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Four of the five Tunnel Boring Machines working on the second phase of Sydney Metro have completed their runs with TBM Mum Shirl breaking through the southern wall of the Barangaroo station pit over the weekend.

A fifth TBM is still working on completing the short section of tunnel under Port Jackson between Barangaroo and a launch site near Blues Point on the northern shore.

TBMs that began their journey near Sydenham at the southern end of the tunnels have taken 14 months to complete their runs.

<blockquote>
Since starting work at Marrickville in November 2018, Mum Shirl took about 14 months to build an 8.1-kilometre tunnel to Barangaroo, cutting through sandstone and shale to excavate more than 821,000 tonnes of rock - enough to fill 126 Olympic swimming pools.

About 29.5km of 31km of twin metro tunnels between Chatswood and Sydenham – or 97 per cent – are now complete with TBM Kathleen now digging under Sydney Harbour to finish her second under-harbour metro tunnel.

TBMs Nancy, Wendy and Mabel finished work late last year.
<cite>Sydney Metro/NSW Government</cite>
</blockquote>

Barangaroo station on Sydney CBD's northwest periphery took two years to excavate and during that time, 460,000 tonnes of rock were removed.

According to an indicative timeline, after tunnel and station pit construction has been completed, the tunnel fit-out phase - the installation of track, emergency egress &amp; walkways, overhead electrical equipment, signalling and communication systems - will run for approximately 2 years.

Thereafter, a testing phase will run for approximately 12 months.

The second phase Sydney Metro City &amp; Southwest project also sees the conversion of existing railway between Sydenham and Bankstown in order for metro services to take over operations of services in the inner southwest of Sydney.

Summertime shutdowns of existing services will occur over several years to convert the line for metro use and the second phase of the entire Sydney Metro project is expected to start taking its first passengers in 2024.

<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/scale_map_of_proposed_sydney_metro.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Map of Sydney Metro phases 1 and 2. Image: wikipedia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/scale_map_of_proposed_sydney_metro.jpg?itok=AIO_Zt8t" title="Map of Sydney Metro phases 1 and 2. Image: wikipedia" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Map of Sydney Metro phases 1 and 2. Image: Wikipedia</figcaption></figure>The second phase of the first Sydney Metro line precedes other work underway for a second and third line.  The second line dubbed Sydney Metro West, <a href="/news/nsw-government-confirms-sydney-metro-wests-station-locations">in October last year</a>, had its station locations narrowed down by the NSW Government.

It will add more capacity between Sydney CBD and Parramatta with future-proofing to allow the line's eventual extension westward.  Initial work is expected to start in 2020, tunnelling to start in 2022 and the project is expected to take its first passengers in 2030.

The third line, dubbed Sydney Metro Greater West, will see a line built from St Mary's on the existing T1-Western line southwards to the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

Federal and NSW Government money has been allocated for the Sydney Metro Greater West with construction expected to be completed by the time the new Western Sydney Airport opens in 2026.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/bankstown-nsw?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>
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Alastair Taylor

Tunnelling under Sydney CBD complete for the second phase of Sydney Metro

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Perth's new Forrestfield railway line that will also serve Perth Airport is expected to complete tunneling in the first half of 2020 as progress steps up a gear on building the new stations.

In an end of year news update, the project delivery team said 7600 tunnel rings have been installed and both TBMs - Grace in the lead, Sandy in pursuit - are nearing the end of the run under the Swan River broadly along the Tonkin Highway corridor toward the Bayswater tunnel diver and junction site.

Following the excavation of the station pit at Redcliffe - located to the east of Perth Airport's Qantas terminals - both TBMs arrived in the first half of 2019, underwent a one-month-long maintenance round and then were sent on the final leg of the journey towards Bayswater.

