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As someone who grew up in the outer South East beyond Dandenong, the announcement - made yesterday by the Planning Minister - where Greater Dandenong reformed Planning Zones have been implemented has perked a fair bit of personal interest.

For more than a decade Greater Dandenong has been in and out of the planning news with many attempts to kick of the revitalisation of Central Dandenong - it comes as no surprise Greater Dandenong is one of the first cabs off the rank (<a href="http://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/Council/Media_and_news/News/Height_limits_over_all_residentially_zoned_land" target="_blank">Glen Eira</a> was the first).  

Whilst reading <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/comment/councils-opt-for-nimby-approach-on-growth-20131106-2x1kg" target="_blank">this</a> interesting piece in The Age yesterday, I pondered what it will eventually be like to compare the various council's proposed or now gazetted new zones.  I had hoped to provide a map for Greater Dandenong similar to the Glen Eira and <a href="/news/reformed-planning-zones-city-of-moreland" target="_blank">Moreland</a> maps previously linked to / posted, however the community consultation material is not readily available on the web.  

Central Dandenong is one to watch: <a href="http://www.revitalisingcentraldandenong.com/cs/Satellite?c=VPage&amp;cid=1191565185337&amp;pagename=RCD%2FLayout" target="_blank">Lonsdale Street</a> works, the <a href="http://www.drumtheatre.com.au/" target="_blank">Drum Theatre</a> and a <a href="/news">large amount of commercial/office development and investment</a> represent a positive direction for this major South East centre.  

One notable aspect of the press release, below, is the rezoning of the <a href="http://www.estate1.com.au/" target="_blank">"Estate One" </a>area in Dandenong South - the area made famous by manufacturing in the 1950s.  Past and present Pakenham train line commuters will recognise the location as being right next door to the now closed General Motors station, time to re-assess the station's closure?  

Planning Minister's Media Release in full:

<p style=" margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/182275632/131107-Guy-New-residential-zones-for-Dandenong-pdf" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View 131107 Guy - New residential zones for Dandenong.pdf on Scribd">131107 Guy - New residential zones for Dandenong.pdf</a>

<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_77694" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/182275632/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe>

As further details emerge, I'll update this post.
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Alastair Taylor

Greater Dandenong reformed planning zones implemented

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The Planning Minister has announced the creation of an independent assessment committee which will review public submissions received during the exhibition of the <a href="http://www.linkingmelbourne.vic.gov.au/pages/comprehensive-impact-statement.asp" target="_blank">Comprehensive Impact Statement</a> for the East-West Link.  
An event to watch next month will be forum the City of Yarra will be holding to discuss the CIS on <a href="http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/News/public-forum-planned-to-discuss-east-west-link-impacts/" target="_blank">Thursday 7th November at the Fitzroy Town Hall, 6pm</a> - the feedback Yarra receive at the forum will be used for the City of Yarra's own submission.
The Terms of Reference for the new committee can be found <a href="http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/environment-assessment/projects/east-west-link" target="_blank">here</a>.    
Urban.com.au will be watching with great interest if individuals and organisations address point 7a from public hearing matters directly:
<blockquote>
	Whether the impacts of the project on the traffic performance of roads connecting to the project, and the surrounding road network, as well as on connectivity for public transport, cycling and pedestrians, have been appropriately addressed.
</blockquote>
 Planning Minister's press release in full:
<p style=" margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/178943356/Independent-assessment-for-East-West-Link-impact" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Independent assessment for East West Link impact on Scribd">Independent assessment for East West Link impact</a>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_46628" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/178943356/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe>
 
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Independent assessment for East-West Link Comprehensive Impact Statement

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It's that time again; other media outlets are reporting on Melbourne Airport's most up-to-date figures regarding its ever expanding car parking revenues.  And cue the inevitable uproar on the lack of perceived non-car access methods to the airport. 

