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The Victorian Planning Minister, Richard Wynne, has announced an election policy that would see embedded networks banned from new Victorian apartment developments should the Andrews Government be re-elected in November.

Exemptions to the ban will apply if a micro-grid powered by renewable energy is added to the building. Other policies outlined by the Planning Minister include:

<blockquote>
Increasing apartment setbacks from neighbouring properties to improve privacy, natural light, airflow and to stop streets being turned into cold, dark wind tunnels

Introducing minimum green space standards 

Ensuring apartment exteriors are made from natural, durable and safe materials, such as brick, timber, concrete, metal, stone or non-combustible cladding 

Putting in place mandatory construction management plans to put an end to residents being disturbed by noise from construction workers or rubbish removalists outside reasonable hours.
<cite>ALP media release</cite>
</blockquote>

The Planning Minister also announced $4 million will be set aside for architecture practices operating in the state to work with the State Architect in order to produce better apartment blueprints "that support the building of developments that become world-leaders in design, sustainability and liveability."

The latest policy announcements in the planning sphere arrive soon after the Planning Minister approved interim heritage controls for the City of Melbourne.

Heritage protections will cover 65 individual sites, two group listings and nine precincts that include the likes of Flinders Lane East, Drewery Lane, Swiss Club of Victoria and the former Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board building.

Interim controls will remain in place while the City of Melbourne conducts its most extensive heritage audit since the 1990s at which point, after the review, it is expected the heritage controls - subject to the review - will become permanent.

<h2>What is an embedded network?</h2>

They are pieces of utility infrastructure which can encompass electricity distribution, internet provision and gas distribution to individual apartments in a building. 

Typically, a developer signs a contract with an embedded network provider to install the infrastructure (i.e fibre to every apartment for high-speed internet) and in return, the embedded network provider gains a captive market where all tenants or landlords in an apartment building must use the embedded network provider for retail services.

In another example, if an embedded network provider is present in an apartment building for electricity distribution/provision, all tenants or owner-occupiers in that building are unable to take advantage of electricity retail competition as they are forced to use the retail services provided by the embedded network provider.

The ALP and Liberals are launching their official election campaigns on Sunday.
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Alastair Taylor

ALP unveil planning-related policies including banning embedded networks in new apartment developments

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Yesterday the Andrews Government announced it was extending its level crossing removal programme and taking the promise to expand the list of 50 to 75.  The <a href="/news/labor-adds-25-to-its-list-of-50-level-crossing-removals">announcement named 14 level crossings</a> and a further 11 would be revealed in due course.

In 2017 the Victorian Auditor-General recommended the development of a 'transparent selection and prioritisation process' for the removal of level crossings beyond the government's commitment of 50.  That framework was <a href="https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/334914/Extra-Crossings_Prioritisation-Framework.pdf">published</a> by the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) on Sunday.

<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/crossings_removal_framework_principles_0.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Key principles and underpinning factors used in the prioritisation framework"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="331" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/crossings_removal_framework_principles_0.png?itok=VkdvyyB_" title="Key principles and underpinning factors used in the prioritisation framework" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Key principles and underpinning factors used in the prioritisation framework</figcaption></figure>When the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project is operational and Watergardens-Sunbury services are taken out of the loop and start through-running to Pakenham and Cranbourne, the existing northern loop will receive a capacity boost allowing for more train services to run to both Craigieburn and Upfield.

The Craigieburn line was awarded in 2017 the dubious title of most overcrowded line on the network and is also the main artery for population growth in the inner-to-middle north-west of Melbourne.  Central Moonee Ponds is at the vanguard of increased development activity on the corridor with 21 projects on the Apartments.com.au database.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/moonee-ponds-vic?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>

Already residents are starting to move into Caydon's former Moonee Ponds market site and the continued completion of new apartments combined with the myriad of other local projects is set to continue to grow central Moonee Ponds' population over the next few years.

Throw in the growing outer north and patronage is likely to climb considerably on the Craigieburn line requiring more services to cater for all the new residents.  

Two level crossings on the Craigieburn line were included in the original list of 50, Buckley Street in Essendon which is now complete, and Glenroy Road in Glenroy which is still at a planning stage.  There are 5 other level crossings still in existence on the Craigieburn line - Macaulay Road in Kensington, Puckle Street/Holmes Road in Moonee Ponds, Park Street in Moonee Ponds, Gaffney Street in Pascoe Vale and Devon Road in Oak Park.