Meanwhile, early works have begun on the upgrade to Bayswater station that <a href="/news/wa-government-unveils-major-upgrade-for-bayswater-station-as-part-of-perths-metronet-program">Urban.com.au reported on in December 2018</a>, with an <a href="https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2020/01/Kurrajong-tree-relocated-as-part-of-Bayswater-METRONET-works.aspx">80-year-old Kurrajong tree</a> delicately relocated from the station worksite.  

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26734]

At Airport Central station which is located next to the Virgin and International terminals, in November the Skybridge linking the station to the terminals was completed with the longest single-span uninterrupted escalators measuring 35m long and 15 high being the noteworthy addition late last year.

The line's terminus at Forrestfield station reached the halfway mark during 2019 according to the end-of-year summary. The tunnel portal building, storage building as well as station's main concourse, platforms and vertical transport (escalators, stairs, lift frames) were all installed in 2019.

The Forrestfield-Airport Link is being delivered through a single-package "lump sum" Design and Construct Contract that was awarded to a Slini Impregilo-NRW Joint Venture in April 2016.  

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/bayswater-wa?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2>Thornlie-Cockburn link contracts signed</h2>

In mid-December 2019 the Western Australia Government signed a contract to kick off construction on the <a href="/news/wa-cabinet-pushes-yanchep-extension-and-thornlie-cockburn-link-closer-to-start-of-construction">Thornlie-Cockburn link</a> which will create a suburb-to-suburb loop in Perth's southern and southeastern suburbs.

The Thornlie-Cockburn link is designed to connect the southern Mandurah line with the southeastern Armadale line.  Thornlie already exists as a branch off the Armadale line, the project will see existing track duplicated and then extended to Cockburn Central with two new stations located between Thornlie and Cockburn Central.

The price of the contract has come in at $716 million and is expected to be complete by 2023.  This compares to a pre-election commitment of $474 million and a start date of 2021.

The NEWest Alliance comprising CPB Contractors and Downer was awarded the 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/perth_metro_net1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The WA Government's METRONET heavy rail plan"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/perth_metro_net1.jpg?itok=55o0mTHz" title="The WA Government's METRONET heavy rail plan" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The WA Government's METRONET heavy rail plan</figcaption></figure>
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Perth's Forrestfield-Airport rail link tunnelling expected to finish in first half of 2020

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In mid-December, the Queensland Government released the Cross River Rail (CRR) Precinct Strategy which aims to guide development at each of the new stations the project will deliver.

The document puts on paper the strategic aspirations for the CRR precincts and the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority has responsibility for all five precincts at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street, Roma Street and Exhibition.

The CRR project is a 10.2 kilometre rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills that will include 6 kilometres of twin rail tunnels under the Brisbane River and CBD.  The project will also include upgrades to several stations Brisbane's southside as well as develop 3 new Gold Coast stations.

The CRR delivery authority estimates post-construction and once all precincts have been developed, the Gross Regional Product for Brisbane will increase by $15-20 billion and approximately 35,000 new jobs will be created over time.

Consultation for the precinct strategy was undertaken across Queensland Government departments and the Brisbane City Council.

<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_path1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Path of the Cross River Rail project and associated anchors in each precinct. Image: crossriverrail.qld.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="795" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/crr_path1.png?itok=4DLusvzN" title="Path of the Cross River Rail project and associated anchors in each precinct. Image: crossriverrail.qld.gov.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Path of the Cross River Rail project and associated anchors in each precinct. Image: crossriverrail.qld.gov.au</figcaption></figure>The following is a summary of the strategy at each

<h2>Boggo Road</h2>

The precinct strategy aims to create a new urban village surrounding the Boggo Road station with a focus on improved pedestrian connectivity to the knowledge hub of leading health, research and education institutions. 

Along with forming a connection to the existing Park Road station, the precinct will connect Princess Alexandra Hospital and will aim to strengthen pedestrian links through to the University of Queensland.

<h2>Woolloongabba</h2>

Home to Brisbane's main cricket and AFL stadium, the precinct strategy aims to create a new town centre that links the stadium, Mater Hospital, the Children's Hospital health precinct and the new station.

