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In June this year, Apartments.com.au examined the ins and outs of the City of Melbourne sustainability initiative called <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/1200buildings/Pages/Home.aspx">1200 Buildings</a> which provides incentives to owners of aging office buildings throughout the City of Melbourne municipality to retrofit their structures and make them more sustainable and environmentally friendly.  

In a follow up to Apartments.com.au's <a href="/news/1200-buildings-and-counting">article</a>, a recent retrofit survey explored how Melbourne's old office buildings have been upgraded to more sustainable systems and fit outs with some surprising results. Environment Portfolio Chair, Councillor Arron Wood, <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutCouncil/MediaReleases/Pages/RetrofitsurveyrevealsactivityinMelbournestrong.aspx" target="_blank">said</a> results revealed that since 2008, 25 per cent of the 589 buildings surveyed have either taken advantage of the Council incentives and have undergone a retrofit or are currently undergoing a retrofit. “The survey results have confirmed what we already suspected – that a lot more retrofitting is going on in our city than we knew about. Taking this temperature check gives us a better understanding of building managers’ motivations and helps us adapt our own programs to better address their needs,” Cr Wood said.  

<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/171-Collins_2001_illumni.co_.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lighting at 171 Collins. Image © www.illumni.co"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/171-Collins_2001_illumni.co_.jpg?itok=O9lFP34i" title="Lighting at 171 Collins. Image © www.illumni.co" typeof="Image"></a>

Further information gathered from the survey revealed that 16 per cent of building owners and representatives are planning to undertake a retrofit within the next five years. This is a jump of six per cent from two years ago, when only 10 per cent were thinking of doing a retrofit. In total between 2008 and 2018, 32 per cent of buildings will be or have recently done work which improves environmental outcomes.

“In recent months the City of Melbourne has received a number of awards for its work in sustainability including a C40 award in London and awards for our Smart Blocks and 1200 Buildings programs. Just last week 1200 Buildings received further recognition at the <a href="http://www.eec.org.au/">Energy Efficiency Council</a> Industry Awards, as joint winners of the ‘Best Energy Savings Program.’ “It takes the efforts of an entire city to be recognised on this level. We know that achieving some of our goals including becoming carbon neutral by 2020 cannot be done alone. We applaud the buildings that have already embraced these changes and we will continue to work with other building managers through programs like 1200 Buildings to encourage more of this activity.” Cr Wood said.

<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/The-Great-Existing-Building-Challenge-2_designbuildsource_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Goods Shed South, Docklands. Image © www.designbuildsource.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/The-Great-Existing-Building-Challenge-2_designbuildsource_0.jpg?itok=p6t3fkyp" title="The Goods Shed South, Docklands. Image © www.designbuildsource.com" typeof="Image"></a>

The report reveals that lighting upgrades were the most common retrofit activity, followed by installing or upgrading building management systems, metering and upgrading chillers and boilers. Key motivations included replacing broken assets, minimising energy consumption, attracting or retaining tenants and extending the life of assets. Of these key motivators, the one that will not necessarily make the largest impact initially but most definitely the medium to long term would have to be minimising energy consumption. This certainly comes to the forefront particularly when you consider the<a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/policy-culture/2013/08/08/power-to-the-people"> upward energy and financial pressures</a> of operating and maintaining old structures that the 1200 Buildings initiative gains resonance.  However, in this day and age of short term commercial leasing arrangements (as it appears to be in some cases), attracting and retaining tenants through improving competitiveness and by meeting sustainability expectations is most likely to be the main driver for owners to increasingly take on retrofit initiatives.

The results of the survey may also show, in some capacity at least, that people tend to follow movements or initiatives when others have proven to receive benefit from it. In a sustainable urban development point of view, programs such as 1200 Buildings that bring older buildings into line with government and commercial environmental expectations are fantastic and let's hope that the momentum generated flows onto other Councils.
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flame

Building Retrofitting on the rise in Melbourne

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Melbourne's urban landscape is increasingly densifying with what appears to be a constant supply of residential development geared towards investors in inner city and medium ring suburbs.  As supply and choice increases, it becomes ever important for those choosing to invest in an inner city dwelling to consider investment criteria about and within a suburb to ensure that when you buy an apartment, you are buying maximum value for dollar.  Such criteria may include cost per square metre, proximity to amenity and public transport and owner versus renter breakdown, but one factor that is gaining increased gravity with investors is a suburb's walkability.

Walkability is a points system derived by <a href="http://www.walkscore.com">Walk Score</a> and uses accessibility and proximity for residents to people, places, attractions and transportation options amongst other considerations to determine how walk friendly a suburb is for those who choose to reside within it.  The aim of this scoring system is to promote healthier, happier and more sustainable lifestyles by pointing potential renters to areas which gives them more lifestyle options and subsequently provides investors a good guide on which areas are potentially a good investment.

Research on the local Melbourne property market conducted by advocate firm <a href="http://www.secretagent.com.au">Secret Agent</a> suggests that prices can rise by up to $298 per square metre for a five point increase on the Walk Score scale which works out to approximately $60 per square metre per point.  As a comparison, lets take two inner south suburbs of South Yarra and Elwood and compare an average 60 square metre apartment.  The Walk Score of South Yarra according to the scale is 92 compared to Elwood's 84, which is a difference of 8 Walk Score points.  Based on the Walk Score price guide alone, a purchaser would be paying on average approximately $480/sqm more in South Yarra than in Elwood. Obviously there are many other factors that affect an investors decision, but the main idea is to use the Walk Score as a guide when selecting a good investment.

