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<h2>Comment</h2>

Now more than ever, it is time to double down on building and maintaining a repertoire of business cases relating to transformative transport projects for Melbourne &amp; Victoria

Whether it's a new road pricing regime &amp; the subsequent reallocation of road space or the next big-ticket rail network project, the Federal Government's new found penchant for investing in proper analysis should be leveraged.

In Tim Pallas' 2017 budget, $10 million was allocated to study how to get the Melbourne Airport Rail link done sooner - the kicker was that the money was contingent on Victoria receiving a payment from the Federal Government to kick things off.  Last night Scott Morrison went one better and allocated $30 million.

A few months ago Malcolm stood in front of Tumut-3 in the New South Wales alps and announced that money will be spent on updating plans and conducting a proper analysis into transforming the network of hydro generators in the Snowy Mountains to a larger pumped-storage mechanism for our increasing renewable energy generation base.  Last night Scott Morrison announced that the Federal Government would offer to buy both Victoria &amp; New South Wales' share of the snowy hydro corporation - and in turn those proceeds would need to be 'reinvested in priority infrastructure projects'.

Given the current argy-bargy between Spring Street and Canberra revolves around the Victorian Government receiving less cash from the lease of Port Melbourne &amp; the associated asset recycling scheme, and while the Federal Government setting conditions on the buy-out of state shares in Snowy Hydro is perfectly reasonable, it could just end up opening up a new front in the grenade throwing war.

Please.  No more.

The Treasurer also announced Canberra will set up a $10billion 'National Rail Programme' that could support projects like 'Adelink, Brisbane Metro, Tullamarine Rail link, Cross River Rail in Brisbane, and the Western Sydney Airport Rail link'.  This cash starts to appear 2019-2020 according to Budget Paper Number 3.

<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/nat_rail.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Budget Paper Number 3"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="723" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nat_rail.png?itok=CLDuwgLY" title="Budget Paper Number 3" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Budget Paper Number 3</figcaption></figure>Now that the Federal Government is set to open up new revenue streams for the states to use for priority infrastructure projects, Spring Street should be updating its priorities for the rail, tram and bus networks and get them out in the open, just like Napthine did in 2012.

From the 2012 heavy rail network plan, we know there are a lot more expensive changes on the horizon and Infrastructure Victoria's 30-year strategy, usefully, put a rough timeframe on when each was needed.

Infrastructure Victoria deemed projects like the reconfiguration of the city loop, joining the Craigieburn and Frankston lines gunzel-matrimony as well as the Wallan electrification project to have a moderate need in 15 years time because the capacity uplift on Craigieburn and Upfield that will be created as part of the Melbourne Metro project will be under pressure once again in the medium term.

Similarly, Infrastructure Victoria rated 'Melbourne Metro 2' - a new tunnel linking Clifton Hill and Newport via the inner north, CBD and Fishermans Bend - as having a significant impact on 'meeting growing demand for access to economic activity in Central Melbourne'.  It also cites it has a low certainty of evidence and this is what Spring Street should now be investing in.  

While the social media sorties directed at Canberra were entertaining at first (and they're in full flight today), it's getting old.  Other political journalists and commentators have noted the marked shift from the anti-cities Abbott era - and it's hard not to agree with the broad consensus now filtering through all the major media outlets.

Malcolm Turnbull's a fan of business cases, analysis and public debate - let's have it then, let's invest in the admittedly thankless task of building an evidence base to support the analysis required for the next big-ticket items that a less hostile Federal Government is likely to contribute to.

Just get it done Spring Street.
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Alastair Taylor

Budget 2017: a Federal Government less hostile to cities should be leveraged

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Hot on the heels of the announcement that SriLankan Airlines will re-enter the Australian market with a 4x weekly flight from Colombo to Melbourne, Air Canada have overnight done the same by announcing a new seasonal 4x weekly service to fly between Vancouver and Melbourne over the Christmas/Summer (northern winter) season.

According to reports on <a href="https://www.ausbt.com.au/srilankan-airlines-to-launch-colombo-melbourne-flights-this-year">Australian Business Traveller</a>, SriLankan Airlines - the flag-carrier airline of Sri Lanka - is expected to begin flights toward the end of the year.

