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The Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, today released departmental officer reports relating to the decisions made regarding all central city planning applications.

An anaylsis supplied within a media release (see below) shows all permits approved by the minister were recommended by the department; the City of Melbourne supported 46 out of the 70 approved applications, and no permit has been approved where the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure (DTPLI) recommendation was to refuse a permit.

Perhaps most interestingly, and this is a good time to reiterate that the Government and Opposition are in unofficial campaign mode, the Planning Minister has said "If re-elected, the Coalition government will continue to release these reports to give greater weight to transparency and to give all Victorians confidence that rigorous advice is being provided on all central city applications."

Full media release:

<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_67091" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/244689337/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe>

The entire report suite is available from the <a href="http://www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-applications/ministerial-permits/release-of-officer-reports">DTPLI website</a>.

Lead image credit, <a href="https://twitter.com/DTPLI">DTPLI on Twitter</a>.
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Alastair Taylor

Planning Minister releases departmental officer reports

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Amber Camberwell located at 994 Toorak Road is the latest project to involve the in-depth brand expertise of Scharp Property Marketing - an Apartments.com.au Industry Hub member.

Developer Luvarc Property appointed Scharp to create a brand that captured the luxury and sophistication of the development's design and showcase its fine attention to detail.

"We came up with an inspirational, yet clever and memorable name of 'Amber' that sits within the spelling of the suburb name of Camberwell. Amber also conjures up emotions of beauty, warmth, and sophistication having alternate associations with the jewel and alluring orange-yellow colour. Creating a point of difference from other developments in the area was essential and the ideas behind Amber set the tone and message for all marketing collateral, from brochure to website to display suite," said Malcolm Schapel, Creative Director of Scharp.

<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/luv001_lifestyle_edit.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The nearby Bakers Wife Cafe - image supplied by Scharp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="396" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/luv001_lifestyle_edit.jpg?itok=TezQ3-hk" title="The nearby Bakers Wife Cafe - image supplied by Scharp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The nearby Bakers Wife Cafe - image supplied by Scharp</figcaption></figure>Set amongst the leafy residential neighbourhood of Camberwell, Amber offers contemporary apartment living on the cusp of a village atmosphere. Appealing to investors and young-at-heart owner/occupiers, the Amber brand is understated, classic and timeless, embodying its beautiful finishes and light filled aspects. Paying homage to the lush environment of its surrounding tree lined streets and parks; Scharp developed an elm leaf motif and set it beside iconic portraits of neighbouring cafes and villages to evoke a sense of sanctuary within our busy city.

Nic Cuni, Director of Residential Projects at CBRE, who managed the project marketing and sales of Amber said, "I was immediately drawn to the project because of the considered design of the larger apartment layouts which are more akin to the local owner/occupier market. With Adele Bates on board it also added extra sophistication to the interior design that is synonymous with Camberwell's understated luxury.

Developing the campaign with Scharp was fluid and streamlined - not only are they the creative agency, they are the 3D artists as well. This not only affords many time efficiencies but also a deeper understanding of the total project which is key to the development's overall success. Amber provides the opportunity for many buyers who are vying for the opportunity to be a part of the illustrious suburb of Camberwell," said Mr Cuni.

<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/luv001_living_edit.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Amber Camberwell living area - render supplied by Scharp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="394" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/luv001_living_edit.jpg?itok=WSen-AS0" title="Amber Camberwell living area - render supplied by Scharp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Amber Camberwell living area - render supplied by Scharp</figcaption></figure>Amber Camberwell is a three level building comprising a total of 22 apartments across one and two bed configurations. The project has been designed with flexibility in mind where prospective buyers have the option to combine units to create larger apartments to suit their lifestyle's needs.

To request more information on the project, see the <a href="http://www.amberapartments.com.au/?utm_source=Urban_Melbourne&amp;utm_medium=Editorial&amp;utm_campaign=Urban_Melbourne_Scharp">Amber Camberwell website</a>.