<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/Walkability.JPG" rel="gallery-all" title="Image courtesy cleanairinitiative.org"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Walkability.JPG?itok=CMtWzPzf" title="Image courtesy cleanairinitiative.org" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Unsurprisingly, Melbourne's most walkable suburbs are located in the inner city and more to the point in the inner north with Carlton (currently with 10 residential projects listed on <a href="/developments">Urban.com.au's project database</a>) taking the crown as Numero Uno with a Walk Score of 97 out of a possible 100. Carlton is closely followed by it's inner city neighbours, Fitzroy (96) and Fitzroy North (93) in second and third place.  Melbourne in its entirety is second in Australia with a Walk Score of 57 compared to Sydney which has a Walk Score of 63.

What is alarming though, and again not surprising to most people that live in Melbourne, is that once you spread out beyond the sought after inner city suburbs, the Walk Score drops off dramatically and provides a very clear insight into Melbourne's car dependency.  For example, Truganina, a new suburban development area located in the outer western boundaries of Melbourne, has a poultry Walk Score of just 20 and is classed as Melbourne's 328th most walkable suburb.  Those that read Apartments.com.au regularly know that the message will always advocate for smarter planning that revolves around infrastructure and amenity, similar virtues to what the Walk Score aims to exemplify.  So to see a score down in at the bottom of the barrel such as Truganina's, it beggars the question - why suburban developments are allowed to continue to eat up more land and to keep people in their cars which adds no value to the public realm? 

At the end of the day, most people if they had a choice would choose to live near amenity and services and not have to rely on the car as much, but it is an unfortunate fact that today Melbourne is a car dependent city due to its suburban sprawl. To combat this and to ultimately improve the lifestyle of Melbourne's citizen's, urban densification is crucial by way of increased residential and commercial development to ensure that more people can live, work and play in close proximity to better and healthier lifestyle options.    
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How Good Walkability can equal Good Investment

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As an avid observer and participant of all the great activities and experiences Melbourne has to offer, it has been quite astonishing to see the amount of new hospitality outlets appearing all over the CBD and inner city. This increase can be attributed to a number of different factors but in my opinion, I believe that the main factor has been the prolonged and continuous policy implementation from the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government which have encouraged the 840,000 people that use the city daily to get involved in Melbourne's year long events calendar. As a consequence (and a positive one at that), people feel that they should stay in the city for longer to make a night of it, and therefore keeping Melbourne on top when it comes to quality and variety of retail and hospitality experiences compared to other cities in Australia.

The City of Melbourne along with the State Government have this week released the new Melbourne Retail and Hospitality Strategy 2013-2017 which demonstrates the desire from both levels of government to maintain, guide and expand Melbourne's retail and hospitality offerings for locals and visitors alike.  According to the <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutCouncil/MediaReleases/Pages/MelbournestillAustralia%E2%80%99sretailandhospitalitycapital.aspx" target="_blank">media release</a> on the City of Melbourne website, Newly released data in the strategy shows the retail and hospitality sectors contribute $8.7 billion, or ten per cent, of the city of Melbourne's $86 billion-plus economy each year. 

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said that there has been a 51 per cent increase in the number of retail and hospitality outlets with more than 5,100 outlets now located within the municipality which employee over 60,000 people, an increase of 46 per cent over the last decade. 

<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/Image32_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hihou &amp; Lui Bar - at the top of their game. Images courtesy Time Out Melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image32_0.jpg?itok=5D_M_Hc2" title="Hihou &amp; Lui Bar - at the top of their game. Images courtesy Time Out Melbourne" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Key features of the new strategy include:

<ul>
<li class="rtejustify">Encouragement of collaboration and innovation and improved government business support;</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">Finding new ways to encourage people to the city and enhancing the customer experience;</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">Ensuring the city's offering remains diverse and authentic, and;</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">Strengthen Melbourne's sustainability credentials.</li>
</ul>
The introduction of the new strategy works well with the 24 Hour City policy that the City of Melbourne implemented back in April 2010 as it encourages the activation of the city's streets around the clock.  Recent data also shows that the number of people visiting the city after 6pm has increased by 20 per cent on weekdays and by 40 per cent on weekends, and the night time economy is growing much faster than the wider economy.  Both levels of government should be commended on putting plans in place to capitalise on this growing trend, particularly when we consider that the City of Melbourne's population is increasing around 5 per cent per year at the current rate.

This brings me to my next point and a development topic that Apartments.com.au aims to promote avidly.  

According to <a href="/developments">Urban.com.au's project database</a>, there are currently 79 residential apartment projects within the City of Melbourne's LGA that are either in the planning assessment, approved, registrations and sales or under construction phase of development.  Over the next decade, even if 50 per cent of these projects are completed, the demand for amenity and services by a demographic of residents hungry for a compact lifestyle will generate vast economic opportunities for retailers and beyond. Therefore nurturing and guiding Melbourne's retailer offerings through policies such as the above is vital to bringing Melbourne's lifestyle offerings to the top of international standards and expectations.

