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Western Sydney has recently experienced a wave of major announcements within the tertiary education sector, including a new education campus as part of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

The Greater Sydney Commission announced a Statement of Intent with the Vice-Chancellors of four leading NSW universities to co-anchor the STEM-focused tertiary education campus.

<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/613634df-32cb-41df-b8b7-6ab4cd968732.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" Celestino"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="333" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/613634df-32cb-41df-b8b7-6ab4cd968732.jpg?itok=91ZSxZYV" title=" Celestino" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sydney Science Park, currently under construction, shows what the new combined university campus may look like. Source: Celestino</figcaption></figure>STEM or ‘Science, Technology, Engineering &amp; Maths’ intends to provide the region with more specialist skills and industries, including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and agribusiness. This complements the emphasis on jobs, education, and technology around the new Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek.

This will go some way to balancing education and employment opportunities away from Eastern Sydney and deliver them to the region’s rapidly growing population - which currently hosts only 16% of university places in Greater Sydney.

The four universities involved in the deal are the Universities of Wollongong, Newcastle, Western Sydney, and UNSW, which together will offer access to cutting-edge industry research, development and employment opportunities.

The first phase of the new campus is expected to be completed in 2026 coinciding with the opening of the nearby 24 hr airport, as well as the initial Aerotropolis social, employment, and housing hubs.

The Aerotropolis is turning out to be a transformative catalyst for the Western Sydney region. According to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, more than 250 local and international businesses are seeking to secure a place within the 10,000-hectare greenfield Aerotropolis site around the new airport.

<blockquote>
To frame these developments, it’s as if the Aerotropolis is a massive ‘maker space’ for the Sydney region, with skills, research, knowledge and facilities on hand to test and develop advanced research ideas and manufacturing processes. 
</blockquote>

To underscore the extent of development activated by these developments, around the Aerotropolis, two projects - each multi-billion-dollar investments - are under construction including the Sydney World Trade Centre and Sydney Science Park - read more <a href="/news/further-details-emerge-for-western-sydneys-proposed-world-trade-centre">here</a> and <a href="/news/western-sydney-aerotropolis-ready-for-take-off">here</a>.  

<h2>Tertiary Education Growing Across Western Sydney</h2>

The wider Western Sydney region is responding eagerly to the re-conceptualisation of Sydney as a city of <a href="https://www.greater.sydney/metropolis-of-three-cities">three, thirty-minute cities</a>. 

Here’s a summary of recent announcements covering the tertiary education sector in Western Sydney city centres. Note - Parramatta is not on this list as it is located within the 'Central River City' and is a step above these other regional centres - it is becoming a true metropolitan centre. 

BANKSTOWN

There is a 16-storey, 15,000sqm vertical campus under construction in Bankstown adjacent to the regional library for Western Sydney University, providing space for approximately 5,000 students.

WSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover has stated that providing education facilities in CBDs close to transport is crucial to meeting expectations. In fact, WSU is considering closing their isolated suburban campus at Milperra and shifting its functions to Bankstown, Liverpool and Parramatta. 

<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/liverpool_wsu_-_2500_students_-_daily_tele.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" WSU"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/liverpool_wsu_-_2500_students_-_daily_tele.jpg?itok=4vyHlWWu" title=" WSU" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>WSU Liverpool vertical campus. Source: WSU</figcaption></figure>To enhance this new facility, Bankstown-Lidcombe hospital may be moved into Bankstown City Centre to take advantage of the clustering synergies of knowledge-intensive industries.

Bankstown is also of course in line to anchor the south-western terminus of Sydney Metro Line 1, with an extension to Liverpool being considered in the medium-term.

LIVERPOOL

<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/liverpool_health_and_academic_precinct.png" rel="gallery-all" title=" SMH"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/liverpool_health_and_academic_precinct.png?itok=qfMp0zyQ" title=" SMH" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Liverpool’s mooted $740 million Health and Academic Precinct. Source: SMH</figcaption></figure>The Liverpool Innovation Precinct Committee - which includes representatives from UNSW, Uni of Wollongong, and WSU - are part of the consortium that has proposed the $740 million Health and Academic Precinct around Liverpool Hospital.

These three universities already have embedded campuses in the precinct - by 2026, the health, research and education precinct will have a combined 30,000 jobs.

Nearby, WSU recently opened their Liverpool vertical campus, also the location of WSU’s business start-up incubator “Launch Pad”.

This complements the recent rezoning of large parts of Liverpool CBD for higher density development, which you can read more about <a href="/news/liverpool-rezoned-and-earmarked-as-becoming-sydneys-third-largest-cbd">here</a>. 

BLACKTOWN

Blacktown City Council recently announced they were seeking expressions of interest for a tertiary education institution to anchor a vertical campus within the council’s Warrick Lane development, currently in early planning. This is part of the council’s long-term Blacktown City Centre vision to reinvigorate the city centre of this 360,000 people-strong council area.