Scharp Property Marketing is an Apartments.com.au Industry Hub member.
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The exclusive Amber Camberwell

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Back in April of this year, a new map was drawn up and released for comment from Public Transport Victoria. <a href="http://www.danielbowen.com/2014/04/16/new-train-map-coming/">Daniel Bowen wrote</a> "PTV are trialling a new train network map. They’re seeking feedback on it, and you’ll see it at some stations now".

Since April a new revision was released and included some refinements as Daniel Bowen <a href="http://www.danielbowen.com/2014/10/12/ptv-rail-map-v3/">has documented</a>.

I broadly agree with the positive commentary that has been broadcast throughout the blogosphere and social media. The existing maps which adorn the insides of trains and on train platforms require a certain level of knowledge in how the train system operates and the new concept maps go a long way toward rectifying that situation.

For example the not-so-frequent user could be forgiven for thinking that trains ran direct from Upfield to <a href="/developments/sunbury-vic-3429">Sunbury</a> and that trains from <a href="/new-apartments/williamstown-vic-3016">Williamstown</a> terminated at <a href="/new-apartments/footscray-vic-3011">Footscray</a> (this potential for confusion is even more profound if you study the maps which are located on the side walls, opposite the platforms at any of the three underground stations).

<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/current_melb_rail_map.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Current Rail network maps in use on Melbourne's rail network"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="663" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/current_melb_rail_map.png?itok=BQP3kkUO" title="Current Rail network maps in use on Melbourne's rail network" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Current Rail network maps in use on Melbourne's rail network</figcaption></figure>Enter the new maps, as linked above. The routes are grouped and arranged in a more realistic way in how the rail lines actually operate; for instance the <a href="/new-apartments/frankston-vic-3199">Frankston</a> and <a href="/developments/werribee-vic-3030">Werribee</a> lines are joined and the dotted lines show how the Frankston line at times runs through the City Loop.

The rail lines are better aligned with their geography and the inclusion of V/Line services - and the all important Myki boundary for regional services - starts to provide a better sense of the service tiers available throughout not just the metropolitan area, but the whole state.

In my view it was pretty much a rubber stamp; yes, absolutely, roll it out! That was until I stumbled across the following map by SkyscraperCity user Planks &amp; Sticks who has, again in my view, added a little stroke of genius to the new concept map, by adding key Smartbus &amp; high frequency cross-town bus routes.

<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/ptvmap_02.gif" rel="gallery-all" title="New PTV concept map with bus additions by Skyscrapercity.com user Planks &amp; Sticks"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="606" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ptvmap_02.gif?itok=M-AdGBxj" title="New PTV concept map with bus additions by Skyscrapercity.com user Planks &amp; Sticks" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>New PTV concept map with bus additions by <a href="http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=118156282&amp;postcount=7079">Skyscrapercity.com user Planks &amp; Sticks</a></figcaption></figure>Rather than emphasise our public transport network, we - and I say we because I too am guilty as charged - tend to talk about different modes in use for public transport rather than the sum of all its parts. It would be quite overwhelming to put a map in every train, tram and bus which visualises every different route in the entire Metropolitan area (although, I am a fan of Railmap's long-running and frequently updated <a href="http://www.railmaps.com.au/melbourn.htm">tram+train map</a>), however these simple additions of key routes ought to be considered.

First and foremost, the routes depicted are the primary cross-town and major links between the arterial rail network and key patronage generators, such as shopping centres which are also present on the map. Just glancing at this map tells anyone that they can get to Northland Shopping Centre by utilising an Upfield or South Morang train and then the bus direct to the door of the northern hub.

Secondly, although the bus routes are clearly marked as a different tier of service, the links which these bus routes create depict a far more comprehensive network than without them. Any Melburnian heralding from or who regularly visits the vast mass which is South East Melbourne knows there are large suburban spaces between the rail lines as depicted in both the existing and new concept PTV maps; the simple act of adding the key bus routes helps to portray the sense that public transport has the ability to bridge geographic reality.

Likewise, is it time to add a condensed version of the heavy rail network to tram maps to show interchange opportunities thus resulting in the same "big picture" effect as adding key bus routes to the rail maps?

