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<h2>Comment</h2>

Apparently, 9 minutes will be shaved off the time to travel from Pakenham and the City when the Monash Freeway expands, yet again.

“The [Monash] freeway will be widened between Warrigal Road and Eastlink and between Clyde Road and Cardinia Road, cutting an estimated nine minutes off a peak-hour trip between Pakenham and the city,” according to a joint federal and state government media release.

The language might resonate with some voters but there comes a point where you have to call out rubbish.

Pakenham has a population of just under 50,000.  It's no small fringe suburb by any stretch of the imagination, but it also has an even better way of travelling "to the city", it's called a train.

The Monash Freeway might give Pakenham-dwellers a traffic-light-free journey to the city (at very least, to Montague Street or Kings Way) but not everyone in Pakenham is travelling to the city, nor is everyone who lives in any suburb between Pakenham and inner Melbourne travelling to the city. 

Huge amounts of traffic enter and exit the freeway between the aforementioned endpoints every day so why the focus on the extreme fringe to the centre of the city?

Central Melbourne does not need more cars funnelled into it.  I repeat, central Melbourne does not need more cars.  It is the one place which is incredibly accessible via the public transport network from any point in the metropolitan area and the one place where space is at such a premium that there are far more worthy land-uses than car parking.

The language that governments use when describing mega-road projects is understandable and calibrated to address specific interests - if its a new road, there will be time travel benefits and an upgrade will most likely 'appear' to fix things. 

Time savings are easily digestible and resonate but in the case of making trips from the outer suburbs to the city faster, the problem that permeates elsewhere - people believe its best to drive to the city when there are good alternatives - and those alternatives, the train network at the very least, is seeing improvements at the same time.

The Pakenham and Cranbourne lines are seeing major upgrades - tomorrow, Monday the 18th, there will be no level crossing between Dandenong and the City which removes the train and car conflicts, station facilities have been rebuilt and over the medium term a new signalling system and new route will allow even more trains to run on the corridor.

There might be some travel time benefits - a few minutes here, a few minutes there - when the new fleet of trains takes over total operations on the Pakenham/Cranbourne line, ditto when the route is altered to only stop at the new ANZAC station before getting to Town Hall/Flinders Street, but there could be more.

If the Monash is getting an extra lane in each direction every 5-10 years, and now we're finally seeing a one or two generational leap in rail technology and operations on the Dandenong corridor, is it not time to deliver big travel time benefits for train users by adding more track and running permanent express services?

We've discussed many of the constraints of track expansion in Melbourne on Apartments.com.au before and at the city end it'll get expensive, but the East-West Link is expensive, the West Gate Tunnel is expensive, the North-East Link is expensive. 

Melbourne's South East is the only section of the metropolitan area that is set to continue greenfields development out to the growth boundary and will include two of the five National Employment and Innovation Clusters (Dandenong South and Monash) as well as continue to enjoy direct rail access to the major job cluster at the end of the Pakenham/Cranbourne line in the city.

Road projects seem to be at least partially justified because freight users require them - with employment set to concentrate in Monash in particular, don't the governments owe it to the future employees of central Melbourne, Monash and Dandenong to connect these areas with fast express train services?

Lead image credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monash_Fwy_W_from_Tooronga_peak.jpg">Wikipedia</a>.
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Alastair Taylor

Monash Freeway upgrades: 9 minutes of short-term congestion relief

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Adelaide Airport will begin immediate construction on a $165 million expansion which will expand floor space, shopping and dining areas as well as expand international departure and arrival space.

Work is set to begin in earnest with the key focus of the expansion being on improving the passenger departure and arrival experience, <a href="https://www.adelaideairport.com.au/corporate/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nr-terminal-expansion-14.6-final.pdf">a statement</a> from the airport says.

When the new terminal opened in 2005, Adelaide Airport gained a single terminal for both international and domestic flights.  Unique among the major capital airports in Australia (however Canberra has since joined Adelaide in this respect), some gates could be ringfenced and secured for international departures and arrivals or switched back for domestic use.

The new expansion will see this 'swing configuration' continue however a single gate - number 18 - will become a permanent international gate where the focus of improving international passenger facilities will be.

A second international baggage claim belt will be added in the international arrivals hall and a new common user premium lounge will be constructed.

Other improvements include relocation of the Virgin Australia lounge and an expansion of office space for airlines and regulatory authorities based at the airport.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SseeZna6lvU" width="100%"></iframe>

<blockquote>
Since we opened the existing terminal in 2005, our overall passenger numbers have increased by close to 50 per cent.

Our international passenger numbers alone have almost tripled over the same period. This extraordinary growth means we need to keep growing our existing facilities.

While we still have sufficient gate capacity to meet future forecast growth in the number of flights, we’re reaching capacity within the terminal.

This expansion will allow us to be fit-for-purpose based on our future growth forecasts.
<cite>Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Mark Young</cite>
</blockquote>

Virgin Australia's Group Executive, Rob Sharp, said: "the relocation of the Virgin Australia Lounge presents an exciting opportunity and we look forward to sharing more detail on our plans in due course."