<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/blacktown_warwick_lane_including_vertical_uni_campus.png" rel="gallery-all" title=" Blacktown City Council"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="402" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/blacktown_warwick_lane_including_vertical_uni_campus.png?itok=VO-7CNOa" title=" Blacktown City Council" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Conceptual rendering of the Warrick Lane development in Blacktown City Centre - the council is seeking a tertiary institution to anchor a vertical campus on the site. Source: Blacktown City Council</figcaption></figure>Western Sydney is embracing its reinvigorated place in Greater Sydney’s strategic planning picture, bringing new opportunities closer to the region’s growing communities, and re-balancing Sydney away from its eastern bias.
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ModernBradfield

Tertiary Education STEMs take root in Western Sydney - the ‘Maker Space’ of Greater Sydney?

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Macquarie Bank has finalised negotiations with the NSW Government for air rights above a new Metro station at Martin Place, clearing the way for the bank’s ambitious commercial proposal over the station to proceed. The proposal was previously approved as part of the Department of Premier &amp; Cabinet’s unsolicited proposals process but required the negotiation of these air rights.

The agreement marks a new era in the delivery of mass transit infrastructure in Sydney, demonstrating a form of value capture. It also puts on show the focus of Sydney Metro Corporation in strategically matching new metro stations with the leveraging of land use potential. This is part of a broader trend in Sydney and other global cities; London’s Crossrail project - a suburban-rail, rapid-transit line which alleviates constraints on the Tube Metro network - employs a similar commercial arrangement to construct some of its new city centre stations, most prominently at the financial district at Canary Wharf. 

Macquarie Bank has agreed to pay $355 million for the Martin Place station air rights and will proceed to build the metro station and two commercial towers, in partnership with Lend Lease.

<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/buildings_cut_thru_-_metro_martin_place.png" rel="gallery-all" title="A section diagram of the proposed integrated development. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="466" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/buildings_cut_thru_-_metro_martin_place.png?itok=R_I01QPf" title="A section diagram of the proposed integrated development. " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A section of the proposed integrated development showing the complexity of the site. Source: Metro Martin Place</figcaption></figure>The distinctive northern tower design responds to the challenges of protecting sunlight access to Martin Place - in fact, both towers are fully compliant with City of Sydney solar access planes which protect sunlight access to Martin Place and Hyde Park.

The north tower is approximately 170 metres tall (38 floors) with almost 80,000 sqm of premium office space. The smaller south tower, amended to provide commercially viable floor plates of 1,100 sqm, offers 39,000 sqm of premium grade office space over 28 floors. 

As a result of the deal, the Government will foot little of the $378 million cost to build the new station and its associated connecting passages.

The new station is being compared in style to New York’s WTC and Hong Kong’s IFC stations; the station will become part of a new retail and social precinct that is envisioned to be an embedded, seamless part of its locality.

<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/atrium_look_down_-_source_macquarie_bank.png" rel="gallery-all" title=" Macquarie Bank"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/atrium_look_down_-_source_macquarie_bank.png?itok=nMrSXMJ5" title=" Macquarie Bank" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The sunlight-filled atrium below the north tower, providing access to the station concourses and platforms. Source: Macquarie Bank</figcaption></figure> ​​​​​The scale of the precinct is impressive, and it should be noted the level of attention afforded to the quality, legibility and experience of the pedestrian environments, both in the underground concourses and at street level. 

Grimshaw in partnership with Johnson Pilton Walker and Tzannes, are the architects responsible for the design of the station and its commercial and social precincts. The firms have a long experience in crafting quality human-scale environments.

The station connects to the T4 Bondi Junction &amp; Illawarra suburban station; it is likely to also connect to a new CBD station as part of the mooted West Metro line. Collectively, this anticipates a northern CBD mass transit interchange, relieving overcrowding at Central, Town Hall, and Wynyard stations.

<blockquote>
Acknowledging the special role Martin Place Metro Station will play in Sydney’s transport system, and the nature and exceptional prominence of its location, Macquarie Chief Executive Nicholas Moore affirms; “We recognise that we have been entrusted by the NSW Government to deliver this once-in-a-generation opportunity for the community. We are committed to delivering a new transport-led destination that is customer-centred, inclusive and comparable with the world’s great integrated urban precincts.” He goes on to say, “As a long-time resident [of Martin Place], Macquarie Bank understands and respects the historic, cultural and civic significance [of Martin Place].”
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/mmp-east.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" Macquarie Bank"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mmp-east.jpg?itok=_BrPU7cy" title=" Macquarie Bank" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The station will feature active street frontages, elevated terraces, and an architectural style in keeping with the heritage and grandeur of Martin Place. Source: Macquarie Bank</figcaption></figure>The development reinforces the role of the northern CBD as the financial hub of Australia and as a globally connected business precinct. The towers feature modern side-cores with large, uninterrupted floorplates ensuring flexible office design that can adapt to future needs. The proposed buildings have been awarded 6-star environmental ratings from the Green Building Council of Australia and will house workspace for 8500 people. Macquarie Bank will consolidate its operations in the northern tower, which will be connected directly with its existing heritage headquarters at 50 Martin Place. 