As we've seen, even on Apartments.com.au, there's a lot of debate on how to provide alternative access methods to Tullamarine.  Martin Mankowski dished up a thought provoking piece during June on <a href="/news/melbourne-a-city-of-two-tales-skybus-vs-the-airport-train" target="_blank">Skybus versus Airport Rail</a> while back in March I wrote that <a href="/news/half-of-the-melbourne-airport-rail-link-is-currently-under-construction" target="_blank">half of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link is already under construction</a> in the form of the Regional Rail Link.

This regular cycle of mainstream reporting and subsequent commentary doesn't appear to be going away and unless norms (read: PTV Melbourne Metro dependencies, notions that the Regional Rail Link should be treated as a sacred cow for regional passengers) are challenged the same cycle will be repeating itself a decade from now.   The East-West freeway tunnel is likely to soak up many years worth of capital which could be redirected into Public Transport projects so the not-so-new question is: how best to get non-road transport out to Tullamarine?

I still form the view V/Line would be the best operator to run trains to and from the Airport mainly because the Regional Rail Link will be injecting additional capacity into and out of the inner city: an asset that could get a higher return - for more Victorians - if it were at least initially used for Airport rail services.  Conjointly the rolling stock V/Line utilise is presently better suited for passengers with bags compared to a standard metro train configuration whilst little thought is given to the fact that auxiliary trains required to operate these services would be built in Dandenong - adding more local jobs to the equation.  

<img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_702px" height="318" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/VLocitySet36.jpg?itok=dPALl6mU" title="Vlocity at Southern Cross - Image credit: Wikipedia: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VLocitySet36.jpg" width="702">

Image credit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VLocity_160" style="font-size: 10px;" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>

In light of the amount of capital that will be sucked out of Spring Street's budget to facilitate the East-West freeway project, further measures to deliver an Airport Rail service need to be looked at.  Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd - the owner of Melbourne Airport - favours an underground station in the Terminal precinct (refer to <a href="http://melbourneairport.com.au/docs/MasterPlan_2013_PreliminaryDraft_s9_Ground_Transport.pdf" target="_blank">Ground Transportation Plan, Page 129</a>) - however is this the best option?  

Given the airport is set to receive a large elevated road structure to better interface with the new Terminal development to the South of the existing T3 (Virgin), is an elevated rail line completely out of the question?  An underground station will mean passengers using the trains will need to ascend multiple floors to get to the departures level of the terminals and not to mention underground stations are invariable the most costly to build.

An elevated solution, like that of Brisbane's Airtrain Station seen below, has the advantage of easily traversing the horrific amount of car parks that currently surround the airport.  The station itself isn't overly fancy (we should remove the thought from our minds of building a grand terminal like the proposals we saw recently for Flinders Street), it's pleasant enough and gets the job done - just what  a train station should be.  Not to mention it would have been a darn site less expensive to build than a tunnel and two platforms underground.

<img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_702px" height="468" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Brisbane_Airport_domestic_terminal_Vabre.jpg?itok=UL_ttNVa" title="Brisbane Airport Domestic Station - Image credit: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_Terminal_railway_station,_Brisbane" width="702">

Image credit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_Terminal_railway_station,_Brisbane" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>

Attempts to ask APAM about whether an elevated structure could well be looked at the next iteration of the Airport's master plan were met with an automated message on the phone number listed on Melbourne Airport's site for the Master Plan.  Suffice it to say not much effort thereafter was employed to pursue the matter.

Reflecting on deleting Footscray as a V/Line stop, as mentioned in the March piece, the recent release of Plan Melbourne seems to work with this idea quite well.  Sunshine is highlighted as an emerging employment cluster and having a major transport interchange located within it - especially with traffic going to and from the airport - would go a long way to ensuring this planning initiative is successful.  Should Sunshine be the primary western suburban stop for regional services, the emerging area will be the first port-of-call for all Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo V/Line services; having a regular CBD-Airport rail service stop via a potential Sunshine V/Line hub allows seamless connectivity for regional passengers, removing the need to travel into an already congested city station.