The new station will be a new 'front door' to the Gabba and the strategy calls for significant private investment to develop residential, commercial, recreational and health-focused facilities in the immediate area.

<h2>Albert Street</h2>

At the heart of the Brisbane CBD, the new Albert Street station is seen as a catalyst for new rounds of investment in the southern portion of Brisbane's CBD through improved access to public transport.

"Any development in the Albert Street precinct should deliver high-quality built-form and public realm that contributes to a sense of arrival and creates a new landmark destination within the city centre", the precinct strategy reads.

<h2>Roma Street</h2>

The new underground station will connect to the existing Roma Street station and the extra public transport investment in the area will bolster Brisbane's West End, opening the way for projects such as Brisbane Live.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w96eG-ht5Po" width="100%"></iframe>

The precinct strategy also notes that significant upgrades to the state-owned interchange for bus, other rail, Cross River Rail and metro services will occur that also includes the realignment of the Inner Northern Busway. 

<h2>Exhibition</h2>

The Cross River Rail project will take Exhibition Station from operating as an event time only station to a year-round operational one that will provide the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital with a high-quality rail connection on top of existing bus services.

The precinct strategy sees further concentration of knowledge-sector industries in the precinct including the expansion of allied health and biomedical industries as well as an expansion of education and research activities within the precinct.

To view the precinct strategy document, see <a href="https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/news/cross-river-rail-precinct-strategy-released/">crossriverrail.qld.gov.au</a>.

Lead image credit: buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au
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Queensland government releases Cross River Rail Precinct Strategy

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Just before Christmas, the NSW Government awarded a $299 million contract that will see the new Waterloo station on the second phase of the Sydney Metro line built along with a range of other uses on site.

Site preparation works have been ongoing, however, John Holland will build the new metro station on the block bounded by Cope Street, Raglan Street, Botany Road and Wellington Street in Waterloo and Mirvac will develop the 5 buildings set to rise on the site after the underground station is built.

Dubbed Waterloo Metro Quarter, the NSW government stands to benefit through capturing $106 million from the joint-venture partners for the rights to develop the station.  The development will include 70 social housing units and 5% of all other units will be set aside for affordable housing.

<blockquote>
Under the plan, at least five per cent of homes will be affordable housing and 70 apartments will be set aside for social housing.

There will be new community facilities, more trees planted, retail and office space and two new public plazas at Cope Street and Raglan Street.
<cite>Sydney Metro/NSW Government media release</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/syd_metro_waterloo_dec_19_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Sydney Metro/NSW Government"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="334" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/syd_metro_waterloo_dec_19_2.jpg?itok=6fGH3u25" title="Image: Sydney Metro/NSW Government" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Sydney Metro/NSW Government</figcaption></figure>The anticipated value of the development is $800 million and Mirvac intends to complete all components of the project within the next 5-6 years.

The integrated development will furthermore include office and retail spaces that Mirvac will manage long-term and the listed-developer will seek a 50/50 capital partner for the ownership of those project components.

<blockquote>
Our vision for this precinct extends beyond the bricks and mortar; we will be a long-term investor in Waterloo and we are wholly committed to realising the potential of this site to help drive meaningful social renewal and enduring value for the broader precinct.

The ability to deliver a progressive, urban development of this calibre, is underpinned by our wealth of experience at the forefront of the industry, together with our unique end-to-end capability
<cite>susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, CEO of Mirvac</cite>
</blockquote>

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/waterloo-nsw?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>

Waterloo is no stranger to new development with 23 projects currently on the Urban database.  Most of the existing pipeline is concentrated to the south and east of the new metro station site.

The second phase of the Sydney Metro project, also known as the Sydney Metro City &amp; Southwest project, also hit a new milestone the first of TBMs reaching Barangaroo on Sydney CBD's northwestern flank. 