<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/8501179227_9aca6e21d8_h.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="White Night Melbourne. Image © Ressell Charters via Flickr"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/8501179227_9aca6e21d8_h.jpg?itok=Vheo1Y2B" title="White Night Melbourne. Image © Ressell Charters via Flickr" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

The main challenge facing retailers is to remain innovative and creative by providing fresh ideas and options whilst for government, the challenge most certainly lies in creating a business environment with efficient support systems and introducing more "all-night" events similar to <a href="http://whitenightmelbourne.com.au/">White Night </a>to further enhance the night time economy.  At the end of the day, it can only be a good thing for retailers to have a greater window to peddle their wares and to provide an exciting customer experience, which in turn creates a more vibrant, exciting and international city that entices more people to migrate, live and play closer to Melbourne's heart.

Now about making White Night a weekly event over summer...
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Melbourne takes the next step to a 24-hour city

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It's that time again where Apartments.com.au delves into the project database and shines a spotlight on 5 projects which we think are worth highlighting. Since our previous look into projects currently under planning assessment in July 2013, Apartments.com.au has seen many interesting projects that have come to our attention, particularly from within the <a href="/news/fishermans-bend-to-become-australias-most-densely-populated-area">Fishermans Bend urban renewal zone</a>. Our chosen Top 5 residential projects that are currently under the status of Planning Assessment are as follows. Enjoy!

 

5. 464 Collins Street, Melbourne 

 

Why do we like this? Apartments.com.au highlighted this project in an article in September 2013 under the moniker of the "<a href="/news/the-pencil-skyscraper-464-collins-street-in-depth">Pencil Skyscraper</a>" which is exactly what it is. The render for the tower shows how astonishingly slender it is and with a height of nearly 200 metres, this tower has the potential to be an engineering marvel if built. The sleek, glassy design and the tower's location planted firmly in the legal district of Melbourne's CBD is sign of developer Equiset's aspiration to achieve something special with this building whilst standing out amongst the crowd.

<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/%235%20464%20Collins_BatesSmart%20new.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="464 Collins © Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/%235%20464%20Collins_BatesSmart%20new.jpg?itok=yLzhlVCy" title="464 Collins © Bates Smart" typeof="Image"></a>

 

4. <a href="/new-apartments/60-82-johnson-street-south-melbourne">60-82 Johnston Street, South Melbourne (aka Montague)</a>

 

Why do we like this? <a href="/architects/rothelowman">Rothe Lowman architects</a> have been busy lately putting together some fantastic schemes for a number of proposals dotted around town. This particular project really stood out for Apartments.com.au with its close proximity to South Wharf, Docklands and Port Melbourne within the proposal <a href="/news/fishermans-bend-to-become-australias-most-densely-populated-area">Fishermans Bend urban renewal area</a> of Montague. In light of this, it will be interesting to see if this project does go ahead as it may set a precedent for the area in terms of mass and style. We shall wait and see.

<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/%234%2060-82%20Johnston%20Street%20South%20Melbourne_Rothe%20Lowman.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="60-82 Johnston Street © Rothe Lowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/%234%2060-82%20Johnston%20Street%20South%20Melbourne_Rothe%20Lowman.jpg?itok=asWIkZVi" title="60-82 Johnston Street © Rothe Lowman" typeof="Image"></a>

 

3.<a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/projects/melbourne/2-78-bouverie-street-carlton"> </a><a href="/new-apartments/carlton-vic-3053">2-78 Bouverie Street, Carlton </a>

 

Why do we like this? Since the <a href="/news/grocons-cub-site-takes-the-next-step">former CUB brewery site</a> at the northern apex of Swanston Street was first earmarked for redevelopment by Grocon during 2006, many folks on Apartments.com.au have waited eagerly for this site to be redeveloped to provide a QV-esque vibrancy to the area considering the sites prominence and proximity to nearby universities and the Queens Victoria Market. Seven years down the track and progression is gathering pace, particularly with this proposal being submitted in recent times. A fascinating façade along Bouverie Street which appears to mimic a waterfall, this proposal adds visual interest to the area, colour and texture. The more the merrier we say.

<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/%233%202-78%20Bouverie%20Street%20Carlton_Studio%20505.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="2-78 Bouverie Street © Studio 505"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/%233%202-78%20Bouverie%20Street%20Carlton_Studio%20505.jpg?itok=vf9wvxA9" title="2-78 Bouverie Street © Studio 505" typeof="Image"></a>

 

2. 193 Buckley Street, Essendon 

 

Why do we like this? Apartments.com.au aims to encourage good architecture and design to help facilitate urban densification across metropolitan Melbourne. This project is a great example of a small to medium sized project which is located in an up and coming urban redevelopment pocket along Buckley Street in Essendon. The hexagonal panels on the street facing façade provides nice visual interest whilst adding to population density close to essential services and amenity in a middle ring suburb. Something that Apartments.com.au will always champion.

<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/%232%20193%20Buckley%20Street%20Essendon_John%20Demos%20Architects.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="193 Buckley Street © John Demos Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/%232%20193%20Buckley%20Street%20Essendon_John%20Demos%20Architects.jpg?itok=0Y8OM7KY" title="193 Buckley Street © John Demos Architects" typeof="Image"></a>

 

1. <a href="/new-apartments/228-238-normanby-road-southbank">228-238 Normanby Street, South Melbourne (aka Montague) </a>

 

Why do we like this? Another proposal situated within the Fishermans Bend urban renewal area, Normanby Street screams all glass and all class. <a href="/news/so-very-melbourne-228-238-normanby-road-south-melbourne">A very Melbourne style</a> which, if built, will stand the test of time and set the bar high for other projects in Fishermans Bend. Height and aesthetics aside, the true success of this project and others like it, will not be a question of how good the glass is but how the podium interacts at street level and whether it works within the Fishermans Bend urban renewal scheme. Time will tell, but one thing is for sure, you will not see many people on Apartments.com.au decry a project which has the potential to add to Melbourne’s already classy skyline.

