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The <a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">core of the skyscraper</a> which will take the title from Eureka as Melbourne's tallest building is approaching 50% of its eventual height.

Images posted on the <a href="/news">Urban.com.au Projects &amp; Construction</a> forum by stalwart member redden show that <a href="/builders/multiplex">Multiplex</a> are now working on the 50th level within the core box. 

Australia 108 will eventually have 99 floors, rising to 317 metres above the intersection of City Road and Southbank Boulevard.

With well over 1000 apartments, Australia 108 will eclipse Eureka Tower, completed last decade, by 20 metres in the height stakes.

<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/p4081425.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108 looking westward along City Road - image: redden"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/p4081425.jpg?itok=ZDYNNqnB" title="Australia 108 looking westward along City Road - image: redden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Australia 108 looking westward along City Road - image: redden</figcaption></figure>In <a href="/news/brookfield-multiplex-appointed-builder-for-australia-108-piling-to-commence-in-october">September 2015</a> when Multiplex was awarded the construction contract valued at $500 million, the construction milestones which included the number of apartments to be completed were:

<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Stage 1: up to level 40, 491 apartments, to be completed late 2018</li>
	<li>Stage 2: up to level 56, 252 apartments, to be completed mid 2019</li>
	<li>Stage 3: up to level 66, 162 apartments, to be completed mid 2019</li>
	<li>Stage 4: up to level 86, 120 apartments, to be completed early 2020</li>
	<li>Stage 5: up to final level, 80 apartments, to be completed mid 2020</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>

The only other tower taller than Australia 108 which has received planning approval is One Queensbridge Street which the current Planning Minister Richard Wynne signed off on in <a href="/news/one-queensbridge-street-approved">February 2017</a>.

Australia 108 was approved by then-Planning Minister and now Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Guy, in 2014.
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Alastair Taylor

Australia 108 approaches 50% of its height

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The State Government has earmarked another $75million for the <a href="/new-townhouses/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc </a>bypass this morning and announced the road, unveiled during the 2017 budget season, will now no longer have at-grade road intersections.

The Mordialloc Freeway, née bypass, was unveiled in 2017 and geotechnical investigations kicked off not long after the May 2017 budget was published.  The original cost of the bypass road was $300 million.

What were to be intersections when the project was first unveiled will be grade separated freeway interchanges located at Springvale Road, Governor Road, Lower Dandenong Road and Centre Dandenong Road with the freeway terminating at the Dingley bypass.

Thames Promenade in Chelsea Heights will have northern entry and exit ramps added to its existing set of Frankston-bound southern entry and exit ramps.  The Frankston Freeway will now, in effect, extend from Cranbourne Road in Frankston to the Dingley Bypass in Clayton South.

The announcement of the project's upgrade to a freeway-standard road is occurring two days before submissions close on the <a href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/planning-and-projects/melbourne-road-projects/mordialloc-bypass">scoping requirements</a> for the <a href="https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/environment-assessment/browse-projects/projects/mordialloc-bypass#overview">environmental effects statement</a> which the planning minister deemed necessary in September 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/nelink.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Another large freeway/tollway project, the North East Link"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="360" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nelink.jpg?itok=DNQCGjm-" title="Another large freeway/tollway project, the North East Link" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Another large freeway/tollway project, the North East Link</figcaption></figure>On the 24th of November, Victorians head back to the polls and this project is located in one of the four marginal electorates that won the election for the Andrews Government at the last state election.

The electorate of Mordialloc is held only by 2.1% and it is in the top 5 most marginal seats in the State's Legislative Assembly for the government.  The project also travels through the electorates of Keysborough and Clarinda which are considered safer for the Andrews Government.

Among other announcements along the line of sandbelt electorates in recent weeks have included the removal of the Skye/Overton Road level crossing which is located on the boundary of the Frankston &amp; Carrum electorates (the most marginal and the second most marginal electorates for the government respectively).

