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<p>It appears the 'wrong side of the Yarra, right side of Maribyrnong' encompassing Fitzroy, Carlton, Brunswick, North Melbourne and Northcote has been chosen as the region where most Apartments.com.au readers would like to live or own a property.  The centre of the city and inner South round out the most popular regions of Melbourne respectively.  </p>

<p>That's the conclusion drawn from our ongoing <a href="http://www.effectivemeasure.com/" target="_blank">Effective Measure</a> reader surveys that are now in their third month.</p>

<p>The large amount of investment - both in infrastructure and residential construction - currently being funneled into Footscray does not appear to sway Apartments.com.au readers as only 15% of Apartments.com.au's audience selected inner West.  The inner East including Richmond - the suburb which lead the inner-city gentrification through the early 90s - appears to be off the boil with only 33% of the Apartments.com.au audience selecting it in the multi-choice question.</p>

<p>We did attempt to correlate any kind of relationship with the number of projects we're tracking on our database with the survey responses however we came up empty.</p>

<p>The total projects we're tracking in <a href="/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a>, <a href="/developments/carlton-vic-3053">Carlton</a>, <a href="/developments/collingwood-vic-3066">Collingwood</a>, <a href="/developments/northcote-vic-3070">Northcote</a>, <a href="/new-apartments/brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick</a> and <a href="/developments/brunswick-east-vic-3057">East Brunswick</a> rounds out to 46.  The inner South representing <a href="/developments/south-yarra-vic-3141">South Yarra</a>, <a href="/developments/prahran-vic-3181">Prahran</a>, <a href="/developments/st-kilda-vic-3182">St Kilda</a>, <a href="/developments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">South Melbourne</a> and <a href="/developments/port-melbourne-vic-3207">Port Melbourne</a> totals 59.  </p>

<p>The centre of the city -<a href="/developments/melbourne-vic" target="_blank"> Melbourne</a> (postcodes 3000 and 3004), <a href="/new-apartments/docklands-vic-3008">Docklands</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a> - totals a mammoth 77 projects.</p>

<p>The data provided by Effective Measure breaks down the responses in to gender categories - Apartments.com.au's total audience gender breakdown is 75% male, 25% female.</p>

<p>Amongst males, the inner North again came out on top whilst female readers nominated the centre of the City as their most desirable place to live or own a property. </p>

<p>It mightn't come as any surprise that the outer suburbs barely registered on the survey and it appears Apartments.com.au might have a small tree-changer following with 13% of audience share allocated to a rural area / other regional city in Victora.</p>

<p>So what is it that makes the inner North a favourite of Apartments.com.au readers?  </p>

<p>Truth be known, there was no specific purpose in asking the question on the survey - we thought we'd just throw it out there but it has given the editors some ideas for the next round of surveys which will be rolled out soon.</p>

<p>Perhaps this is a good time to disclaim that both Apartments.com.au editors currently live on 'the wrong side of the Yarra, but right side of the Maribyrnong' - one is a native of the region, the other a 'migrant' from the outer South East.  </p>

<p>We're very much interested in having a discussion on why the inner North has come up trumps, so feel free to leave a comment in the box provided below.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>The question asked:  Which of the following areas would you find most desirable to live, invest or own a property in (choose a maximum of 3)?</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Region</b></td>
			<td><strong>Audience Share</strong></td>
			<td><strong>Male</strong></td>
			<td><strong>Female</strong></td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inner North (Fitzroy, Carlton, Brunswick, Northcote, North Melbourne)</td>
			<td>57%</td>
			<td>60%</td>
			<td>43%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Centre of the City (CBD, Southbank, Docklands)</td>
			<td>52%</td>
			<td>51%</td>
			<td>57%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inner South (South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, South Yarra, St. Kilda, Fishermans Bend)</td>
			<td>45%</td>
			<td>46%</td>
			<td>43%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inner East (Richmond, Hawthorn/Glenferrie)</td>
			<td>33%</td>
			<td>34%</td>
			<td>29%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inner West (Footscray, Yarraville, Maribyrnong)</td>
			<td>15%</td>
			<td>15%</td>
			<td>14%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>A rural area / other regional city or town in Victoria</td>
			<td>13%</td>
			<td>11%</td>
			<td>21%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Middle ring of suburbs - North or West of the Yarra (Coburg, Thornbury, Moonee Ponds, Essendon, Heidelberg, Williamstown)</td>
			<td>11%</td>
			<td>12%</td>
			<td>8%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Middle ring of suburbs - South or East of the Yarra (Sandringham, Elsternwick, Moorabbin, Caulfield, Oakleigh, Camberwell, Doncaster)</td>
			<td>10%</td>
			<td>9%</td>
			<td>14%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>The urban heart of a regional city (Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong) </td>
			<td>7%</td>
			<td>6%</td>
			<td>7%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Outer ring of Suburbs - South or East of the Yarra</td>
			<td>4%</td>
			<td>4%</td>
			<td>1%</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Outer ring of Suburbs - North or West of the Yarra</td>
			<td>1%</td>
			<td>1%</td>
			<td>1%</td>
		</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>To see the rest of our demographic data captured through the user surveys, you can view it on our recently published Media Kit located <a href="/contact">here</a>.</p>