<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/%231%20228-238%20Normanby%20Street%20South%20Melbourne_Rothe%20Lowman.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="228-238 Normanby Street © Rothe Lowman"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/%231%20228-238%20Normanby%20Street%20South%20Melbourne_Rothe%20Lowman.jpg?itok=dACfw4dZ" title="228-238 Normanby Street © Rothe Lowman" typeof="Image"></a>

 

What do you think?  Did we get it right?  Have your say by Registering or by Logging In to Apartments.com.au.

 
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Urban.com.au's Top 5 Picks: Planning Assessment November 2013

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Leading the way in sustainable water management, the City of Melbourne have recently released its new policy which focuses on ways that aim to make Melbourne a more water sensitive city.  The new policy titled Total Watermark City as a Catchment follows on from previous City of Melbourne water management policies that began in 2002 then were supported by the adoption of Total Watermark in 2004 and the Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Guidelines in 2005.  

According to the document recently published by the City of Melbourne, the new policy revises Total Watermark to place it within the 'city as a catchment' context and aims to protect our waterways, respond to climate change and sustainably manage the total water cycle. Further to this, the new policy recognises and acknowledges that a single centalised water supply is not a sustainable option for a city like Melbourne due to recent changes in the climate that have resulted in reduced rainfall in eastern and southern parts of Australia.

Apartments.com.au certainly supports alternative water supply initiatives which aim to passively and actively use our current infrastructure to better manage relatively easily attainable resources such as rainwater and storm water. 

The policy adopts sustainable water management hierarchy incorporating water supply within and beyond the local catchment and is supported by the Model WSUD Guidelines developed by the City of Melbourne in conjunction with the cities of Port Phillip, Stonnington and Yarra.  According to the policy document, the management considerations are as follows:

<ul>
<li>Reduce water demand to conserve water and minimise the generation of wastewater, across all new building and infrastructure works as well as refurbishments and extensions.</li>
	<li>Consider rainwater harvesting as a simple and low impact alternative water source requiring little, if any treatment.</li>
	<li>Consider stormwater harvesting providing the dual benefits of water savings, and improving water quality (by preventing polluted water going down the drain).</li>
	<li>Consider water recycling with a focus on low-energy, low maintenance systems.</li>
</ul>
The policy document goes further by emphasising the considerations of rainwater and storm water beyond the local catchment by stating the City of Melbourne must account for the following:

<ul>
<li>Consider wastewater carried along the Melbourne Water Sewerage Transfer Network. Use low energy technology, and ensure that demand is great enough to maximise the system.</li>
	<li>Consider storm water in the Yarra River, Maribyrnong River and Moonee Ponds Creek. At the 'bottom of the catchment' the City of Melbourne is not generally limited by environmental flow requirement, but it is necessary to assess other environmental factors.</li>
	<li>Consider potable water use from the centralised mains system if none of the above water management approaches are suitable for a particular site.</li>
	<li>Consider groundwater. This is a low priority for the City of Melbourne as the groundwater within the municipality is shallow and saline.</li>
</ul>
Now that the playing field has been set, the City of Melbourne has also set out performance targets to help measure the success of the policy implications in response to the aforementioned considerations. In essence the policy commits the City of Melbourne to increasing water sourced from alternative supplies, improving stormwater quality, reducing wastewater and supporting groundwater.  These targets are as follows:

Water saving targets

<ul>
<li>50 per cent reduction in potable water consumption per employee by 2020.</li>
	<li>40 per cent reduction in potable water consumption per resident by 2020.</li>
	<li>90 per cent reduction in potable water consumption by Council by 2020.</li>
	<li>25 per cent 'absolute' water saving target by 2020.</li>
</ul>
Alternative water use targets

<ul>
<li>Council will source 30 per cent of its water needs from alternative water sources by 2020.</li>
	<li>Non-Council land managers will source nine per cent of their water needs from alternative water sources by 2020.</li>
</ul>
Storm water quality targets

<ul>
<li>
​20 per cent reduction in total suspended solids (soil, tyre residue etc.) on Council and non-Council land by 2020.
</li>
	<li>30 per cent reduction in litter on Council and non-Council land by 2020.</li>
	<li>15 per cent in total phosphorus (fertilisers, detergents etc.) on Council land by 2020.</li>
	<li>25 per cent in total phosphorus (fertilisers, detergents etc.) on non-Council land by 2020.</li>
	<li>30 per cent in total nitrogen (fertilisers, air-borne pollutants etc.) on Council land by 2020.</li>
	<li>40 per cent in total nitrogen (fertilisers, air-borne pollutants etc.) on non-Council land by 2020.</li>
</ul>
Wastewater reduction target

<ul>
<li>30 per cent reduction in wastewater across the municipality by 2020.</li>
</ul>
Groundwater quality target

<ul>
<li>Where groundwater needs to be re-injected to prevent land subsidence, it needs to be of equal or better water to the water in the aquifer.</li>
</ul>
Clearly, these are quite ambitious performance targets that the City of Melbourne has set itself, however Apartments.com.au will always support sustainability policies such as this where governing bodies set an example to others.

