardware Lane area up to 80 metres for areas along Bourke Street.</li>
	</ul>
</li>
	<li>
<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/43_02s07_melb.pdf">Clause 2 in Schedule 7 to the Design and Development Overlay</a> outlines the maximum building heights in the Northbank Promenade and Batman Park area.</li>
	<li>
<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/43_02s40_melb.pdf">Clause 2 in Schedule 40 to the Design and Development Overlay</a> outlines the maximum building heights in the River Environs.
	<ul>
<li>The design objectives for this schedule relate to "maintaining the existing low-scale river edge urban form along the river corridor" and the maximum height has been set at six storeys.</li>
	</ul>
</li>
	<li>
<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/43_02s60_melb.pdf">Clause 2 in Schedule 60 to the Design and Development Overlay</a> relates to height limits in various areas of Southbank.
	<ul>
<li>The applicable areas in the CBD &amp; Southbank context are around the Arts Centre, Sturt Street, Wells Street and Dorcas Street.</li>
	</ul>
</li>
	<li>
<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/43_02s62_melb.pdf">Clause 2 in Schedule 62 to the Design and Development Overlay</a> is dedicated to Bourke Hill and the heights for that precinct.</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/22_lpp01_melb.pdf">Ordinance 22.01 (Urban design within the Capital City Zone)</a> is probably where all architects will want to head to straight away and rounding out the mass-linkage of all the amended documents is <a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/melbourne/ordinance/22_lpp02_melb.pdf">Ordinance 22.02 (Sunlight to public spaces)</a>.

<h2>A year of consultation and review</h2>

<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/proposed_planning_response.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Key topic areas which will be a focus in the upcoming central city planning review. Image supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/proposed_planning_response.jpg?itok=6kPRGUt-" title="Key topic areas which will be a focus in the upcoming central city planning review. Image supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Key topic areas which will be a focus in the upcoming central city planning review. Image supplied</figcaption></figure>2016 is set to be an even busier year in the planning world for Central Melbourne. Fishermans Bend's review and now the CBD and Southbank's own planning review are set to be completed and published. Likewise, according to details embedded in a referral posted on the <a href="http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=referral_detail&amp;proposal_id=7549">Federal Government's Department of Environment website</a>, Melbourne Metro will have its planning and environmental assessment complete.

Based on reports in other media and the Victorian Government-supplied image above, we should expect to hear a lot about equitable development opportunities and density bonuses in the coming review period.

Urban.com.au is interested to hear reaction from all sectors of the urban development industry, academia, the public sector and other stakeholders. We encourage to send your comments to <a href="mailto:editor@urban.melbourne">editor@urban.melbourne</a>. Received comments will not be attributed to the source should we decide to use them in a future article. If any individual wishes to go on the record, we may invite them to write an op-ed.

Lead image credit: <a href="http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=125998143&amp;postcount=3437">GlennWilson</a>
</body></html>

Interim Central Melbourne planning controls: the detail

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

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Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

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]

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>.

Alastair Taylor

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