The TBM named Nancy breached the station pit wall at Barangaroo in mid-December after having started its journey in Marrickville 15 months earlier in September 2018.  The second TBM, named Mum Shirl, is on the final stretch of its journey approximately 250m from the Barangaroo station pit according to the <a href="https://www.sydneymetro.info/tunnelling">Sydney Metro TBM tracker</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/syd_metro_waterloo_dec_19_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Sydney Metro/NSW Government"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="334" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/syd_metro_waterloo_dec_19_3.jpg?itok=U6L0hHZi" title="Image: Sydney Metro/NSW Government" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Sydney Metro/NSW Government</figcaption></figure>When complete, the entire line will stretch from Tallawong in Sydney's outer northwest to Bankstown in the middle ring, southwest of Sydney CBD.  The line will measure 66km in length, include 31 new stations and driverless trains will run on 4-minute peak and 10-minute off-peak frequencies.
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NSW government awards $299 million contract for new Waterloo metro station and integrated development

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Since late 2019, preparatory works for the level crossing removals at Cheltenham and Mentone have been underway, and the Victorian Government has now provided a timeline for further shutdowns to the Frankston line that will see the completion of 6 level crossing removals in 2020.

The preparatory works on rail trenches that will be dug under Park and Charman Roads in Cheltenham, as well as Balcombe Road in Mentone, will ramp up with services on the Frankston line to be replaced by buses between Frankston and Moorabbin between the 2nd and 16th of February.

During the same shutdown period, the level crossing at Carrum will be removed with the new elevated station and rebuilt elevated railway to open to passengers on the 17th of February.

Mentone Station will be closed in late March, and from mid-April, Cheltenham station will be closed with Frankston trains all running express through both stations until a major shutdown that will begin mid-May and run for two months until mid-July.

During the shutdown between mid-May and mid-July, buses will replace trains between Moorabbin and <a href="/new-townhouses/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc </a>to allow for the completion of rail trenches as well as new Cheltenham and Menton stations.

The Victorian Government says that when services resume running after mid-July, the crossings will be removed and new stations will open shortly after. The government expects finishing works to continue right through to early 2021.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/mentone-vic?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>

Cheltenham station hosts a third platform that will be rebuilt as part of the level crossing removal project, and according to the broader network enhancements in the Melbourne Metro business case, the station will see a more considerable amount of terminating services.

When the Melbourne Metro tunnel opens, and the Pakenham/Cranbourne and Sunbury lines are diverted through it, the Frankston line will get exclusive use of the existing Caulfield loop. This change will allow for an increase of services, including terminating some services at stations like Cheltenham in order to provide capacity in areas where there will be demand for them.

Cheltenham will also host the southernmost station on the <a href="/news/suburban-rail-loop-in-focus-cheltenham">Suburban Rail Loop</a>.  The business case and reference design are underway, however, late last year the Victorian Government confirmed the Suburban Rail Loop will be an <a href="/news/victorian-government-says-melbournes-suburban-rail-loop-will-be-an-operationally-independent-railway">operationally-independent railway</a> and the first phase will be built from Cheltenham to Box Hill. 

As part of the broader Level Crossing Removal Project, the Frankston line will see 18 level crossings removed (5 are already completed), 12 station rebuilds with a price tag of $3 billion.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/cheltenham-vic?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>

Cheltenham, and to a lesser extent Menton, are no stranger to higher-density development.  Cheltenham, in particular, has a robust pipeline of projects across all the main statuses Urban tracks.

Residential projects vary in size, from a handful of apartments up to over 150 apartments in projects such as the recently completed Village Cheltenham.  

Kingston Council updated the structure plan for Cheltenham in 2018, prior to the Victorian Government unveiling the Suburban Rail Loop project.
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Frankston line to see multiple shutdowns as more level crossings are set to go in 2020

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The Adelaide Central Market Arcade will be redeveloped in a $400 million deal between the City of Adelaide and a consortium of private sector businesses.  The redevelopment will see the arcade site, located next to the main market site, redeveloped that includes a multi-storey podium and tower retail, commercial, hotel and residential tower reaching 35 levels above Grote Street.