Lead image credit: <a href="http://wongm.com/2011/07/melbourne-city-loop-next-train-displays/">Marcus Wong</a>.
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Does Melbourne's rail map depict enough information?

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The journey will take roughly 25 minutes calling at two intermediate points; the services will operate every 15 minutes for 19 hours a day; and the vehicles will run on - for the most part - existing rail corridors. Sound even remotely familiar?

I'm not referring to a Melbourne Airport Rail Link, I'm in fact referring to Toronto's <a href="http://upexpress.com/en/">Union Pearson Express</a> project that is well underway and scheduled to be operating next year.

Over the weekend Urban Toronto published a piece asking "<a href="http://www.urbantoronto.ca/news/2014/10/lanes-melbourne-could-something-similar-happen-here">The lanes of Melbourne: could something similar happen here?</a>" and in the spirit of mutual recognition our eerily similar, arguably long-lost Doppelganger located on the other side of the planet, I'd like to take a look at what Toronto's doing with its airport transportation.

The Union Pearson Express project in a nutshell:

<ul>
<li>New terminus platforms at Union Station (Toronto's central station) and Toronto Pearson International Airport.</li>
	<li>Upgrade and re-use of existing rail corridors between the centre of the city and near the airport.</li>
	<li>New branch line to allow trains to enter the airport precinct from the nearby existing rail corridor.</li>
	<li>Upgrade of two existing intermediate stations, one at Bloor which connects with Toronto's subway and one in Weston.</li>
	<li>Capital expenditure of $456 million CAD ($490million AUD in 2010 dollars), broken down in Canadian dollars: $355million for infrastructure works and approximately $100 million for service development.
	<ul>
<li>The Ontario Provincial Government-owned Metrolinx <a href="http://www.metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/upexpress/upexpress.aspx">website</a> goes on to state they have awarded contracts worth $128 million for new airport station and branch line connection, $75 million for train procurement and $24 million for the development of the Union station terminus.</li>
	</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6wOnNt3WdDA" width="100%"></iframe>

This is where comparing the UP Express project with the many ideas that have been floated for Melbourne Airport Rail Link gets really spooky.

Toronto's airport is located in the über-burb of Mississauga to the west of central Toronto with a road distance (as measured by <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Union+Station+Rail,+Toronto,+ON,+Canada/Toronto+Pearson+International+Airport,+6301+Silver+Dart+Dr,+Mississauga,+ON+L5P+1B2,+Canada/@43.6524001,-79.5750703,18092m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x89d4cb2cb8f8d3cb:0xc859da5affa61138!2m2!1d-79.379456!2d43.645218!1m5!1m1!1s0x882b394ac02dd491:0xb41d5de9c4030ec5!2m2!1d-79.62482!2d43.677718">Google Maps</a>) of approximately 25km. Tullamarine is uncannily similar when you <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Southern+Cross+Station,+Docklands,+Victoria/Melbourne+Airport,+Departure+Dr,+Melbourne+Airport+VIC+3045/@-37.7865809,144.9010968,19762m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x6ad65d4e2e5ae775:0xf6cc548ff3f8019c!2m2!1d144.953388!2d-37.81816!1m5!1m1!1s0x6ad659a9ebaa3917:0xf045676052ff090!2m2!1d144.841027!2d-37.669012">measure road distance</a> from Southern Cross: 22km.

The Albion freight and interstate standard gauge rail corridor, the preferred alignment of State governments of both persuasions, <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Melbourne+Airport/@-37.7163219,144.8708364,2473m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad659a9ebaa3917:0xf045676052ff090">passes to within 1km</a> of Tullamarine airport's southern boundary; the Kitchener GO Rail corridor which is to be used for Union Pearson express services, is <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/search/toronto+airport/@43.6975328,-79.6259714,2260m/data=!3m1!1e3">within spitting distance</a> of the northern corner of Pearson airport's boundary.