Once the Regional Rail Link is complete, effectively the start of works to build an airport rail link will be in Sunshine.  A structure to remove potential conflict between Airport bound trains and the Sydenham line would need to be built around Albion and at least initially, a single bi-directional track could be laid alongside the existing Albion corridor (therefore reducing capital expenditure).  Factor in an elevated station at Tullamarine and the comparisons to a dual electrified track with metro services terminating at an underground station are stark, particularly in construction costs.  The newly formed Metropolitan Planning Authority will have two clear choices upon which to advise Government no doubt.

Leap forward 10 years after an airport link is complete, the Melbourne Metro tunnel is operational and the pressure on Regional Rail Link capacity increases; maybe then could the 'norm' be implemented.  

In saying that however, I dare say the faster  V/Line service would be sorely missed if an airport rail link switched to a stopping all stations slower metro service as outlined in the PTV Heavy Rail plan.
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Reflecting on the Melbourne Airport Rail Link

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Today we're pleased to announce further details on 'Guiding Melbourne's Urban Growth' - a free event presented by Apartments.com.au and held as part of Melbourne Knowledge Week 2013.
On Friday 1st of November from 6:30pm a panel of five speakers will be giving their thoughts and insight in answer to the following:
<a href="https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/KnowledgeMelbourne/Pages/KnowledgeWeek.aspx" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/imgad.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 250px;"></a>
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	If Melbourne is to fulfil its own motto of gaining strength as it grows, planning policy must shift away from the auto-centric low-density suburban growth patterns of the past. Cities which encourage diverse human interaction through policies which enable increased residential and employment densities benefit from increased localised economic and social activity. With the great Australian dream of owning a home becoming increasingly unattainable where spiralling congestion and travel distance to employment and services offset the lower prices of new fringe suburban development, how can Melbourne make medium and high-density living more attractive to individuals and families at a price they can afford?
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The speakers
Sarah Backhouse - CEO of prefabAUS www.prefabaus.org.au
William McDougall - Transport Planner/Principal at Sinclair Knight Merz www.globalskm.com
Adam Borowski - Development Manager at Small Giants www.smallgiants.com.au
John Carfi - CEO Residential at Mirvac Group www.mirvac.com
Laurence Dragomir - Urban Designer and Apartments.com.au writer 
 
Laurence will provide a synopsis of Fishermans Bend, and as part of his talk will present the only available renders with all planning applications to date included, plus a few other surprises.  A preliminary low resolution sneak peek is seen below
<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/Image1_36.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A sign of things to come within Fishermans Bend?"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/Image1_36.jpg?itok=1XHUZI-2" title="A sign of things to come within Fishermans Bend?" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
Each speaker will give a 10 minute presentation and following the presentations an audience Q&amp;A session will be held.
The venue is the Village Roadshow Theatrette at the State Library of Victoria.  Entrance is from La Trobe Street entrance 3 (not the main entrance fronting Swanston Street) - click <a href="http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/floormap_entrance_2011.gif" target="_blank">here</a> to see a map of entrances.
Guiding Melbourne's Urban Growth is a free, but ticketed event - to attend, simply click the link below, book and print your ticket and present it upon entry.  Doors open at 6:20pm and we anticipate finishing the Q&amp;A session at 8:15pm
* Please print out your ticket and bring it with you on the night - we will not be admitting anyone without a valid ticket.  
If you can't make it or the session is all booked out by the time you read this - never fear!  Our video partners <a href="http://imageination.tv/" target="_blank">IMAGEination</a> will be filming the entire event and we'll publish the videos in the following week.
As always, enjoy!
 