Recently, Apartments.com.au highlighted one particular project known as the <a href="/news/re-directing-stormwater-for-melbournes-benefit">Darling Street Project</a> located in East Melbourne which captured storm water run-off then filtered the water using a biofilter before re-using the water to look after the water demands of the nearby Darling Gardens.  This project is certainly in-line with the Council's Total Watermark policy and shines a spotlight on the need to conserve a valuable resource and to constantly think of new ways to capture and re-use water that usually runs into the drain.  

It is also important to point out that due to the success of the Darling Street Project, the Council is funding a new project located in the Fitzroy Gardens which is essentially the same as Darling Street however on a much larger scale, which is very encouraging the see and shows the Council is practicing what it is preaching.

Some future challenges that lie beyond the targets within the municipality will be implementing a similar policy across metropolitan Melbourne Councils. When you consider Melbourne's ever increasing population growth and planning policy shifts toward higher density living, water quality and supply pressures around the current water systems will increase, so in hindsight implementing a similar policy may not be too challenging after all as Councils may not have a choice.

 

Further reading on the Total Watermark - City as a Catchment policy document can be sourced<a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/Sustainability/CouncilActions/Documents/city_as_catchment.pdf"> here</a>.
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Total Watermark - Making Melbourne a Water Catchment

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Melbourne finds itself in the midst of a development site buy-up unlike any the city has has experienced in the past.  Last week, news came to light about Singaporean developer, Hiap Hoe, purchasing not one but two strategic properties in Melbourne’s CBD which adds to their recent purchase of MAB’s development site located at 6-22 Pearl River Road in NewQuay only two months ago.

Last week initial announcement specified that Hiap Hoe purchased 380 Lonsdale Street in Melbourne which currently operates as a commercial car park, office and retail complex.  With a sale price of $43.8 million it's widely regarded as a premium 3,165 square metre CBD site which spans an entire city block near the corner of Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets.  The site has been recently issued with a planning permit for a 46 storey mixed use tower designed by the prominent architecture firm Spowers which will incorporate a combination of residential, commercial and retail components valued at approximately $480 million. 

Following 380 Lonsdale Street's purchase, Executive Chairman and CEO of Hiap Hoe, Mr Teo Ho Beng was delighted with the company’s purchase.  “The opportunity to acquire a substantial core Melbourne CBD development site with an approved permit represents a strategic acquisition for our group.  We are delighted to not only have secured the site for future development but also to be able to acquire a holding such as this with an income that represents an income yield close to 6%, well suited to our future plans.” said Mr Teo Ho Beng.

Tracey Wun, the Executive Director of Hiap Hoe echoed the CEO’s sentiments and commented on the future development of the site.  “Active development for the 380 Lonsdale Street is a further 12 – 24 months away and will incorporate 627 apartments, 740 commercial and residential car parks with dynamic ground level retail to activate the street to encourage pedestrian thoroughfare into the building.”

<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/Hiap%20Hoe.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="380 Lonsdale Street. Image © Spowers. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Hiap%20Hoe.jpeg?itok=uP5LEHnH" title="380 Lonsdale Street. Image © Spowers. " typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Testament to Hiap Hoe’s ambitious and enthusiastic approach to their Australian expansion plan, a second announcement was made the very next day outlining Hiap Hoe's purchase of the established retail and commercial complex at <a href="http://206bourke.com.au/">206 Bourke Street.</a> Located close to Melbourne’s ever expanding retail core, three CBD train stations and well connected with trams along Bourke Street and Swanston Street, 206 Bourke Street will continue to be a central hub for locals and visitors. 

Speaking about their third acquisition, Mr Teo Ho Beng said “This acquisition of 206 Bourke Street has everything we were looking for in a long-term investment project in Melbourne – attractive yield in excess of 7%, high leasing rate at 98% in Melbourne’s Chinatown precinct, and the opportunity to expand with the interests of Melbourne to generate a high net return for all parties involved. 

Hiap Hoe believed the time was right to ‘green light’ the acquisitions because of two major contributing factors.  Firstly, the falling value of the Australian Dollar, which filliped the decision to take advantage of the better value by the movement in currency.  Secondly, and notably, the enormous injection of capital occurring in the immediate vicinity of 380 Lonsdale Street spearheaded by the $1.3 billion re-development of the former Melbourne Myer Department store soon to be opened and known as ‘Emporium Melbourne’ with an expected completion of March 2014.

The latest 380 Lonsdale Street acquisition is part of a highly tactical and well thought out campaign which has taken years in the making and is only now coming to fruition. The first move was in July 2013 when Hiap Hoe purchased their maiden property in Melbourne, a 3,795 square metre approved development site at 6-22 Pearl River Road in NewQuay.  The approved tower designed by <a href="/architects/dko-architecture">DKO architecture</a> has real potential to become an iconic tower for Docklands and Melbourne, making it to No. 2 on our recent <a href="/news/urban-com-aus-top-5-picks-approved-september-2013">Top 5 list of approved projects</a>.

<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/lbou6053v01village-206-bourke-street.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="206 Bourke Street. Image © Floodslicer"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/lbou6053v01village-206-bourke-street.jpg?itok=GEMMhGby" title="206 Bourke Street. Image © Floodslicer" typeof="Image"></a>

Given the city's ranking as the world’s most livable city for the third year in a row, Hiap Hoe is enthusiastic about the development and growth potential Melbourne has to offer.  “Melbourne’s CBD receives more than 1 million international visitors per year and the number of weekday local visitors to the area is estimated to be approximately 825,000 visitors per day.  With the growing visitor numbers and no centrally located major developments in the vicinity, 380 Lonsdale Street is well placed to meet the needs of the ever-growing local population, business community, shoppers and visitors.”