If you stick to limited-access roads, the road journey in Melbourne is more direct versus using Toronto's grid of inner city freeways. Conversely the rail journey in Toronto will almost be as direct as is possible versus, should a Melbourne Airport Rail Link use the Albion corridor, the rail journey to Tullamarine which will swing out west via Sunshine then turn north east towards the airport.

Perhaps most importantly in explaining how Toronto's UP Express project has come about so quickly as opposed to the stagnation confronted by the predicament we face in Melbourne, it's wise to look at how differently rail has developed in our respective regions.

Despite many similarities between Melbourne and Toronto - and perhaps Australian and Canadian cities in general - a stark difference lies in the way our respective rail networks have developed over time. Where many of Melbourne's current rail corridors began with private operators, nationalisation was all the rage from the 1870s onwards and it laid bare to the vast metropolitan rail network we now have reaching from the CBD to the suburban fringes in all directions.

With the colonial and post-Federation state government owned and operated rail networks acting as the backbone for suburban expansion throughout Australia well before anyone had even heard of an 'automobile, private companies pushed forward and continue to be a dominant owner and operator of rail corridors in Canadian cities. The Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railway companies have played a part in suburban rail services in Toronto like private companies did in Melbourne a long time ago but it wasn't until (relatively) recently - in the 1960's - that the Ontario Government rolled out the 'GO Transit' services operating over private railways.

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GO_Transit#Operations">According to Wikipedia</a>, GO Transit now owns 80% of the track in which it operates services over and given the relative lack of service frequency compared to most Melbourne Metro lines, Metrolinx (which owns and operates to the GO Transit brand for the Ontario Government) has a lot of flexibility to make projects like UP Express work.

<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/arl_spur_map-850x411.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Alignment of new branch line to serve Toronto's Pearson airport"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="280" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/arl_spur_map-850x411.jpg?itok=5wlNme77" title="Alignment of new branch line to serve Toronto's Pearson airport" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Alignment of new branch line to serve Toronto's Pearson airport</figcaption></figure>As I wrote last year, <a href="/news/half-of-the-melbourne-airport-rail-link-is-currently-under-construction">half of Melbourne's Airport Rail Link is already under construction</a> through the Regional Rail Link project.

In that piece I argued that the capacity which will be unlocked as part of the RRL project should be used to run rail services utilising an operator and a separate train configuration we already have to and from Tullamarine after expansion of the Albion corridor and a Tullamarine branch has taken place. I'm still very much of this view.

If you watch the current Spring Street Government's pre-campaign advertising about the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, the Government appears fixated on the notion the airport should be serviced with standard metro trains by making the Pakenham/Cranbourne corridor through-route to the Sunbury and a new airport line. The ALP's policy, stretching back to when they were last in government, is similar in that they originally proposed to have Pakenham/Cranbourne services run through the Melbourne Metro tunnel rather than the current Liberal Government's proposal to run it through existing track between South Yarra, Flinders Street, Southern Cross and North Melbourne.

Like the East West Link, this position has not be explained well, if at all.

Passengers heading to or from Tullamarine are going to have different needs than those who use the rest of the Metro network. Even a business day-tripper traveling with hand luggage to Melbourne will take up more space than the average Metro commuter.

In short, the vehicles which operate an airport service must take into account the extra spatial and luggage storage needs of airport passengers.

Any Tullamarine Airport rail link project should be an opportunity to break the "one train size/technology caters for all" mentality we have in Melbourne that so often produces great ideas but ultimately, at best, is severely delayed owing to enormous capital requirements or at worst enters the never-never. We must recognise that an airport rail link will be a premium service and therefore we should plan accordingly, just like Toronto has with the Union Pearson Express.

Image credit: <a href="http://upexpress.com/">UPExpress.com</a>.
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Is Toronto's airport rail link a model for Melbourne?

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The <a href="http://www.austapestry.com.au/">Australian Tapestry Workshop</a> and the Tapestry Foundation of Australia, in partnership with <a href="http://architecturemedia.com/">Architecture Media</a> and <a href="http://www.dentoncorkermarshall.com/">Denton Corker Marshall</a> have announced the inaugural ATW Tapestry Design Prize for Architects.