<p> </p>
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Alastair Taylor

The inner North: most favoured by Urban.com.au readers

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<p>Announcing Imperial Doncaster 60% sold with Hacer Group to commence construction within weeks, <a href="http://www.axfgroup.com.au/" target="_blank">AXF Group</a> have simultaneously unveiled final renders for the now approved 34 level <a href="/new-apartments/sky-one-box-hill-545-563-station-street-box-hill">Sovereign Square</a> project at 545 Station Street, Box Hill.  </p>

<p>At 120 metres above sea level, Doncaster Hill commands excellent views in all directions and future residents will be afforded and even greater perspective once the 10 level Imperial Doncaster development is completed. </p>

<p>Sales and Marketing manager for AXF, Scott Jessop, says beyond the headline figure of 60% of apartments sold, Imperial Doncaster has attracted strong interest from local owner-occupiers looking to remain loyal to their community by downsizing into Imperial Doncaster's offerings.  The project has reportedly seen keen interest from buyers who wish to play a more hands-on role in configuring their apartments with multi-purchase and combine configurations a common occurrence.</p>

<p>Like all the projects we track around the city, Apartments.com.au will be keeping a watchful eye on Imperial Doncaster's construction progress post the construction launch in March.</p>

<p><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/GS_Doncaster_External%20Daylight%20V1_RETOUCH_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Imperial Doncaster - Image © Buchan Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/GS_Doncaster_External%20Daylight%20V1_RETOUCH_0.jpg?itok=lZIgIBEK" title="Imperial Doncaster - Image © Buchan Group" width="580"></a></p>

<p>A short trip along the aptly named Tram Road - the route of the <a href="http://www.hawthorntramdepot.org.au/papers/boxhill.htm" target="_blank">Southern Hemisphere's first electric tramway</a> which opened in 1889 - is another development by AXF Group previously known as 545 Station Street Box Hill, and now referred to as Sovereign Square.</p>

<p>Having spent more than a decade observing projects all around Melbourne, this site has appeared on the radar multiple times in one guise or another, yet the current proposal is the pick of all that have been put forward.  AXF Group have once more utilised Imperial Doncaster designers <a href="http://buchan.com.au/" target="_blank">Buchan Group</a> to produce this 34 level residential tower on the corner of Station Street and Carrington Road, destined to be suburban Melbourne's tallest building.</p>

<p>Perhaps most satisfactory of all, Sovereign Square will set an example as to what can be done with the surface car parks that blight our suburban activity centres throughout the metropolitan area.</p>

<p>Where Imperial Doncaster consisted of 94 apartments, Sovereign Square will boast 419.  Studio, one, two and three bedroom configurations will be present throughout the building and 288 car, 15 motorbike and 167 bicycle spaces will round out the on-site transport aspects of the project.</p>

<p><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/External%20Image.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Sovereign Square - Image © Buchan Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1030" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/External%20Image.jpg?itok=jQdF8KTv" title="Sovereign Square - Image © Buchan Group" width="580"></a></p>

<p>Given Sovereign Square's location directly adjacent to Box Hill Station with the comprehensive array of transport options located within the immediate vicinity, this tower is located in an area ripe for intensive urban development.</p>

<p>Carrington Road, synonymous with Indochinese cuisine, forms one of the site's boundaries and Sovereign Square looks set to expand the dining precinct with 2677 square metres of restaurant space within the podium, supplemented by 715 square metres of ground floor food premises. A further 2263 square metres of premium serviced office space is also to be included.</p>

<p><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/Podium%20Corner.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image © Buchan Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Podium%20Corner.jpg?itok=_y-sVl-9" title="Image © Buchan Group" width="580"></a></p>

<p>Sovereign Square is an interesting turn of events for the this middle ring corridor in Eastern Melbourne, not only because of the scale of the development but more so the prolonged period of time taken for Box Hill to densify?</p>

<p>As discussed earlier, Box Hill appears - on paper at least - to be the better node to support higher densities given both the high frequency of rail services right through the heart of the suburb, Tram 109 as well as its concentration of bus routes to and from the activities district.</p>

<p>With a flurry of mid-rise proposals north of Whitehorse Road, Box Hill Hospital's redevelopment and the now under construction ATO office accommodation, Box Hill has started to flex its muscle by demonstrating it can capitalise on all the necessary elements it has at its disposal to mature into an urban hub, with Sovereign Square leading the way</p>