The new Vancouver-Melbourne flight was <a href="http://aircanada.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&amp;item=1131">announced</a> at the same time as Air Canada outlining its new seasonal northern hemisphere winter services from its hubs in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver.

The Vancouver-Melbourne service will be one of Air Canada's longest routes flown, tipping the scales at 16 hours according to its online booking engine. The return Melbourne-Vancouver flight is scheduled to take 14 hours and 50 minutes.

A lot of things affect actual flight time - weather en route and at the airports one of the most notable impacts - however the Air Canada block times are similar to flights between Melbourne &amp; Los Angeles (14 hours 20 minutes to Los Angeles, 15 hours 45 minutes to Melbourne, from the Qantas timetable).

Despite the (far more) northerly location of Vancouver, Los Angeles' location further east from Australia results in a <a href="http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=MEL-YVR%2C+MEL-LAX&amp;MS=wls&amp;DU=km">Great Circle distance</a> difference of only 435 kilometres, hence the similar scheduled flight times.

<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/ac787_new_liv_flightradar.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Air Canada 787. Image: flightradar24"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="213" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ac787_new_liv_flightradar.jpg?itok=8n_mDt4D" title="Air Canada 787. Image: flightradar24" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Air Canada 787. Image: <a href="https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/air-canadas-new-livery-and-how-to-track-it/">flightradar24</a></figcaption></figure><h2>The 787 and A350 are doing what they were designed for: long and thin routes</h2>

The new Air Canada flight will be operated by a <a href="https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air_Canada/Air_Canada_Boeing_787-900.php">Boeing 787-9</a>, the same aircraft Qantas intends to use to fly the new Melbourne-Perth-London service from the end of the year.

When Boeing launched the 787 program last decade, it was billed as a 'hub-busting' aircraft that would allow airlines to start longer international routes from airports with smaller markets, even though the Melbourne international market has been growing handsomely ever since Boeing launched the 787 project.

The South American juggernaut, LATAM airline group, will also launch the <a href="https://www.latam.com/en_au/press-room/releases/LATAM_Airlines_to_launch_its_longest_non-stop_flight_ever_between_Santiago_and_Melbourne/">airline's longest ever flight and Melbourne's first non-stop flight to South America</a> in October, to be flown also by a 787-9. The 3x weekly Melbourne-Santiago flight has a scheduled flight time of 13 hours and the return journey from Chile has a block of 15 hours.

<h2>Welcome to Australia, now here's a bus to the gate</h2>

Anecdotal reports from Apartments.com.au staff and comments on across a wide variety of internet platforms over the past year point to a gate squeeze at Tullamarine for international flights.

It appears that the problem seems to be in the morning arrivals peak between 7am and 9am. Note that the new Air Canada service is scheduled to arrive at 9:30am and LATAM's Santiago flight is scheduled to arrive in the afternoon.

Things seem to have gone awfully, and worryingly, quiet on the expansion of Melbourne Airport's International T2 Terminal since <a href="/news/melbourne-airports-stakeholder-presentation-reveals-a-new-international-terminal">September 2014</a> when a new look international terminal was previewed in a stakeholder presentation and last year when we noted T2 expansion was not present in the <a href="/news/melbourne-airport-gears-up-for-expansion-but-no-international-terminal-upgrade-in-sight">2016 stakeholder presentation</a>.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keepitsurreal/3348972199/in/photolist-66WmKZ-4HNCrj-pSfvmy-adaKoH-AB6QS-bgfSXR-5jAAMN-4nG6VM-qvV9sz-5ZT5k9-9jENUi-cbPz8-54VDHR-eJpQZs-ophdeG-4Skvpr-cbRVe-xtAkZL-f5EHKD-TsBx-mAZ6ap-bVSz3K-eyB7fQ-dVMgEN-2zspp8-6H1TZH-53fmm6-cbRVc-oJJJtF-cp6Ym-bgj1dZ-d69SSm-6zbDrL-ozoMkA-CrYt1-2zsott-cbSTR-CrYEf-3hduEf-CrYFE-ocnH81-emdUNv-amd2ZH-gRYVkY-4mhPe8-qi5Qu8-p2tH3K-44yqJr-8sToVx-5PUc9M">flickr</a>
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O Canada! Vancouver the latest in many new international flights announced for Melbourne-Tullamarine

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Yesterday's budget contained a not-so-insignificant amount allocated to the procurement of more rail vehicles for both the tram network and the regional V/Line network.