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Guiding Melbourne's Urban Growth - presented by Urban.com.au

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As the first in a series of articles revolving around an interview held with State Planning Minister Matthew Guy in the wake of the <a href="http://www.planmelbourne.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank">Plan Melbourne</a> strategy release, today's article centres around the <a href="http://www.gaa.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank">Metropolitan Planning Authority</a> (MPA) which was similarly launched last week; as a successor to the Growth Areas Authority .  Whilst still in its infancy, the Metropolitan Planning Authority's website carries the following description:

<blockquote>
The MPA has been created to implement the initiatives and vision set out in the Victorian Government’s metropolitan planning strategy, Plan Melbourne. As well as working with its partners in planning, the MPA will implement plans to achieve real outcomes. It will also focus on planning and infrastructure coordination in key strategic areas that are of significance to the state, throughout Melbourne’s inner and outer suburbs as well as regional centres. The MPA is an independent statutory body with a broad, facilitative role to work with local councils, other government agencies and the planning and development industry to help deliver exciting Greenfield and Urban Renewal projects across Victoria.
</blockquote>

The MPA will have a wide-ranging city development policy brief to advise Spring Street on, and one area of particular interest is transport.  As stated by the Planning Minister in our interview last week, currently there are multiple agencies - the likes of VicRoads and PTV to name a few - which advise Government on infrastructure investment priorities.  

Going forward this is set to change with a single body - the MPA - assuming the role of primary provider of advice once analysis drawn from existing agencies is complete.  

<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/mpa-slider.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/mpa-slider.jpg?itok=86LMLUPd" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

The Minister's words from Friday:

AT: Will government decisions on how to prioritise large transport infrastructure projects - both in designated urban renewal areas and in areas which councils rezone - be influenced by the Metropolitan Planning Authority?

MG: Very much so, one of the key reasons to establish the MPA is because in the past we've had transport projects that are being funded to areas that are being developed in say 10 years time, but areas that are being developed now having no transport infrastructure projects underway - we need to refocus priorities in this area. Current advice comes from a range of sources: PTV, VicRoads, The Department, Growth Areas authority, Water Authorities - it comes from so many bodies.

It [the MPA] is the first time we've actually said the advice on transport infrastructure priorities will come into one body - the Metropolitan Planning Authority - and the single authority will then provide advice to Government to say for example "it's Government's decision but we (the authority) would recommend Government should look at putting A, B and C project into a given area because population growth is coming through now or in two years time". It's about having one agency give advice to government on how to co-ordinate infrastructure.

AT: So that advice provided by the MPA, will that also include funding options for individual projects as well?

MG: No.

Editor's note: An answer to a separate follow up question - post interview - on which authority or mechanism will explore funding options for projects which the MPA advises the Government to proceed on received after original publish time, the answer provided by a spokesperson for the Planning Minister is provided:

The Treasury department will remain responsible for determining funding options for transport projects, including public transport, road and cycling projects. However the MPA will be able to propose options. For instance, the Growth Areas Authority (now MPA) already does long-term planning and projections of DCP and GAIC revenues in growth areas, and how they can fund a planned roll out of infrastructure.

On the topic of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PANS-OPS" target="_blank">PANS-OPS</a> and its impact on tall buildings in Central Melbourne, the Planning Minister made it quite clear he intends to work with the new Federal Government to rectify aviation-related issues which recently dogged the <a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> proposal.  It is the Minister's strong view development in Central Melbourne should not be constrained by aviation regulations.  

The Minister stated (on the topic of Australia 108) "The PANS-OPS issue hasn't gone away, I have been up before the Federal election and will go again to talk with Warren Truss because in our view the CBD and Southbank should be treated like a geographic constraint"  The Minister went on to clarify the issues for height in Central Melbourne only relate to the potential scenario of "a twin engine aircraft taking off in distress from Essendon airport's East-West runway - Melbourne airport was never an issue".  