In the broader strategic context, this is just one - albeit prominent - example of similar projects in the pipeline; new metro stations at Victoria Cross (North Sydney), Pitt St (Town Hall), Waterloo, and Crows Nest are undergoing similar work to both embed them in their locality and leverage the transit capacity and connectivity they bring.

2500 new jobs will be created during construction and the office towers, social and retail precinct, and the station are expected to be completed shortly before Metro City &amp; South-West opens in 2024.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boiuhoRrxkA">Fly-through of Martin Place Metro Station Integrated Development</a>
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Martin Place Metro Station's Integrated Development Clears Final Hurdle

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Last week's announcement of the <a href="/news/victorian-government-unveils-suburban-rail-loop-election-proposal">$50 billion, 90-kilometre long Suburban Rail Loop</a> by the Victorian State Government, has generated a flurry of opinion and counter-opinion.

As a Sydneysider, I thought I’d offer my view from outside your Melbourne bubble.

A key question is: What does the Suburban Rail Loop signal about the future of Melbourne, assuming it is built over the next 30 years?

Despite the obvious pre-election timing, this is an uncannily forward-looking plan with a range of city-shaping implications.

Firstly, there is a strong connection to existing planning strategy in that it reinforces current efforts to focus housing, jobs and additional quality of life opportunities around prominent middle-ring centres.

The idea is, of course, that this provides more ‘work and play’ options within range of more people all over the metro area. It also gives more shape to Melbourne’s relatively flat, low-density suburban sprawl. Youch.

With or without the Suburban Rail Loop, you’re already on this path: the NEICs (National Employment and Innovation Centres) and <a href="/news/top-20-melbourne-suburbs-with-the-largest-development-pipeline">fully stocked apartment supply</a> around suburban centres attest to this.

Basically, it looks like your Great Big City Centre - the hub of the Melbourne metro area - is getting meatier middle-ring satellites with a broader range of activities, jobs and housing - the spokes of this big hub. This is a fairly classic urban shape - a big centre orbited by suburban nodes which balance the centre’s mass, connected to it by a radial mass transit system.

Here steps into this picture the Suburban Rail Loop, cutting an arc across these radial lines and stringing together these newly-boosted suburban centres. By connecting these ‘spokes’, the rail loop forms the rim of the wheel and so better distributes passenger loads across the rail system, reducing CBD transfers and enabling cross-town trips.

With the Suburban Rail Loop, Melburnians can orbit their Great Big City Centre using mass transit, passing through a series of walkable and built up suburban nodes.

It forms a metropolitan transit grid - a metropolitan-scale ‘metro’ of sorts... About that ‘metro’: 

<h2>METRO RAIL, COMMUTER RAIL &amp; THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT</h2>

Metros rely on an interwoven network of lines to enable point to point journeys.

In contrast, Melbourne’s rail system resembles a traditional commuter rail system; its lines are arranged radially around the Great Big City Centre, shuttling large loads of people in and out.

Although Melbourne does have some large-ish suburban nodes on these radial lines, such as Box Hill, South Yarra, Caulfield, Dandenong and Footscray, it largely follows this pattern.

If you live along a line that suburban centre is on, that’s fine, but for all other journeys, the only realistic option is to drive or be driven.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/melbourne-rail-network-with-srl-web-1_-_by_philip_mallis.png" rel="gallery-all" title=" maps.philipmallis.com "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="300" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melbourne-rail-network-with-srl-web-1_-_by_philip_mallis.png?itok=Xc7aLLKI" title=" maps.philipmallis.com " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>This diagram by Philip Mallis shows the effect of the Suburban Rail Loop on Melbourne's radial train system. Source: maps.philipmallis.com </figcaption></figure>On top of this, post-war car-oriented growth means many suburban centres aren’t even on a train line. Chadstone, Doncaster and Monash University in Clayton spring to mind.

The Suburban Rail Loop then breaks with Melbourne’s traditional metropolitan form.

<h2>Another thing about metros - they need a compatible urban environment.</h2>

Metros are too expensive to string through low-density environments.

Largely, they need to collect enough people on foot and deposit them at points across the network, again to destinations reachable on foot.

Melbourne’s Great Big City Centre is well-suited to walking with many destinations and an amenable environment, but most of the rest of the metro area requires road-dependent collection and distribution.

A built up, walkable urban environment is compatible with, and justifies the cost and capacity of, high-frequency rail service, but is incompatible with car-dependent transport.

