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EXPERT OBSERVER
The announcement by the NSW Planning Minister, Rob Stokes, that a number of Priority Precincts will go back to councils is likely to slow down planning. The most significant precinct to go back to a council is the Waterloo Estate (above and below), where the NSW Government owns the land and is responsible for the social housing tenants - yet the project has been given back to the City of Sydney council.
 The NSW Government previously developed a preferred masterplan with 6,800 dwellings, including sufficient market homes, to subsidise the affordable and social housing tenants. 
The City of Sydney Council proposed an alternative approach with only 5,300 dwellings including more affordable housing. 
Clearly there will be a big funding short fall in the council approach, so it seems very strange that the Planning Minister has supported the council scheme which could require over a billion dollars of extra funding, presumably from the NSW Government. While the NSW Government will lead planning in 12 of the 48 precincts, there will be 25 precincts where collaborative or strategic planning will be shared between councils and the state, and a further 11 where councils will take over planning. At the very least, the NSW government must set target dwelling supply numbers in the precincts where they have partially or totally handed planning back to councils. 
We have seen before the confusion when the state starts planning and then hands it back to councils at Parramatta Road where planning outcomes are still very unclear. Another example is the precincts along the Sydenham to Bankstown line, where under pressure from local councils, planning was handed back to the local bodies but to the development industry it is very unclear what the planning rules are. While the Planning Minister’s media release talked about ‘supercharging the delivery of Sydney’s priority precincts’, the Urban Taskforce believes the extent of full or partial delegation to councils is likely to slow down rather than speed up housing supply. New South Wales, and Sydney in particular, needs a real boost to its housing supply following the September 2019 low housing approval numbers announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 
Dwelling approvals have dropped by 46 percent since their high point of July 2016 and now sit at 2013 levels. The CommSec State of the States report recently put NSW below Victoria and Tasmania in economic performance based significantly on falling dwelling commencements. Furthermore, the NSW Government’s own Productivity Commission stated in a recent Discussion Paper that development approvals in NSW were taking twice as long as other states in Australia. There is no doubt that housing supply needs to be supercharged in New South Wales, but having only 12 of the 48 priority precincts being state-led, with the rest partially or totally under council control, is likely to slow down rather than speed up planning. It is interesting to see that the Planning Minister does not seem to have much confidence in his Department of Planning, Industry and Environment when he states that the changes are needed because ‘of planning proposals stuck in the system’, so he proposes to empower councils to have a stronger role. The Urban Taskforce would like to understand more about how this radical shift of responsibilities between state and council planning bodies is going to work at the very time the NSW Government, through its Productivity Commission, is calling for a more productive planning system that takes half the time of the current processes. There will need to be very strict controls on councils in relation to turn around times and clear outcomes in terms of size of development set for precincts.
CHRIS JOHNSON is the CEO of Urban Taskforce
 
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Priority precincts likely to slow down as council roles increase

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The Australian Bureau of Statistics data on housing approvals for September 2019 indicates that they are lower than in June 2013.
The continuing drop in dwelling approvals in New South Wales is a big worry for the housing industry and needs to be addressed by government urgently.
The September dwelling approvals were 3,670 which is a drop of 46 percent since the high point of 6,744 approvals in July 2016. We are now at the level of approvals of June 2013 when there were 3,777 new dwelling approvals.
NSW is now below Victoria’s home approvals, which has a smaller population, yet their September home approvals were 4,247 compared to the NSW approvals of 3,670.
The major drop in housing approvals has been in apartments where only 1,617 approvals occurred in September 2019, compared to 2,490 as recently as April 2019, and 3,882 two years ago in September 2017. This represents a 58 percent drop in higher density approvals over a two-year period.
We are aware of some developers having to lay off staff due to the downturn and this will flow on to the builders and their supply chain. The NSW Government must be concerned about the impact of the housing downturn on jobs.
The good news in the ABS data indicates a big jump in non-residential building approvals in September 2019 with $1,570,637,000 value of the approvals which is the highest amount ever in New South Wales.
The continuing drop in dwelling approvals in NSW must be reversed by government policy supporting a simpler planning system. The NSW Productivity Commission recently stated that planning approvals in NSW took twice as long as in other states. Clearly the slow and complex planning system must be streamlined to help support the supply of new housing for the state’s growing population.
The Urban Taskforce urges the NSW Government to develop a more streamlined process for housing supply particularly for large projects where local infrastructure can be funded by the project.
CHRIS JOHNSON is the CEO of Urban Taskforce
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NSW housing approvals the lowest since 2013: Chris Johnson