The electorate and suburb of Carrum is also set to see level crossings removed and a new elevated station built in place of the existing Carrum station.  Station Street in Bonbeach and Edithvale Road in Edithvale (in Carrum and Mordialloc electorates respectively) are also on the original list of 50 level crossings to be removed over 8 years.

Planning and consultation on the Bonbeach and Edithvale level crossing removals are ongoing with only the Carrum and the Seaford-Frankston area see any significant work or announcements that work will begin before the end of the year.

In 2015, Infrastructure Victoria was set up and lauded as an agency to 'take the politics out of planning'.  The <a href="/new-townhouses/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc </a>bypass, now freeway, did not get a mention in Infrastructure Victoria's 30-year strategy - it only appears in the <a href="https://www.vic.gov.au/system/user_files/Documents/vip/Victorian%20Infrastructure%20Plan~Chapter%202~Transport.pdf">5-year plan</a> which the government was required to create after Infrastructure Victoria unveiled the first run of the 30-year strategy.

The State Government has not publicly announced any changes to the heavy rail network development plan that was released under the previous government nor provided any meaningful direction on how our tram and bus networks will evolve over time in the context of a rapidly growing metropolitan area.
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Mordialloc bypass now a freeway

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Australia is in the middle of a rooftop solar boom with news last week that in the March quarter 351 megawatts (MW) of new capacity was installed including 127MW for the month of March alone.  <a href="https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-rooftop-solar-boom-rolls-on-351mw-in-first-quarter-26595/">According to </a><a href="https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-rooftop-solar-boom-rolls-on-351mw-in-first-quarter-26595/">SunWiz</a>, the uptake is accelerating.

The acceleration has been attributed to high prices from electricity retailers and the consistent cost reductions in photovoltaic technology that has created an environment where many house-owners and businesses have increasingly greater access to technology that allows them to thumb their noses at electricity retailers.

Those lucky enough to own a house or business premise and have the budget to install a rooftop solar system, especially one combined with a battery, are also starting to see shorter payback times.

Booming solar installations throughout Australia's suburbs, one would think, should be seen as a great achievement of those politicians and groups who believe in greater self-determination and less state intervention - regardless if state subsidies helped us get to the point where we are. Alas, it's not the case with the merry 'Monash forum' rabble.

Much like moving to 100% electric vehicles would solve the emissions challenge of cars, a 1 for 1 replacement doesn't solve the physics/congestion challenge in cities; increased solar rooftop &amp; battery package purchases by households and business adds significant weight to tackling the electricity generation emissions problem, however, it won't be available to every household - in a financial sense, but more importantly in a physical sense.

The issue of unchecked low-density growth at the fringe of cities is well understood - increased urban densities in the inner and middle rings of our cities are a direct antidote to it - but those who will probably live a significant proportion of their lives in multi-dwelling buildings won't be able to participate in the generation side of a distributed energy grid to the same extent as those who own houses.

Apartment buildings and higher-density workplaces will, of course, be able to install electricity generation infrastructure on their roofs but at best this local generation will cover the electricity required to light, heat and cool common areas plus a bit more, at worst there will be a negligible impact.

If we accept there will be an energy production divide at the household level - those who live in houses which can install a PV system on the roof versus those who live in apartments/units - then in the interests of equity, apartments and the higher-density parts of our cities will need specific policy treatment.

'The grid' is the machine that includes generation (thermal power stations, wind turbines, solar arrays, dams with hydro turbines located at the base of them), transmission (the 'big' power powerlines), distribution (the 'small' powerlines in your street) and substations which are the bridges between generation and transmission as well as between transmission and distribution.

Our grid mainly operates in one direction - from generation through the transmission network to the distribution network to the power outlet in your home/business to the device or appliance that's plugged into the power outlet.  Those appliances/devices plugged in are considered 'behind the meter', everything else is considered 'in front of the meter'.

The leadership at the Australia Energy Market Operator, which oversees transmission planning in Victoria's case but overall it monitors the operations of the electricity network around the country, has begun talking about the need for access to the behind-the-meter infrastructure that is rapidly deploying in Australian households and businesses.