<h2>Why is this?</h2>

Well, roads have a low capacity. They fall over when they are asked to carry lots of people to the same place at the same time.

They require a spread out urban environment to cater to dispersed trips. Think about the scale of ramps, carparks, and feeder roads required to serve your typical Westfield shopping centre, or the ramps and arterial roads to support a motorway. Contrast this to how many people cram into stairwells at Flinders St Station to access the platforms. Then, imagine if those people were all in cars with one or two people in them - you can barely fit a single car in one of these stairwells. People on foot, by contrast, are extremely space-efficient.

Roads are flexible, excelling at carrying distributed point to point trips, but are highly space inefficient with a low inbuilt capacity. 

A car-dependent environment must necessarily be spread out or else it overwhelms the roads that support it.

<blockquote>
The urban environment is shaped by transport, and transport shapes the urban environment. Simples.
</blockquote>

The Suburban Rail Loop, therefore, applies pressure on the places it serves to be more focused, with a range of activities and housing within walking distance, to justify its cost and capacity.

This signals a shift to a more 'Apartments.com.au' - at least a more urban ‘middle Melbourne’ complementing its Big Centre. Might this even put the brakes on your ever-spreading suburban footprint?

Looking to the future, perhaps <a href="/guides/weekly-podcast-episode-28-gogets-justin-passaportis-and-joshua-brydges">driverless cars</a> at each end of a person’s cross-town transit journey will vastly extend the catchment of these nodes.

<h2>SOME CAUTIONARY LESSONS FROM SYDNEY</h2>

From a Sydney point of view, there’s one last note I’d like to make:

By pre-emptively striking to secure a more Apartments.com.au, especially in the middle-ring, your city has more control and power over the resulting built environment once this direction matures.

Rail performs best when it is positioned at the heart or direct edge of a centre, plugged into its walkable streets, while arterial roads should skirt around centres at a respectful distance with link roads striking into edge-of-centre parking (much like a suburban shopping mall).

Sydney hasn’t managed this distinction very 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/img_00511782.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" Posted with Permission from an Anonymous Source"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_00511782.jpg?itok=aPjVFxzt" title=" Posted with Permission from an Anonymous Source" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Strathfield in the middle ring of Sydney. Poorly managing densification results in poor outcomes like this. Source: Posted with Permission from an anonymous source.</figcaption></figure>A large part of Sydney’s middle-ring looks like this - a haphazard mess of roads, density and traffic - especially outside the posh bits of the city. 

We started densifying around suburban centres decades ago, but the process has been unstructured, haphazard and often vision-less.

<blockquote>
Dense places must be walkable and have regularly-used services set into this environment. Otherwise, people will opt to drive, and with so many cars hitting the road, road network quickly become overwhelmed. Then, you have the undesirable situation where particulate matter from constant traffic enters the lungs of the people that live within its catchment. It’s not a good combo. 
</blockquote>

This has happened in many parts of Sydney, especially outside the posh areas - reinforcing another Sydney specialty - spatial inequality - and it provides a cautionary tale of what not to do.

Your city, on the other hand, has a positive vision that, coupled with good urban design, might hopefully avoid your northern neighbour’s pitfalls.

Melbourne, with Metro 1 (and hopefully Metro 2) allowing very frequent radial train service, plus a frequent Suburban Rail Loop, will have the necessary infrastructure to support enriched clusters of activity and housing, knitted into a metropolitan transit grid.

The Suburban Rail Loop is ambitious but full of potential.

Well done to you Melbourne, you are now entering a higher orbit.
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Does the Suburban Rail Loop Signal a More 'Urban.com.au'? 

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More details have emerged of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, providing an early glimpse at the ongoing planning that will shape what is essentially a new city on the western edge of Sydney.

The Aerotropolis forms the centrepiece of the Greater Sydney Commission’s ‘<a href="https://www.greater.sydney/western-city-district-plan">Western Parkland City</a>’ and much-touted vision of the <a href="https://www.greater.sydney/metropolis-of-three-cities">Thirty Minute City</a>.

The region will support 200,000 new jobs in Western Sydney over the next 20 years, with high-level plans now well-advanced to deliver on this.

The Department of Planning has released for comment a <a href="http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Priority-Growth-Areas-and-Precincts/Western-Sydney-Aerotropolis/Key-actions-and-documents">Land Use and Implementation Plan</a> to guide the development of the 11,200 hectare site, with submissions closing on 12 October. This is the next step as laid out in the <a href="https://cities.infrastructure.gov.au/western-sydney-city-deal">Western Sydney City Deal</a>, a tri-level government arrangement to guide development on the site.

The Federal Government has provided funding and the state government has taken the lead in planning and implementation. 8 local councils have agreed to a "relationship framework" providing input to regional goals. Later this year, the NSW Government will firm up details on a new Western Sydney Aerotropolis Authority to take responsibility for master planning and development. The Greater Sydney Commission will partner with this authority, and the Sydney Metro Authority and NSW Department of Planning, to ensure the goals of the Western City District Plan are met. 