<p> </p>
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Imperial Doncaster starts construction, Sovereign Square unveiled

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<p>During November Apartments.com.au presented Guiding Melbourne's Urban Growth ('GMUG 2013'), an event as part of Melbourne Knowledge Week 2013.  Today's article focuses on the presentation given by William McDougall, Principal and Public Transport practice leader at global consulting firm <a href="http://www.globalskm.com/" target="_blank">SKM</a>.  </p>

<blockquote>
<p><em>If Melbourne is to fulfil its own motto of gaining strength as it grows, planning policy must shift away from the auto-centric low-density suburban growth patterns of the past.  Cities which encourage diverse human interaction through policies which enable increased residential and employment densities benefit from increased localised economic and social activity. With the great Australian dream of owning a home becoming increasingly unattainable where spiralling congestion and travel distance to employment and services offset the lower prices of new fringe suburban development, how can Melbourne make medium and high-density living more attractive to individuals and families at a price they can afford?</em></p>
</blockquote>

<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Gotham, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">Each of the invited presenters were asked to respond to the above question, drawing on their expertise and views from within the Urban Industry and here is William's presentation.</span></div>

<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Gotham, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </div>

<div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/84362525" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="100%"></iframe></div>

<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://vimeo.com/84362525">Urban.com.au - Guiding Melbourne's Urban Growth: Part 5 - William McDougall</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user19840635">The Video Agency</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>In my presentation I was highlighting that we urgently need to accommodate change and flexibility in urban planning for Melbourne (and elsewhere), perhaps more than ever before. The main reasons for this are to ensure that we can take full advantage of technological and social change – which are both expected to accelerate enormously – instead of assuming some sort of ‘business as usual’ (which is jargon for ‘no change’) when we’re predicting the future and trying to plan for it.</p>

<p>The example I quoted (which is just one of many) – autonomous vehicles – is quickly becoming the hottest topic in transport. All the major vehicle manufacturers are developing self-driving capabilities and collaborating with Google and its competitors in the process. With this industry investment, self-driving cars will be a reality very quickly. Initially this will be in high-end models but eventually in all new cars, and even in modular form to retrofit into existing vehicles. The traffic efficiency, safety and social benefits are potentially enormous and we must ensure that our urban planning and regulatory systems facilitate, rather than obstruct, their progress.</p>

<p>Coupled with revolutionary changes in transport energy sources and efficiency (electric vehicle technologies in particular), and integration with fast-changing internet and social networking technologies, a new paradigm of automated, efficient and smart transport systems will evolve rapidly from this groundswell.</p>

<p class="rteright"> - William McDougall, January 2014.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The editors of Apartments.com.au would once again like to thank William for taking time out his Friday night to share his perspectives and similarly would like to thank The State Library of Victoria team and our partners at <a href="http://www.thevideoagency.com.au/" target="_blank">The Video Agency</a> for filming the entire event.</p>
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GMUG 2013: William McDougall on future transport trends for cities