The expansion is going to see a 'complete refurbishment of retail areas, resulting in a more than 80 per cent increase in the overall size of the terminal’s retail and dining precinct across domestic and international areas,' according to an airport statement.

Federal Government statistics show Adelaide's busiest domestic route is to Melbourne with 2 475,200 people flying between the city pair over the year ending March 31st, 2018.

This compares with Australia's busiest city pair, Melbourne-Sydney, which sees 9 191,700 passengers fly between the two cities.

For the year ending March 31st, 2018, Adelaide saw 985,748 people use the airport on international flights and if it continues to grow at the rate it did over the past 12 months, it could join the top 5 international airports in Australia within a few years.  Gold Coast is currently in 5th spot with 1,079,568 flying in and out internationally.

Watpac has been appointed builder for the expansion and work is set to be completed in 2021.

Lead image credit: Adelaide Airport.
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Adelaide Airport starts $165 million expansion

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Manufacturing on the new fleet of Melbourne trains, dubbed the High-Capacity Metro Train (HCMT) fleet, that will run on the Pakenham/Cranbourne lines and eventually through the metro tunnel to the Sunbury line, has kicked off in earnest at an assembly facility in Newport.

The bodies of the new trains are being manufactured offshore however key components are being locally built including bogies, traction motors and pantographs.  All the components are being assembled at the Newport facility where the trains will then roll on to the network.

The rolling construction blitzes the state government has been announcing at regular intervals of late point to the scale of the changes to infrastructure required for the new trains.

The last two vehicle types to enter into the Melbourne train fleet, the Siemens and the X'trapolis, were, for the most part, assembled offshore and then delivered to the network and their introduction did not yield the infrastructure changes that are happening on the Pakenham/Cranbourne lines for the latest entrant to the fleet.

The current shutdown relates to commissioning the latest piece of the level crossing removal project in the Dandenong corridor - where the new trains will run.  The next construction blitz, outlined last week, will include upgrading the catenary (overhead wires and stanchions) between Pakenham and Dandenong.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X3Mn9y2mXMs" width="100%"></iframe>

Bogies for the new HCMTs are being manufactured in Bendigo, the traction motors in Morwell and the pantographs in Hallam.  Final assembly is carried out in Newport where Downer, as part of the Evolution Rail consortium who won the $2.4 billion contract in 2016, has spent $16 million upgrading facilities in the historic rail yard.

The first delivery of a train for testing is expected later in 2018 and they will undergo a testing regime before the first set is placed in active service, tentatively scheduled for mid-2019.

Pakenham East is the site of the new maintenance (as well as some storage) facility for the HCMT fleet and its construction has attracted the attention of enthusiasts who are providing their own drone footage and commentary on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWfJaiBNLIY">Youtube</a>.

If everything runs to schedule, the 65th and final train will be delivered by 2023, two years before the Melbourne Metro tunnel is set to open.

Likewise, the trial of the high capacity signalling is set to take place on the South Morang-soon-to-be-Mernda line before being installed and actively used between Sunshine and Dandenong when the Metro Tunnel opens. 

Having to straddle, for the most part, the 'old way of doing things' under conventional signalling and to operate with an even newer signalling system points to the scalability that is being built into the new train fleet.

A mock-up was on display in Birrarung Marr over the 2017/2018 summer and other consultation rounds have seen many tweaks that have informed the final design that is now set to ramp up in production.

To read more about the new HCMT fleet, see <a href="https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-projects/high-capacity-metro-trains/">transport.vic.gov.au</a>.

 
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Manufacturing kicks off on Melbourne's High Capacity Metro Trains

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Frasers Property has gained approval from Whitehorse City Council for its mixed-use community on the former Burwood Brickworks site that will create 700 new homes and contain what's being dubbed the world's most sustainable shopping centre.

First profiled on Apartments.com.au in <a href="/news/frasers-property-invites-eoi-to-design-construct-operate-its-rooftop-farm-at-burwood-brickworks">February 2018</a>, the development will feature a mix of apartments, townhouses and detached houses on the expansive site.

Woorlworths Group brands including a Woolworths Supermarket and Dan Murphy's will anchor the 12,700sqm Burwood Brickworks shopping centre and over 50 expressions of interest were received in the call out for operators of the roof-top farm.

Frasers Property says they have whittled down the 50 EOIs to a shortlist and are targeting a mid-year turnaround for selecting the operator.

The developer expects the first apartments, medium-density and detached housing lots to be completed by late 2020 with 3000 jobs to be created during construction and then 700 ongoing jobs in the shopping centre once complete.

<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/ospace_wetland_final.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Open space areas at Burwood Brickworks - image: supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ospace_wetland_final.jpg?itok=tlugjF-w" title="Open space areas at Burwood Brickworks - image: supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Open space areas at Burwood Brickworks - image: supplied</figcaption></figure>Burwood Brickworks shopping centre is aiming to make the centre the first retail development in the world to achieve Living Building Challenge certification through multiple initiatives including generating 105% of the energy required to power the building.