 

On Friday Laurence Dragomir will be back with our <a href="/news/conversations-with-matthew-guy-episode-ii-in-the-zone">next installment on our conversation with the Planning Minister</a>.
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Matthew Guy on the MPA, Transport advice and PANS-OPS

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<a href="http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/editions/article/yarras-edge-tram-bridge-outrage_9122/" target="_blank">Docklands News</a> reported (01/10/13) Yarra's Edge residents were growing increasingly worried about the proposed tram bridge as outlined in the Fishermans Bend draft vision.  Under the headline "Yarra's Edge tram bridge outrage", Docklands News quoted boat owners as saying they would oppose any low-level bridge that would restrict access to the Marina.

The article similarly quotes the Planning Minister as saying "the bridge was more than 20 years off from being built" and then quotes a Places Victoria representative as saying "a tram link between Collins Street and Yarra's Edge would be in place within 10 years".  Confused?  You're not alone.

Whilst a tunnel might keep the boat owners of Yarra's Edge happy, we need to look at the overall benefits of building the cheaper option: a low-level bridge:

<ul>
<li>cheaper to construct than a tunnel</li>
	<li>more likely to provide pedestrian &amp; cycle links adjacent to tram tracks</li>
	<li>ability to place a tram stop right on the southern bank of the river - injecting people into an otherwise inactive urban environment</li>
	<li>no unsightly ramp in the middle of Collins Street in Victoria Harbour.</li>
</ul>
One potential idea is to slowly move the berths to the west of the proposed bridge alignment as leases in their current position expire therefore allowing a fixed bridge to be built maximising the public's return on investment in the bridge.  

If you're to believe the Places Victoria representative's timeframe of 10 years then an opening bridge could be built with a view to lock it in position over a longer timeframe once the berths have moved away from their current position.   In 10 years, Fishermans Bend (in particular the Lorimer precinct) isn't likely required to have super-high frequency services traversing the river (therefore periods each hour for opening could be catered for), but in 20 years time (the Planning Minister's quoted timeframe) demand for high frequency access to and from Fishermans Bend is likely to be much greater with the entire redevelopment zone underway in some shape or form.

On the loss of open / green space, it is well within the realms of possibility to acquire the site on the opposite side of Lorimer street (pan the street view below around 180 degrees) to even increase the amount of open space available to existing Yarra's Edge residents, mitigating the obvious loss of existing green space should a low-level bridge be the preferred option.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://www.google.com.au/maps?t=h&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.824158,144.942455&amp;panoid=ZWn0RAEWSz6zODMx3I5zag&amp;cbp=13,34.19,,0,4.79&amp;source=embed&amp;ll=-37.824793,144.942777&amp;spn=0.001331,0.003015&amp;z=18&amp;output=svembed" width="100%"></iframe> <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps?t=h&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.824158,144.942455&amp;panoid=ZWn0RAEWSz6zODMx3I5zag&amp;cbp=13,34.19,,0,4.79&amp;source=embed&amp;ll=-37.824793,144.942777&amp;spn=0.001331,0.003015&amp;z=18" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a>

As I <a href="/news/an-overview-of-fishermans-bends-transport-vision" target="_blank">wrote</a> two weeks ago, the most interesting part of the Fishermans Bend draft vision was the eventual form this new link would take.  I just didnt think it would be this quick for the locals to fire up.