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
Connecting one of the missing links in Sydney’s motorway network is a step closer to delivering benefits to the residents and businesses of Sydney’s south and the Illawarra.
From tomorrow, companies vying to build the underground motorway from Arncliffe to Kogarah, now known as M6 Stage 1, can express their interest in a project expected to create 5,300 jobs throughout its life.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the M6 Stage 1 would make journeys easier and safer by avoiding roads such as President Avenue and The Grand Parade – and save motorists up to 15 minutes in traffic.
“Once complete, the new M6 will provide significant time travel savings for Sydney’s south and the Illawarra. More than 2,000 trucks a day will be removed from local streets and 23 sets of traffic lights bypassed,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The M6 Stage 1, previously known as the F6 Extension, includes four kilometre twin tunnels between the new M5 Motorway at Arncliffe and President Avenue at Kogarah.
Roads Minister Andrew Constance said the M6 Stage 1 would provide relief for motorists around Kogarah and Brighton-le-Sands.
“That’s why we are pleased to be moving forward with this congestion-busting infrastructure which will help get commuters home with their families sooner and spend less time stuck in traffic,” Mr Constance said.
Travel-time savings during the morning peak (when used with other motorway connections) include:
1. Kogarah to ANZAC Bridge – up to 15 mins 2. Miranda to Macquarie Park – up to 15 mins 3. Kogarah to South Sydney – up to 13 mins  4. Taren Point to Mascot – up to 12 mins  5. Kogarah to Sydney CBD – up to 8 mins
It is expected that a contract will be awarded in December 2020, construction will begin by early 2022 and open to motorists by the end of 2025.
CHRIS JOHNSON is the CEO of the Urban Taskforce
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Sydney's South on the move with the new M6: Chris Johnson

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The announcement today by the NSW Government of the 2020 commencement of construction of the Sydney Metro West and seven proposed stations between Westmead and the CBD has the potential to unlock tens of billions of dollars in complementary housing development along the metro corridor.
The Government has described the $20 billion Sydney Metro West as a ‘once in a century infrastructure investment’ that will more than double the existing rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, and slash travel times between Parramatta and the CBD to around 20 minutes.
There is no doubt the Sydney Metro West is a major city-shaping project that will underpin strategic areas of urban growth for decades to come. It potentially brings the concept of the 30-minute city within reach for millions more Sydney residents.
It is absolutely critical that this massive investment in transport infrastructure and capacity building is complemented by plans for appropriate development around the new railway stations, in addition to existing rail and metro stations. The development sector has been planning for this announcement and the certainty it provides could spark a generation of construction related employment.
Not only will this assist in relieving unsustainable congestion on our road networks as our population continues to grow, it will also serve to revitalise communities along the metro line by creating new opportunities for local business, retail and social hubs to flourish.
The seven proposed metro stations will be located at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, and The Bays Precinct. The NSW Government also committed to fasttrack the feasibility of building a Metro station in Pyrmont, while also assessing a potential station at Rydalmere.
The Urban Taskforce supports the location of a metro station as Pyrmont as a common-sense response to serving the current and future needs of one of our most populous and vibrant inner-city suburbs and employment centres. The way we see it, it’s a no-brainer.
CHRIS JOHNSON is the CEO of Urban Taskforce
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Sydney Metro West to unlock billions of dollars in housing potential