Three of the five remaining crossings have adjacent stations whereas Park Street and Gaffney Street are located away from existing station infrastructure.

As part of the Wider Network Enhancements in the Metro Tunnel project, Essendon station was identified as a point where shorter-run services could originate and terminate to increase frequencies on the Craigieburn line.  The Metro Tunnel Business case identifies Essendon because of its large interchange profile (the Airport West tram and multiple bus routes).

Given the context for increased need (large-scale residential development) and planned (Metro Tunnel Business Case) services on the inner to middle sections of the Craigieburn line, Macaulay Road in Kensington, Puckle Street/Holmes Road in Moonee Ponds are likely to fit the bill with the LXRA's prioritisation process.
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Focus on more level crossing removals: Craigieburn Line

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The Andrews Government has unveiled another election policy, this time extending its list of 50 level crossing removals to 75.  $6.6 billion is the pricetag for the additional level crossing removals and according to the government it will be paid for out of state budget surpluses.

The original list of 50 level crossings was an election policy for the Andrews Government in 2014 and so far 28 have been completed, financed primarily out of the sale of the 50-year lease over the Port of Melbourne.  Originally 20 were scheduled to be completed by the end of the first time of government and the full list of 50 after two terms.

Dandenong to Caulfield was one of the more high profile set of level crossing removals throughout the first term of government that saw 9 removed with elevated track and it also included rebuilding 5 stations on the line.

Other than the Frankston line, broadly speaking, the level crossing removals that have been completed have been all around the metropolitan area - Bayswater saw two removed, the Cranbourne line is seeing two to be removed, Bell Street on both the Mernda and Upfield lines will see removals.

Frankston line level crossings still feature heavily - mostly because there are just so many of them (closely followed by the Mernda line) - however one detectable theme is that the new additions to the list that have been announced 'round out' suburbs, Preston and Coburg are a prime example.

The election policy announcement from the Andrews Government named 14 level crossings with another 11 to be announced a later date.

<ul>
<li>Mont Albert Road &amp; Union Road in Surrey Hills/Mont Albert.  Once those two level crossings are removed, there will be zero level crossings left between Ringwood and the City.</li>
	<li>Glenhuntly Road and Neerim Road in Glenhuntly.  Glenhuntly Road includes the double-whammy train and tram track level crossing that slows trains to a crawl and both roads are the last in the Moorabbin - City segment to be removed.</li>
	<li>Argyle Avenue, Chelsea Road and Swanpool Avenue in Chelsea.  The three Chelsea level crossings plus the two in Glenhuntly will bring the total number of Frankston line level crossing removals to 16.</li>
	<li>Munro Street and Reynard Street in Coburg.  This increases the number of proposed level crossing removals in Coburg from 2 to 4.</li>
	<li>Oakover Road, Murray Road and Cramer Street in Preston. Removing these three level crossings, including the already identified Bell Street, will have the effect of removing all level crossings at Bell and Preston stations.</li>
	<li>Gap Road/Station Street in Sunbury.  This road ringfences Sunbury station and based on the surface level infrastructure located at Sunbury station and the extra cost in altering it, it's likely the road will pass under the rail track.</li>
	<li>Old Geelong Road in Hoppers Crossing. The last of the major roads to be removed on the outer end of the Werribee Line - several remain on the Altona Loop line and main line between the eastern Altona Loop junction and Footscray.</li>
</ul>
The level crossing removal authority has also today published a site prioritisation framework on its <a href="https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/334914/Extra-Crossings_Prioritisation-Framework.pdf">website</a>.
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Labor adds 25 to its list of 50 level crossing removals

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In case you missed it: when Melbourne Airport held its stakeholder event for 2018 earlier in October, not only did it outline its future vision for its terminals, but it also provided a lot more context to the <a href="/news/consortium-proposes-market-led-super-train-for-melbourne-airport-rail-link">AirRail Melbourne proposal</a>.

37 million passengers passed through the airport's terminals in the most recent financial year and the airport expects that to top 70 million by 2038.  Expanded runways, on-site renewable energy generation, Terminal 3 (Virgin Australia) as well as Terminal 2 (International) upgrades add to new ground transport upgrades that will all occur at the airport over the next decade.

Not only do we have a clearer picture of the terminal changes that will occur over time (see video below) but we also now have a far clearer vision of where a station might be located.