 
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Rumble in Yarra's Edge

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The Fishermans Bend draft vision released last week included some interesting infographics to support the associated statements, below is a selection of them. All images taken from the <a href="http://www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au/cs/Satellite?c=VPage&amp;cid=1316149683199&amp;pagename=Places%2FLayout" target="_blank">Fishermans Bend Draft Vision documents</a>. Click on each for a larger view.
<h2>
	Boulevards look set to play an ongoing role in Melbourne</h2>
St. Kilda and Flemington roads, Royal and Victoria parades, they're the wide thoroughfares that have been with us since not long after first European settlement and throughout all the infographics the extension of Collins Street to the bay (Plummer Street below) looks set to continue this grand tradition. With Plummer Street's inclusion alongside the existing boulevards in the above infographic, one can get a sense of how the redevelopment civic spine should eventually end up, assuming this vision becomes a plan set in stone. Note the inclusion of Alexandra Parade, no doubt on the radar post East-West tunnel completion.
<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/boulevards.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Potential and Future Boulevards - Image © www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/boulevards.png?itok=9Mm8ZLuh" title="Potential and Future Boulevards - Image © www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
<h2>
	Collins Street to the Bay</h2>
Building on from the Boulevards above, the infographic below outlines the vision for connecting the CBD to Fishermans Bend. No significant detail but it appears a tram/bus/cycle only bridge will be built across the Yarra from Victoria Harbour to Yarra's Edge. Throws up some curly questions about the marina which currently exists to the east of the bridge as rendered below.
<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/collins_st_extension.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Extending Collins Street to the bay - Image © www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/collins_st_extension.png?itok=xtV2gelG" title="Extending Collins Street to the bay - Image © www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
<h2>
	Surface public transport in context</h2>
The proposed high frequency corridor (yellow lines) which intersects the 'extension of Collins Street' sets the scene for connectivity with Melbourne Metro; that is, a two-seat journey from Pakenham/Cranbourne lines which will eventually run through the Melbourne Metro tunnel at Domain. Likewise this is a good infographic which illustrates that even though Fishermans Bend will be a major precinct to watch over the next half century, there's equally just as much to the North of Docklands through Arden and E-Gate (immediately south west of North Melbourne station).
<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/full_integrated.png" rel="gallery-all" title="A look at the future for mass public transport for Fishermans Bend - Image © www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/full_integrated.png?itok=3UDOc_2l" title="A look at the future for mass public transport for Fishermans Bend - Image © www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
<h2>
	The heavy stuff</h2>
It's pretty self-explanatory. The two new mooted stations have the same spacing between them placed in new higher-density nodes (refer to height limits map at the bottom). This along with Melbourne Metro is the big question mark hanging over the entire vision; the density this precinct promises to have, as per this vision, is well and truly in the realm where heavy rail is warranted. One would also hope once the vision becomes a plan, a real funding and construction timetable for Melbourne Metro and Clifton Hill; Fishermans Bend tunnel is likewise set in concrete (sorry about concrete references!).
<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/metro_line_extension.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Mooted Stations for Fishermans Bend - Image © www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/metro_line_extension.png?itok=BKcXd3v7" title="Mooted Stations for Fishermans Bend - Image © www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
To put the two station locations into present day context, here's the current look of easterly station site at Ingles and Fennell Street:
<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://www.google.com.au/maps?t=h&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=-37.827586,144.939486&amp;spn=0.002059,0.004699&amp;z=19&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.827675,144.939582&amp;panoid=gY7bixOYfzPysmROaH_RWg&amp;cbp=12,316.78,,0,6.56&amp;source=embed&amp;output=svembed" width="100%"></iframe> <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps?t=h&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=-37.827586,144.939486&amp;spn=0.002059,0.004699&amp;z=19&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.827675,144.939582&amp;panoid=gY7bixOYfzPysmROaH_RWg&amp;cbp=12,316.78,,0,6.56&amp;source=embed">View Larger Map</a>
And the more westerly station at Plummer and Salmon Street:
<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://www.google.com.au/maps?t=h&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=-37.832775,144.924533&amp;spn=0.002072,0.004699&amp;z=19&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.832751,144.924665&amp;panoid=94CgXBuWE0iDp85-1j1QnQ&amp;cbp=12,270.18,,0,4.91&amp;source=embed&amp;output=svembed" width="100%"></iframe> <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps?t=h&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;ll=-37.832775,144.924533&amp;spn=0.002072,0.004699&amp;z=19&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.832751,144.924665&amp;panoid=94CgXBuWE0iDp85-1j1QnQ&amp;cbp=12,270.18,,0,4.91&amp;source=embed">View Larger Map</a>
<h2>
	Height limit overview</h2>
Not exactly transport, just thrown in for context:
<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/height_limits.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Proposed height limits in Fishermans Bend - Image © www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/height_limits.png?itok=8KzbcOAk" title="Proposed height limits in Fishermans Bend - Image © www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
I've left my comments brief. I'm more interested to hear others' thoughts on the infographics above or any other part of the transport vision I may have missed. Over to you.
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An overview of Fishermans Bend's transport vision