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<p class="rtejustify">I didn't expect to be writing about a momentous project in the municipality I spent my Secondary School days and most weekends, however this is most certainly warranted.  I must admit I was pleasantly surprised when perusing our forum and in particular a <a href="/news">thread</a> created by Apartments.com.au member Fedsquared featuring the new <a href="http://www.caseyculturalprecinct.com.au/design/design/" target="_blank">Casey Cultural Precinct</a>.</p>
<p class="rtejustify">After a 6 month design competition with finalists including Ashton Raggatt McDougall, DCM and John Wardle, City of Casey have selected the winning design for the Casey Cultural Precinct.  Conceived by fjmt (<a href="http://www.fjmt.com.au/" target="_blank">Frances-Jones Morehen Thorp</a>), the cultural hub will encapsulate an 800 seat theatre, gallery and community spaces.  Further, the new centre will also function as a Library and Civic Centre replacing the existing buildings located just to the north of the site.</p>
<p class="rtejustify"><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/Image-1_external.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Casey Cultural Precinct - image source: http://www.caseyculturalprecinct.com.au/design/design/"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="243" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image-1_external.jpg?itok=UfXY9iRq" title="The Casey Cultural Precinct - image source: http://www.caseyculturalprecinct.com.au/design/design/" width="580"></a></p>
<p class="rtejustify">Further to the aforementioned features of the project, the Cultural Precinct will also host a plaza, pictured at top, whilst also acting as a regional schools centre for the arts. </p>
<p class="rtejustify">Sourcing City of Casey Mayor Geoff Ablett via a <a href="http://www.caseyculturalprecinct.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Media-Release_Contemporary-and-innovative-design-unveiled-for-125-million-Casey-Cultural-Precinct.pdf" target="_blank">media release</a>,</p>
<blockquote>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		‘The winning design is striking, engaging and functional and will ensure the Casey Cultural Precinct will be an inviting central heart for the community that celebrates participation, belonging and civic pride. </div>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		 </div>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		‘The design rises from the landscape and integrates with the surrounding environment, while the iconic roof which resembles soaring eagle wings, reaches out to create an interactive meeting space for the community. </div>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		 </div>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		‘The building incorporates a blend of materials, including an impressive metal and timber roof, contemporary curved glass facade and a warm timber interior. </div>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		 </div>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		‘The performing arts centre, regional art gallery, multi-purpose exhibition space, library and Civic Centre are easily accessed on the ground level through a common foyer which welcomes visitors to the precinct. </div>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		 </div>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		‘Outdoor pathways meander through the precinct, drawing visitors to the central community plaza where people will be able to celebrate, collaborate and connect. </div>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		 </div>
	<div class="rtejustify">
		‘The design is a fantastic outcome for the community and will be a welcoming place for everyone to come together when it opens in 2017’.</div>
</blockquote>
<p class="rtejustify">First thought to cross my mind when viewing the foyer images...drawing inspiration from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Parliament" target="_blank">Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh</a>.</p>
<p class="rtejustify">  <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/Image-2_foyer.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The striking foyer in the Casey Cultural Centre - image source: http://www.caseyculturalprecinct.com.au/design/design/"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="324" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image-2_foyer.jpg?itok=mqcC8-t5" title="The striking foyer in the Casey Cultural Centre - image source: http://www.caseyculturalprecinct.com.au/design/design/" width="580"></a></p>
<p class="rtejustify">  <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/Image-3_foyer_plaza.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Another view of the foyer in the Casey Cultural Centre - image source: http://www.caseyculturalprecinct.com.au/design/design/"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="274" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image-3_foyer_plaza.jpg?itok=8SJaO_GD" title="Another view of the foyer in the Casey Cultural Centre - image source: http://www.caseyculturalprecinct.com.au/design/design/" width="580"></a></p>
<p class="rtejustify">The new Cultural and Civic Centre is reportedly set to open in 2017 and is to be financed by the council itself owing to 'Many years of responsible financial management...Council can finance the Casey Cultural Precinct without an increase to rates".  The Council's own <a href="http://www.caseyculturalprecinct.com.au/project/faq/" target="_blank">FAQ</a> page states a combination of savings, a small loan and external funding will combine to finance the $125 million dollar project.  </p>
<p class="rtejustify">Given a State election is due in November it might not come as a surprise to anyone that both the Government and Opposition may just pledge cash to the precinct given that, according to ABC election guru Antony Green's <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/elections/vic/2013/redistribution.htm" target="_blank">analysis</a>, both the Narre Warren North and Narre Warren South seats sit on margins of 4.8% and 7.4% after the final redistribution of seat boundaries.</p>
<p class="rtejustify"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/83821030?byline=0&amp;portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p class="rtejustify"><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://vimeo.com/83821030">Casey Cultural Precinct Design</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/cityofcasey">City of Casey</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
<div>
	 </div>
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Casey Cultural Precinct comes up with the goods

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<p>Today we have re-launched our site - imagnatively dubbed Apartments.com.au 2.0 - with a completely new theme.</p>
<p>Over the Christmas and New Year break the team have been working on customising the theme, as well as making some infrastructure upgrades which will allow us to integrate many different content silos.</p>
<p>All content areas of Apartments.com.au 2.0 are now completely responsive, meaning whether you're looking at Apartments.com.au on a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone, the site will render to best suit the device you are using. In our previous theme, the forum - which attracts near 40% of our total site traffic - was not responsive and mobile users (which represent 20% of all Apartments.com.au users) had a very poor browsing experience. Not anymore.</p>
<p>For our heavy forum users, when you hotlink images you wish to post, the site will automatically resize the image if it is wider than the viewable area. No need to resize existing images you have posted, it is all automatic and the images will resize depending on the device you're using to browse.</p>
<p>We have also heeded advice and we're responding to feedback on the need to integrate the main 'silos' of content we have been working with for the past nine months. As part of the infrastructure upgrades, we're now able to show Project Database information directly on related Projects &amp; Construction forum threads at the top of the left sidebar. See our <a href="/news">single project thread</a> and <a href="/news">multi-project thread</a> examples. The process of linking Project Database pages to forums is a slow process, so bear with us as we continue to roll this out.</p>
<p>While only a small visible change at present, the ability to integrate information that rests in different areas on the site will play a big role in future development.</p>
<p>You might have also noticed that <a href="/news">Visual Melbourne</a>, previously integrated with other news items, now sits prominently in the main menu - this is because we have introduced "Photo of the day". This is a single image we either take ourselves, or find from an external source, that we love and want to highlight. It may have been previously posted on the forum, or submitted to us by content partners.</p>
<p>If you are interested in participating, you can submit images in <a href="/news">this forum thread</a>.</p>
<p>We've also made changes to article categories. Given we specialise on planning application reporting, we've split this from a general 'Development' category and any planning application pieces will be in the new 'Planning' category. Likewise we have split Design from Sustainability &amp; Environment as well as splitting Policy and Culture into their own individual categories.</p>
<p>These article category splits have been partly guided by our ongoing user surveys conducted by Effective Measure.</p>
<p>We've also enhanced the login process to allow using either a username or associated e-mail address as the login. We have also implemented Transport Layer Security (TLS/SSL) across the site - data transmitted between your browser and our server is encrypted.</p>
<p>A belated apology for taking the site down for the past few days - when we only anticipated needing one - however we're back and ready to roll for 2014.</p>
<p>If you have any feedback, questions or would like to report any issues, we've created <a href="/news">this forum thread</a> that we'll be monitoring.</p>
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Welcome to Urban.com.au 2.0