"At the moment there is no framework for moderating the feed into the grid from rooftop PV systems,” Jenny Riesz, principal at AEMO, quoted in <a href="https://reneweconomy.com.au/rooftop-solar-australias-greatest-opportunity-greatest-risk-86420/">RenewEconomy</a>, said. “We can turn down the large-scale wind and PV if we have to, but there is no way at the moment to control rooftop PV systems".

<blockquote>
As AEMO chief Audrey Zibelman has repeatedly asserted, this behind the meter energy generation and storage resource has enormous potential to be harnessed by the market operator, in any number of ways, to help provide crucial grid balancing and particularly peak shaving services.

And extensive modelling by Energy Networks Australia has supported this view.

It showed that by orchestrating the nation’s distributed energy resource (DER), and coordinating the dispatch of it in a sensible way, network charges could be reduced by 30 per cent, annual savings delivered to households, and up to $1.4 billion in network investment avoided.
<cite>Rooftop solar: Australia's greatest opportunity and its greatest risk, <a href="https://reneweconomy.com.au/rooftop-solar-australias-greatest-opportunity-greatest-risk-86420/">RenewEconomy</a></cite>
</blockquote>

The are multiple solutions to the impending problem of excess generation and not being able to control it.

<blockquote>
“There is a huge amount that we can do about this,” Riesz told the conference on Thursday. “It’s just that we have to get on and do it. Now. Now is the time.

Key among the possible solutions is increasing daytime demand. This can be done a number of ways, such as shifting hot water clocks from night into the daytime; coordinating the distributed storage “that’s coming in at a rate of notts”; or using electric vehicle charging to mop up excess generation.

“Electric vehicles coming in could enormously help, And we could have other sorts of flexible loads like water pumping, and so on; if we provide the right tariffs and incentives, a lot more of that can be done during the day, to suck up this energy,” Riesz said.
<cite>Rooftop solar: Australia's greatest opportunity and its greatest risk, <a href="https://reneweconomy.com.au/rooftop-solar-australias-greatest-opportunity-greatest-risk-86420/">RenewEconomy</a></cite>
</blockquote>

Australia's rooftop solar boom is happening in an energy policy environment that's been stuck in a rut for a decade. The former South Australian government went out of its way to facilitate a batter for the grid based on a twitter conversation - this is what an inept and paralysed federal government looks like.

Helped along early on in the piece by high feed-in tariffs set at the state level, solar PV + batteries is now at the stage where house-owners wield significant power (pardon the pun) and <a href="https://www.thefifthestate.com.au/energy-lead/energy/solar-and-storage-could-soon-be-the-standard-for-new-homes">developers foresee including systems as standard</a> in house and land packages in the not too distant future.

Apartment-dwellers won't have the same access to generation participation opportunities that house-dwellings currently do, but they could very much play a massive part in the need for the country to invest in storage.  If they're given an incentive package similar to the one early adopters of solar PV systems received.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://sonnenbatterie.de/en-gb/sonnenbatterie">sonnenbatterie.de</a>
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Houses & early feed-in tariffs helped reduced rooftop solar costs, it's time to focus on apartments and the impending storage boom

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This week Laurence &amp; I sit down with Stuart Moseley, the CEO of the Victorian Planning Authority.

We talk about the role the Victorian Planning Authority plays in the state, the challenges Victoria may face and where consultation is heading in the context of new ways to undertake it.   We also chat about Melbourne's employment clusters and how the VPA interfaces with other government departments and authorities.

You can also subscribe to the podcast through <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/urban-melbournes-weekly-podcast/id1356864009?mt=2">iTunes</a>!

<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/425516658&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>

 

 

 
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Weekly Podcast: Episode 9 - Special guest Stuart Moseley, CEO of the Victorian Planning Authority

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In the merry-go-round of construction blitzes produced by the ongoing level crossing removal project, it's the Frankston line's turn with multiple rail line shutdowns to occur within May and June.