Remember when a consortium led by the Melbourne Airport operator unveiled it's proposal for <a href="https://www.airrailmelbourne.com.au/">AirRail Melbourne</a> and posted a render of the airport station interior?

<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/airrail_melbourne_airport_station.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="AirRail Melbourne Airport Station render. Image: Melbourne Airport"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/airrail_melbourne_airport_station.jpg?itok=Lv8f4FDd" title="AirRail Melbourne Airport Station render. Image: Melbourne Airport" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>AirRail Melbourne Airport Station render. Image: Melbourne Airport</figcaption></figure>This is where it is located, according to the AirRail Melbourne proposal, unveiled as part of the Airport's own expansion plans.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/mel_air_station_vision1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Render of T2 and station located in forecourt. Image: Melbourne Airport"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="324" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mel_air_station_vision1.jpg?itok=CHb1U9vt" title="Render of T2 and station located in forecourt. Image: Melbourne Airport" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Render of T2 and station located in the forecourt. Image: Melbourne Airport</figcaption></figure>Of course, the AirRail Melbourne proposal is just that - a proposal - and with a state election underway whose result will have a major impact on the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, what the airport operator's have produced might not be the actual outcome.

Regardless, the money invested in the early design that's clearly been undertaken gives a clear indication on the thinking involved with future ground transport options at the airport.

Note that in the render above, other than the station located outside Terminals 3 &amp; 4, the other major change is the departure and arrival car lanes for private vehicles will divert away from the existing forecourt and it appears the existing departure ramps and car lanes will be given over to pedestrians.

See the video below for a wrap up of the future plans for Melbourne Airport.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uG3yQGSODHU" width="100%"></iframe>
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AirRail Melbourne - Airport Station location revealed in stakeholder presentation

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On Sunday, the Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten announced that if the ALP are elected at the next federal election, they will match the $300 million the state government has committed towards design and planning for its signature re-election promise, the Suburban Rail Loop.

Meanwhile, the public transport election stakes keep rising with the Andrews Government unveiling a plan to electrify Wyndham Vale and Melton lines, while at the same time increasing track capacity to allow more regional express trains to run to and from the city to Ballarat and <a href="/new-apartments/geelong-vic-3220">Geelong</a>.

The Suburban Rail Loop is a proposal to build an orbital rail line linking all existing railway lines (except Sandringham and Alamein) at key points around the middle ring of Melbourne.  Likewise, it aims to put Monash University's main campus in <a href="/new-apartments/clayton-vic-3168">Clayton</a>, Deakin's primary Melbourne campus in <a href="/developments/burwood-vic-3125">Burwood</a> and La Trobe University's main campus in Bundoora directly on the rail network.

When the Premier and Public Transport Minister, Jacinta Allan, showcased the Suburban Rail Loop for the first time, a handful of estimated journey times were released. More estimated trip times emerged from the media conference held in <a href="/new-apartments/box-hill-vic-3128">Box Hill</a> on Sunday.

Original estimated journey times.

<ul>
<li>25 minutes from Clayton to Bundoora.</li>
	<li>25 minutes from Box Hill to the Airport.</li>
	<li>35 minutes from <a href="/new-apartments/broadmeadows-vic-3047">Broadmeadows</a> to Monash.</li>
	<li>45 minutes from <a href="/new-apartments/cheltenham-vic-3192">Cheltenham</a> to the Airport.</li>
</ul>
New estimated journey times.

<ul>
<li>15 minutes from Box Hill to Monash. </li>
	<li>25 minutes from Broadmeadows to Deakin in Burwood.</li>
	<li>20 minutes from <a href="/new-apartments/heidelberg-vic-3084">Heidelberg</a> to the Airport.</li>
	<li>35 minutes from <a href="/new-apartments/glen-waverley-vic-3150">Glen Waverley</a> to the Airport.</li>
</ul>
<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/victorias-future-rail-network-map.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Map showing all of the ALP's election commitments on rail. Image: bigbuild.vic.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/victorias-future-rail-network-map.jpg?itok=VFR6K-lj" title="Map showing all of the ALP's election commitments on rail. Image: bigbuild.vic.gov.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Map showing all of the ALP's election commitments on rail. Image: <a href="https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/western-rail-plan">bigbuild.vic.gov.au</a></figcaption></figure><h2>New metro services for The West</h2>

The Premier was in Geelong on Tuesday morning to announce another rail-focused election commitment that would include extending metro services to both Melton and <a href="/new-townhouses/wyndham-vale-vic-3024">Wyndham Vale</a> as well as provide extra track from the city to enable faster regional services to run from Geelong and Ballarat to the city.