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<p class="rtejustify">On December 24th City of Stonnington lodged a request seeking approval for <a href="http://www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/connect-with-us/state-planning-reforms-/new-residential-zones-/" target="_blank">new planning zones</a> with the State Government.  According to the still active <a href="http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/theplanningsystem/improving-the-system/new-zones-for-victoria/new-and-reformed-residential-zones" target="_blank">DPCD website</a> "<span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif;">Reformed residential zones for Victoria have been approved to better respond to present-day requirements and will give greater clarity about the type of development that can be expected in any residential area."  </span></span>With that in mind City of Stonnington, like all metropolitan Melbourne councils are required to analyse and consult their municipality and then ultimately roll out the newly reformed zones.</p>

<p class="rtejustify">The map produced for the initial consultation period (see below) shows a larger use of the new Residential Growth Zone, whilst a comparison of the consultation/adopted maps shows High Street, Wattletree Road and Waverley Road have had their Residential Growth Zone overlay replaced with General Residential.  Likewise Toorak Road east of Orrong Road no longer sports the Residential Growth zone along one of the municipality's main thoroughfares.</p>

<p class="rtejustify">The prominence of the Commercial Zone, <a href="http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/197352/34_01.pdf" target="_blank">which can incorporate residential uses</a>, in the western end of the municipality will ensure Chapel Street remains the primary focus of Stonnington's growth.  Chadstone Shopping Centre toward the far eastern end of Stonnington is naturally Commercial and interestingly the entire Stonnington side of Dandenong Road and Warrigal road around Chadstone is to receive the new Residential Growth zone.  </p>

<p class="rtejustify">How long can we leave Chadstone without a fixed heavy rail link?  <a href="/news/all-roads-lead-to-chadstone" target="_blank">Urban.com.au has posed the question in the past</a>.</p>

<p class="rtejustify">Upon analysing the maps - both the consultation period and council-adopted versions - a clear theme for the new Residential Growth Zone has been paired with Stonnington's many tram corridors.  For instance this section of Malvern Road, as seen below in Google's Street view, has been endorsed to have the new Residential Growth Zone.  </p>

<p class="rtejustify"><iframe frameborder="0" height="394" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&amp;t=m&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.854137,145.049741&amp;panoid=8joBoWpXdiWRYac7sWehkQ&amp;cbp=13,266.32,,0,11.05&amp;source=embed&amp;ll=-37.857113,145.051482&amp;spn=0.006675,0.01502&amp;z=16&amp;output=svembed" width="100%"></iframe><br><small><a href="https://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&amp;t=m&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.854137,145.049741&amp;panoid=8joBoWpXdiWRYac7sWehkQ&amp;cbp=13,266.32,,0,11.05&amp;source=embed&amp;ll=-37.857113,145.051482&amp;spn=0.006675,0.01502&amp;z=16" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small></p>

<p class="rtejustify">Similarly the section of Glenferrie Road between Malvern Road and High Street has been endorsed for the same Residential Growth zone treatment, enforcing the ideal that  higher density living should be within close proximity to light rail services.</p>

<p class="rtejustify"><iframe frameborder="0" height="394" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.853831,145.029708&amp;panoid=xssO6qjs_sf0UGMTYVf69Q&amp;cbp=13,15.52,,0,1.58&amp;source=embed&amp;ll=-37.855167,145.030367&amp;spn=0.003338,0.00751&amp;z=17&amp;output=svembed" width="100%"></iframe><br><small><a href="https://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.853831,145.029708&amp;panoid=xssO6qjs_sf0UGMTYVf69Q&amp;cbp=13,15.52,,0,1.58&amp;source=embed&amp;ll=-37.855167,145.030367&amp;spn=0.003338,0.00751&amp;z=17" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small></p>