Spring Street announced that between the 4th and 27th of May buses will replace trains between Frankston &amp; Carrum as well as the entire Stony Point railway line.

Between the 28th of May and the 17th of June, buses will replace trains between Frankston and Kananook station and between Leawarra and Frankston on the Stony Point line.

The shutdowns in May and June are linked to works required to complete the new Frankston Station and the Skye/Overton Road level crossing removal project.

Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, referred to the 'out-of-the-box thinking' which is going into the Skye/Overton Road removal project - viaduct components will be built and transported to site from Kilmore outside of peak times.

"It's exciting to see the project team thinking outside the box with this unique bridge design, which will be part of delivering more trains more often for Frankston line passengers".

According to a Spring Street media release, the new rail bridge will comprise "24 u-shaped viaducts - each bigger than a blue whale and weighing 280 tonnes each - will be transported on a 72 metre-long truck from a Kilmore factory to the work site in Frankston."

The segments of the viaduct will then be prepared on site and specialist heavy-lifting machinery will jack them into place.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bIeTvC81xho" width="100%"></iframe>

Frankston station is being overhauled as <a href="/news/construction-kicks-off-on-new-frankston-station">we reported back in February</a> when construction commenced.  The Genton Architecture-designed proposal was selected as part of an architectural competition which was overseen by the Office of Victorian Government Architect.

The May-June shutdowns also co-ordinate all the level crossing removal and station removal projects at the southern end of the line and focus then shifts northwards.

The Premier and Minister for Public Transport on the same day as announcing the May-June construction blitz also visited Carrum where works have begun on the extension of the new Station Street bridge across the Patterson River.

Carrum will see a new elevated station and its existing train stabling facilities are being moved to a site right near Kananook &amp; the Skye Road/Overton Road level crossing removal project.

At Carrum, Macleod Road will be extended directly under the new elevated track and connect with the Nepean Highway which allows the existing 'dog's leg' level crossing connecting Station Street and the Nepean Highway to be removed and according to the Level Crossing Removal Authority, the traffic research done to inform the design will negate the need to replace the Eel Race Road level crossing.

The Eel Race Road level crossing will simply be closed and a new pedestrian connection under the rail line will be built.
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Frankston station rebuild and Skye Road level crossing removal to be complete by mid June

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<h2>Comment</h2>

“Every hour during the morning peak, 15,000 pedestrians cross the Spencer and Collins Street intersection outside Southern Cross Station which is five times the number of people in cars, yet cars are given twice the amount of time as pedestrians to pass through.”

That's Cr Nicolas Frances Gilley from the City of Melbourne. It goes right to the heart of an issue that, for the moment, is a focus for the City of Melbourne but should be a question that councils beyond the centre of the city should be pondering.

In the context of population predictions of a metropolitan area of 8 million people, why do we allocate so much space to a transport mode which consumes a heck of a lot more public space per capita compared to more efficient modes?

For a few decades now, the City of Melbourne has led where others have decided business-as-usual is the best course of action and it's resulted in a centre-of-Melbourne which attracts, feels, and is radically different to other areas in the metropolitan area.

The City of Melbourne has begun publishing discussion papers which the council seeks to use to inform the draft transport refresh it hopes to release toward the end of 2018.  The first two of eight papers focus on walking and city space.

<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/com_transport_fresh_1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="The most important transport mode in the City of Melbourne - walking"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="933" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/com_transport_fresh_1.png?itok=8KFYLlcF" title="The most important transport mode in the City of Melbourne - walking" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The most important transport mode in the City of Melbourne - walking</figcaption></figure>Both discussion papers outline relevant data - such as the mode share of transport trips within the Hoddle Grid and in the wider municipal area - and point to examples overseas where other cities are facing similar issues.

For instance in Auckland, the CoM discussion paper tells the story of how pedestrian delay at traffic lights has been quantified ($2.2 million NZD per annum) and how Oslo will make its centre of the city car-free by 2019.