<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/r0_0_4000_2249_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" NSW Department of Planning"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/r0_0_4000_2249_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg?itok=GpIkhBP-" title=" NSW Department of Planning" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>An artist’s impression of the Aerotropolis ‘core’. Source: NSW Department of Planning</figcaption></figure>The site envisages a super-cluster of innovation, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) industries, education and housing around the future Western Sydney Airport site.

<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/western_global_gateway.png" rel="gallery-all" title=" NSW Department of Planning"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="573" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/western_global_gateway.png?itok=ZIspEMlO" title=" NSW Department of Planning" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The industries and opportunities of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. Source: NSW Department of Planning</figcaption></figure>The scale of the plans is impressive; in addition to 200,000 jobs, the site will accommodate around 60,000 homes clustered around key social points within the site, supporting a population of more than 100,000 people.

A strict 125m height limit has been applied due to the nearby airport, however an urban environment of mixed-scale buildings will take shape.

The majority of housing is expected to be in the three to five-storey ‘walk-up’ range, with a mix of taller buildings close to transport, employment and social nodes.

The educational and residential districts will take advantage of protected and enhanced natural environments along the South Creek corridor, putting the 'park' in 'Parkland City'.

With an emphasis on recreation and active transport links, the environmental corridors will also manage flooding events.

<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/map_western_sydney_aerotropolis_stage_structure_plan_835x935_-_dept_of_planning.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" NSW Department of Planning"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="528" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/map_western_sydney_aerotropolis_stage_structure_plan_835x935_-_dept_of_planning.jpg?itok=fozf1lnc" title=" NSW Department of Planning" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Proposed precincts and their land uses, as well as the Western Sydney Airport forming the entire aerotropolis supercluster. Source: NSW Department of Planning</figcaption></figure>The entire site is divided into 9 smaller precincts;

<ul>
<li>North Luddenham</li>
	<li>Northern Gateway</li>
	<li>Rossmore</li>
	<li>Agriculture and Agribusiness</li>
	<li>Aerotropolis Core</li>
	<li>Badgerys Creek</li>
	<li>Kemps Creek</li>
	<li>Mamre Road</li>
	<li>South Creek</li>
</ul>
The Northern Cluster already has significant development underway, with the first stage of the $5 billion <a href="https://www.celestino.net.au/sydneysciencepark/residential">Sydney Science Park</a> under construction, and the new airport is also in advanced planning stages, with earth-moving on site and in progress.

<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/ssp-linear-park-rev-e-hr.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" Celestino"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ssp-linear-park-rev-e-hr.jpg?itok=jT-ddj1s" title=" Celestino" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>This linear park and on-facing social space demonstrate the desired qualities of the built environment in the aerotropolis. Source: Celestino</figcaption></figure>In the south, as previously covered in more detail by Apartments.com.au <a href="/news/further-details-emerge-for-western-sydneys-proposed-world-trade-centre">here</a>, <a href="http://aerotropolis.com.au/WTC%20SYDNEY">Aerotropolis Group</a> has been granted a license by <a href="https://www.wtca.org/">World Trade Centers Association</a> to establish the <a href="https://wtcsydney.com.au/company-overview/">World Trade Center Sydney</a> in Bringelly, near the Aerotropolis Core, in partnership with <a href="https://www.woodsbagot.com/news/new-world-trade-centre-sydney-proposal-focuses-on-mobility-and-sustainability/">Woods Bagot</a>.

The district is envisaged to create 43,500 jobs and inject $13 billion into the Western Sydney economy annually.

Aerotropolis Group Managing Direct and CEO Jomon Varghese summarises the strategic vision of the aerotropolis, saying "WTC Sydney... will resolve the structural problem faced by Sydney by bringing balance to our city which is historically tilted to the east." As part of the project, an international convention and exhibition centre will be built, aiming to open by 2026 in time for the beginning of operations at nearby <a href="http://westernsydneyairport.gov.au/">Western Sydney Airport</a>. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/wtc_profile_03.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title=" Aerotropolis Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/wtc_profile_03.jpg?itok=fZcblizz" title=" Aerotropolis Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Visualisation of World Trade Center Sydney, including its position at Bringelly Station on the future North-South Rail Link. Source: Aerotropolis Group</figcaption></figure>The Aerotropolis leverages the co-location of STEM-focused industry, educational facilities and efficient transport links to attract world-leading firms to Western Sydney.

Motorway links, passenger and freight rail links, a large scale intermodal freight terminal, and of course, the Western Sydney Airport, plug the aerotropolis into metropolitan, regional, national and global networks.  