<p class="rtejustify">Click the maps below to see a larger images of the residential zones as envisaged by City of Stonnington.  Alternatively click <a href="/news/reformed-planning-zones-city-of-moreland" target="_blank">here</a> to see Apartments.com.au's previous rundown on City of Moreland's changes, another council with intense development within its locality that will receive clarity in planning via the reformed residential zoning.</p>

<p> </p>
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Reformed planning zones: City of Stonnington

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<p>The Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, has given approval to 54-56 Clarke Street, Southbank.</p>

<p><a href="/new-apartments/elysium-54-clarke-street-southbank" target="_blank">54-56 Clarke Street</a>, designed by <a href="http://b-k-k.com.au/" target="_blank">BKK</a>, will rise 240 metres above its peers, standing third tallest on Southbank (which could be shifted to forth tallest should <a href="/news/planning-application-1-23-queensbridge-street-southbank" target="_blank">1-23 Queensbridge Street</a> be built).  </p>

<p>Thanks to its slender profile, the building will only yield 256 apartments over 73 levels and the architects have managed to squeeze a café at ground level.  </p>

<p>Much of the talk in the mainstream press has revolved around the building's height however we at Apartments.com.au would like to draw attention to another important aspect of the building: its interaction with us, the passer-by on the street.</p>

<p><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/54clarke_street.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="54-56 Clarke Street street interaction"><img alt="" class="image-article-half-width-351px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_half_width_351px/public/pictures/article-images/54clarke_street.jpg?itok=M9DlAsr5" title="54-56 Clarke Street street interaction" typeof="foaf:Image"></a></p>

<p><sub>Image source: <a href="http://b-k-k.com.au/projects/multi-residential/project/clarke-street-apartment-development/" target="_blank">http://b-k-k.com.au/projects/multi-residential/project/clarke-street-apartment-development/</a></sub></p>

<p>Organic, active, green and unlike anything either on or a stone's throw away from City Road - a picture speaks a thousand words.  </p>

<p>54-56 Clarke Street will inevitably become a destination for more than just its residents and it most certainly will be a welcome one in an otherwise street life deprived block of Southbank.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Media Release in full:</p>

<p style=" margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/192603718/54-56-Clarke-Street-approval" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View 54-56 Clarke Street approval on Scribd">54-56 Clarke Street approval</a></p>

<p><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_99568" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/192603718/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></p>
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54-56 Clarke Street Southbank Approved

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<p>After having attended a lecture last Tuesday at the University of Melbourne presented by <a href="http://www.mcgill.ca/architecture/faculty/friedman" target="_blank">Avi Friedman</a>, Professor of Architecture at McGill University, many questions on housing affordability were posed in general and specifically relating to Melbourne. Professor Friedman is best known for his pioneering housing affordability work in Montréal through the creation of the Grow home and the Next home concepts which started out as pilot projects on the grounds of McGill University's campus and has since evolving to many thousands of individual units delivered in Montréal and further afield.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/afhoce/afhoce/afhostcast/afhoid/cohode/buhoin/buhoin_005.cfm" target="_blank">Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation</a>'s case study states that Grow homes are targeted at new home buyers "to create an affordable ownership housing form where the interior can be finished incrementally to match the space requirements and financial circumstances of the homeowners".</p>

<p>Architects like to talk about their craft with all its processes being a journey and as Professor Friedman noted in his lecture last Tuesday, he wasn't on a journey to land himself into glossy Architecture magazines (although he now is) – he wanted his work to make nations and markets change.</p>

<p>In the Western World, a car and white picket fence in a far flung suburb has been the predominant housing development pattern for the best part of half a century and yet when the conversation switches to housing affordability, it's generally this outer suburban development which gets categorised in the “most affordable” method.</p>

<p>But is it truly affordable?</p>

<p>Professor Friedman's work on the Grow home and the following incarnation - the Next Home - challenges the notion that when you buy a dwelling the internal fit out must be entirely complete upon picking up the keys.</p>

<p>In a nutshell the Next homes work like this: narrow - 6.1 metre wide - modules built with timber frames can be stacked both vertically and horizontally creating a diverse amount of unpartitioned internal space. The prospective buyer then proceeds through a formula of choosing a) how many floors they would like to purchase, b) how each floor's layout will be configured and c) how much of their dwelling they wish (and can <em>afford</em>) to fit out from the day they obtain the keys. Think of an IKEA catalogue for dwellings - refer to the 9th page, numbered 111 <a href="http://www.housingeducators.org/Journals/H&amp;S_Vol_25_No_1-2_The_Next_Home_Affordability_Through_Flexibility_and_Choice.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> for an example.</p>