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The release of planning documents for the ambitious redevelopment of 24 hectares of land around Central Station is an excellent example of how cities can be shaped by transport.
Around the world major transport nodes are generating exciting urban renewal projects that lead to significant development and the announcement of plans for redevelopment around Sydney’s Central Station is a world class example.
The redevelopment of this 24-hectare site into a precinct with 25,000 jobs will turn unfriendly railway tracks into a new urban precinct.
The proposed Central Precinct will be compared to the exciting redevelopment around Kings Cross Station in London, which led to significant new urban development that included jobs, homes and community amenities. On Friday November 1st the Urban Taskforce conference ‘CITIES SHAPED BY TRANSPORT’ will highlight the best global projects that link transport and new development including the Kings Cross Project, and NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, will profile New South Wales projects including the Central Precinct.
The draft Strategic Vision for the Central Precinct highlights the Western Gateway Subprecinct which is zoned for buildings up to 35 metres in height within a floor space ratio of 3 to 1. This will allow some impressive new buildings and be an important part of the renewal of the precinct.
The Urban Taskforce conference will profile exciting transport strategies that drive urban development from Singapore, Jerusalem, Melbourne, London and Dublin as well as looking at how future technologies like Uber Elevate will change movement across urban areas.
The Urban Taskforce is keen to contribute our comments to the exhibition of the plans for the Central Precinct.
CHRIS JOHNSON is the Urban Taskforce CEO 
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Central Station redvelopment shows how cities can be shaped by transport: Chris Johnson

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The appointment of Abbie Galvin as the NSW Government Architect is a positive signal about the design of the state’s urban environment.
It is a good move forward to have the first woman as NSW Government Architect in Abbie Galvin.
The role of the Government Architect has evolved over 200 years from one of designing all of the state’s public buildings to now having an overview of the whole built environment.
The Urban Taskforce has had a long relationship with the Government Architect particularly as the chair of our Development Excellence Awards jury over almost 20 years. The development industry is keen to contribute to a quality built environment and we look forward to working with Abbie Galvin in this regard.
The NSW Government has recently stressed the importance of public spaces and the quality of the public realm, which will require a balance between the role of the state government, of councils and of the private sector that developed most of the buildings in the state.
It will be important to balance the quality of buildings with affordability, particularly as NSW housing is one of the most expensive in the world. It will also be important for the Government Architect to bring a commercial understanding of building and construction when reforming or developing broader planning rules and requirements that applicants for new projects must comply with.
Already, the NSW planning system is very complex, and slow - and the pursuit of design excellence should lead to faster rather than slower approvals.
The new Government Architect should become an advocate for a more urban way of living, with greater density than the traditional suburbs and champion these more urban ways of living.
The Urban Taskforce is keen to work with Abbie Galvin in her new role as the NSW Government Architect, in shaping the future urban form of our cities.
CHRIS JOHNSON is the Urban Taskforce CEO
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NSW government architect can help shape the urban environment: Chris Johnson

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The long delayed plans for a 55 storey hotel in Bligh Street have now progressed to State Significant Development stage. 
It is amazing that the Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes, in announcing that the Bligh Street project can now be submitted as a State Significant Development, said it had been in "planning purgatory for too long".
It is good news that the project is now more connected to the planning system and hopefully will get planning approval before too long.
The design of the building looks impressive and the sleek 55 storey tower will be a good addition to the Sydney skyline.
On the same day that the Bligh Street hotel moves forward, the plans for the proposed Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pyrmont were being discussed at a public meeting held by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), where the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment argued against the 62 storey hotel project proceeding because it was different to the existing character of Pyrmont.
The Urban Taskforce is concerned that since the publication of the Local Character and Place Guideline in February 2019 the Department of Planning seem to be preferring the preservation of existing local character over bold new visions for the future.
Pyrmont needs to be "taken to the next level" as the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian has recently stated.
The Urban Taskforce presented at the meeting and proposed that the Ritz Carlton Hotel and its associated functions were an ideal project to be the catalyst for a renewal of development in Pyrmont.
With the proposed new fish markets opening up the redevelopment options for the old site will come higher rise development on the peninsula. The Urban Taskforce presentation to the IPC an optimistic future for Pyrmont with significant new development.
Sydney needs more quality hotels and the small planning step forward for the proposed hotel at Bligh Street is good news. This needs to be supported by the IPC approving the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pyrmont.
CHRIS JOHNSON is the Urban Taskforce CEO.
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Delayed Bligh Street, Sydney hotel plans moving forward: Chris Johnson