The plans for the western section of the Suburban Rail Loop have become clearer with a video posted on the Premier's Facebook page showing the Werribee Line extended to Wyndham Vale, which in conjunction with the extended metro services, would form the western section of the loop.

Adding to all the other rail commitments, which have focused on planning, other media outlets are reporting $150 million will be spent on expanding railway corridors to Wyndham Vale and Melton that presumably will be quadruplicated allowing metro services - which are stopping-all-stations in nature - to be separated from V/Line express services.

According to information now available on bigbuild.vic.gov.au, it is anticipated 'the three major network changes would be undertaken in stages and take around a decade to complete.'  Much of the planning work will be completed as part of the Airport Rail Link business case which is now due to be completed 'in 2019/2020'.

<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="476" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDanielAndrewsMP%2Fvideos%2F1912954475451472%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="100%"></iframe>
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Andrews unveils Western Rail Plan as Federal Labor commit to Suburban Rail Loop

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The Public Transport state election of 2018 rolls on, with another big-ticket election promise unveiling by The Greens to create a large-scale rapid bus network in Melbourne's East.

According to the policy information on one of the Greens' <a href="https://ourliveablecity.org.au/bus-plan/">websites</a>, the rapid bus network is focused on connecting multiple eastern suburbs destinations with priority given to a bus fleet that is powered by electricity.

<blockquote>
Importantly, this Rapid Bus Network can be rolled out within a year, and will reduce congestion immediately.

It won’t take 10 years to build like the North East Link toll road, or 28 years to build like the Suburban Rail Loop.

The Rapid Bus Network can be integrated and adapted into future transport network changes.
<cite>Greens Rapid Bus Network policy</cite>
</blockquote>

Dedicated bus stops would be built, similar to a platformed tram stop, and include myki readers to enable faster loading and unloading of the buses. Free wi-fi and power outlets would be provided on the buses as well.

The focus of the new services is anchored in La Trobe University and providing connectivity to the east, south-east and south of the Bundoora campus, and the map depicts how the new bus routes will link with another of the Greens' election policies: tram route extensions.

<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/greens_eastern_melb_rapid_bus.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Map of all the proposed rapid bus lines. Image: Victorian Greens"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/greens_eastern_melb_rapid_bus.png?itok=r3nUwlff" title="Map of all the proposed rapid bus lines. Image: Victorian Greens" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Map of all the proposed rapid bus lines. Image: Victorian Greens</figcaption></figure>Much of the physical infrastructure required to enable the faster services involves adding dedicated bus lanes, 'turning slip lanes' and bus priority at traffic lights, according to the information on the Greens' website.  

Large patronage generators such as Universities, railway stations, retail and other employment centres are a focus for the network and the policy states that services would run every 10 minutes, all day, every day across the 11 proposed routes.

<h2>Comment</h2>

Unless one of the major parties decides to ride the coattails of a brand new freeway into the state election, at this stage of the game, November 2018 is looking like a public transport election.

The three main parties which are in contest for seats in metropolitan Melbourne have all focused on different areas of public transport - the Greens thus far are focusing on extending or upgrading road-based public transport (trams and buses), the government/ALP are focused on big-ticket rail projects (Airport Link, Suburban Rail Loop) and the Liberal Party in conjunction with their National party coalition partners have placed an emphasis on regional rail.

The rapid bus proposal from the Greens ties in nicely with the Suburban Rail Loop put forward by the ALP - at least the eastern portion of the rail loop - and would no doubt butter the middle and outer ring suburbs up for the eventual transition to the even faster Suburban Rail Loop.

The Liberal's regional fast rail would be greatly enhanced with the ALP's Suburban Rail Loop. Ditto, the Greens' rapid bus network because it would put multiple education and employment centres within one change of the Latrobe Valley railway line.

Whoever is able to form a government after November 24th is anyone's guess, however, wouldn't it be nice to have all of the above in a funded, multi-decade plan?
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Victorian Greens pitch Eastern Melbourne rapid bus network to the electorate

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Decentralisation is back as word-du-jour with both the Liberal party in Victoria and now the Federal Liberals spruiking policies that will result in greater population growth in regional areas.