According to Frasers Property, there will be strict procols in place to re-purpose up to 99% of construction waste away from landfil and that the use of local, salvaged and sustainable materials will reduce the centre's carbon footprint.

“We will demonstrate that developing a net positive sustainable shopping centre – one that gives more than it takes from its environment – is not only commercially viable, but preferable" says Peri Macdonald, executive GM, retail at Frasers Property.

The entire redevelopment zone will include 2.5 hectares of open space that will include community facilities which two large public spaces that adjoin the shopping centre.

<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/brickworks_view03_april_2018.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Burwood Brickworks shopping centre - image: supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/brickworks_view03_april_2018.jpg?itok=ECdugjE6" title="Burwood Brickworks shopping centre - image: supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Burwood Brickworks shopping centre - image: supplied</figcaption></figure>Hacer Group has been appointed to building the new Burwood Brickworks shopping centre with the first sod of soil turned on the 12th of June.
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Burwood Brickworks approved

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Brisbane's Cross River Rail project has had $733 million allocated to it in the 2018 Queensland state budget that was handed down by Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad this afternoon.

In the budget speech to state parliament, the Treasurer put Brisbane's Cross River Rail at the centre of the Palaszczuk Government's infrastructure spend.

<blockquote>
In a fast-growing state, investing in key infrastructure supports job creation, it boosts business confidence and it delivers the services Queenslanders need to maintain our way of life.

Our delivery of the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project recognises this.

Sadly, the Federal Government and those opposite don’t.

During the five-year construction period, Cross River Rail will support an average of 1,500 jobs each year, and up to 3,000 jobs in the most intensive year of construction
<cite>Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Jackie Trad</cite>
</blockquote>

The Cross River Rail project aims to provide another north-south path for South East Queensland's metropolitan rail network, alleviating congestion on the Merivale Bridge and opening up new station catchments in the heart of Brisbane's CBD and Woolloongabba.

The 10.2km of new twin-track will connect the Beenleigh/Gold Coast trunk at Park Road with the Nambour/Redcliffe/Shorncliffe trunk just beyond Bowen Hills.  5.9km of the new track will be in tunnels.

Exhibition station, currently only open and serviced during special events, will become a full time station serving Brisbane's inner north and a new interchange station, Boggo Road, will be built in the vicinity of Park Road station offering transfer opportunities to train passengers.

Roma Street will also be connected to the Cross River Rail tunnel offering further connection opportunities to rail services throughout all of Queensland.

<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/crr_alignment_qld_gov.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The route of the Cross River Rail project (blue) and Brisbane Metro - image: crossriverrail.qld.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="944" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/crr_alignment_qld_gov.jpg?itok=gJw3R6pG" title="The route of the Cross River Rail project (blue) and Brisbane Metro - image: crossriverrail.qld.gov.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The route of the Cross River Rail project (blue) and Brisbane Metro - image: <a href="https://www.crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/info/#rail-route-top">crossriverrail.qld.gov.au</a></figcaption></figure>Along with the Cross River Rail project, the Treasurer confirmed the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Project has also been funded.

Approximately 40km in length, the single track section between Beerburrum and Nambour to the north of Brisbane will be duplicated and paid for by the Federal and State Governments.  

Canberra will be funding the project to the tune of $390 million and the Treasurer announced the Queensland portion of the funding will total $161 million.

Central Station will also yield $7 million to pay for general upgrades that will see modernisation of platforms, stairs, escalators, a new roof and additional escalators from the station's concourse to ANZAC Square.

To view the Treasurer's speech and Queensland Budget 2018 documents, see <a href="https://budget.qld.gov.au/">budget.qld.gov.au</a>.
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Brisbane's Cross River Rail, Nambour duplication works funded in Queensland budget

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The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday the 10th of June foreshadowed another 2018 NSW budget initiative that would see an upgraded signalling system rolled out to existing Sydney Trains railway lines.

Starting with the T4 Illawarra and T8 Airport line, a new signalling system will be rolled out that will allow trains to safely travel closer together which in turn allows trains to run more frequently.

It will be a progressive change and the new system isn't expected to be in use until the 2020s and the amount to be allocated over the forward estimates in 2018's state budget is $880 million.

Sydney Trains chief Howard Collins said that the new signalling system could theoretically allow trains to run every 90 seconds, however trains won't be running on that kind of frequency any time soon.

The Premier said that after the initial upgrades have been installed, it is expected the T4 Illawarra line will see an extra 5 services in the peak and the T8 Airport line will see an extra 8 services in the peak.

"Digital signal and control" system is how the new system has been described; similarly the Victorian Government refers to the signalling upgrades for the Melbourne Metro tunnel and the new cross-town line as "high capacity signalling" - in essence, these two terms used by different state governments refer to signalling that will employ a moving block system, most likely using <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications-based_train_control">Communications-based train control</a> (CBTC).