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The latest figures on Australia’s economic growth are the slowest since the GFC and the slump in housing approvals is driving this.
Australia’s low economic growth of 0.5% in the last quarter of the 2019 financial year leaves an annual rate of 1.4%, which is the slowest since 2009 following the Global Financial Crisis. 
A number of commentators have linked the slow growth to the big slump in home approvals across Australia but particularly in New South Wales.
The slowdown in the Australian economy has been influenced by a number of external global issues, but the supply of new homes across the country is clearly a local issue that the Australian Government and State and Territory Governments should be taking action to reverse.
In New South Wales, and particularly in Sydney, an anti-development sentiment has led to a big slow-down in housing approvals from councils and the NSW Government.
The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data for housing approvals shows a drop of 39% over the last two years in New South Wales.
The drop in housing approvals has been 20% over the last five months with confidence in the housing development industry dropping.
Some of the messaging from the NSW Government on key projects like the St Leonards South project and the Pyrmont Star hotel and apartment tower has been particularly negative with government bodies preferring the protection of the existing neighbourhood character rather than supporting new development.
There seems to be a cultural problem in Sydney where approval bodies, whether they be government, councils or planning panels, are preferring to reject projects for new housing rather than approve them.
Strong leadership is needed from the NSW Government to drive new housing approvals and therefore boost the economic growth of the state and of Australia.
The Urban Taskforce is keen to work with the NSW Government to help lift housing approvals particularly in areas where the market is looking for new homes.
CHRIS JOHNSON is the Urban Taskforce CEO.
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Home approval slump is driving the slowest economic growth since GFC: Chris Johnson 

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The long delayed plans for a 55 storey hotel in Bligh Street have now progressed to State Significant Development stage. 
It is amazing that the Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes, in announcing that the Bligh Street project can now be submitted as a State Significant Development, said it had been in ‘planning purgatory' for too long.
It is good news that the project is now more connected to the planning system and hopefully will get planning approval before too long.
The design of the building looks impressive and the sleek 55 storey tower will be a good addition to the Sydney skyline.
On the same day that the Bligh Street hotel moves forward, the plans for the proposed Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pyrmont were being discussed at a public meeting held by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), where the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment argued against the 62 storey hotel project proceeding because it was different to the existing character of Pyrmont.
The Urban Taskforce is concerned that since the publication of the ‘Local Character and Place Guideline’ in February 2019 the Department of Planning seem to be preferring the preservation of existing local character over bold new visions for the future.
Pyrmont needs to be ‘taken to the next level’ as the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian has recently stated.
The Urban Taskforce presented at the meeting and proposed that the Ritz Carlton Hotel and its associated functions were an ideal project to be the catalyst for a renewal of development in Pyrmont.
With the proposed new fish markets opening up the redevelopment options for the old site will come higher rise development on the peninsula. The Urban Taskforce presentation to the IPC an optimistic future for Pyrmont with significant new development.
Sydney needs more quality hotels and the small planning step forward for the proposed hotel at Bligh Street is good news. This needs to be supported by the IPC approving the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pyrmont.
Chris Johnson is the CEO of The Urban Taskforce.
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Progress on Bligh Street Hotel is good news: Chris Johnson 