$218.1 million has been set aside to order 10 more E-class trams on top of the 20 that were announced and ordered in last year's budget.

The tranche of 50 E-class trams that were from the original order have now all been delivered and Bombardier are now working on the next tranche of 20.

Introducing the E-class trams has seen both the Southbank and Preston depots upgraded and expanded to house the larger vehicles. Budget documents released yesterday mention that the money allocated will also be used to further upgrade existing network infrastructure.

Foreshadowed through the planning and tendering process for the level crossing removal projects, a price tag for the new stabling facility at Kananook has surfaced: $187.4 million.

As part of the Carrum level crossing removal project, which is set to have a new elevated viaduct and station built, the existing train stabling yards have to be removed and will be relocated to Kananook.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TB-noYwwlP0" width="100%"></iframe>

On the regional rail network, Bombardier is set to receive another order for more VLocity train sets as the Victorian Government has allocated $311.1 million for 39 new carriages.

First introduced for the regional fast rail project over a decade ago, VLocity trains have evolved over time from being two-carriage trains at the beginning, to now where all new train sets are configured with two power cars and a trailer car.

Each new VLocity train (three carriages) have 220 seats and the 39 new carriages will translate into 13 new train sets, on top of the nine train sets that were funded and ordered in last year's budget.

At present, V/Line trains to Albury operate over the interstate standard gauge network and yesterday's budget has allocated funds to plan for the introduction of new rolling stock for this specific line. No doubt this will be a sub-fleet of VLocity trains, configured for the standard gauge network.

<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/vlo_wong_sx_1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="A VLocity train at Southern Cross. Image Marcus Wong"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/vlo_wong_sx_1.png?itok=jpDM7qDP" title="A VLocity train at Southern Cross. Image Marcus Wong" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A VLocity train at Southern Cross. Image <a href="https://railgallery.wongm.com/vline-southern-cross/F107_0229.jpg">Marcus Wong</a></figcaption></figure>Planning for the upgrade to the Hurstbridge line beyond the works already announced and budgeted for (tunnel duplication between Heidelberg and Rosanna as well as the Lower Plenty Road level crossing removal) was also allocated $5 million in yesterday's budget. This second upgrade is likely to plan for the works involved in duplicating the rail line beyond Greensborough toward Eltham.

To view more of the initiatives announced yesterday as part of the Treasurer's speech, see the <a href="https://www.budget.vic.gov.au/">budget.vic.gov.au website</a>.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-class_Melbourne_tram">Wikipedia</a>
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Victorian budget 2017: more new trams and trains on the way

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On Sunday, the Minister for Public Transport and the Premier were in Warrigal to announce the Victorian Government's regional rail revival program. Soon after, the Victorian Government announced their intention to spend $10 million on figuring out how to deliver the Melbourne Airport rail link sooner than the timeframe specified in infrastructure Victoria's 30-year strategy.

This $10 million comes with strings attached, however: it - along with the Regional Rail Revival program - will be financed out of the money that Victoria is entitled to under the Federal Government's asset recycling scheme.

This announcement marks a distinctive shift in Victorian Government rhetoric when it comes to the Melbourne Airport rail link. To date, the Victorian Government has frequently attempted to shift the focus to its current portfolio of infrastructure projects and likewise, they have repeatedly said that the Melbourne Metro project must be built before the Melbourne Airport rail link.

Various news reports have circulated widely in the past of proposals by private organisations to link the airport and city via monorail or other rail-based technologies and the Victorian Government's response has often been reported that the project proponents should approach the government through the unsolicited proposals process.

In receiving briefings from the proponents, the Victorian Government appears to have made the judgement that there is a large amount of interest in linking the airport and Melbourne's CBD with the rail-based transit solution via a privately funded solution.

What a privately funded rail solution looks like is hard to picture at present but it could involve utilising a completely different rail technology and corridor or it could also involve a Melbourne Metro-style private-public partnership extension to our current rail network out to the airport.

In any case, dialing everything back to effectively starting from scratch might frustrate some but on the other hand it also provides far more freedom to develop solutions in relieving pressure on the road network in accessing Melbourne Airport.