Sydney Metro, as it will be operationally independent of the rest of the Sydney Trains network, will use a CBTC system - Alstom and its <a href="http://www.alstom.com/Global/Transport/Resources/Documents/brochure2014/Sydney%20Metro%20Northwest%20-%20Case%20study%20-%20English.pdf?epslanguage=en-GB">Urbalis 400</a> system were selected as part of the Operations, Trains and Systems contract.

<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/fb_vs_mb_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Safety distance (safe-braking distance) between trains in fixed block and moving block signalling systems - wikipedia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="223" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fb_vs_mb_0.jpg?itok=YgJTpmda" title="Safety distance (safe-braking distance) between trains in fixed block and moving block signalling systems - wikipedia" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Safety distance (safe-braking distance) between trains in fixed block and moving block signalling systems - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications-based_train_control">wikipedia</a></figcaption></figure>Moreover, the New South Wales Government has announced it will extend its Public Transport Access upgrades program in the 2018 state budget.

The Premier announced a further $133 million will be allocated in the budget and then used for accessibility upgrades at a further 11 stations around the Sydney and regional networks.

North Strathfield, Kingswood, Hazelbrook, Wyee, Blayney, Mittagong, Clarendon, Hawkesbury River, Wahroonga, Taree, Roseville and further upgrades to Glenbrook, Beecroft, Millthorpe and Como stations will be the beneficiaries of the money to be allocated in the budget.

Since 2011, including the $133 million announced by the Premier, $2 billion has been spent on accessibility upgrades across stations, wharves and interchanges in New South Wales.
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NSW Government unveils plans to upgrade Sydney Trains with next generation signalling

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The New South Wales Government in its budget, to be released this week, will allocate $15.6 million to deliver increased bus services in metropolitan Sydney as part of a wider $1.5 billion program that will deliver bus fleet renewal and expansion.

1000 new services will be run through the Northern Beaches and 500 new services will be added to the network in Western Sydney.

400 buses are set to be replaced over time as part of the $1.5 billion statewide bus program and the fleet will expand by 30 buses to deliver the increased services throughout the Northern Beaches, Wentworth Point, Penrith, Blacktown and Lane Cove.

“Around 20 of these new buses will cater for the increased demand in school services across the state,” the NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, said.

<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/plr_stage1_map_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Parramatta Light Rail stage one route map - image: Transport for NSW"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="510" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/plr_stage1_map_0.jpg?itok=f9sIRAKr" title="Parramatta Light Rail stage one route map - image: Transport for NSW" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Parramatta Light Rail stage one route map - image: Transport for NSW</figcaption></figure>Parramatta's Light Rail is one step closer with approval granted at the beginning of June for stage one which will see Westmead and Carlingford connected via Camellia and Parramatta's CBD.

The NSW Government will allocate $1 billion toward the project from this year's budget and the government expects a tendering process to be complete with contracts signed by the third quarter of 2018.

The final cost of the light rail line will be known following the tender and contract process.

The eastern end of the light rail route will see existing heavy rail services that run on the single-track Carlingford line cease and the corridor will transition to include two tracks for light rail vehicles.

Early works have begun with the announcement in May that Ventia had been awarded the contract to begin remediation works on the site of the new stabling and maintenance facility in Camellia.

Telopea, one of the existing heavy rail stops on the Carlingford line that will be converted to light rail, saw a master plan and rezoning proposal released in 2017 that would include between 4000 and 4700 new social, affordable and private homes to be built over 20 years.

In late March, the Minister for Social Housing, Pru Goward, commenced engagement with the development community through an expression of interest campaign to deliver key aspects of the redevelopment at Telopea.  That EOI period has now closed and proposals are now being evaluated by the NSW Government.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hgdj802zzkI" width="100%"></iframe>

In October 2017 the NSW Government announced the preferred route for stage two of the Parramatta Light Rail which would see a 9km extension from stage one begin at Rydalmere and then run along the north side of the Parramatta River then crossing southwards through Wentworth Point and terminate at Sydney Olympic Park. 

Stage two is currently in a consultation round and a finalised business case is expected in 2018.
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Sydney to see increased bus services; Parramatta Light Rail stage one gains approval

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The days are now at their shortest for the year and the overnight lows dip perilously close to 0 degrees, however, construction is still powering along and our photo-taking Apartments.com.au forum members remain undeterred.

Here's a snapshot of the construction activity that has been captured by forum members and Apartments.com.au staff alike and as always, click the links that accompany each image to see more in the project forum threads.