Barcelona's 'superblock' treatment where the Catalan capital has enacted major change: previously, the blocks in Eixample had 75% of public space allocated to private vehicles, 75% of public space is now allocated to pedestrian uses.

The discussion papers can be found on the <a href="https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/transportstrategy">Participate Melbourne website</a>.

It should not go unnoticed that it is a municipality that is driving change forward.  The City of Melbourne is unique within the metropolitan area as it is the historic commercial centre which has always had a high concentration of activity and our rail network connects us all to it.

The story of central Melbourne's change from the dark, car-filled street days of the 80s is well documented and we are all the beneficiaries of the progressive change however it's unfortunate that this wonderful revitalised central Melbourne, for the most part, stops at the municipal boundary.

The tram network is what the City of Melbourne and other adjoining councils have in common - much of the network is located on streets where trams are slowed down (and therefore their capacity to transport people more efficiently is curtailed) by on-street car parking and the misallocation of road-space to private vehicles is rife.  

Other councils do have transport strategies that would see progressive change over time, but there is nothing uniform across municipal boundaries that could inform the mainly state-based agencies who make the decisions on where to invest capital to create new or improve existing public transport routes.

While we give major kudos to the City of Melbourne for taking the lead - again - on showing Melburnians how change can happen for the better, what we really should be asking is why can the same prioritisation of people over cars not be applied firstly to other parts of Melbourne the tram network touches and then the emerging nodes beyond the tram network.
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City of Melbourne's transport strategy refresh - should it not apply to other municipalities?

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Pace Development Group are expanding northwards into the City of Moonee Valley with a recently acquired site located at 327-357 Mt Alexander Road currently at advertising.

Not afraid of developing in Melbourne's middle ring suburbs as well as the inner-city, the Ascot Vale proposal sits on a 3,846 square metre site which has three frontages, the largest of which is to Mt Alexander Road.

Pace has employed Carr Design Group as the project lead, seeking permission for 89 apartments and 4 townhouses.

The project is located on the current site of the Ascot Vale garden centre and includes 4 heritage properties on the corner of Mt Alexander Road and Moonee Street - two of the heritage properties are to be retained as part of the proposal.

The ground floor contains four retail tenancies, one of which will be large enough for a local supermarket, and the 3 levels of basement car parking cater for both private residents, visitors and customers in the building's proposed retail tenancies.

Contained within the proposal are 17 x 1 bedroom apartments, 62 x 2 bedroom apartments and 10 x 3 bedroom apartments.  All four townhouses are 3 bedroom with 2 bathrooms.

<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/pace_ascot_vale_1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Looking south down Mt Alexander Road. Planning image: Carr Design &amp; Pace"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/pace_ascot_vale_1.png?itok=om_fH5p5" title="Looking south down Mt Alexander Road. Planning image: Carr Design &amp; Pace" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Looking south down Mt Alexander Road. Planning image: Carr Design &amp; Pace</figcaption></figure>All 1 bedroom apartments are a minimum of 51 square metres and can range up to 58 square metres with 8 square metres of private outdoor space.  Some apartments on the first level above the retail tenancies and on the same level as the internal courtyard have upwards of 61 square metres of private outdoor space.

2 Bedroom apartments have a minimum of 68 square metres and the range goes up to over 100 square metres of internal space. The three bedroom apartments have a minimum of 105 square metres of internal space.

The main apartment building sits on the site in a reverse L shape (when viewed from the south) which creates a private space away from the street-fronts. Landscape plans now with Moonee Valley council show a mixture of rain gardens, raised garden beds and gazebos expected to adorn the communal courtyard.

<h2>Development Team Summary</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Pace Development Group</li>
	<li>Architect: Carr Design Group</li>
	<li>Urban Planner: Urbis</li>
	<li>Traffic Management: Ratio</li>
	<li>Waste Management: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Heritage Consultant: Bryce Raworth</li>
</ul>
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Pace seeks to build mixed-use development in Ascot Vale

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Parkside Constructions is seeking planning approval from the City of Moonee Valley for a 6 level, 28-unit apartment building on the palm-tree laden strip of Mt Alexander Road in Essendon.