<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/infrastructure_in_and_out_of_precinct.png" rel="gallery-all" title=" NSW Department of Planning"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="798" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/infrastructure_in_and_out_of_precinct.png?itok=3lKXUDoj" title=" NSW Department of Planning" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Main transport links connecting the aerotropolis with Greater Sydney. Source: NSW Department of Planning</figcaption></figure>To better enable these co-locational synergies and give investors and business more certainty, a new Western Sydney Aerotropolis SEPP (‘State Environment Planning Policy’) - SEPPs being the primary planning instrument in NSW - defines an ‘Urban Development Zone’ with broader definitions of allowed land uses and a novel, more flexible, approach to precinct planning.   

This is a unique and transformative opportunity to shape a modern and liveable city to serve as the employment, social and connectivity centre of a region which will be home to 1.5 million people by 2036.

The Western Parkland City, along with its airport and aerotropolis, are well and truly cleared for take off. 
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Western Sydney Aerotropolis Ready for Take Off

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Parramatta is rapidly boosting its credentials as the economic and social hub of Western Sydney, with another very large commercial tower likely to join its ranks.

Scentre Group, the owner-operator of $35 billion-worth of Westfields in Australia and New Zealand, has lodged a development application amendment to alter a previous approval dating back to 2014. That scheme allowed for additional retail shopping floor at Parramatta Westfield and a 120 metre commercial tower to be constructed at the corner of Church &amp; Argyle Streets.

The fresh amendment seeks to move the commercial tower component of the project 80 metres west along Argyle Street, allowing for a significant increase in its size and improved integration with its immediate environs.

<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/image44a.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Westfield Tower as envisaged by Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="804" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image44a.jpg?itok=xX4ms39M" title="Westfield Tower as envisaged by Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Westfield Tower as envisaged by Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>The new tower is proposed to reach 210 metres and accommodate 41 levels of premium-grade campus-style office space, offering market competitive flexible rectilinear floor plates of slightly more than 3,000 square metres per floor.

With an overall Net Lettable Area of 112,000 square metres, it will be one of the largest commercial office buildings in Australia. The tower is similar in size to Barangaroo’s International Tower 1, which is the current holder of the title.

Such is the scale of development in Parramatta that Westfield's proposal will play second fiddle to nearby <a href="https://www.parramattasquare.net.au/commercial/">6-8 Parramatta Square</a>, which will offer a still larger 125,000 square metres of premium-grade floor space upon completion in 2021.

<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/parramatta-square-skyline-day_-_jpw.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Johnson Pilton Walker's 6-8 Parramatta Square will offer comparable floor plates to Westfield Tower"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parramatta-square-skyline-day_-_jpw.jpg?itok=30-ke-Ji" title="Johnson Pilton Walker's 6-8 Parramatta Square will offer comparable floor plates to Westfield Tower" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Johnson Pilton Walker's 6-8 Parramatta Square will offer comparable floor plates to Westfield Tower</figcaption></figure>Westfield Tower's proposed new location on Argyle Street would activate a currently neglected pocket of Parramatta's CBD, drawing in a continuous stream of office workers and visitors accessing both the commercial tower and Westfield itself. 

The tower lobby will be integrated into the streetscape, offering street-facing retail and cafe/restaurant premises, helping general activation.

Retail space will also be provided on the sixth floor of the development. Office workers and shoppers alike will  be able to utilise a ‘social garden’ which sits between the lobby and the sixth-floor retail precinct. 

The relocated tower would also disrupt fewer retail tenancies during construction. According to documents, the new location allows the structural supports for the tower to punch cleanly through a slice of the Myer multi-storey retail tenancy, with a negotiated use of their retail floors during construction, allowing Myer to continue trading uninterrupted.

Woods Bagot are responsible for the design of the premium-grade building which will target a five-star Green Star rating.
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Parramatta bulks up with another Barangaroo-sized commercial tower proposal

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Darling Harbour’s rejuvenation continues apace with this week’s news that the luxury hotel brand Ritz-Carlton will return to Sydney for the first time in 18 years. The six-star hotel will offer 220 rooms situated within the top half of a distinctive 61-storey tower to be built at the north-eastern corner of The Star in Pyrmont.

<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/ritz_carlton_hotel_the_star_2_920x900_-_by_fjmt.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The mid-tower Sky Lobby for Ritz Carlton hotel guests will offer a spectacular vantage point over Sydney Harbour and CBD. Image: FJMT"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="272" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ritz_carlton_hotel_the_star_2_920x900_-_by_fjmt.jpg?itok=lgyX9d3p" title="The mid-tower Sky Lobby for Ritz Carlton hotel guests will offer a spectacular vantage point over Sydney Harbour and CBD. Image: FJMT" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The mid-tower Sky Lobby for Ritz-Carlton hotel guests will offer a spectacular vantage point over Sydney Harbour and CBD. Image: FJMT</figcaption></figure>The hotel is poised to capture a slice of surging overseas visitor numbers, as well as taking advantage of its prominent harbour-side position, and proximity to both the Sydney CBD and Darling Harbour Convention, Exhibition and entertainment venues.