The Federal Government can pull a few strings in the visa and migration area and it too can choose to invest in projects that would stimulate regional town and city growth but for the most part, state governments - the level of government that owns crown land and has the Ministry which governs the use of all land within the jurisdiction - need to be on board as well.

Decentralisation is a noble agenda, spreading growth and the opportunities associated with it to a wider area ensures there's an equitable future for parts of Australia outside the capital cities. But what's the point if the infrastructure to support decentralisation is focused on long-distance commuting to the state capitals?

Likewise, the state Liberal opposition's policy of high(er) speed rail to regional cities &amp; beyond is likely only going to cater for people in the centre of Melbourne; in fact, if the goal is to enable far more long-distance commutes, you'd need both the ALP and Liberal policies announced to ensure that regional city dwellers who work in metropolitan Melbourne don't need a car at the other end.

There are so many questions.

<h2>Questions that Regional Cities need to ask</h2>

One thing that is not clear is what type of growth the regional cities would take on. Will it be sprawl-tacular growth like on the fringes of Melbourne or will planning schemes be updated and incentives implemented to add density to the likes of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley? Are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of the state capitals?

Will existing populations in regional cities accept far higher population growth rates? 

To what extent can existing electricity and water infrastructure cope with increased growth?  Can any regional city put their hand up and say 'yes, we want the growth' or will there be some sanity in stopping regional city growth in areas that are more likely to succumb to drought over future decades?

<h2>Questions that need to be asked of Governments</h2>

What level of state aid from any level of government will be available to incentivise employers to either move or set up new operations in regional cities?

Will each regional city destined for higher growth receive local public transport upgrades to mitigate increased car traffic in the regional cities?

Will state capital cities see less infrastructure to transition them away from auto-dependency as a result of population growth shifting to regional cities?

<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/melb_east_end_cc_by_sa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne's East End. Image: flickr"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="368" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melb_east_end_cc_by_sa.jpg?itok=jp4hhhl1" title="Melbourne's East End. Image: flickr" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne's East End. Image: <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobarc/43801964884">flickr</a></figcaption></figure>If decentralisation is the direction voters want to take, incumbent or incoming governments need to drop the laziness associated with showering out the cash on transport links that aim merely to enable a far greater volume of long-distance commuting between the inner-cities of the state capitals to regional cities.

Regional cities should not become dormitory towns, they should have every resource required to encourage employment growth within their own boundaries to stem the flow of long-distance commuting to state capitals.

Otherwise, we'll be replicating sprawly growth at the fringe but on a much larger, more expensive, scale.

Lead image credit: Marcus Wong
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What's the point of decentralisation if everyone commutes to a capital city?

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Open-air car parks opposite Victoria University's Footscray Park campus have been selected as the site for the new Footscray Hospital with the Andrews Government today making the announcement that if they're re-elected, construction will commence in 2020.

The May budget allocated a sum of money to purchase the land required for the new hospital and today it was announced the new facility will have 504 beds, a number well up on the current facility's capacity of 290 beds at the Gordon Street site.

Spring Street says the new facility will allow 15,000 more people to be treated per annum with a further 20,000 emergency admissions also possible.  The state government also says there will be an expansion of specialist facilities with a focus on mental health care expansion as well.

<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/footscray_hospo_1.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Render of the new Footscray Hospital - image: supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/footscray_hospo_1.jpeg?itok=Gu1aXB94" title="Render of the new Footscray Hospital - image: supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Render of the new Footscray Hospital - image: supplied</figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/western-suburbs-hospital-health-hub-planned-for-victoria-universitys-footscray-campus/news-story/64e58732e81dc165d8eb140ad2c08550">Reports</a> from December 2017 suggested that Victoria University will also invest in a redevelopment of its Footscray Park campus to the tune of $300 million in order to establish a new 'College of Health and Biomedicine'.

Other reports similarly referred to the new hospital site also including a private hospital.  The state government statement only focuses on a new public hospital for Footscray.