<p>The whole concept forces the buyer to sharpen their focus on what they can truly afford.</p>

<p>Apart from empowering the purchaser with multiple individual choices to suit their needs and budget, the buyer in essence enters into a longer-term relationship with the developer than what currently is the norm, rather than the traditional method where which involves the purchase process, build, occupancy followed by the parting of ways upon completion. Next home buyers are instead encouraged to adapt the space they own as their needs change and financial position dictates.</p>

<p>Professor Friedman drew inspiration from the Car Manufacturing industry where buyers are given an inordinate amount of choice on exteriors, interiors, engine and various other other bells and whistles like GPS and iPod connectivity. Where you wouldn't want to buy a car with 3 wheels (when there's space, and a requirement, for 4), someone might want to buy 100 square metres of adaptable space and only partition and fit out 50% of it from day one.</p>

<p>The example Professor Friedman talked about in his lecture was a young couple selecting only a kitchen, bathroom and living area partitioned initially whilst having a second floor left unpartitioned and used as a giant bedroom. Over time as the young couple's space requirements and financial position evolves - such as when the family unit grows by 1 through the birth of a child - the couple can start to partition the second level accordingly. The home evolves with the occupants.</p>

<p>Even the cost of installing individual rooms has many different price points, the kitchen being a prime example - costs can be reduced by opting to have shelving instead of cupboards above benchtops with incremental change over time by purchasing cupboards from the developer at a later stage or by taking DIY route.</p>

<p>The Next home concept directly responds to changing demographics both on a neighbourhood basis and right down to a building level. Initially designed to cost $50,000CAD per floor (75 square metres) with land (Montreal prices at the start of last decade), 4 level buildings - perfect for the new Residential Growth zones being rolled out around Melbourne - could have a mixture of uses: ground floor retail, a 1 bedroom unit or office on the first floor and a 3 bedroom family unit on floors 2 and 3. The configuration of every individual building is solely reliant in the needs of a group of buyers.</p>

<p>In the Australian context, there are many issues to confront before we could ever hope to have affordable housing such as the Next home concept become mainstream. This mainly revolves around illustrating to the wider public the benefits of not necessarily "smaller" housing, but more compact housing and ensuring NIMBYism doesn't get the upper hand beyond the implementation of the new Residential Growth zones.</p>

<p>By all accounts, the NIMBY problem exists in Canada just as much as it does here however compact and higher density housing is far more prevalent right across Canada - something Australia would do well to learn from, mimic and even enhance the Canadian experience.</p>

<p>See below for a video of a similar lecture given by Professor Friedman at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlOWpmN6nXI</p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="396" scrolling="no" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BlOWpmN6nXI" width="100%"></iframe></p>
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Avi Friedman's outside the box thinking on affordable housing