Many recent property acquisitions have come via Asian property developers specifically from Malaysia, Singapore and China that are cashed up and ready to try their hand at Melbourne’s burgeoning property development scene. This is certainly very encouraging for our local economy and construction industry when vast flows of investment are being directed squarely at Melbourne. All we have to say is there is more to come, and you can bet that UrbanMelbourne.info will be here so you will be up to date with all the latest in Melbourne’s urban development progression.
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Hiap Hoe! Let's Go!

Tour De Nicholson Village

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It is that time again when Apartments.com.au takes a look into the vast depths of our <a href="/developments">project database</a> and this month we select the Top 5 from the projects currently approved.

<h2>5. The Altus, <a href="/new-apartments/docklands-vic-3008">238 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands</a>
</h2>

Why do we like this? Besides the fact that if built it will be one of the tallest towers in Docklands and most certainly the tallest in Digital Harbour, the design will complement the curves and glass of <a href="/developers/mab-corporation">MAB Corp's</a> <a href="/buildings/the-quays-231-harbour-esplanade-docklands">The Quays</a> to the west located in NewQuay and also provide a landmark structure for the Footscray Road gateway into Docklands. Furthermore, the Altus will include a 4.5 star Sheraton Four Points hotel when completed.

<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/Altus.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Altus © BellaCharlton"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Altus.jpg?itok=A2O1v-OU" title="The Altus © BellaCharlton" typeof="Image"></a>

<h2>4. Rawhouse, <a href="/new-apartments/fitzroy-vic-3065">97-99 Rose Street, Fitzroy</a>
</h2>

Why do we like this? From the team that have brought us <a href="/new-apartments/mesh-apartments-8-florence-street-brunswick">The Commons</a> comes <a href="/news/two-thumbs-up">Rawhouse</a> which if built, will incorporate similar architectural and sustainability features as its predecessor. Even though it is a relatively small development only housing a total of 12 apartments, Rawhouse also features an open stair well, a concrete and timber facade which will be recycled where possible and will have no car parking due to its close proximity to amenity and services. Also being located in <a href="/new-apartments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a> just behind the Veggie Bar, the concept of this building will certainly appeal to those that want to live in this area and with only 12 of these babies available, they will surely be sold in a flash.

<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/raw.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rawhouse © Breathe Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/raw.jpg?itok=6KH3lO73" title="Rawhouse © Breathe Architecture" typeof="Image"></a>

<h2>3. 9-11 Caravel Lane, Caroline Springs</h2>

Why do we like this? We like this because it is a multi-storey island in a sea of suburbia! Along with <a href="/buildings/135-the-esplanade-caroline-springs">Cascada</a> situated just down the road, these apartments set a good example of apartment living in a non traditional setting. If we also consider that the <a href="/buildings/135-the-esplanade-caroline-springs">Regional Rail Link</a> is being constructed and will pass nearby to Caroline Springs, the public transport service starved outer suburbs may see the light yet.

<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/MA-Caravel-Ln-01.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="9-11 Caravel Lane © Metaxas Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/MA-Caravel-Ln-01.jpg?itok=qSLGMNtC" title="9-11 Caravel Lane © Metaxas Architects" typeof="Image"></a>

<h2>2. <a href="/buildings/marina-tower-6-pearl-river-road-docklands">6-22 Pearl River Road, NewQuay</a>
</h2>

Why do we like this? This building designed by <a href="/architects/dko-architecture">dko Architecture</a> has the potential to become an iconic building for NewQuay, Docklands and Melbourne. The leaning, protruding structure provides a striking silhouette and would also provide fantastic waterfront views for those lucky enough to live in the building. In July 2013, MAB Corp sold off the site to the prominent Singaporean developer <a href="/developers/hiap-hoe">Hiap Hoe</a> which has hit the ground running in their first foray into the Australian property realm reportedly wanting to start construction immediately! Great enthusiasm!

<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/DKO.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="6-22 Pearl River Road, NewQuay © dko Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/DKO.jpg?itok=gVJr2MQ4" title="6-22 Pearl River Road, NewQuay © dko Architecture" typeof="Image"></a>

<h2>1. <a href="/buildings/light-house-450-elizabeth-street-melbourne">450 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne</a>
</h2>

Why do we like this? An <a href="/architects/fraser-partners-0">Elenberg Fraser</a> cracker! This 62 level tower is just shy of the 200 metre mark features a fantastic folding facade that creates a visually striking wave effect from the lower levels and all the way to the top. Hopefully we will see this tower move through to registrations and sales in the near future!

<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/11038_450_Elizabeth_Street_Elenberg%20fraser.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="450 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne © Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/11038_450_Elizabeth_Street_Elenberg%20fraser.jpg?itok=1HI0mNya" title="450 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne © Elenberg Fraser" typeof="Image"></a>

Do you agree with our list? Tell us what you think.
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Urban.com.au's Top 5 Picks: Approved September 2013