ICD Property, Nanshan Singapore, Sinclair Brook, Mott MacDonald and Woods Bagot have entered into a partnership with the city council to develop the site which will include speciality food, beverage and retail areas.

The roof of the podium looks set to include an elevated park right in the heart of the city, the redeveloped arcade has a focus on connecting Grote and Gouger Streets and the council says the new precinct will attract 10 million visits a year upon opening.  Likewise, the lanes to be created in the redevelopment will link Victoria Square through the Central Market itself.

The City of Adelaide stresses the Central Market will not be included and redevelopment is contained to the arcade site between the market and the Hilton Hotel/Law Courts on Victoria Square.

<iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" scrolling="no" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/376713944?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="100%"></iframe>

Following a detailed design and planning approvals process, the City of Adelaide expects construction to start in 2021.

15 per cent of the residential component in the redevelopment will be reserved for affordable housing and Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said the redevelopment would secure the district's future.

"It will complement and enhance the Adelaide Central Market as a world-class fresh produce market and visitor attraction.  We have a seamless transition between that new development and that existing Central Market and we bring new life right to the heart of the city," the Lord Mayor told the Adelaide Advertiser.

The City of Adelaide Council took control of the Central Market Arcade in September 2018 after 50 years of private management and the redevelopment announcement is the result of an expression of interest (EOI) process that kicked off in 2017.

<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/adelaide_central_market2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Overview of the Central Market Arcade redevelopment. Image: City of Adelaide"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="379" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/adelaide_central_market2.jpg?itok=bEH4i5zV" title="Overview of the Central Market Arcade redevelopment. Image: City of Adelaide" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Overview of the Central Market Arcade redevelopment. Image: City of Adelaide</figcaption></figure>
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Adelaide's Central Market Arcade to undergo $400 million redevelopment

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The Victorian Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, has announced a 6-member panel will be convened to lead a comprehensive review into Victoria's building system.

Among the appointees is Dame Judith Hackitt who led the UK Government's review of high-rise regulation after the 2017 Grenfell Tower inferno in London.

The panel will be chaired by Victoria's Better Regulation and Red Tape Commission Anna Cronin who has more than 25 year's experience in policy development.

Members of the panel are:

<ul>
<li>Anna Cronin - Chair and Commission for Better Regulation and Red Tape Commissioner</li>
	<li>Dame Judith Hackitt - Chair of the UK Independent Review of building regulations and Fire Safety and form Chair of the UK Health and Safety Executive</li>
	<li>Lauren Solomon - CEO of Consumer Policy Research Centre</li>
	<li>Melanie Fasham - Past President of the Master Buildings Association of Victoria and member of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee</li>
	<li>Dr Gerry Ayers - Health and Safety Manager of the CFMEU</li>
	<li>Professor Ian Bailey AM SC - Founding Chair of the Society of Construction Law Australia and progressional fellow at Melbourne Law School.</li>
</ul>
The panel's first take will be to establish overarching principles to guide the building system review and identify key themes to be investigated and addressed throughout the reform process.  The review will also address recommendations from the Victoria Cladding Taskforce's July 2019 Report.

"We've appointed experts from Victoria and around the world to help us deliver a better building system.  Our building and construction sector underpins much of our growth and economic activity - so it makes sense to support this with a modern and effective legislative framework", Richard Wynne said. 

The Victorian Cladding Taskforce was set up in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and 3 years after the Lacross Fire in Docklands. 

The Grenfell Tower disaster claimed the lives of 72 people and was started due to a malfunctioning refrigerator-freezer and the fire was primarily attributed to the building's cladding. The Lacrosse fire, while not recording any casualties, was started by a non-extinguished cigarette disposed of in a plastic container - the resulting fire spread across the facade of the building.