MAP Architecture head up the design team for the proposal located at 1032-1036 Mt Alexander Road which would see near 50% of the units in the development have 3 bedrooms - there are only 2 x 1 bedroom apartments accounted for in the plans currently advertised.

In fact, the entire project is heavily weighted toward large to very large apartments - there are 13 x 3 bedrooms and 13 x 2 bedrooms.

The smallest of the 2 bedroom configurations weighs in at 89 square metres in total with the majority designed to have more than 100 square metres.  All 3 bedroom apartments have been designed to have over 100 square metres of space in them with many in the 115-135 square metre range.

The 1133 square metre site has a single frontage of 26.22 metres to Mt Alexander Road and the scale of the proposal has good company with this stretch of Mt Alexander Road covered on Apartments.com.au many times in the past.

<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/1032-mt_rd_essendon1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="1032-1036 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon. Planning image: MAP Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="215" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1032-mt_rd_essendon1.png?itok=59m4BWCZ" title="1032-1036 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon. Planning image: MAP Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>1032-1036 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon. Planning image: MAP Architecture</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
The proposal provides for a contemporary building with a high level of architectural appeal that will enhance the appearance of the Mount Alexander Road Corridor.

This will be achieved through the use of varied design details, high levels of glazing, curvilinear wall forms for upper levels and high quality finishes.

Despite not incorporating commercial land uses at ground level, the proposal provides an active interface with Mount Alexander Road as a result providing various balconies and windows facing the public realm coupled with low level front fencing and vegetation across the front elevation. Further it is submitted that apartment LG.01 has been designed to allow easy conversion into a home office. The building will be well articulated and responds to the adjoining style and form of development in the area.

The siting, massing and appearance of the buildings and works is consistent with the evolving streetscape of Mount Alexander Road. The proposed development will not be adjacent to any heritage buildings
<cite>1032-1036 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon, Urban Context Report</cite>
</blockquote>

The proposal would see many apartments have views over Allison Park which sits is located to the rear of the site with architectural plans showing the two rear ground floor apartments having gated access to the park.

1032-1036 Mt Alexander Road like many other projects along the same stretch of Mt Alexander Road benefit from the 59 tram line running past the front door.  Essendon station is a 900 metre / 10 minute walk.

The project joins Sturt Street Parque on the Apartments.com.au project database in this specific area.  South of the railway line &amp; Essendon station there are six further projects, two of which are under construction.

1032-1036 Mt Alexander Road is being assessed by the City of Moonee Valley.

<h2>Development Team List:</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Parkside Constructions Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architect: MAP Architecture</li>
	<li>Urban Planning: A.R.G. Planning</li>
	<li>Sustainability: SDC</li>
	<li>Traffic Assessment: Traffix Group</li>
	<li>Waste Management: Leigh Design</li>
</ul>
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Three bedrooms aplenty in new middle ring Essendon development

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The City of Casey is seeking submissions on the draft Cranbourne town centre structure plan which is currently on public exhibition.

Cranbourne's draft town centre structure plan covers an area which includes the land from the north of Cranbourne Station, down the South Gippsland Highway; it encompasses the original town centre and the existing light industrial area opposite the Cranbourne racecourse.

The structure plan has 4 precincts which are linked to specific land use - Community uses in the Casey complex located on the eastern side of Cameron Street, residential intensification on the western side of Cameron Street, a Mixed-use commercial core which runs the length of the South Gippsland Highway and employment and service precincts located either side of the main residential intensification precinct on between Cameron Street and the commercial core.

<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/cranbourne_precincts.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Proposed precinct map of Cranbourne - image: City of Casey"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="430" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cranbourne_precincts.png?itok=pI_76idl" title="Proposed precinct map of Cranbourne - image: City of Casey" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Proposed precinct map of Cranbourne - image: City of Casey</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The built form of the Cranbourne Town Centre tells the story of how it has grown and changed over time with distinct areas of commercial, industrial and residential buildings, consistent with a rural township becoming an outer suburb of Melbourne transitioning into a significant activity centre in the region.