<a href="/news">311 Spencer Street</a> - image originally posted by Apartments.com.au member redden

<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/p5141768.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="311 Spencer Street - image by urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p5141768.jpg?itok=2jtJ9nnt" title="311 Spencer Street - image by urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>311 Spencer Street - image by Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/news">Rima with a dash of 8 Lygon</a> in Brunswick East - image: Mark Baljak

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/img_1598.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rima in Brunswick East - image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1598.jpg?itok=pVBLw-9C" title="Rima in Brunswick East - image: Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rima in Brunswick East - image: Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure><a href="/news4">Ibis Styles</a> on Southbank - image originally posted by Apartments.com.au user redden

<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/p5261885.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ibis Styles on Southbank - image by urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p5261885.jpg?itok=akxF4Z_K" title="Ibis Styles on Southbank - image by urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ibis Styles on Southbank - image by Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/news8">Australia 108</a> bathed in sun in late May, taken by yours truly.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/img_0598.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108 - image: Alastair Taylor"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0598.jpg?itok=URxBYXh5" title="Australia 108 - image: Alastair Taylor" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108 image</a>: Alastair Taylor</figcaption></figure>Central Equity's latest addition to the neighbourhood it's famous for, <a href="/news">Southbank Place</a> - image originally posted by Apartments.com.au user redden

<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/p5261875.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Southbank Place - image by urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p5261875.jpg?itok=72dh1KUK" title="Southbank Place - image by urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Southbank Place - image by Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/news">Melbourne Square</a>'s site continues to be prepared - image originally posted by Apartments.com.au user redden

<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/p6090108.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Square - image by urban.com.au user redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p6090108.jpg?itok=KBqvI-OE" title="Melbourne Square - image by urban.com.au user redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Square - image by Apartments.com.au user redden</figcaption></figure><a href="/news1">Aurora Melbourne Central</a> - image by Mark Baljak

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/img_1693.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aurora Melbourne Central - image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1693.jpg?itok=XnBkl33p" title="Aurora Melbourne Central - image: Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aurora Melbourne Central - image: Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure><a href="/news">Conservatory</a> nearing structural and facade completion - image by Mark Baljak

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/img_1909.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Conservatory - image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1909.jpg?itok=O2eml66F" title="Conservatory - image: Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Conservatory - image: Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>​​​​​<a href="/news0">Marque Maribyrnong</a> - image by Mark Baljak

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/img_1799.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Marque Maribyrnong - image: Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1799.jpg?itok=nDaf1wmr" title="Marque Maribyrnong - image: Mark Baljak" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Marque Maribyrnong - image: Mark Baljak</figcaption></figure>Check out other project's construction status by visiting our forum at <a href="/news">Apartments.com.au/forum</a>.
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A snapshot of Melbourne's construction - June 2018

<html><body>
Major works to remove the Buckley Street level crossing in Essendon are about to kick off with the Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan announcing a new blitz that will see disruptions to both road and rail networks throughout June.

Road Traffic will be diverted away from Buckley Street between Mount Alexander Road and Violet Street on June 8th until June 11th.

Rail passengers on the Craigieburn line will face bus replacements from June 8th to June 10th and from the 21st to the 27th of June.  Trains will be replaced by buses between Broadmeadows and North Melbourne - a good 70% of the entire Craigieburn railway line.

The major traffic diversions will return on June 21st, with Buckley Street closed between Mount Alexander Road and Violet Street, until July 6th.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M3vgPicYshE" width="100%"></iframe>

The Buckley Street level crossing will be removed by sinking the roadway underneath the existing rail grade.  This will be the first of the Andrews Government's 50 level crossing removals to see this design &amp; engineering solution implemented.

The Craigieburn railway line, being one of the first to be built in Melbourne - and it was the railway line which saw the first electric train services in the 1920s - is built along the crest of a hill.

Buckley Street will carve into the western side of the hill and then rise and surface just before the Mount Alexander Road intersection.

The Level Crossing Removal Authority reported over the weekend the final U-trough was installed on the Skye/Overton Road project with catenary stanchions also erected.

The U shape of the dual bridges is designed to minimise noise and the same bridge build technique will be employed at the Kororoit Creek Road level crossing removal in Altona.

<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/skyoverton1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="New bridges over Skye/Overton Road in Frankston - image: LXRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/skyoverton1.jpg?itok=he_dyqpM" title="New bridges over Skye/Overton Road in Frankston - image: LXRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>New bridges over Skye/Overton Road in Frankston - image: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/levelcrossings/photos/a.1631948743546471.1073741890.843601892381164/1965428390198503/?type=3&amp;theater">LXRA</a></figcaption></figure>There are currently 16 level crossing removals under construction with 19 having been completed and another 15 in early planning stages.

 ​​​​​

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Essendon's turn for a construction blitz - major works to kick off on Buckley Street level crossing removal

<html><body>
On the 1st of June, the amendments to Victoria's Planning &amp; Environment Act 1987 came into force which, among other things, provide a definition of affordable housing in the state.

In essence, the new legislative amendments that are now in force provide a definition for what very low, low and moderate income households are and the act now states that affordable housing is housing for households who fit within the income brackets now outlined.

The definition of affordable housing, as described in law, for Victoria is:

<blockquote>
...affordable housing is housing, including social housing, that is appropriate for the housing needs of any of the following-- (a) very low income households; (b) low income households; (c) moderate income households.
<a href="http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/bill/pablaaaomb2017755/"><cite>Housing Affordability and Other Matters Bill 2017</cite></a>
</blockquote>

Very low income, low income and moderate income households are defined by income ranges that apply to people living in Melbourne or outside of Melbourne.  On the advice of the Planning Minister, the Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria sets &amp; amends the income ranges.