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Melbourne, rightly or wrongly, has a reputation for being a city where it always seems to rain.  In some periods particularly in late winter and spring, Melbourne and Victoria for that matter certainly gets its fair share in what the weatherman would term as a "normal" year for those of us that reside in this fair city, we know that the amount of rainfall we experience is highly variable. Not too long ago, much of Australia including Melbourne suffering water shortages due to a stubbornly persistent drought , and as a result, many of our green spaces were left parched.  Consequently the use and storage of our water reserves became front and centre of many people's day to day conversation.
So with Melbourne's increasing population through continued urban and suburban expansion, and an increasing value that the community is putting into open green space and urban waterways, it is essential that councils and relevant authorities maintain these community assets in a manner that utilises and protects our water supplies in a sustainable way.  These days the increasingly and more commonly used technology to capture and re-direct storm water in an urban setting is Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). 
In recent years, Melbourne Water have made the incorporation of WSUD technologies mandatory as a condition of a town planning permit when new developments are planned.  According to the Melbourne Water <a href="http://www.melbournewater.com.au/Planning-and-building/Stormwater-management/Water-Sensitive-Urban-Design/Pages/The-WSUD-approach.aspx">website</a>, a typical WSUD system can generally be applied in a few different ways which include:
<ul>
<li class="rtejustify">
		Grassed or landscaped swales.</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">
		Infiltration trenches and bio-retention systems.</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">
		Gross pollutant traps (GPT), wetlands and sediment ponds.</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">
		Rainwater tanks - stormwater harvesting and reuse.</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">
		Grey water harvesting and reuse.</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">
		Rain gardens, <a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/esd/2013/03/09/roof-top-farming-part-of-the-future-of-inner-city-living">rooftop and urban gardens</a>.</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">
		Porous pavements.</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">
		Aquifer recharge and reuse.</li>
</ul>
Further to this, the key principles of WSUD are as follows:
<ul>
<li class="rtejustify">
		Protecting Waterways - Protection of waterways within urban developments so they can be maintained as valuable community assets and support healthy aquatic ecosystems.</li>
	<li class="rtejustify">
		Manage stormwater in the landscape - Passively manage stormwater rather than allowing it to all drain into waterways. By reducing the volume and frequency of stormwater releases, the quality of stormwater reaching our waterways increases. Also it is worth pointing out that stormwater will only pass through during a normal rain event. If there is a heavy down pour, the WSUD technologies are designed to be bypassed to assist in preventing localised flooding. </li>
	<li class="rtejustify">
		Addition of benefits whilst reducing development costs - Provision of a range of benefits including alternate supply, improved amenity and safety and enhancing waterways and lakes.  The inclusion of WSUD minimises the drainage infrastructure development costs by reducing pipe sizes and potentially erplacing other large scale reticulated water systems with local solutions.</li>
</ul>
A great example of how WSUD can be used in an established urban is the <a href="http://www.clearwater.asn.au/content/darling-street-stormwater-harvesting-project-0">Darling Street Stormwater Harvesting Project</a>, East Melbourne.  The case study explains that stormwater is harvested using an innovative technique where water is collected from two nearby existing drains, then diverted through a GPT and sedimentation chamber before being stored in an underground storage tank.  Once the water is in the tank, it is pumped out and conveyed into aboveground bio-filtration systems (see image below) for treatment, then is finally stored within another storage tank.
The treated water can then be used to irrigate nearby parks and streetscapes including Darling Square, Powlett Reserve and medians on Grey, Simpson, Powlett and Albert Streets.  Total cost of the project was a touch over $1.7 million, and was the first of its kind to be implemented by the City of Melbourne. The implementation of this project is the only beginning of a much larger program where the council aims to construct 1-2 systems on various sites within the City of Melbourne municipality.
<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/Image14_565.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Biofiltration median works and result on Darling Street. Images © Clearwater."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image14_565.jpg?itok=MibEiPCC" title="Biofiltration median works and result on Darling Street. Images © Clearwater." typeof="Image"></a>
In addition to the Darling Street project and in a response to the lack of rainfall over the last decade, the Yarra City Council and Melbourne Water collaborated between 2010 and 2011 to construct a raingarden within the Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy North.  Similar to the Darling Street project, the raingarden filters stormwater and collects it in an underground storage tank located in the northeast section of the park.  The raingarden itself takes approximately 600sq m of the site of the demolished Ladies Bowling Club within the southern section of the park.  It is estimated that the water collected from the raingarden will be able to supply 50% of the water requirements for the Edinburgh Gardens.
Both aforementioned projects highlight the benefits of capturing stormwater in two different settings, however both were similar as they were retrofitted into existing infrastructure.  But what about rainwater harvesting in apartment developments?  Well it is safe to say that a number of recent developments have either incorporated rainwater harvesting such as <a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/esd/2013/03/19/a-rare-city-acre-in-fitzroy-north">Roi apartments in Fitzroy North </a> and the upcoming <a href="http://urbanmelbourne.info/projects/moreland/c3-apartments-29-31-frith-st-brunswick">C3 apartments in Brunswick</a>.  These residential developments harvest stormwater by collecting water from the roof and channeling it through to  storage tanks that were or will be installed between the ceiling of the underground car park and the ground surface.  Water filtration in this setting is generally not required as the roof surface is quite clean relative to roadways and urban streetscapes, so the water is used directly onto garden beds or for toilet flushing  following storage.
WSUD has been a great success so far where implemented.  Key drivers for the success of these projects for both councils and developers generally revolves around the costs and outcome, so with increased implementation, community acceptance and understanding of the technologies, there is no doubt that WSUD will continue its rise as a cost effective and environmentally appealing feature in our streets and in our homes, because the next drought is only ever so far away. 
 
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Re-directing stormwater for Melbourne's benefit

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Urban development is something that we and our audience are passionate about, and the process in which our cities grow is certainly paramount to our future prosperity as a community and society. However there is a phenomenon discovered by Luke Howard in the early 19th century that gets a bit lost amongst the construction and development. This phenomenon is known as the urban heat island effect (UHI) and it occurs when urban development replaces natural permeable surfaces such as grass land or bush land with dry and impermeable surfaces such as concrete and asphalt.