Several audits on building facades have been carried out (and some are still ongoing) and some of the recommendations in the Victorian Cladding Taskforce's report, delivered in October 2018 and published in <a href="https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/building-policy/victorian-cladding-taskforce">July 2019</a>, included:

<ul>
<li>The Victorian Building Authority and City of Melbourne complete comprehensive audits of priority buildings by the end of 2019.</li>
	<li>Risk assessment tools be developed for domestic buildings and be made available for use in commercial and industrial buildings.</li>
	<li>The implementation of a power for the Minister for Planning to declare a prohibition on the use of high-risk cladding products.</li>
</ul>
In June 2019, the Minister for Planning and Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, announced a $600 million package to fix buildings with combustible cladding in the form of grants to fund rectification works.

A new agency called Cladding Safety Victoria will manage funding and the state government will directly fund half of the rectification works and on January 1, an increased levy applying to planning applications with building work worth more than $800,000, will aid in financing the other half of the fund.

Lead image: Victorian Minister for Planning Richard Wynne, Credit: <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news">ABC</a>.
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Expert panel appointed to review Victoria's Building System

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Residents who live and new residents looking to live or invest in Melbourne's sandbelt can look forward to a significant investment in new public transport infrastructure now that the Victorian state government has awarded a contract to carry out work on level crossing removals in the area.  At the same time, residents and prospective residents-alike get to see what their new stations will look like.

An alliance consisting Lendlease, Acciona Coleman Rail, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne was awarded a $744 million contract to remove the level crossings at Edithvale Road in Edithvale, Station Street in Bonbeach as well as Argyle Avenue, Chelsea Road and Swanpool Avenue in Chelsea. 

This is the same alliance of contractors that worked on other Frankston line level crossing removals in Seaford, Carrum, Cheltenham and Mentone.

The Frankston railway line will be lowered in sections triggering the rebuild of Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach stations.

<blockquote>
The safe, accessible stations will reflect the coastal look and feel of the area and will maximise natural light to the platforms – delivering on feedback from the community on the design of the stations. The construction will use natural materials and colours to complement the local communities.

Each of the modern new stations has been designed to enhance connections around the area for commuters, pedestrians and cyclists with local activity hubs, important community facilities and the beach.

The connection with traditional owners of the land is recognised in the station designs, with woven canopies representing the area’s Indigenous textiles and craft.
<cite>Level Crossing Removal Authority</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/chelsea1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The new Chelsea station. Image: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="336" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/chelsea1.jpg?itok=mVDOT1s8" title="The new Chelsea station. Image: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The new Chelsea station. Image: levelcrossings.vic.gov.au</figcaption></figure>The State Government also announced another alliance comprising Fulton Hogan and Metro Trains Melbourne has been awarded a $166 million contract to remove the level crossing at Clyde Road, just west of Berwick Station on the same day.

The Frankston line between the Mordialloc Creek and Patterson River, while remaining relatively low-rise and coastal, isn't shy of medium and higher-density development.

Mordialloc has a small concentration of projects but Aspendale right through to Carrum also have a smattering of projects on the Urban database.  <a href="/new-townhouses/mordialloc-vic-3195">Townhouses </a>such as <a href="/buildings/la-sal-chelsea-1-shenfield-avenue-chelsea">La Sal Chelsea</a> and smaller 3-level developments such as <a href="/buildings/chelsea-310-station-street-chelsea">310 Station Street</a> in Chelsea are common throughout the sandbelt.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/chelsea-vic?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>

With the awarding of the Chelsea, Edithvale and Bonbaeach as well as the Berwick contracts, the government says that it has now awarded 50 contracts in total. 30 individual level crossings have been removed since the program first started during the first term of the Andrews Government.

At the 2018 state election, the ALP expanded their list of 50 level crossings to be removed to 75 and media statements say the state government will have worked through its entire list of 75 metropolitan Melbourne level crossing removals by 2025.