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<div class="rtejustify">
	That's one of the recommendations from the <a href="http://www.ces.vic.gov.au/victorias-environment/state-of-environment-victoria-2009-2013" target="_blank">State of Environment Victoria 2013</a> report. </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	 </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	The SOEV 2013 report quotes Sir Rod Eddington's observation of the 'Pursuit of "iconic" projects at the expense of small projects' as not being optimal and in section 4.3.5.1 on <a href="http://www.ces.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/230918/J_CfES_SoE-report_PartB-G4_382-495_lo-res_reduced.pdf" target="_blank">page 453</a>, the report goes on to explain cheaper and more effective public transport options can be brought to those who currently have access to mediocre levels of public transport by ramping up investment in bus services.</div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	 </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	Notwithstanding the broad nature of the report, to have such a specific recommendation aiding sustainable communities via significant bus investment is telling.  The Public Transport debate tends to revolve around the big ticket items: Melbourne Metro, the entire PTV Heavy Rail plan with buses and trams seemingly put to the wayside.</div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	 </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	<img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_702px" height="519" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/transit_modes_at_a_glance_SOEV_2013_page_443.jpg?itok=2Z6RvgSa" width="702">
</div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	The above graphic can be found on page 443 of the report and provides a brilliant rundown on the costs of implementation, the time to start services and potential ridership of different modes of Public Transport.</div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	 </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	If there is one thing that could be looked upon as a great positive from the past 50 years of auto-centric suburban expansion in Melbourne. it's the scale and capacity of the road network which has over time come along with it.  Wide medians, wide lanes and wide corridors - think Springvale Road, Cheltenham Road and Stud Road in the East for example - are all prime examples where prior State Governments have begun to see the potential in investing in better bus services via the Smart Bus network.</div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	 </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	Yet, to date Smart Bus has been the highest profile road-based Public Transport investment.  In essence the difference between a Smart Bus service and a 'normal' bus service is unique livery for the fleet operating the routes, higher frequency of service, longer operating hours, extraordinarily long routes and real time information at select bus stops.</div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	 </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	Whilst strong growth in patronage can be <a href="http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV/PTV%20docs/Research-and-statistics/Bus-patronage-growth-December-2011.pdf" target="_blank">demonstrated</a> for Smart Buses, might we query whether expansion of the Smart Bus network is the best course of action for Melbourne?</div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	 </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	Buses run on roads.  Melbourne has a robust and expansive road network.  You don't need to install expensive real time information bus stops to run buses more frequently.  Route straightening, frequency increase on weekdays and weekends and greater investment in fleets and drivers can easily be marketed directly to local users.  </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	 </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	As the below graphic illustrates, convenience is one of the highest reasons for not catching Public Transport.  Given the depth and breadth of our road network, there should be no excuse for investing in a bus route network which utilises this great asset.  And to make it all work, frequency of service - whether it is a major arterial route or a collector - should be the absolute top priority.  </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	 </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	Notwithstanding the number of people who would scream blue murder at the thought of <em>their</em> road network being taken over by buses (by way of extended bus lanes to allow multiple routes running on major corridors at higher frequencies) or trucks, in the outer suburbs where I grew up, the bus was looked upon as the poor man's transport.  Trains?  That's how you got to the city.  But to get to Fountain Gate?  You drove, or had your parents drive you.</div>
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	 </div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	This is the very culture and mentality that needs to be attacked head on and the buses are the cheapest and most rapidly deployable mode of Public Transport in arsenal to win not just the battle, but the war on congestion and basic service access.</div>
<div class="rtejustify">
	 </div>
<p class="rtejustify"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_702px" height="359" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/selected_reasons_for_not_using_pt_SOEV_2013_page_452.jpg?itok=M8HSEZkL" title="Select reasons for not using Public Transport - SOEV 2013 report, Page 452" width="702"></p>
<p class="rtejustify">It's interesting the collective 20% from the transport survey above who nominated "Need to carry passengers, equipment or tools" or "Own vehicle needed" seem to be some of the loudest voices when it comes to a Public Transport versus Road expansion debate on mainstream media outlets - yet as this study shows, they're quite a significant minority.    </p>
<p class="rtejustify">If balance of transport modes and dwelling type for a growing Melbourne is the aim of the State Government of the day and into the future, then why aren't buses prioritised over say, the Mernda Rail extension?   Bus drivers are the fastest and cheapest to procure and train, bus routes are the cheapest to implement and they're a vehicle type which can run on infrastructure that already exists.</p>
<p class="rtejustify">The SOEV 2013 report's authors ought to be commended for focusing on the blindingly obvious Public Transport mode which will have the greatest effect on new growth areas as well as aiding the network effect in existing areas for a future sustainable Melbourne.</p>
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Melbourne needs more focus on buses: SOEV 2013 Report

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<p class="rtejustify">For the past few weeks you may have noticed a small popup in the bottom right hand corner stating Apartments.com.au is looking to better understand its audience.  </p>

<p><img alt="" class="image-article_half_width_351px" height="241" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_half_width_351px/public/pictures/article-images/share_feedback.jpg?itok=tq3_DJaN" title="Share Feedback button" width="351"></p>

<p>We have recently onboarded Melbourne-based global online measurement company <a href="http://www.effectivemeasure.com/" target="_blank">Effective Measure</a> to help us with this task.</p>

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<p>All data is reported to us in aggregate form - meaning no personally identifiable information appears in the Effective Measure reports - and you have the choice of not answering specific questions.  Along with helping us plan our content for next year, the data collected during November and December will be used for a new media kit we will be producing in January 2014.</p>

<p>So on behalf of the Editors of Apartments.com.au we'd like to thank you for helping us out by you taking a few minutes out of your day to complete the survey.</p>

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Urban.com.au audience survey

<p data-end="256" data-start="0"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.</p>

<p data-end="446" data-start="258">The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.</p>

<p data-end="645" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="448">Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" /></p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.</p>

<p>The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.</p>

<p>The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”</p>

<p data-end="626" data-start="350">Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.</p>

<p data-end="928" data-start="628">“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”</p>

<p data-end="1147" data-start="930">Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.</p>

<p data-end="1510" data-start="1149">“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”</p>

<p data-end="1510" data-start="1149"><img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.</p>

<p>Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.</p>

<p>The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.</p>

<p>The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.</p>

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<p data-end="305" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.</p>
</section>


Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

<p style="text-align:start">The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.</p>

<p>The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.</p>

<p>Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.</p>

<p>The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.</p>

<p>As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.</p>

<p><img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" /></p>

<p>The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.</p>

<p>An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.</p>

<p>The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.</p>

<p>Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.</p>

<p>“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.</p>

<p>“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.</p>

<p>“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.</p>

<p>“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”</p>


Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

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


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

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


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

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


Alastair Taylor

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