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
A growing number of proposed new housing projects across Sydney are running into go-slow planning approaches from councils and state government.
Over recent weeks we have seen a number of worthwhile housing projects across metropolitan Sydney held up or cancelled.
The biggest project to be in danger of collapsing is the St Leonards South site for 2,400 new apartments as proposed by Lane Cove Council. The NSW Government’s Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has written a report to the Planning Minister, Rob Stokes, that effectively stops the project on spurious grounds.
After 5 years of community involvement, approvals by Lane Cove Council and the state government through the Gateway approach the IPC report says there is not enough open space yet the proposed 3,800 square metre park is above the NSW government’s Open Space for Recreation Guide minimum size for a local park of 3,000 square metres. The IPC report seems very biased in its criticism of council’s plan.
At Hornsby, last week, the RSL withdrew plans for a project which included 110 apartments, 237 unit retirement home and a 108 room hotel, citing frustrations with the planning system.
In Double Bay the recent closure of the iconic Cosmopolitan Cafe hit the news with concerns that up to 400 new apartments were caught up in the planning system leaving the much needed critical mass of people desperately needed to make the retail viable in the village centre. It seems that the local council is going slow on processing the plans for a number of worthwhile projects.
Across the harbour at Chatswood a major mixed-use project with 130 apartments providing 1,664 new jobs has been battling the planning system for 5 years with a confusing and inconsistent set of messages from Willoughby Council.
At Macquarie Park a major developer looks like cancelling a 1,000 apartment project that would have contributed $150 million back to council in contributions to spend on local community facilities. After 5 years of on off decision making with Ryde Council and the state government the developers have got nowhere.
These projects are typical of dozens that members of the Urban Taskforce are battling to get through the Sydney planning system. 
The general impression from these developers is that the planning system is getting worse in NSW and that the culture of planners in state government and councils is to be more concerned about maintaining local character than supporting new projects that could boost the economy.
Another example is the recent report from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment that recommended against the Ritz Carlton hotel tower in Pyrmont partly on the basis that it did not fit into the existing local character.
The result of these projects not getting approvals or being caught up in a planning limbo land is that housing approvals are dropping fast. In the City of Sydney Council housing approvals are down by 59 percent over the last 2 years and at Ryde Council approvals are down by 74 percent over the last 3 years.
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The culture of planning in New South Wales comes from the top through the ‘Premiers Priorities’ for the planning portfolio. 
In the last term of government the Premier required the delivery of 61,000 housing completions a year with 90 percent of housing approvals determined within 90 days. But in her new term as Premier the priorities about housing supply have been replaced with the need to increase Green Public Spaces by 10 ercent and to increase the tree canopy across Greater Sydney.
The focus has clearly moved away from having an efficient planning system towards green landscape agendas.
CHRIS JOHNSON is the Urban Taskforce CEO
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Planning go-slow stopping new housing in Sydney: Chris Johnson

National property developer Goldfields has secured permit approval and appointed Victorian residential builder Ironside to begin work on The Brightly, an 11-storey, wellness and lifestyle-focused mixed-use development in Richmond.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has partnered with Dexus Real Estate Partnership Fund 1 (DREP 1) as co-investor and delivery partner in the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-brightly-9-15-brighton-street-richmond-vic-3121">Brighton Street project</a>.

With architecture and interiors by design practice Cera Stribley, The Brightly will feature 100 apartments, a resident-only wellness space, elevated dining experiences including a private dining room and a rooftop garden lounge, and ground-floor retail designed to integrate with Richmond’s local character.

The wellness space will feature a hot magnesium pool, cold plunge, steam room, sauna, and a vitamin-infused drinking station for refreshment and rehydration.

The Brightly’s focus on wellness extends to the rooftop landscaped by award-winning landscape architect Jack Merlo. It will feature canopied retreats and panoramic views of the Melbourne CBD and Richmond Hill treetops. Residents can also host guests with a private bookable dining space on the rooftop garden lounge and an indoor option on the first level.

Cera Stribley’s architectural vision drew inspiration from the surrounding area, using the flowing form of the train lines to shape the façade and create a dialogue between the building and Richmond’s rich history. The design features a four-level podium lined with lush greenery, honouring the suburb’s character and streetscape through its scale and materials.

There will be a choice&nbsp;of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with 19 exclusive sub-penthouses and penthouses, for prospective purchasers.

Lachlan Thompson, Goldfields’ CEO, said The Brightly will define a new kind of urban luxury for Inner East living.

“By drawing on Richmond’s vibrant mix of culture and hospitality, we’ve combined a lifestyle centred on wellness,” Thompson said.