Despite having seven universities with major campuses in Melbourne, only three offer medicine courses at Monash University (Clayton), The University of Melbourne (Parkville) and Deakin University's School of Medicine based at its Waurn Ponds campus on the outskirts of Geelong.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Incredible announcement today - re elected Labor Government will build a $1.5 bill new Footscray Hospital. Thank you <a href="https://t.co/etUPZGVkjt">pic.twitter.com/etUPZGVkjt</a>
— Western Health (@western_health) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/western_health/status/1048715530704642048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Western Health operates Footscray Hospital, as well as Sunshine Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Sunbury Day Hospital, will operate the new currently under construction Joan Kirner Women's and Children's hospital adjacent to Sunshine Hospital.

The existing Footscray Hospital site on Gordon is co-located with Western Private and should the new public hospital be built at the corner of Geelong and Ballarat Roads in Footscray Park, the existing site is likely to gain interest from parties interested in redeveloping the site.

The proposed new site of the Footscray Hospital, the existing site and the nearby Kennards redevelopment zone are all linked into Footscray station by the 82 Moonee Ponds-Footscray tram.
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New Footscray Hospital location unveiled

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With the unveiling of the finalised Fishermans Bend framework and planning controls, aside from precinct plans, another major question remaining relating to the redevelopment zone is transport.

A tram extension over the Yarra from Collins Street in Victoria Harbour was identified as a medium-term priority project in the <a href="https://www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/87059/Fishermans-Bend-Integrated-Transport-Plan-Final.docx.pdf">integrated transport plan</a> and two alternative heavy-rail corridors were also identified.

On trams, a single bridge which carries at least two routes across the Yarra and then splits to service the Lorimer-Employment precinct north of the West Gate Freeway and Wirraway-Sandridge to the south of the West Gate Freeway will go a long way to connecting Fishermans Bend to the rest of the CBD and Docklands.

However, the real city-changing transport infrastructure is the second metro tunnel that will draw south-west Melbourne much closer to the city and also increase capacity on the Footscray-Newport and City-Clifton Hill railway lines.

The integrated transport plan showed two alternative routes.  According to the maps in the plan, both routes share the same station in Sandridge - the Fishermans Bend precinct located to the south of the West Gate Freeway opposite Yarra's Edge in Docklands - and one heads under Plummer St with a station in Wirraway and the other heads north under the West Gate Freeway into the employment precinct.

This is the limit of publicly available information on the project and since the integrated transport plan was unveiled with the draft framework plane late in 2017, we've not heard boo about it since.

<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/fishbendtransport1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Future transport routes in Fishermans Bend. Image: FB Integrated Transport Plan"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="358" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fishbendtransport1.png?itok=eTI51zZi" title="Future transport routes in Fishermans Bend. Image: FB Integrated Transport Plan" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Future transport routes in Fishermans Bend. Image: FB Integrated Transport Plan</figcaption></figure><h2>Will the 2020s and 2030s be the new golden age of railway building?</h2>

The Premier has stated on many occasions that he won't be in the job when the Suburban Rail Loop is completed but he'll be the one who starts it.  The real question is, will he be the premier which starts Melbourne Metro 2 as well?

The Federal Government under former Prime Minister appeared to force the state government's hand on the Melbourne Airport Rail Link earlier this year and not more than a month ago, the state government stunned many when it announced its Suburban Rail Loop election policy.

We know the Melbourne Metro 2, Melbourne Airport Rail Link and Suburban Rail Loop will be very expensive projects with business case development underway for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link and Infrastructure Victoria has provided a preliminary assessment of Melbourne Metro 2.  The Suburban Rail Loop's business case will start in 2019 if the Andrews Government is re-elected.

There's still a way to go with Fishermans Bend - the detailed precinct plans - and the framework documents that were published last Friday contain precinct breakdowns which project population, jobs and open space over two timeframes.  Starting with 2018 as a base case, the projections are 2025 and 2050.

Today, the number of jobs in Sandridge stands at 5,200 and in 7 short years that number is expected to double to 11,080 before ultimately heading toward 26,000 jobs by 2050.

All three other precincts (excluding the employment precinct) are all similarly projected to either double or triple, albeit from much smaller collective bases.

It's conceivable the tram network could be extended into the redevelopment zone within the same time period as the next state government term. The jobs and population predictions for Fishermans Bend precincts by 2025, on the face of it, pass the pub test when it comes to matching them with new tram capacity, but on the road to the 2050 levels, that train line will be needed.

Finance aside, labour (and specifically, the cost of labour) will be an issue with many rail projects underway at the same time in Melbourne, notwithstanding NSW's very large pipeline of work, WA's ongoing Metronet program and Brisbane's set to get in on the underground rail action with its Cross River Rail project.