The tower design adopts a memorable form as it rises to its full height of 231 metres, branching into two distinct, interlocked volumes as it subtly twists to maximise and ensure the best harbour and CBD vistas.

<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/star-render-1-1_-_by_scharp.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The tower's distinctive form from Pyrmont Bay Park. Image: Scharp 3D Visualisation &amp; Property Marketing"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/star-render-1-1_-_by_scharp.jpg?itok=TIG3lKlt" title="The tower's distinctive form from Pyrmont Bay Park. Image: Scharp 3D Visualisation &amp; Property Marketing" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The tower's distinctive form from Pyrmont Bay Park. Image: Scharp 3D Visualisation &amp; Property Marketing</figcaption></figure>Given its relative isolation, its distinctive form will create a landmark architectural statement on Sydney’s skyline , providing a bookmark to Barangaroo’s towers on the opposite shore, framing the entrance to Darling Harbour from ferries and other vessels on the harbour.

Beneath the hotel, the bottom half of the tower will acommodate around 200 apartments as well as a five-storey neighbourhood centre. This will contain a social enterprise space, reading room, function space, collaboration hub, and rooftop terrace - useful additions to community infrastructure in the area.

As part of the development, the Pirrama Rd podium of The Star will be refurbished, adding a rooftop pool and terrace, public restaurants, two gyms, and a spa &amp; wellness centre.

Fifteen food outlets will cluster around the path connecting the hotel tower to the rooftop social and leisure space, forming a ‘restaurant avenue’. No additional gambling floor space is included in the development.

<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/star-render-3-1_-_by_scharp.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rooftop social and leisure space. Image: Scharp 3D Visualisation &amp; Property Marketing"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/star-render-3-1_-_by_scharp.jpg?itok=_dTwMvmG" title="Rooftop social and leisure space. Image: Scharp 3D Visualisation &amp; Property Marketing" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rooftop social and leisure space. Image: Scharp 3D Visualisation &amp; Property Marketing</figcaption></figure>The project comes amid a spate of new developments entering the pipeline to cater to the rapidly growing visitor market. In the last year alone, visitor numbers in Sydney have increased by 5% to 14 million, 4.3 million of which were from overseas.

According to Destination NSW, visitors to the state have collectively injected $16.85 billion into the NSW economy. 

The $500 million project is a joint venture between the Star Entertainment Group and Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium and will generate 1000 jobs during construction and a further 500 jobs once operational.

The design team is led by architects FJMT who are also responsible for a number of prominent projects in the area, including the new Sofitel at the International Convention Centre.

The new hotel and its dramatic tower will add a new layer to the Darling Harbour precinct, consolidating the area as a premier social and business destination.

Far East Consortium is also introducing the Ritz-Carlton brand in Perth and Melbourne via developments at Elizabeth Quay and West Side Place. Both projects are currently under construction with Probuild at the helm, and architecture by Cottee Parker.
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Ritz-Carlton Tower at The Star adds to Darling Harbour's rejuvenation

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Frasers Property’s new $2.3 billion dollar beach-side community Shell Cove, is one step closer to reality with the launch of an Expressions of Interest campaign seeking a best-in-class publican to operate its focal point harbourside social tavern.

Located adjacent to the new Shell Cove Harbour and 270-berth marina, the 1,086 sqm tavern will extend over the new public boardwalk and offer unobstructed views of the Shell Cove harbour and surrounding scenery.

The Tavern is intended to combine its stunning setting with busy local patronage to create a new destination in the same spirit as iconic Sydney coastal taverns like The Pavilion at Coogee, The Clovelly Hotel, and Icebergs at Bondi.

Additionally, it will form an integral part of this new community, offering both residents and visitors the best in Australian hospitality.

The Shell Cove precinct is quickly becoming a new focal point within the Shellharbour area, which is expecting significant growth of 23% in population to 2036.

Fitting with the community-focused nature of the precinct, the Tavern has been designed to offer a full variety of social spaces for all ages.

It will include a family bistro area, informal indoor and outdoor seating spaces, private dining areas, open plan kitchen with fireplace seating, as well as a sports bar with TAB and gaming room.

The Tavern is part of the wider social and recreational heart of the Shell Cove precinct, known as The Waterside. Situated around the harbour and marina, The Waterside offers specialty shops, marina-edge restaurants, a hotel, children’s beach, water play areas, library, community centre, retail precinct, as well as hosting the Tavern.