“Its proximity to Melbourne's sports and entertainment precinct, the CBD, parks, and public transport makes it a prime location for both young professionals and those seeking a lifestyle change. What we’ve created is something remarkable - it’s real, it's Richmond, and it’s refined."

Dexus Real Estate Partnership Fund 1 Fund Manager, Jason Howes, said the Brightly is a high-quality investment in a high demand area with limited residential stock expected to be added in the coming years.

“Partnering with Goldfields, we are delivering a project that will redefine lifestyle focused urban living, offering residents exceptional design and amenities in one of Melbourne's most vibrant suburbs,” he said.

Onsite demolition is underway, with construction set to commence in April 2026 and completion targeted for late 2027. The Brightly will launch to market in mid-2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146631]

Joel Robinson

Goldfields greenlit for The Brightly, Richmond apartment development

The Allan Labor Government has revealed the remaining 23&nbsp;Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres as part of their plan to try and encourage development around some of Melbourne's most connected suburbs.

The new zones includes&nbsp;four smaller ‘neighbourhood centres’ to plan for more modest growth.

<ul>
	<li>Five are connected to the new Metro Tunnel and are now experiencing more services: Caulfield, Springvale, Noble Park, Yarraman (neighbourhood centre), and Dandenong stations.</li>
	<li>Eight are along the Frankston Line, which has recently returned to the City Loop: Hawksburn, Toorak (Beatty Avenue), Armadale (High Street), Malvern (Glenferrie Road), Glen Huntly, Ormond, Bentleigh, and Mentone stations</li>
	<li>Four are along the Sandringham Line, which will see an increase in services later this year: South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor and Elsternwick stations</li>
	<li>Three are on the Belgrave/Lilydale Line and benefit from five-minute peak services on average between Ringwood and the city: Blackburn, Nunawading, and Mitcham stations</li>
	<li>Two neighbourhood centres on the Alamein Line: Ashburton Station, plus a combined centre for the two closest stations on the metropolitan network Riversdale &amp; Willison stations</li>
	<li>One neighbourhood centre, Toorak Village, is a built-up area along the Route 58 tram.</li>
</ul>

The <a href="https://spatial.planning.vic.gov.au/activitycentre/">draft maps</a> will now be subject to detailed community consultation.

A similar process occurred for the first 10 pilot Activity Centres, with clear changes made as a direct result of this community consultation.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/50-new-train-and-tram-zone-activity-centres-to-encourage-new-apartment-development-across-melbourne">50 new ‘train and tram zone’ activity centres to encourage new apartment development across Melbourne</a>

The final train and tram zones will set clear expectations on where new homes can go, cutting out delays, uncertainty and red tape and getting homes off the ground. The remaining two in inner-Melbourne that cover the entire Local Government Areas of Melbourne and Yarra, will go through a separate process.

In the immediate ‘core’ the plans allow for more homes in taller apartment buildings.&nbsp;Some cores have heights of six storeys, while others have up to 20 storeys, only when it is in line with those councils’ planning work.

Eligible buildings across the core will be ‘deemed to comply’ with planning rules and be exempt from VCAT review. Applications in the core that exceed the specified height of the site are not eligible for this fast-tracked pathway.

In the walkable catchments that surround the core, the plans propose gentler height limits and more low-rise apartments and townhouses. Heritage and landscape overlays will stay in place.

Inner catchments, representing up to a five-minute walk from the station or centre, propose limits of four storeys, or six storeys on larger blocks of more than 1,000 sqm, while outer catchments, representing up to a 10-minute walk from the station or centre, propose limits of three storeys, or four storeys on larger blocks of more than 1,000 sqm.

By 2051, train and tram zones will help deliver more than 300,000 new homes, with final plans for all 50 new centres expected to be completed by mid this year.

“We want more Victorians to have the opportunity to live close to public transport, their loved ones, and the things that matter to them,"&nbsp;Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said.

“Whether it’s making it easier to build homes close to public transport, townhouses in our inner suburbs, or family homes with a backyard, our planning reforms are all about giving more Victorians real housing choice.