At a fundamental level this new business case and study round should revisit all previous Melbourne Airport rail link studies and update the data contained within them. This would include projected rail passenger statistics, updated aviation passenger projections, and taking a more forensic look at how land is used around the airport and how many people are, and how many people will be employment in non-aviation related jobs in future.

One of the themes from Infrastructure Victoria's 30-year strategy found that, when modeled, if a rail link is much more than just a 'City to Airport' service, it has the tendency to have positive impacts dispersed over a greater area. In the 30-year strategy's case, having Melbourne Airport Rail Link as a branch of the new high capacity metro line would take cars off the Monash because airport services would run through the city and out to the south-east.

There is a good body of commentary and evidence elsewhere around the world which points to airport rail solutions should try to serve more than two destinations and the fares should be realistic. Jarrett Walker's article on <a href="http://humantransit.org/2016/03/keys-to-great-airport-transit">Keys to Great Airport Transit</a> is an excellent starting point.

<blockquote>
Toronto’s new <a href="https://www.upexpress.com/">high-fare, elite train</a> between downtown and the airport is a <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/union-pearson-express-ridership-slumps-to-all-time-low/article28634074/">failure in ridership terms</a>, so it’s a good moment to talk about transit to the airport in general.

This <a href="http://www.ryerson.ca/citybuilding/blog/up_express_and_down/?mc_cid=7f336ff24e&amp;mc_eid=9acc982aad">critique by Cherise Burda of Ryerson University, one of the Toronto line’s few regular riders</a>, pretty much sums up why the Toronto Union Pearson Express is doing so poorly: Fares too high (CAD $27.50 one way) for a line that just doesn’t connect the airport to enough places.
<cite>Jarrett Walker, <a href="http://humantransit.org/2016/03/keys-to-great-airport-transit">Keys to Great Airport Transit</a></cite>
</blockquote>

Interestingly, since that article was published (and the linked blog post was published), Toronto has dramatically reduced the Union-Pearson Express fares and <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2016/03/17/union-pearson-express-ridership-spikes-after-fare-reduction">patronage has subsequently blossomed</a>.

While we should welcome any action on getting rail into Melbourne Airport (the faster, the better), if we're going down the path where there is a greater private sector role in developing the Melbourne Airport Rail solution, we mustn't ignore the experience other cities have had.
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$10M Melbourne Airport Rail link study: don't ignore lessons from other cities

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With over three hundred projects on our database currently under construction, there's a lot of cranes, pits, core boxes and new facades appearing all over the city.  

Here is a selection images posted originally on the forum by Apartments.com.au users and staff.  Under each image is a link back to the forum thread where the image was originally posted - and there's plenty more images to view in each thread.

<h2>Hendrix - Brunswick </h2>

<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/hendrix.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Zicojapan, originally posted 09/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hendrix.jpg?itok=R1EYlT5f" title="Image by Zicojapan, originally posted 09/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Zicojapan, originally posted 09/04/2017.</figcaption></figure>See more images in the <a href="/news">Brunswick forum thread</a>.

<h2>The Fifth at Upper West Side - CBD  </h2>

<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/the_fifth_upper_west_side.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_fifth_upper_west_side.jpg?itok=5JHsyFb6" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017.</figcaption></figure> See more images in the <a href="/news">Upper West Side forum thread</a>.

<h2>The Albert - Brunswick</h2>

<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/the_albert.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 10/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="416" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_albert.jpg?itok=2NKPJa_6" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 10/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 10/04/2017.</figcaption></figure> 

See more images in the <a href="/news">Brunswick forum thread</a>.

<h2>Avant - CBD </h2>

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/avant.jpg?itok=z0UWPiQO" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580">

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017.</figcaption></figure> 

See more images in the <a href="/news">Avant forum thread</a>.

<h2>The Spencer - West Melbourne</h2>

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_spencer.jpg?itok=fcm1ffhl" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580">

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 12/04/2017. </figcaption></figure>See more images in the <a href="/news">North Melbourne &amp; West Melbourne forum thread</a>.

<h2>Mason Square / former markets site - Moonee Ponds</h2>

<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/mason_moonee_ponds.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mason_moonee_ponds.jpg?itok=VK3B4-PE" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/04/2017.</figcaption></figure>See more images in the <a href="/news">Moonee Ponds forum thread</a>.