Another pre-election announcement appears to assuage the labour concerns with Holmesglen Institute selected as the site for the country's first tunneling school; likewise the Andrews Government's announcement on select TAFE courses attracting zero fees will also help bolster the workforce required to construct 3 major rail projects at one time.

The Melbourne Airport Rail Link and the Suburban Rail Loop have 2022 as their shovels-in-ground dates and the metro tunnel now under construction is not scheduled to complete until 2025 - from start to end, that's roughly a 10 year project. 

Should Metro 2 not aim to start in 2022 as well?  By the time it would be completed - circa 2032, Fishermans Bend will be hitting its stride if the population and job numbers are to be believed.
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What next for Fishermans Bend?

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The Victorian state opposition Liberals have announced a policy to upgrade major regional lines to support their policy of population decentralisation throughout the state.  $19 billion is the headline cost and the party said it would involve upgrading existing fast lines to allow for 200kph trains and also extend faster tracks beyond their current endpoints.

Also headlining the policy announcement is that express journey times from regional cities would be slashed in half from Traralgon and Geelong, reduced by a quarter from Ballarat and Bendigo.  

Some track realignments will be required in order for trains to operate upwards of 200kph and a new fleet of trains would be procured for the higher-speed services.

Matthew Guy was interviewed on ABC Melbourne on Wednesday morning and he told interviewer Jon Faine new track would be required through south-eastern Melbourne in order to achieve the travel time savings to the Latrobe valley cities.

Many of Victoria's regional railway lines outside of Melbourne already support services to operate at speeds up to 160kph.  This was brought about through the Regional Fast Rail project that kicked off under the Bracks Government.

Back then, the promise to increase train speeds and increase services to regional areas was a key electoral wedge against the then coalition Kennett Government.

The Regional Fast Rail project from the previous decade saw upgrades to track and signalling from Watergardens to Bendigo, Sunshine to Ballarat, Werribee to Geelong and Pakenham to Traralgon which enabled a new fleet trains capable of cruising at 160kph to operate faster services between regional cities and Melbourne, as well as all the towns in between.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7jKiND62Zd0" width="100%"></iframe>

The Herald Sun <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/state-election/matthew-guy-to-reveal-19b-plan-for-200kmh-regional-victoria-super-trains/news-story/fe9360c894b57c34a08b5c65e7cb9a95">reported</a> a previous opposition commitment to 96 new model Vlocity carriages can operate at 200kph are included in the overall $19 billion pricetag.  The cost of the new train fleet is reportedly $633 million.

In the policy statement, the opposition leader states the new train fleet will be based on Bombardier's Vlocity vehicle platform with the possibility of adding double-decker trains later on.

Likewise, the Herald Sun reported the opposition leader said the Liberal policy unveiled today would complement existing work the Andrews Government is carrying out in conjunction with the Federal Government, the <a href="http://regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au/">Regional Rail Revival project</a>. 

The opposition's policy also appears to piggyback on, or at least provide support to, the proposal to create a 'super-hub' at Sunshine as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.  That project provides extra tracks between Sunshine and the City for more types of services to run on top of an airport shuttle service.

The <a href="https://www.matthewguy.com.au/media-release/guy-high-speed-rail-for-victoria/">policy</a> also signals the re-opening of passenger services to Donald, Mildura, Hamilton and Horsham as well as providing 'substantial upgrades' to Warrnambool, Wodonga, Shepparton, Echuca and Bairnsdale.
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Victorian Liberals announce a high-speed rail project programme to bolster decentralisation policy

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]

Joel Robinson

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

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

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

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

Capella to launch Brisbane's first branded residences at Shafston House, Kangaroo Point

Lewis Land's latest apartment release within its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan is targeting one of the Gold Coast's fastest-growing buyer groups, with almost a third of apartments at Solis priced below $1 million.

The seven-storey building at Biggera Waters will comprise 91 apartments, including 24 one-bedroom residences starting from $778,000, a price point Lewis Land says is aimed squarely at first home buyers struggling to enter the Gold Coast market.

<img alt="Harbour Shires" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7486e37-22f6-4c92-b212-9b0622070b8f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=W8MJwJUCf6HkIyl_EVSksnd.QI6MZryY" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land</a> Head of Development Michael Long said the developer deliberately allocated a significant proportion of the project to more affordable apartment types.