“While we’re focused on giving more young Victorians the opportunity to have a home of their own, the Liberals are blocking them from being built. They oppose more homes near transport, jobs and services.”

Toorak and South Yarra earmarked for greater density as VIC Gov releases final Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres

Glen Waverley’s housing shortage is set to be closed by 50 per cent with the approval of 795 new apartments which will rise from a former carp park in the heart of the suburb.

The plans, lodged by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunkin-property-group">Sunkin Property Group</a> and now approved by the Victorian State Government Development Facilitation Program, will transform the 6,114 sqm carpark at 281 Springvale Road, into an $800 million, mixed-use residential and commercial development in the metropolitan activity centre.&nbsp;

“281 Springvale Road has received planning approval for a mixed-use, high-density development that will provide much needed homes in Melbourne’s middle-ring suburbs, including affordable housing," Sunkin's GM of Property and Development Lloyd Collins says.

"We worked closely with key stakeholders, the Department of Transport and Planning, Suburban Rail Loop Authority and Monash City Council to achieve an integrated design with an activated retail ground level that will add to the success of Glen Waverley.

Glen Waverley’s population is projected to grow by 9 per cent by 2031, with an additional 1,600 dwellings required to &nbsp;service the area.

Around 1,000 sqm of the former carpark has been retained by Monash City Council for a new Civic Plaza, creating a central meeting point and public transport link for the local community. &nbsp;

Sunkin Property Group acquired the site from Monash City Council in 2024. The site will remain open as a public carpark until development commences.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149491]

$800 million, 800-unit development permit fast-tracked for Glen Waverley carpark

UAE developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/arada">Arada</a> is continuing to unveil its billions of dollars of residential development it is set to deliver in Australia.

Following on its plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/arada-pitches-castle-hill-apartment-plans-ahead-of-2026-launch">431 apartments in Castle Hill</a>&nbsp;and the 2025 bail-out of construction firm Roberts &amp; Co so it can build its own developments, Arada&nbsp;has sought the NSW Government's approval for three towers in the Campsie town centre.

The project, dubbed One Campsie, has been designed by Woods Bagot and will deliver 346 apartments to Beamish Street across three interconnected towers rising 24, 32, and 39 storeys.

According to the Woods Bagot Architectural Design Report, the design seeks to “redefine the urban experience of a rapidly transforming town centre,” delivering housing above an activated ground plane that integrates civic and commercial uses. The design adopts a three-part vertical composition, stepping and articulating the tower to reduce visual bulk and respond to its varied urban interfaces.

<img alt="First Look: Arada unveils 39-storey mixed-use tower for Campsie town centre in State Significant Development bid" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f515807f-7277-4ea5-8b2b-a5718514f30a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campsie%20podium.png?VersionId=J3oSJpOvye8gpg1kjagODjdhOb0Cl28I" />

At street level, the scheme places significant emphasis on public domain upgrades. A new civic plaza is proposed opposite the Orion Theatre, alongside a landscaped pocket park and a through-site pedestrian link connecting Beamish Street to Campsie Street and Ninth Avenue. The Urban Design Justification Report states that the proposal “builds on Council’s Master Plan by applying a place-led urban design framework that responds to the site’s unique conditions and enhances pedestrian experience and public benefit.”

The documents note that the development aligns with the Master Plan’s intensification strategy for sites within walking distance of the Metro station, while seeking to retain solar access to key public spaces. As outlined in the Urban Design Report, the proposal delivers “intensification within walking distance of the Metro Station while retaining solar access to key parks."

<img alt="First Look: Arada unveils 39-storey mixed-use tower for Campsie town centre in State Significant Development bid" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="586ad606-a84f-49cc-b715-fc3ecb731205" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campsie%20podium%20a.png?VersionId=gNHaD.Os8yW4LVOdsJIdmmhlgQArs0Gm" />

Woods Bagot’s design narrative also draws on local history and Aboriginal cultural context. The Architectural Design Report references engagement with Wangal Country and the Cooks River landscape, seeking to embed a connection to Country through material selection, planting, and public art integration. The broader vision, as described in the report, is to create a building that functions as a “community catalyst, not only as a place to live, but as a vibrant destination for work and play that brings people together, supports local culture, and contributes meaningfully to the civic identity of Campsie.”