Projects such as the Regional Rail Revival program on the Geelong line will also see non-metropolitan level crossings removed.

 

 

 
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New stations in Melbourne's Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach unveiled

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<a href="/developments/box-hill-vic-3128">Box Hill has been designated</a> as the northern terminus for phase 1 on the Suburban Rail Loop and it just so happens to be the one middle-ring suburb of Melbourne that has seen, and will likely continue to see some of the <a href="/developments/box-hill-vic-3128">highest concentration of new development </a>over time.

Putting aside the Suburban Rail Loop, the existing public transport infrastructure in Box Hill is conducive to supporting a greater amount of high-density residential, commercial/office and retail uses.

The Belgrave/Lilydale lines, coupled with short-running services to Blackburn - two stations east of Box Hill - provide some of the best off-peak frequencies of any railway line in Melbourne.  Peak services are enhanced by the third track built across the 60s and 70s between Box Hill and Burnley that allows extra express peak trains to flow into the city in the morning and out of the city in the afternoon. 

The bus interchange at Box Hill Central, the Vicinity-owned shopping centre sitting atop Box Hill station, while in need of an upgrade, also supports a very large amount of bus routes creates a large mesh of road-based public transport routes feeding into Box Hill from all directions.

Terminating the first phase of the Suburban Rail Loop in Box Hill will be the icing on the cake for Whitehorse council which has for a number of years been keen to see Box Hill 'grow up' and attract new employment and residential-related investment for the region.  

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/box-hill-vic?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>

Apartments.com.au and our earlier website moniker Apartments.com.au has been publishing since March 2013 and projects that were at some stage in the pipeline and have now been completed over the past 6 years are still visible on the database.  The map above has nearly 20 completed buildings plus around since 2013 and the map above has almost 20 completed projects plus another 30 odd pipeline projects.

Until 2018/2019, Box Hill's development was guided by a structure plan adopted back in June 2007 and the City of Whitehorse is currently reviewing it.  In May 2019, the council released its <a href="https://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/vision-box-hill">analysis and options report</a> for community consultation, the feedback period closed in August 2019.

Last month the Fin Review reported on Vicinity's completion of a masterplan to reconfigure two existing sites at Box Hill Central.  The <a href="https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/vicinity-whets-appetite-for-acquisition-20191114-p53als">report</a> said the redevelopment could potentially deliver 350,000 square metres across seven new towers, creating close to $2 billion in developed real estate.

SGS Economics and Planning drew on Victoria in Future data to produce forecasts for the Box Hill activity centre and suggest that between 2016 and 2036 the population of Box Hill will increase by 8,400-10,100 people creating a need for between 4,200 and 5,000 new dwellings.

On the employment front, the region is forecast to see an increase of 8,400-11,000 new jobs in the area between 2016 and 2036.  Overall, additional employment floor space demand is forecast set to be in the range of 266,000 and 346,000 square metres.

<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/east_central1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="East Central Tower, Box Hill"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="359" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/east_central1.jpg?itok=Whfzq2kn" title="East Central Tower, Box Hill" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/east-central-tower-820-whitehorse-road-box-hill">East Central Tower</a>, Box Hill</figcaption></figure>For the Suburban Rail Loop, having a good quality interchange at Box Hill will be paramount - and it's an opportunity to create a better bus and rail interchange over and above what currently exists - not just to cater for transferring passengers but over the long term, Box hill and the wider south-east will be connected to the north-western and northern suburbs through the second phase of the gargantuan rail project.

The State Government is reported to have said the business case for the Suburban Rail Loop will be released in 2020 but a picture of the type of system that might emerge is becoming clearer.  

Comparisons to the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project appear to be moot now the Premier and Minister for Transport Infrastructure have announced the system will be operationally-independent and have smaller trains running on higher frequencies.