<h2>Swanston Central - CBD</h2>

<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/swanston_central.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/swanston_central.jpg?itok=Yz1DSkCk" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017.</figcaption></figure>See more images in the <a href="/news">Swanston Central forum thread</a>.

<h2>Scape Swanston - CBD</h2>

<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/scape_swanston.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/scape_swanston.jpg?itok=6ufRXlVw" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017.</figcaption></figure> 

See more images in the <a href="/news">Scape Swanston forum thread</a>. 

<h2>Conservatory - CBD</h2>

<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/conservatory.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="457" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/conservatory.jpg?itok=sc4ixArE" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 19/04/2017.</figcaption></figure>See more images in the <a href="/news">Conservatory forum thread</a>.

<h2>Kubix - Wantirna South</h2>

<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/kubix.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/03/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/kubix.jpg?itok=fpsIG4pk" title="Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/03/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Mark Baljak, originally posted 09/03/2017.</figcaption></figure>See more images in the <a href="/news">Greater Melbourne Projects forum thread.</a>

<h2>Victoria One - CBD</h2>

<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/victoria_one.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/victoria_one.jpg?itok=3fF-hqo5" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017.</figcaption></figure>See more images in the <a href="/news">Victoria One forum thread</a>.

<h2>Aurora Melbourne Central - CBD</h2>

<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/aurora_melb_cent.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aurora_melb_cent.jpg?itok=9dn9jKpi" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 12/04/2017.</figcaption></figure>See more images in the <a href="/news">Aurora Melbourne Central forum thread</a>.

<h2>Banksia - Docklands</h2>

<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/banksia_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 10/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/banksia_1.jpg?itok=OP4lSXbt" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 10/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 10/04/2017.</figcaption></figure> 

See more images in the <a href="/news">Banksia forum thread</a>.

<h2>Peel - Collingwood</h2>

<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/peel.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by John Proctor, originally posted 10/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/peel.jpg?itok=8iaSEW9x" title="Image by John Proctor, originally posted 10/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by John Proctor, originally posted 10/04/2017.</figcaption></figure> 

See more images in the <a href="/news">Collingwood forum thread.</a>

<h2>Australia 108 - Southbank</h2>

<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/australia_108.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 09/04/2017."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/australia_108.jpg?itok=ItXAbVAG" title="Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 09/04/2017." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image by Ryan Seychell, originally posted 09/04/2017.</figcaption></figure>See more images in the <a href="/news">Australia 108 forum thread</a>.

 

Lead image credit: Mark Baljak, <a href="/news">Whitehorse Towers forum thread</a>.
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The state of construction in Melbourne - mid April 2017

<html><body>
On Sunday morning, the Minister for Public Transport announced three consortia had been shortlisted in the final round of bidding to build the 5 stations and tunnels on the Melbourne Metro project.

Formal planning approval for the early works on the project has also been received with Apartments.com.au spotting piling rigs on site over the weekend.

Across all three consortia global Australian, Spanish, French and Italian construction giants &amp; specialists are well represented.  The three consortia are as follows:

Continuum Victoria, comprising

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.acciona.com.au/business-divisions/infrastructure/construction/">ACCIONA Infrastructure</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.faaunz.com.au/en/">Ferrovial Agroman</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.honeywell.com/worldwide/asia-and-australia/australia-en">Honeywell</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.downergroup.com/">Downer Group</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://plenarygroup.com/">Plenary Organisation</a></li>
</ul>
Cross Yarra Partnership, comprising

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.lendlease.com/expertise/what-we-do/engineering/">Lendlease Engineering</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.johnholland.com.au/">John Holland</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.bouygues-construction.com.au/">Bouygues Construction</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://capellacapital.com.au/">Capella Capital</a></li>
</ul>
Moving Melbourne Together, comprising

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.cimic.com.au/our-brands/pacific-partnerships">Pacific Partnerships</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.cpbcon.com.au/">CPB Contractors</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.ghella.com/en/">Ghella</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.salini-impregilo.com/en/">Salini Impregilo</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.serco-ap.com.au/">Serco</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.macquarie.com/au/about/company/macquarie-capital/">Macquarie Capital</a></li>
</ul>
<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/mm-web-20170306-benefits_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne Metro Map"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mm-web-20170306-benefits_0.jpg?itok=ZRCRDvJd" title="Melbourne Metro Map" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne Metro Map</figcaption></figure>The three consortia's proposals "include more than 100,000 pages of detailed plans to build the nine-kilometre Metro Tunnel and five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain."  The winning bidder and contract signing is expected to be complete by the end of the year with major works kicking off in 2018.