UHI is defined by a metropolitan area having an increased temperature of 1-3 degrees Celsius higher compared to that of surrounding rural or vegetated areas. Further to temperature changes, UHI can also affect localised meteorology by altering wind patterns, creating fogs and clouds and changing the rates of precipitation. The main cause of UHI is that buildings block surface heat from radiating into the relatively cold night air as the changes in thermal properties of the surface materials and the lack of evapotranspiration (i.e. natural cooling effect in vegetated areas) significantly alter the heat capacity and the thermal conductivity compared to rural areas.

So why should we care about UHI? What sort of implications could there be for the inhabitants of metropolitan Melbourne? The elevated temperatures from UHIs during the summer months can affect the community's environment and quality of life. Some effects can be positive via the lengthening of plant growth seasons, the majority are negative and can include:

<ul>
<li>
Increased energy consumption: Higher temperatures in the summer periods increase the energy demands from people trying to keep cool and in turn adds pressure to the electricity generators. Based on current energy production trends, this in turn increases the production of greenhouse emissions which promotes the formation of ground-level ozone.</li>
	<li>
Compromised human health and comfort levels: As UHIs are characterised by increased temperature, they can potentially increase the magnitude and duration of heat waves within cities. The warmer days and nights along with higher air pollution levels, contribute to general discomfort, respiratory difficulties, heat cramps and exhaustion, non-fatal heat stroke and heat related mortalities.</li>
	<li>
Impacted water quality and aquatic life: As the storm water is not absorbed naturally, the increased temperatures of pavements and rooftop surfaces transfer their excess heat to storm water after a rain event which then drains into water ways. The variations in water temperatures can be stressful to aquatic ecosystems and in turn disrupt the natural workings of fragile environments.</li>
</ul>
An example of UHI effects can be seen below in the image showing the emissivity (i.e. heat distribution) at your average shopping centre complex which clearly shows the asphalt and paved areas absorbing and radiating much more heat (indicated by the red and orange colours) than the roofs of the shopping centre complex. Although this does not appear correct, the "cool" roofs (indicated by the blue colour) are regarded as an abnormality in the data collection approach because corrugated iron has low emissivity and therefore appear to be cold.

<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/UHI%20Shopping%20centre.PNG" rel="gallery-all" title="UHI effect at a surburban shopping centre. Image courtesy AECOM."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="278" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/UHI%20Shopping%20centre.PNG?itok=WKsfTih1" title="UHI effect at a surburban shopping centre. Image courtesy AECOM." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>UHI effect at a surburban shopping centre. Image courtesy AECOM.</figcaption></figure>Furthermore an additional image of a metropolitan area, which is typical of much of metropolitan Melbourne's sprawl belt comprising of detached houses, show roofs and pavement radiating plenty of heat whilst the vegetated areas, namely the gardens and the lawns, not emitting heat into the surrounding environment.

<figure><img alt="" height="321" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/pictures/article-images/UHI%20detached%20housing.PNG" title="UHI effect amongst detached houses. Image courtesy AECOM." width="564"><figcaption>UHI effect amongst detached houses. Image courtesy AECOM.</figcaption></figure>Even though some may see these effects as somewhat vague and not clear, the impacts that they have collectively in a large metropolitan setting such as Melbourne may have the potential to cause long lasting effects if they aren't addressed appropriately. As a result of many studies, appropriate mitigation strategies are available, and local councils have been working hard to gain an understanding of the effects of UHI in their particular municipalities. These mitigation strategies and the desired effects include:

<ul>
<li>
Increase vegetation: Encourage evapotranspirative cooling and shade built surfaces. A good example of this in a urban Melbourne context would be the provision of <a href="/news/roof-top-farming-part-of-the-future-of-inner-city-living">rooftop farms and gardens</a> which is something Apartments.com.au touched on earlier in the year.</li>
	<li>
Water sensitive urban design: Retain the storm water run off to increase evaporation, and increase water availability for irrigation.</li>
	<li>
Increased albedo: Increase solar reflection and in turn reducing heat storage in urban areas by allowing the heat to dissipate quicker.</li>
	<li>
Outdoor landscaping: Protect buildings from solar radiation using deciduous vegetation where possible.</li>
	<li>
Building and street design: Building structures orientated in a way that allows for passive urban ventilation and to balance the thermal distribution. Also improve building design to reduce cooling requirements.</li>
	<li>
Parklands and open space: Many parts of Melbourne certainly maintain plenty of open space, these areas provide local cooling in built up areas.</li>
	<li>
Mass/public transport: The final point is something that Apartments.com.au keeps advocating and will keep advocating. The use of <a href="/news/melbourne-metro-saviour-of-the-outer-burbs">public transport</a> reduces private vehicle use which results in less waste heat from exhaust and also reduces the ground level ozone effects.</li>
</ul>
Increasingly, urban development both in vertical sense and horizontal sense is happening in Melbourne. Even though we face many different challenges including the effects of UHI as Melbourne develops, it is encouraging to know that there are practical and somewhat simple ways that could be incorporated either pre- or post-development and as a result we can help mitigate these effects as we move forward into a more sustainable future.
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Urban Heat Island Effect: What's that?

One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

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FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

Joel Robinson

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<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/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

Chris Peska

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