For Melbourne, the household income brackets for very low, low and moderate income households are:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col"> </th>
			<th scope="col">Very low income range (annual)</th>
			<th scope="col">Low income range (annual)</th>
			<th scope="col">Moderate income range (annual)</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Single adult</td>
			<td>Up to $25,220</td>
			<td>$22,221 - $40,340</td>
			<td>$40,341 - $60,510</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Couple, no dependents</td>
			<td>Up to $37,820</td>
			<td>$37,821 - $60,520</td>
			<td>$60,521 - $90,770</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Family (one or two parents and dependent children)</td>
			<td>Up to $52,940</td>
			<td>$52,941 - $84,720</td>
			<td>$84,721 - $127,080</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
For the rest of Victoria, the income brackets are as follows:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col"> </th>
			<th scope="col">Very low income range (annual)</th>
			<th scope="col">Low income range (annual)</th>
			<th scope="col">Moderate income range (annual)</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Single Adult</td>
			<td>Up to $18,380</td>
			<td>$18,381 - $29,400</td>
			<td>$29,401 - $44,100</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Couple, no dependents</td>
			<td>Up to $27,560</td>
			<td>$27,561 - $44,100</td>
			<td>$44,101 - $66,160</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Family (one or two parents and dependent children)</td>
			<td>Up to $38,590</td>
			<td>$38,591 - $61,750</td>
			<td>$61,751 - $92,610</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
With these definitions now described in law, it allows developers, councils and the state government to negotiate affordable housing outcomes with a specific set of unambiguous definitions. 

As <a href="http://www.ratio.com.au/affordable-housing-update">Ratio Consultants</a> note the amendments to the act do not specify what the cost of housing should be for the people who fit within the income bands, noting "it is generally accepted that, to avoid housing stress, housing costs should not exceed 30% of household income."

Likewise, the legislative changes included no targets for affordable housing throughout all or some of the new development pipeline for Victoria but as Ratio further note, the affordable housing can be a strong negotiation tool.

<blockquote>
Councils are increasingly seeking to strongly encourage or even require affordable housing in new developments (City of Melbourne’s West Melbourne Structure Plan and Fishermans Bend discretionary requirements, and Glen Eira’s Carnegie, Elsternwick and Bentleigh Structure Plans).  

The voluntary provision of affordable housing can be a strong negotiation tool with recent agreements including in the Queen Victoria Market Munro Precinct where PDG are providing 15% affordable housing (being 56 apartments out of the total 360).
<a href="http://www.ratio.com.au/affordable-housing-update"><cite>Ratio Consultants</cite></a>
</blockquote>

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has also published guidance for those seeking to negotiate affordable housing agreements within the context of the new definitions, see <a href="https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-strategy/affordable-housing">planning.vic.gov.au</a> for more information.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.vic.gov.au/affordablehousing/">vic.gov.au</a>
</body></html>

Definitions around affordable housing in Victoria come into force

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

Joel Robinson

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

&nbsp;

Developer GURNER™ Group has revealed $1.65 billion in residential sales nationally across the 12 months to December 2025, driven largely by the continued momentum of its Docklands wellness-focused precinct, Elysium Fields.

The sales result was generated across seven projects in Victoria and New South Wales, headlined by Elysium Fields, GURNER™’s $2.75 billion mixed-use precinct planned for Harbour Esplanade in Docklands.

The project has recorded more than $500 million in sales across the first three towers, equating to around 580 apartments sold.

The first tower, Helios, has now sold out of its 240 private residences, with GURNER™ preparing to release a premium penthouse collection comprising 15 three-bedroom penthouses in coming weeks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370975]

Elysium Fields is being developed on the long-held 20,000 sqm Docklands site at 208-226 Harbour Esplanade, which had remained undeveloped for more than two decades prior to GURNER™ taking over the project around four years ago.

Construction has now commenced across four towers ranging between 18 and 30 storeys, with Hamilton Marino and Maxcon appointed as builders.

Once complete, the precinct is expected to comprise around 1,100 residences, alongside retail, hospitality and public realm uses integrated throughout the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370981]

Designed by Fraser &amp; Partners in collaboration with GURNER™ Design House, the project has been positioned around the developer’s broader focus on wellness-led residential living.

“We don’t sell apartments. We create a true luxury lifestyle that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in the market today,” Founder and Executive Chairman Tim Gurner said.

“To deliver that requires an extraordinary level of detail, coordination and discipline across multiple verticals, from design and hospitality through to wellness and service.”

“We’ve always believed that living extends far beyond the physical residence. It’s about how you feel the moment you arrive, how you live day-to-day, and the ecosystem that supports that.” 
[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370977]

The project’s design places a heavy focus on landscaping, wellness amenities and biophilic design principles.