From today, the westbound lanes of Albert Road (between St Kilda Road and Kings Way) are set to close for up to seven and a half months to allow early works to begin on the Domain station precinct.  The long timeframe for the early works in this precinct are due in part to the relocation of the South Yarra Main sewer which currently rests under the Domain station footprint.

For more information on the Albert Road closures, see the <a href="http://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/103791/MM-NOTIFICATION-20170410-South-Yarra-Main-Sewer.pdf">metrotunnel.vic.gov.au website</a>.
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Three consortia shortlisted for Melbourne Metro tunneling & station contract

<html><body>
City Square has now temporarily closed - for up to 5 years - to make way for construction to kick off at the southern end of the CBD on the Melbourne Metro tunnel project.

Over the next few weeks fencing is going to be installed around City Square and the public monuments - such as the Burke &amp; Wills statue - will also be moved to make way for the major construction works.

The first order of business after securing the site will be to demolish the three existing levels of car parking for the Westin Hotel that sit at present under the square.

Upon total removal of the car parking levels, a deeper shaft will be excavated which enable heavy construction equipment to be launched that will be used in construction of the station platforms, mezzanine levels and underground connections to Flinders Street and Federation Square as well as the tunnel between both Flinders Street and Melbourne Central stations.

Like at the 'CBD North' site in Franklin Street, acoustic sheds will be erected over the station pit opening to minimise visual and audible noise during the construction period.

It is expected that City Square will be returned to the City of Melbourne as public open space by 2022 and it will feature an entrance to the station underneath.  

The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority has released the following video to illustrate the steps involved with this new round of works in the centre of the city.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LHXIZnENAeM" width="100%"></iframe>

See the dedicated CBD South page on the <a href="http://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/locations/cbd-south/city-square">Metro Tunnel website</a> for more information.
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City Square temporarily makes way for Melbourne Metro construction

<html><body>
The proposed changes to the residential zone controls put forward by the Victorian State Government via Amendment VC110 were gazetted on Tuesday.

While the amendments effect the General Residential Zone (GRZ), Residential Growth Zone (RGZ), and Mixed Use Zone (MUZ) it’s the removal of the two-lot subdivision restriction in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ) that is perhaps most notable, effectively increasing development potential in the NRZ.

Data provided by <a href="https://landchecker.com.au/">Landchecker.com.au</a> shows that in select suburbs across inner and middle Melbourne where the NRZ has been implemented by councils, quite a substantial amount of these properties have large block sizes.

<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/landchecker_nrz.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Suburbs in the inner east and south east of Melbourne that are covered by NRZ"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/landchecker_nrz.jpg?itok=rf-fjQ0k" title="Suburbs in the inner east and south east of Melbourne that are covered by NRZ" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Suburbs in the inner east and south-east of Melbourne that are covered by NRZ</figcaption></figure>Until now, the two-lot subdivision restriction has forced developers who are looking for sites to accommodate multiple dwellings to focus outside the NRZ and more towards the GRZ, RGZ and MUZ. 

Ed Farquharson from Moda Corp believes the changes will ensure developers will take another look at NRZ properties.  "These changes will result in developers targeting areas that were previously restrictive."

"It's now possible for developers to consider design responses which incorporate multiple dwellings in quieter neighbourhoods with larger blocks of land" says Farquharson.

Ratio consultants have provided a summary of changes on their website.

<blockquote>
The key changes to the Neighbourhood Residential Zone are as follows:

<ul>
<li>Removal of the previous restriction on the maximum number of dwellings per lot.</li>
	<li>Amendment to the purpose of the zone to remove the previous references to limiting opportunities for increased residential development and the implementation of character policy/adopted guidelines. </li>
	<li>Requiring that the schedule to the zone must contain the neighbourhood, heritage, environment or landscape character objective for the area to be achieved.</li>
	<li>The introduction of a mandatory minimum garden area requirement for lots greater than 400 square metres and above ranging from between 25 and 35 per cent of lot area (irrespective of whether a planning permit is required).</li>
	<li>A mandatory maximum height of 9 metres and 2 storeys with potential to exceed this height only in particular circumstances including on sloping sites, land subject to flooding and existing/adjoining building heights.</li>
	<li>Revised transitional provisions which amongst other things seeks to exempt planning permit applications for the construction or extension of a dwelling lodged before the VC110 approval date.</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.ratio.com.au/res-zone-changes-introduced"><cite>They're here! The residential zone amendments have been gazetted - Ratio Consultants</cite></a>
</blockquote>

