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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

The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

Alastair Taylor

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