One component of any railway project on this scale that hasn't been discussed in this series of articles that is somewhat critical - from a planning and employment perspective as well as an operational perspective - is the location of the maintenance depot and place where the trains go to sleep at night.  Fundamentally it is a component that would be classed as industrial development in the property world however your guess is as good as anyone else's on where it will be situated.

Previous stop: <a href="/news/suburban-rail-loop-in-focus-burwood">Burwood</a>.
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Suburban Rail Loop in focus: Box Hill

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Deakin University's primary Melbourne campus in Burwood is set to be one of two stations on the Suburban Rail Loop that will be located in the City of Whitehorse.

The Burwood station along with the station to be located in the Monash NEIC are the only two stations in the first phase of the SRL that will be built in areas where there is no existing heavy rail transport.   The two university campuses are natural patronage generators with the ability to generate travel demand inside and outside traditional peaks.

According to Deakin University's statistics, in 2017, the Burwood campus had 30,000 on-campus enrolments, and in 2018 Monash University's Clayton campus had 44,000 on-campus enrolments. 

Deakin University's total staff headcount in 2017 numbered just under 5000 with approximately 2000 of them based in Burwood and Monash's total staff headcount in 2018 numbered just under 9000.  Monash University does not provide readily available staff-per-campus statistics.

<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/srl_burwood1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Deakin University's Burwood campus. Image: suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="324" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/srl_burwood1.png?itok=AKv3J42F" title="Deakin University's Burwood campus. Image: suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Deakin University's Burwood campus. Image: suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au</figcaption></figure>The campus and immediate surrounds are currently served by two modes of public transport: Burwood Highway hosts the number 75 tram route from Vermont South and has three bus routes that link it to Box Hill station.

Burwood itself has seen many new residential and commercial/retail developments completed in the recent past and also has a decent pipeline of work still to come. The majority of completed and still-to-come pipeline projects are lined on either side of Burwood Highway and its tram route.

The 5 level, 39 unit <a href="/buildings/parer-apartments-137-burwood-highway-burwood">Parer Apartments</a> project is indicative of the scale of development that is present along the Burwood Highway and can be explained by the liberal application of the Residential Growth Zone, predominantly along the southern side of the Burwood Highway, and multiple Commercial Zone applications at key sites between Warrigal and Middleborough Roads.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/burwood-vic?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>

When Urban interviewed the Victorian Planning Authority's CEO, Stuart Moseley, back in <a href="/guides/weekly-podcast-episode-9-special-guest-stuart-moseley-ceo-of-the-victorian-planning-authority">April 2018</a>, he spoke of each NEIC being anchored by, among others, a tertiary institution and while Deakin's Burwood campus is not contained within any flagged NEIC, the addition of a station at Deakin's campus is likely to bring the campus and immediate area into focus for expanded development.

Just to the east of the Deakin campus lies an auto-centric last-century suburban office park which in the context of a major north-south high capacity transport link soon to be built in the area will look somewhat other-worldly if nothing changes.

Clustering is the keyword and despite not being located in an NEIC, Deakin's campus could very well be at the centre of a smaller cluster of businesses working with the university, however before that could start, a new round of structure planning will likely be required.

In 2009 the City of Whitehorse adopted a framework plan for the Burwood village, located to the west of the university campus on Burwood Highway near the intersection of Warrigal Road, and no other studies or plans are currently listed on Whitehorse's <a href="https://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/planning-building/planning-strategies/planning-studies-and-policies">website</a> in relation to planning for the Burwood &amp; Deakin University campus area.

Previous stop: <a href="/news/suburban-rail-loop-in-focus-glen-waverley">Glen Waverley</a>

Next stop: Box Hill (coming soon)

Lead image credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deakin_University">Wikipedia</a>

<h2>Recently listed properties in Melbourne:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22699]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29358]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22803]
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Suburban Rail Loop in focus: Burwood

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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

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

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

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

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

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

Alastair Taylor

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