"First home buyers have been priced out of many parts of the Gold Coast, and we saw a clear opportunity to address this and play our part in a longer-term housing solution," Long said.

"That's why 24 of the 91 apartments being delivered at Solis have been designed and priced for the city's next generation of homeowners, quality one-bedroom apartments, half of which include an additional multipurpose room to maximise space and flexibility.

"This approach places 30 per cent of apartments in Solis under $1 million, and with close proximity to Harbour Town's future light rail extension connecting residents to the city's major employment and knowledge hubs, it's a win for buyers looking to secure their first property."

<img alt="Sores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="550526d3-73ba-4710-9739-c5f4294a30ef" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.29%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=cQQdXHt9wS0UXwZEm5Py5bH_3kAmzyhu" />

Designed by BDA Architecture, Solis will deliver a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with residences ranging up to 232 sqm. Apartments feature generous balconies and contemporary finishes, while residents will have access to Harbour Shores' lagoon pool, clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga studio and sauna.

The focus on first home buyers resonated with purchaser Holly Humphreys, who said she and her boyfriend spent more than a year searching for their first property before shifting their attention from houses to apartments.

"We fell in love with the first house we bid on and got our hopes up, but after repeated knockbacks we learned not to get too attached," Humphreys said.

"We offered at the high end of price guides, but sales kept going even higher. That's where we really struggled and we needed to re-evaluate our budget and our expectations. Standalone houses were off the table, and we pivoted to apartments and townhouses."

Humphreys said it was encouraging to see developers recognising the growing demand from first home buyers.

"There's a growing number of young buyers looking to enter the market earlier because they understand that getting in now can make a real difference as prices continue to rise," she said.

"It's fantastic to see a developer recognise this and then actively take measures to deliver an apartment with us in mind."

Solis is the first development planned within the second stage of the Harbour Shores masterplan, with early works expected to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land targets first home buyers at latest Harbour Shores release, Solis

Luxury apartment developer Abadeen has recorded $19.25 million in apartment sales across two of its Lower North Shore developments in the lead-up to the end of the financial year, headlined by the sale of a $6.75 million penthouse at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/koyo-crows-nest-5-rodborough-avenue-crows-nest-nsw-2065">KOYO in Crows Nest.</a>

The transactions also included the sale of a newly completed three-bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/park-residences-cremorne-2-sutherland-street-cremorne-nsw-2090">Park Residences in Cremorne</a> for $6.35 million, with the residence selling shortly after the project's first public inspections following completion.

The sales come as completed, owner-occupier-focused apartments continue to attract strong demand across Sydney's Lower North Shore, particularly from buyers looking for certainty and immediate occupancy.

The penthouse at KOYO spans 491 sqm across a single level and was designed by architect Koichi Takada. The development is one of Abadeen's flagship boutique projects in Crows Nest.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108800 project_image_fid=370093]

Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said buyer activity lifted noticeably in the lead-up to the end of the financial year.

"We saw a clear increase in enquiry levels, inspection numbers and buyer engagement across our completed projects leading into the end of the financial year," Brown said.

"Buyers have become far more decisive over the past six months. The combination of improving confidence, limited supply and the ability to physically inspect completed residences is creating strong competition for premium apartments in the best locations."

Brown says the&nbsp;response to Park Residences following completion has been particularly strong.

"Buyers want certainty and are responding positively to the opportunity to walk through a finished product, inspect the quality firsthand and move in immediately," Brown suggested.

"Projects such as Park Residences and KOYO demonstrate that when the product is exceptional and the location is irreplaceable, buyers are prepared to act quickly."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=370116]

Abadeen CEO Joe Tack said quality continued to differentiate projects in the current market.

"Today's buyers are incredibly discerning," Tack said.

"They are seeking larger floorplans, premium finishes, walkability, lifestyle amenity and confidence in the developer delivering the project. Well-designed boutique developments continue to outperform because they offer something genuinely difficult to replace.

"The enquiry we are seeing across our completed and recently completed Lower North Shore portfolio is very encouraging, and we expect this momentum to continue into spring."

The sales follow increased enquiry across Abadeen's Lower North Shore portfolio which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/northcote-collective-naremburn-2-northcote-street-naremburn-nsw-2065">Northcote Collective in Naremburn</a> which also completed recently.

Alastair Taylor

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