<img alt="First Look: Arada unveils 39-storey mixed-use tower for Campsie town centre in State Significant Development bid" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f1bc9a44-0c1a-4e3f-8b27-38070b0d2744" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_2.png?VersionId=1JmMWg6jOU1rPpS9hCxy8s8H48xc0EiM" />

Located at 124–142 Beamish Street and 16–18 Ninth Avenue, the site occupies a key stretch of Beamish Street, Campsie’s traditional high street, characterised by fine-grain retail, multicultural dining, and proximity to civic infrastructure including the Orion Theatre and Canterbury Civic Centre. The proposed civic plaza and pocket park aim to strengthen this interface, formalising connections between retail frontages, public transport, and community facilities.

If approved, One Campsie would mark one of the tallest and most ambitious additions to the suburb’s skyline, reflecting the broader shift toward higher-density living around transport nodes in Sydney’s middle-ring centres.

First Look: Arada files for trio of apartment towers in Campsie town centre

Syd​ney builder-developer Scion has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for a 22-storey mixed-use tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/96-anzac-avenue-west-ryde-nsw-2114">96 Anzac Avenue, West Ryde</a>, marking a significant step in the transformation of the Victoria Road gateway precinct.

Designed by Turner, the proposal would replace an ageing two-storey commercial building with 145 apartments and 29 co-living rooms, above ground-floor retail and three basement levels of parking.

The 3,149 sqm site sits just 150 metres from West Ryde train station, at the edge of the suburb’s retail core and diagonally opposite Anzac Park. It occupies a prominent corner with frontages to both Anzac Avenue and Victoria Road, positioning it as a key transition point between established residential neighbourhoods and the commercial centre.

The scheme is being advanced under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway as a State Significant Development, alongside a concurrent rezoning to lift the site’s height and floor space ratio controls.

Turner says in the Architectural Design Report that the proposal "responds to a unique opportunity to support the revitalisation of West Ryde through the delivery of a landmark development that combines high-quality residential offerings with enhanced public realm and active ground plane uses.”

Scion will be pushing height almost five times higher than what had been pitched for the site before.

Turner says the increased scale aligns with Council’s strategic direction for the precinct, including the West Ryde Town Centre Revitalisation Strategy (2019), the Draft Masterplan (2021), and the West Ryde–Meadowbank Renewal Strategy (2023).

“The increased height and density proposed aligns with Council’s evolving strategic direction for the precinct, as outlined in the Draft Revitalisation Strategy (2019), the 2021 Draft Masterplan, and the broader West Ryde–Meadowbank Renewal Strategy (2023), which collectively call for higher density, transit-oriented development and design excellence."

Turner describes the vision as establishing “a contemporary, mixed-use development that contributes positively to the West Ryde town centre.”

<img alt="West Ryde" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5c22c11-92b8-4ca6-b77b-b5848ae0176d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-02-12%20at%202.41.34%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=aom0z8azYDw7Hl6.A6vDbCom5ozZICn5" />

The architectural response has been shaped by the site’s gateway role along Victoria Road and its proximity to Anzac Park and surrounding heritage elements, including the Sydney Water pumping station opposite the site.

The design process also incorporated consultation around Connecting with Country principles. The design report outlines engagement with Cultural Heritage Consultants Artefact and Aunty Julie, a Burruberongal woman of the Darug Nation, informing planting selection, materiality and potential public art opportunities.

Turner says the scheme aims to optimise the site’s capacity while balancing yield and amenity.

“The proposed scheme seeks to optimise the site’s potential by balancing yield, amenity, and urban integration. It will deliver a high-quality, mixed-use precinct that supports West Ryde’s ongoing transformation into a connected, accessible, and liveable centre."

Scion recently completed the build of its own development, The Sterling in Lane Cove. They are currently building Chatham in West Ryde, just 500m from the new proposal. Those 62 apartments will complete later this year.

Chris Johnson

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