The new prize invites architects to use their knowledge and skills to create a tapestry design for a specific location: the hypothetical site is the Denton Corker Marshall-designed Australia Pavilion in the Giardini in Venice.

Australian Tapestry Workshop Chairman Peter Williams hopes to see architects embrace this competition as a chance to explore and deepen their understanding of the longstanding relationship between textile art and architectural space.

<blockquote>
This prize encourages architects to consider tapestry as an intrinsic component of their creations, not a peripheral concern. Architects responsible for some of Australia's most famous buildings such as Romaldo Giurgola, Jørn Utzon and Harry Seidler incorporated tapestry into specific spaces in their architecture. We hope to support architects to employ their conceptual skills to design textiles that enhance and define public space.
<cite>Peter Williams, Chairman, Australian Tapestry Workshop</cite>
</blockquote>

The competition will be assessed and the prize awarded by a panel of six judges, they are:

<ul>
<li>Professor Kay Lawrence AM (SA): Chair, Adjunct Professor, School of Art, Architecture and Design at the University of South Australia</li>
	<li>Professor Leon von Schaik AO (VIC): Professor of Architecture, Innovation Chair - Design Practice Research at RMIT University.</li>
	<li>Mr Brian Zulaikha (NSW): Director at Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects</li>
	<li>Ms Hannah Tribe (NSW): Principal Architect - Tribe Studios</li>
	<li>Mr John Gollings (VIC): Architectural photographer - John Gollings Photography</li>
	<li>Mr Jason Smith (QLD): Curatorial Manager, Australian Art - Queensland Art Gallery / GoMA</li>
</ul>
<h2>About the competition</h2>

The 2015 ATW Tapestry Design Prize for Architects is open to architects, multidisciplinary design groups (including at least one architect) and students in the field of architecture. Entrants are requested to provide a design or designs (limit of three) that celebrate contemporary architectural space through the placement of tapestry.

The design can be in any form: drawing, digital image, painting, collage etc. so long as the form is two dimensional. Entrants may submit their applications in digital format or physical format.

The hypothetical site as context for the tapestry design is the Denton Corker Marshall designed Australia Pavilion in the Giardini in Venice. Entries opened on the 7th of October 2014 and close on the 20th of February 2015.

The finalists will be selected for an exhibition in 2015 where the winner will be announced. The competition has a total prize pool of $10,000: first prize is $5,000, second price $2,500, third prize $1,500 and the people's choice prize will award the recipient $1,000.

For more information - including selection criteria and detailed biographies on the judging panel - see the competition's dedicated website: www.tapestrydesignprize.org

Lead image credit: Image Supplied. "The Games Children Play" 2009, designed by Robert Ingpen AO, woven by Sue Batten, John Dicks &amp; Emma Sulzer at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, materials: wool, cotton, size: 1.5m x 4.2m. Photo: in situ, Royal Children's Hospital by John Gollings. <a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/20120628_jg_7336assem.jpg">View larger image</a>.
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Inaugural ATW Tapestry Design Prize for Architects announced

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Planning Minister Matthew Guy has announced the appointment of a new chair, one new member and the appointment of two formerly alternate members as full members to the <a href="http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/heritage/about/heritage-council-of-victoria">Heritage Council of Victoria</a>.

The ten member Heritage Council of Victoria is appointed by the Governor in Council upon the recommendation of the Planning Minister.

Legal member Mary Urquhart has been appointed the new Chair of the Heritage Council, replacing architect Daryl Jackson AO who retired in June after six years as Chair.

A Ministerial media release provided the following biographies on the appointees:

<blockquote>
Ms Urquhart has recognised skills in law and governance that will be well utilised in her role as Chair of the Heritage Council. A barrister and solicitor, she is currently a part time member of the Refugee Review Tribunal, and a member of the Migration Review Tribunal. Ms Urquhart was previously Deputy President of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and Deputy Commissioner, Victorian Liquor Licensing Commission.

Callum Fraser is director of the prominent Melbourne firm Elenberg Fraser. He is a registered architect and previous Chapter Councillor of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA).