<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/180115fra0826thesailsapartmentss170marinar04finalweb.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A visualisation of Shell Cove's under construction &quot;The Waterfront&quot; town centre. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/180115fra0826thesailsapartmentss170marinar04finalweb.jpg?itok=nDhsdDs2" title="A visualisation of Shell Cove's under construction &quot;The Waterfront&quot; town centre. " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A visualisation of Shell Cove's under construction "The Waterfront" town centre. Image: Frasers Property</figcaption></figure>The precinct fits Shellharbour Council’s vision to balance the area’s significant natural beauty with the needs of a growing community.

Led by Frasers Property Australia and their rich accumulated experience operating in Australia for more than 90 years, the Shell Cove precinct continues the firm’s expertise in delivering places that foster happier, healthier and more connected communities.

Reflecting this commitment to socially successful communities, Frasers Property’s Shell Cove Development Director Glenn Colquhoun highlights the firm’s focus on creating a vibrant and connected town centre, acknowledging “a town’s tavern has always been its heartbeat - a place for resident and visitors to eat, drink and relax while enjoying their surroundings.”

He goes on to note, “Shell Cove is a family focused community and the tavern will be a place for the whole family to enjoy. It’s another piece of the truly mixed-use precinct at The Waterfront, Shell Cove that will serve locals for generations to come.”

It seems Shell Cove is set to become a major regional attraction and the Tavern is it’s social nexus. The Tavern is offered as a freehold investment and is expected to be completed by 2021.

<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/tavern_cgi1_eastview_005_web_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Shell Cove's social centrepiece &quot;The Tavern&quot; cantilevers over the harbour-side boardwalk, affording patrons unobstructed views of the Illawarra Coast's world-class scenery."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/tavern_cgi1_eastview_005_web_1.jpg?itok=A7NeBg52" title="Shell Cove's social centrepiece &quot;The Tavern&quot; cantilevers over the harbour-side boardwalk, affording patrons unobstructed views of the Illawarra Coast's world-class scenery." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Shell Cove's social centrepiece "The Tavern" projects over the harbour-side boardwalk, affording patrons unobstructed views of the Illawarra Coast's world-class scenery. Image: Frasers Property</figcaption></figure>
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Shell Cove on NSW's Illawarra Coast a step closer to reality

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Today's Atlassian CEO Scott Farquhar and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the NSW Government will partner with the software company to create a major new technology and innovation precinct in the Central-Eveleigh Corridor running through inner southern Sydney.

The Premier’s announcement refocuses attention on development plans for government-owned railway land between Central and Eveleigh, and marks a strategic play to cement Sydney as Australia’s tech capital.  

In recent times technology firms have faced hurdles in securing new or additional space in Sydney. Atlassian’s 2015 bid to expand lost out to property developers whilst Google also shied away from plans to use the Rozelle Power Station as a new work space.

The announcement comes off the back of last year’s report by the Committee for Sydney and KPMG titled <a href="https://home.kpmg.com/au/en/home/insights/2017/08/scaling-fintech-opportunity-sydney-australia">Scaling the fintech opportunity for Sydney and Australia</a> which noted the number of FinTech firms in Australia had scaled from 100 in 2014 to more than 500 today, with 10,000 people directly employed.

Almost two thirds of those firms are based in Sydney.

This is a competitive strength in Sydney’s digital innovation economy and today’s announcement marks a step forward in the government’s commitment to back the growth of this vibrant economic sector. Essentially, government and industry together will deliver a new precinct as a focal point for the various tech ecosystems in Sydney and the wider Australian sector.

Up to 10,000 jobs will be located in the precinct and together with co-located firms, coworking spaces, and the Sydney University-UTS education cluster, there is potential for a globally significant tech cluster.

As outgoing Committee for Sydney CEO Tim Williams noted at the release of last year’s report, “Modern knowledge economies thrive on agglomeration, collaborative diversity and convergence and the innovation they collectively promote.”

<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/image176.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Indication of the urban environment in the area earmarked for transformation"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="278" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image176.jpg?itok=lIUi41ej" title="Indication of the urban environment in the area earmarked for transformation" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Indication of the urban environment in the area earmarked for transformation</figcaption></figure>Furthermore, the urban environment in this corridor is earmarked to be transformed. The railway corridor around Eveleigh, Redfern and Central essentially a neglected and piecemeal space which constitutes a forgettable entrance to the southern CBD.

The precinct is closely located to other large-scale urban renewal precincts at Waterloo, Green Square and Zetland. It’s possible this government-tech industry partnership will build off innovative renewal precedents in Sydney and overseas like the Toronto Smart City co-developed by Google and Sidewalk Labs.

Overall this is a promising announcement about the reinvigoration of a neglected part of Sydney’s urban environment and a potentially visionary step forward for our city’s economic vibrancy and competitiveness.

Jobs for NSW chair David Thodey will lead a design and development taskforce to guide the direction of the new precinct.
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Sydney's Central to Eveleigh set to become Australia’s Silicon Valley

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

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

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

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

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

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

Andre Brokman

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