Plans include around 3,700 sqm of landscaped gardens and open space throughout the precinct, alongside a retail and dining offering spanning approximately 5,000 sqm.

The broader public realm strategy centres around what GURNER™ describes as the “Path of Life”, an urban forest and landscaped pedestrian environment intended to connect the various buildings and wellness spaces across the precinct.

The apartments themselves will incorporate a range of wellness-focused inclusions, including purified air and water systems, circadian lighting, antimicrobial surfaces, and optional in-home wellness upgrades.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370980]

Gurner said the company’s experience through its Saint Haven wellness clubs had directly informed the residential offering now being incorporated into Elysium Fields.

“We’re seeing a clear global shift toward longevity, performance and proactive health,” Gurner said.

“Our role is to deliver that in a way that feels seamless, highly private and beautifully resolved within the environments we create.”

A large component of the wellness offering is planned through the resident amenity and health facilities proposed within the precinct.

That includes plans for bathing and recovery facilities spread throughout the towers, incorporating mineral pools, saunas, steam rooms, flotation therapy, red light therapy and wellness lounges.

The developer is also seeking approvals for what it describes as a “reverse ageing medical clinic” within the precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370978]

According to project information released by the group, the proposed facility would include cryotherapy, IV infusion therapy, infrared and dry saunas, PEMF beds, MRIs, DEXA scans, brain scans and blood analysis services.

Within the first tower, Helios, residents will also have access to a dedicated amenity offering known as the Sky Private Club.

The upper 15 levels of the building will include private lounges, dining spaces, rooftop amenities and optional private wellness studios integrated within residences.

The Helios tower itself comprises 260 apartments ranging between 60 sqm and 300 sqm, including a collection of penthouses.

That includes a planned two-storey penthouse spanning around 600 sqm with uninterrupted bay views.

The Elysium Fields precinct is being delivered in partnership with Digital Harbour Holdings, a consortium that includes the Liberman family, which controls the development rights across the Docklands site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370979]

The sales result comes as GURNER™ continues expanding its national development pipeline beyond Victoria.

“We have a strong pipeline across Australia and are now focused on scaling into key markets including New South Wales and Queensland, while continuing to build on our Melbourne base,” Gurner said.

“We currently have more than $3 billion in the market, growing to over $5 billion by October, and expect to materially outperform last year in the 2026 calendar year.”

The result also reflects the continued strength of the upper-end apartment market in Melbourne, particularly for owner-occupier-focused product with large-scale amenity and lifestyle offerings.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144441]

Record result anchored by the Group’s “utopian” Elysium Fields precinct – defying market headwinds in Docklands.

Elysium Fields drive Gurner to $1.65 billion in apartment sales over 2025

National Australia Bank (NAB) will fund <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera</a>, a $1 billion, 52-level luxury residential tower being developed by Central Equity in one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held coastal locations at Northcliffe.

The project, launched recently by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a>, one of Victoria’s largest private residential developers, comes at a time when construction funding for large residential developments has become increasingly competitive as lenders tighten exposure to the sector.

Multiplex has been appointed the builder, and construction is now underway.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365784]

Since its first project, Central Equity has delivered more than 85 residential developments with a combined end value exceeding $8 billion.

Palmera reflects Central Equity’s growing focus on the Gold Coast luxury apartment market and continues a relationship between Central Equity and NAB that dates back to the late 1980s, when the bank funded one of Melbourne’s earliest inner-city residential towers at a time when high-rise apartment living in the CBD was largely unproven.

“NAB’s funding of Central Equity’s $36 million CBD development in the late 1980’s to the financing of the billion-dollar tower today highlights the long-term relationship between the two organisations in delivering major residential projects” said Central Equity Founder and Chairman Eddie Kutner.

He said NAB’s early support was instrumental in helping establish the company’s development model.

“When we commenced our first residential tower in the late 1980s the concept of funding off-the-plan apartments was still largely untested in Australia,” Kutner said.

“NAB recognised the opportunity early and supported the project when others were uncertain. That relationship has now continued for more than 37 years across many developments.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Central Equity was established in 1987 when Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank precinct were still dominated by warehouses and commercial buildings. Fewer than 100 residents lived in Southbank at the time, and large-scale residential development in the inner city was not widely considered.

Recognising changing demographics and lifestyle preferences, the company began developing high-rise residential projects designed to bring permanent residents into the city centre.

Central Equity has provided accommodation for approximately 40,000 residents across Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank, while also incorporating supporting infrastructure including essential lifestyle facilities like retail spaces, childcare facilities and neighbourhood activity centres.

Central Equity has spent many years assembling the Palmera development site on the corner of Garfield Terrace and Frederick Street in Northcliffe, creating a supersite of around 3,300 sqm.

The developer said the Palmera apartment tower reflects its long-term view of the Gold Coast as a growing and increasingly diversified economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365768]

Supported by infrastructure including the light rail network, major road upgrades expanded education, hospital and medical facilities and continued expansion at the Gold Coast Airport with more internation and domestic flights.