In analysing the plethora of NRZ properties in Melbourne, Landchecker.com.au have chosen to highlight how many 1000+ m2 NRZ properties there are in select suburbs.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Suburb</th>
			<th scope="col">Total Properties</th>
			<th scope="col">No. of Properties in NRZ</th>
			<th scope="col">% of Properties in NRZ</th>
			<th scope="col">No. of Properties in NRZ &gt; 1000m2
</th>
			<th scope="col">% of Properties in NRZ &gt; 1000m2
</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Brighton</td>
			<td>14539</td>
			<td>10204</td>
			<td>70.18</td>
			<td>2985</td>
			<td>20.53</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kooyong</td>
			<td>566</td>
			<td>399</td>
			<td>70.49</td>
			<td>160</td>
			<td>28.27</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hawthorn</td>
			<td>17531</td>
			<td>7886</td>
			<td>44.98</td>
			<td>2922</td>
			<td>16.67</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Caulfield</td>
			<td>3332</td>
			<td>2672</td>
			<td>80.19</td>
			<td>614</td>
			<td>18.43</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Balwyn</td>
			<td>7746</td>
			<td>5068</td>
			<td>65.43</td>
			<td>1066</td>
			<td>13.76</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Elsternwick</td>
			<td>6790</td>
			<td>5022</td>
			<td>73.96</td>
			<td>1719</td>
			<td>25.32</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Beaumaris</td>
			<td>6517</td>
			<td>6231</td>
			<td>95.61</td>
			<td>672</td>
			<td>10.31</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fitzroy North</td>
			<td>7820</td>
			<td>6253</td>
			<td>79.96</td>
			<td>1327</td>
			<td>16.97</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brunswick East</td>
			<td>7735</td>
			<td>5205</td>
			<td>67.29</td>
			<td>1763</td>
			<td>22.79</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Princes Hill</td>
			<td>1189</td>
			<td>1183</td>
			<td>99.50</td>
			<td>351</td>
			<td>29.52</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Data supplied by <a href="https://landchecker.com.au/">Lanchecker.com.au</a>

Lead image credit: Colliers
</body></html>

Could changes to the planning zones cause developers to have another look at the NRZ?

<html><body>
SMA Projects in collaboration with the <a href="http://marsgallery.com.au/">MARS Gallery</a>, have created an artist in residence programme which provides young emerging artists with the studio and gallery space to prepare and exhibit their works.

The artist in residency programme will be based on a two-month rotation with SMA Projects providing artists with gallery space in the display suite of their latest project for Fitzory - The Lyric.  Studio space will also be made available to artists above the display suite located at 250 Gore Street.

The first artist in residence is 2015 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist of the year Josh Muir who has created a new series of unique artworks that celebrate his indigenous heritage, his future and his love of the Fitzroy and Collingwood community. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_4341.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Josh Muir's work at The Lyric display suite gallery"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_4341.jpg?itok=J_ut7API" title="Josh Muir's work at The Lyric display suite gallery" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Josh Muir's work at The Lyric display suite gallery</figcaption></figure>  "Opportunities like this are important for emerging artists to enable us to show our work to a broad audience" says Muir.  "Getting experience interacting with the local community and talking to people about your work is a vital learning step and helps us become recognised artists".

MARS gallery director Andy Dinan said initiatives such as SMA projects artist in residence programme provide vital support to the creative community.

"These initiatives provide the much-needed support the creative community requires to thrive in the current landscape", said Dinan.

"SMA projects is giving young emerging artists such as Josh Muir a chance to interact with the public sell their work and talk about their process the skills integral for young artist and will give them the chance to flourish in the future".