Mr Tony Darvall has more than 35 years’ experience as a partner of law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth. He is currently the chairman of the Audit Committee of VicRoads and deputy chairman of Linking Melbourne Authority and has previously served as chairman of VicUrban and the Werribee Park Advisory Board.

General member Trish Vejby has a demonstrated understanding of and interest in Victoria’s heritage. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Western Health and has substantial governance experience on many community committees and boards of management including the Board of Commissioners of Legal Aid.
</blockquote>

“These new appointments bring specialist skills and great passion to the task of protecting and conserving places and objects of cultural heritage significance to the state," Planning Minister Matthew Guy said.
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New appointments to the Heritage Council of Victoria

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Discretionary guidelines and prescribed planning rules - it's a discussion we need to have. That's the view I formed after attending the Melbourne Conversations Urban Heritage / New Architect - where to now? event held on Monday night at the Capitol Theatre.

In many more words that what I have used above, an audience member posed that question to the panel toward the end of the 90 minute session. It was prefaced by a discussion on the sheer number of development proposals which were called in for Ministerial approval along with widespread tut-tutting when a graphic produced in Monday's Age was also displayed.

It's fair to say there weren't many Matthew Guy fans in the audience yet conversely I thought it unfair that the audience - judging by the collective groan any time a reference to the current Planning Minister was made - appeared to categorise all development approved by Guy as somewhat sub-standard. Which is quite frankly - to use a fantastic Scottish vulgarity - pish.

In his answer to the discretionary guidelines versus prescribed planning rules question, Rob Moore from the City of Melbourne explained that much like the community, developers want certainty. That certainty wasn't necessarily just planning-related but also financial.

What is the core component a developer requires in order to do what they do? Buyers? Architects? Planning Consultants? Marketers? No, it's land - the acquisition and price of land is key.

Rob Moore told the audience a story of an experience he had in a meeting with a developer where they believed more defined planning controls would have a positive, stabilising impact on land prices and would help cut out wild land speculation which currently occurs.

There were a few awkward moments of disbelief from the audience after that story however as Professor Kate Darian-Smith appealed to the audience shortly thereafter, we should continue this conversation.

If we accept our current planning system won't dramatically change (who wants to go through yet another tear-it-up-and-write-another-strategy process?), how can it change to give both industry and community certainty?

Much criticism was heaped on Plan Melbourne for its lack of any controls to compel the inclusion of affordable housing in new development - is that the only area which needs to have serious debate prior to the first review of Plan Melbourne?

When is the best time to add planning controls so the market players can adjust their business models?

Should we give anti-change organisations like Planning Backlash a voice or treat them like a Sydney radio shock-jock (best ignored)?

Can we have our cake and eat it too?

The floor (and comment thread below) is open.

Lead image credit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hoddle_Map_1_1837.JPG">Wikipedia</a>.
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Prescribed rules and discretionary guidelines: it's the discussion we need to have

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There are very limited spaces available for architects, developers and project managers to attend a tall buildings seminar in Melbourne’s CBD next week.

“Skyscraper Trends In Melbourne: From Super Skinny To ‘Prefabulous’” is part of Meinhardt’s imagin8 seminar series and is presented in partnership with Apartments.com.au.

Melbourne has become a hotbed for tall building development, with the Planning Minister dubbed ‘Mr Skyscraper” following a raft of development approvals. So what’s next?

<ul>
<li>Where are the hotspots for new towers?</li>
	<li>What is the market looking for?</li>
	<li>How do we optimize development sites, maximize floor plates and improve returns?</li>
	<li>How can we build better, faster and more safely?</li>
</ul>
The speaker line-up includes Andrew Leoncelli, Managing Director – CBRE Residential Projects and ex-Melbourne Demon, George Argyrou, Managing Director and co-founder of builders Hickory Group and Jon Brock, Meinhardt’s National Director of Land Development.

The event, on Wednesday 1st October at 4.30pm, will be held at Meinhardt’s 501 Swanston Street offices and is free to attend.

The last remaining spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis.