Positioned in the tightly held Northcliffe precinct, the 52-level tower will deliver 347 apartments, targeting buyers seeking a high-end coastal lifestyle, from downsizers to interstate investors.

Designed by Marchese Partners with interiors by DBI, Palmera has been conceived as a next-generation residential offering, featuring a collection of oversized apartments, with premium three-bedroom residences offering sweeping northern views stretching from Surfers Paradise through to Burleigh Heads.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

NAB funds $1 billion Surfers Paradise apartment development, Palmera

Two years after completing one of the newest developments in North Sydney, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a> is turning its attention to the rapidly evolving St Leonards apartment market.

The developer, which completed AURA by Aqualand on North Sydney's Walker Street, has lodged plans for a 5,918 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/33-37-herbert-street-st-leonards-nsw-2065">33-37 Herbert Street, St Leonards,</a> seeking approval for a pair of residential towers rising above a shared podium opposite Royal North Shore Hospital.

The proposal forms part of the broader transformation underway across the St Leonards-Crows Nest precinct, where former industrial and commercial sites are increasingly being redeveloped into high-density mixed-use projects tied to major transport infrastructure.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2cc428cf-fe70-4cac-9cd5-264ad53af62c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=otKSnHtbjAvAddOnovyXQMgcAwE6DMe1" />

According to the planning documents, the site sits “within the St Leonards–Crows Nest Strategic Centre, identified by the NSW Government as a key area for accommodating future jobs and housing across Sydney.”

The proposal has been designed by fjcstudio, formerly FJMT Studio, and is being progressed through the State Significant Development pathway due to its scale and affordable housing provision.

The scheme would comprise 413 apartments, including 46 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses fronting Herbert Street. The project would also include communal open space, landscaping, a swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s play areas and podium-level resident amenities.

Planning documents show the development would consist of a part-13, part-39 storey tower form positioned above a four-storey podium.

“The development comprises a unified podium that activates the street interface, and two setback towers to accommodate new housing supply while maintaining an appropriate human scale at ground level,” fjcstudio noted in its Design Report.

The northern and southern towers have been shaped to respond to the surrounding skyline while also limiting overshadowing impacts to nearby public open space, particularly Talus Reserve.

The design report said the differing tower heights were intended to “contribute to a varied skyline while responding to the surrounding built form context and solar access considerations.”

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36da62dc-ff9e-41f2-a7e3-7be38373751c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.45%E2%80%AFAM_0.png?VersionId=Mo6Rp2r.XRLTzIfg_PEEpw8NepDH8UBs" />

The site sits directly opposite Royal North Shore Hospital and within walking distance of both St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

While the site itself sits just outside the formal Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development boundary, the planning documents repeatedly reference its alignment with the broader TOD objectives reshaping the Lower North Shore.

“The site is located adjacent to St Leonards Station and in close proximity to Crows Nest Metro which is within the Crows Nest Transit Orientated Development Accelerated Precinct which has been identified by the NSW Government to support housing delivery,” the Design Verification Statement noted.

According to fjcstudio, the project has been designed to respond to the broader transition occurring across St Leonards, where increasing residential density is being concentrated around transport infrastructure and employment hubs.

“The broader precinct is undergoing significant change, with a mix of existing mid-rise buildings and newer high-density developments,” the report stated.

“Recent and approved projects indicate a consistent shift toward taller built form, typically organised as tower-and-podium typologies with more active ground levels.”

The proposal includes close to 6,000 sqm of retail and commercial space across the ground floor and podium levels, designed to create a more activated street edge along Herbert Street.

Aqualand’s plans would also introduce a landscaped podium shared between the two towers, with communal open space in the form of a podium rooftop designed to support resident interaction and improve urban greening outcomes. The scheme would also introduce pocket parks at the northern and southern ends of the site, including a landscaped area at the corner of Herbert and Ella streets designed to improve pedestrian amenity and soften the streetscape.

&nbsp;

The proposal is being progressed through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, which was introduced to accelerate housing supply across the state. The application was declared State Significant Development in April 2025 following an expression of interest process.

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St Leonards has been particularly active with new developments in recent weeks. Developer SP Setia’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-sp-setia-targets-st-leonards-skyline-with-40-storey-tod-tower">plans for a new 42-storey tower</a> recently went on exhibition through the same pathway, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">Stockland’s 52-storey tower proposal</a> was also recently unveiled.

Aside from the St Leonards project, which is expected to take around nine months to move through the approvals process ahead of a potential 2027 launch, Aqualand is also preparing to launch Boronia, a new apartment project in Roseville comprising around 111 apartments on Larkin Street.

The developer also has approvals in place for the next stage of the Barangaroo precinct, which will feature new residential, retail, hospitality and community uses, alongside a new metro entry across the five-hectare site.

More than 50 new retail destinations are planned for Central Barangaroo, alongside a 270-metre-long boulevard connecting Hickson Park to Nawi Cove. Together with Harbour Park, more than 50 per cent of the precinct will comprise public open space and parkland.

Alastair Taylor

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