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_4354.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Josh Muir's work at The Lyric display suite gallery"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_4354.jpg?itok=L4MgIdgR" title="Josh Muir's work at The Lyric display suite gallery" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Josh Muir's work at The Lyric display suite gallery</figcaption></figure>Robert Murphy, SMA Projects Development Manager, says "We believe developers should understand the fabric of the communities they build in.  The City of Yarra is an incredibly special area in Melbourne and the creative and marker community really lies at its heart".

The artist in residence programme was launched on the 8th of March with an opening event that celebrated Josh Muir's latest works, a smoking ceremony to welcome guests and honour the Wurrundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional owners of the land upon which Melbourne now sits.

<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/0z7a8929.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The welcome ceremony was held on March 8"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/0z7a8929.jpg?itok=r3xp7bnp" title="The welcome ceremony was held on March 8" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The welcome ceremony was held on March 8</figcaption></figure>For more background on Josh, see this profile on Creative Victoria: <a href="http://creative.vic.gov.au/showcase/art-heals-the-remarkable-journey-of-josh-muir">Art Heals - The remarkable journey of Josh Muir</a>.

To visit the gallery, head down to 250 Gore Street in Fitzroy - open on weekdays from midday to 4pm and between 10am and 4pm on weekends.

The Lyric is a 156 residence project designed by Hayball and developed by SMA Projects.  The building will be located at 338 Gore Street.  <a href="/buildings/the-lyric-338-gore-street-fitzroy">Click here</a> to view more information about the project.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_4379.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Josh Muir's work at The Lyric display suite gallery"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_4379.jpg?itok=lTC0-Mdk" title="Josh Muir's work at The Lyric display suite gallery" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Josh Muir's work at The Lyric display suite gallery</figcaption></figure>
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SMA Projects & the MARS gallery launch artist in residence programme at The Lyric

<html><body>
You've probably heard of it by now - that new rail tunnel that's set to run through the city.    

The State Government has today announced geotechnical investigations are complete which will lead to the acceleration of the early works that have been slowly turning over for a while now in the CBD.

Things are about to become just that more real, more visible.

If you frequently travel to the city, the two sites which have seen some level of preparatory works already at both the top and bottom end of Swanston Street - Melbourne Central and Flinders Street Stations - will become construction focal points from this point on.

A spokesperson for the Minister for Public Transport and Major Projects confirmed the largest component of the entire project, the PPP contract for the civil works to construct the tunnels and stations, is still accepting bids until next month.  

A decision to announce the successful bidder is expected by the end of 2017 with the tunnel-boring machines expected to be let loose under the city sometime in 2018.

<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/mm-web-20170306-benefits.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Expected capacity improvements after the Metro Tunnel is operational"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mm-web-20170306-benefits.jpg?itok=FGcinE5b" title="Expected capacity improvements after the Metro Tunnel is operational" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Expected capacity improvements after the Metro Tunnel is operational</figcaption></figure>The network map above, posted on the front page of the <a href="http://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/">Metro Tunnel project's website</a>, illustrates the capacity improvements expected once the metro tunnel is operational.

Based on previous announcements, we know that the Pakenham/Cranbourne-Sunbury line that is created as part of the Metro Tunnel project will have a modern signaling system which does away with blocks and allows trains to run closer together.  Government information released to date put this new capacity on rail lines using the new 'High Capacity Signalling' system at 24-30 trains per hour (a train every 2-2.5 minutes).

The current signaling system can 'safely' handle approximately 20 trains per hour according to published government information on the topic.

The Frankston, Sandringham, Craigieburn, Werribee/Williamstown and Upfield lines are set to see some infrastructure improvements which will allow more trains to run shorter runs on their respective lines: Cheltenham on the Frankston line, Essendon on the Craigieburn line, Gowrie on the Upfield line were all mentioned in the Metro Tunnel business case.

Of all the lines and the respective capacity improvements depicted on the map above, Upfield is a stand out.  This is most likely because it's coming off a very low base: there are only 3 trains per hour between 7am and 8am and 4 trains per hour between 8am and 9am at present.  

With 3400 units in 47 projects located in Brunswick &amp; Coburg in the development pipeline, the extra services - likely to be a train every 10-12.5 minutes based on the capacity improvement number - are well and truly going to be needed.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WTK-LKZqp20" width="560"></iframe>
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Geotechnical investigations complete, Metro Tunnel construction to ramp up

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

Joel Robinson

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

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.

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.

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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]

Alastair Taylor

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