To register your interest, email Justin.farmer@meinhardtgroup.com with your name, company and contact details. More information can be found at http://practicalimagination.info/imagin8/skyscraper-trends-in-melbourne-from-super-skinny-to-prefabulous/

UPDATE: Friday 26/9/14 11am:  Justin reports that all seats have now been filled - thank you to everyone who has expressed an interest in attending.
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Meinhardt and Urban.com.au present a seminar on skyscraper trends in Melbourne

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Places Victoria received three new independent board members on Monday with the appointment of Tamara Brezzi, Robert Goudswaard and Graeme Parton.

The Planning Minister Matthew Guy said of the new board members "the Board and management team at Places Victoria, led by CEO Gregory Anderson, has continued to drive the organisation’s transformation. I am delighted to announce the appointment of three new independent board members, Tamara Brezzi, Robert Goudswaard and Graeme Parton".

A media release from the Planning Minister provided a short biography on the three new board members:

<blockquote>
Tamara Brezzi is a planning and environment lawyer and qualified town planner with over 22 years’ experience in all aspects of planning and environmental law. Ms Brezzi is also President of the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association.

Robert Goudswaard has extensive financial and business experience, having held a number of senior executive roles within the ANZ Bank and having managed risk for the institutional division of Institutional Global, during the global financial crisis.

Graeme Parton has over 35 years’ experience in the property development and construction industry, as a consultant providing strategic property advice to State and local government, and in project development management and economic and market feasibility services for major projects. He has previously served on the Places Victoria board.
</blockquote>

The Planning Minister went on to say: "Places Victoria is now in strong position to focus on its core urban renewal mandate. It has been tasked with the important role of working closely with both government and the private sector to unlock the potential of urban development sites and revitalise neighbourhoods".

The appointments come six months after the Napthine Government axed the previous board.

Lead image credit: <a href="http://www.australiandesignreview.com/designwall/1524-architecture-goods-shed-north">Architecture Design Review</a>.
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Places Victoria board expands by three

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Late on Friday afternoon <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-19/melbournes-historic-forum-theatre-to-get-a-32-storey-revamp/5756802">the ABC reported</a> that Planning Minister Matthew Guy had approved the Forum Theatre restoration and Hotel development which Apartments.com.au previously <a href="/news/progressive-development-or-cultural-vandalism">reported on back in March</a>.

The 32 level tower will include boutique hotel suites, retail and office spaces with a pedestrian link through to Hosier Lane. Crucially it's been reported there are substantial changes to the Hosier Lane site boundary, which have been implemented in order to lessen the development's impact upon the venerable art and tourist area.

Quoted in the ABC report, Matthew Guy said "people shouldn't be concerned about any encroachment on street art, because it will virtually all remain - 99 per cent of it will still be there as it is now". The approved development has reduced the impact on Hosier Lane, and its street art precinct, from 16 metres to 3 metres, the Planning Minister said.

A subsequent report in <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/planning-minister-matthew-guy-signs-off-on-controversial-hosier-lane-hotel-20140919-10jhoj">The Age</a> commented that <a href="http://www.townplanners.com.au/">Clement Stone Town Planners</a> had successfully argued to have the Planning Minister designated as the responsible authority when the Forum Theatre and tower proposal's gross floor area is combined. City of Melbourne had opposed the plans in May this year.

Incidentally expressions of interest have been called for <a href="http://hosierrutledge.wordpress.com/">Paint UP Round Two</a>, which will see a second building along Hosier Lane adorned with a large-scale painted image. While revised plans for the Forum Hotel's interaction with Hosier Lane have yet to be spotted, the original planning application provides some indication as to what can be expected, as seen below.

<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/image7_24.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Original plans for an altered Hosier Lane - images courtesy of Scharp."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="411" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7_24.jpg?itok=EoDgN__n" title="Original plans for an altered Hosier Lane - images courtesy of Scharp." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Original plans for an altered Hosier Lane - images courtesy of Scharp.</figcaption></figure>
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The forum finds favour

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

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.

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.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

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Alastair Taylor

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