Existing buildings throughout the town centre are primarily 1-2 storey, with some larger commercial buildings throughout. It is expected that residential and commercial development will be concentrated in the Cranbourne Town Centre in order to support the expected future demand. These building types are still apparent throughout Cranbourne, and it is expected that growth and development will contribute positively to the centre’s image.

Land around the Cranbourne Railway Station should encourage transit-oriented development and contribute to making the station a more attractive area. Higher density residential and mixed-use development in this location together with commercial development in the High street north area should positively contribute to the image of the centre, creating an attractive public environment which draws people down through to the High Street area. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.caseyconversations.com.au/33609/documents/73770"><cite>Draft Cranbourne town centre structure plan</cite></a>
</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/cranbourne_indicative.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Indicative built-form near Cranbourne station - image: City of Casey"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="213" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cranbourne_indicative.png?itok=n8RFVms4" title="Indicative built-form near Cranbourne station - image: City of Casey" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Indicative built-form near Cranbourne station - image: City of Casey</figcaption></figure>The mixed-use commercial core calls for any new development over 1000sqm at the Cranbourne Park shopping centre must include streetscape improvements, facade activation and an enhanced pedestrian environment.  The preferred height limit for the commercial core is 17-20 metres with street-wall heights of 11 metres and upper-level setbacks of 5 metres - perhaps most importantly, new car parking will not be allowed at the front of the building.

In the residential intensification precincts, the Residential Growth Zone will be used and amalgamation of blocks will be encouraged to allow higher-density development to occur.  13.5 metres with a setback of 5 metres is proposed throughout the precinct.

To view the draft structure plan and to make a submission, see the City of Casey <a href="https://www.caseyconversations.com.au/cranbourne-town-centre">website</a>.  Submissions close on Monday 23rd of April 2018.
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City of Casey seeks submissions on Cranbourne's town centre structure plan

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The day after Apartments.com.au took a look at the swathe of construction images for the South Morang to Mernda railway line extension project, Spring Street has announced the project is running 6 months ahead of schedule and that test trains will be running on the extension by September said the Mernda rail extension project will be operating by September.

At the same time, local MLAs Danielle Green and Lily D'ambrosio who also holds the suburban development ministerial portfolio joined the Minister for Public Transport to confirm the new station names - Hawkestowe, Middle Gorge and Mernda. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
We’re getting it done – Mernda Rail Extension is ahead of schedule, creating thousands of jobs and giving people in our fastest growing suburbs the transport they deserve. <a href="https://t.co/tWWNIqEKgQ">https://t.co/tWWNIqEKgQ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/springst?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#springst</a> <a href="https://t.co/xhqAKkWa0h">pic.twitter.com/xhqAKkWa0h</a>
— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/JacintaAllanMP/status/980641504321392643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a>
</blockquote>

Middle Gorge has previously been referred to as Marymede on Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) website.

The LXRA are also running construction bus tours between Thursday 12th of April and Saturday 14th of April at 10am and 2pm each day - the tours last for 1.5 hours and interested parties need to register <a href="https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/events/mernda-rail-project-free-bus-tour">here</a>.

The final introduction of the new timetable to allow South Morang trains to run to the new terminus at Merna will be confirmed over the next few months according to a Spring Street media release.

<h2>Clayton Road now level crossing free</h2>

The Premier and Minister for Public Transport also made a trip to Clayton on Tuesday to inspect works on the new station at Clayton where work on the station's new canopy is complete.

The boom gates at Centre Road are set to be removed today and the level crossing will be removed with boomgates to be removed at Clayton Road within days as well.

The Clayton section of the level crossing removal project will be the second to open after the Noble Park elevated track and the new station opened in February.

Rail services will resume at the new Clayton station on Monday April 16th.
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Mernda rail extension to open six months ahead of schedule, station names updated

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Alastair Taylor

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