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The City of Moreland has been busy drafting new zones made possible by the Planning Minister's state-wide planning zone <a href="http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/theplanningsystem/improving-the-system/new-zones-for-victoria" target="_blank">reform</a> and has kicked off a mail &amp; online campaign to get its residents engaged on the proposed new residential zones their strategic planners have drafted.  At first glance. Moreland have been quite liberal in their proposal now open for public comment - click <a href="http://www.morelandplanning.com/" target="_blank">here</a> to view the dedicated site and full supporting document suite.

For convenience, here is the map of the proposed zone changes - copyright to City of Moreland, click for (much!) larger view.

<a href="http://www.morelandplanning.com/themes/bootstrap/img/ZoningMap.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/moreland_zoning_map.jpg?itok=TQ3ivNRY" style="width: 702px; height: 886px;" title="City of Moreland proposed zone changes"></a>

What are the new reformed planning zones?  With many thanks to the City of Moreland, they have produced a succinct two-pager outlining it clearly which can be viewed <a href="http://www.morelandplanning.com/themes/bootstrap/pdf/newzones/New%20Residential%20Zones%20Info.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> (PDF).  

Analysis

The backbone of Brunswick &amp; Coburg - Sydney Road - along with Glenroy &amp; Brunswick East (Lygon/Nicholson Streets) keep their own structure plans but interestingly in the south west of the Local Government Area (LGA), Brunswick West has a proposed widespread application of the new Residential Growth Zone intermixed with the strict Neighbourhood Residential zone furthermore protected with a heritage overlay.  From the southern boundary with the City of Melbourne on Park Street all the way to the intersection of Melville &amp; Moreland roads, the #55 tram and various cross-town bus routes look set to have patronage increase considerably should this new zoning be applied and redevelopment kick off soon after.  

I've <a href="/news/bus-routes-which-need-improvement-the-506" target="_blank">previously written</a> about the #506 bus route and should the proposed zone map look somewhat like the map Moreland have produced for public comment, the need to fix idiotic leftovers from the days when trams and buses competed for passengers will become even more apparent - more so north of Bell Street.  

Melville &amp; Albion Brunswick West, set to change under the proposed reformed zone implementation.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://www.google.com.au/maps?dg=opt&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.759206,144.944789&amp;panoid=gJla4R3amfQJH0grVGdrYQ&amp;cbp=13,7.97,,0,1.23&amp;source=embed&amp;ll=-37.761127,144.944794&amp;spn=0.006684,0.01502&amp;z=16&amp;output=svembed" width="100%"></iframe> <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps?dg=opt&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.759206,144.944789&amp;panoid=gJla4R3amfQJH0grVGdrYQ&amp;cbp=13,7.97,,0,1.23&amp;source=embed&amp;ll=-37.761127,144.944794&amp;spn=0.006684,0.01502&amp;z=16" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a>

In the far south east of the LGA, Nicholson St - partly covered by an existing structure plan - appears to be headed for zoning consistency.  The land not covered by the existing structure plan along the corridor is set to have the residential growth zone applied which just so happens to be the same region the <a href="/news/transforming-australian-cities-a-must-read" target="_blank">Transforming Australian Cities</a> strategy used as one of its 3 case studies.

The Bell Street corridor west of Sydney Road, specifically around the terminus of the #55 tram in Pascoe Vale South looks set to be protected which is curious given Bell Street has one of the best middle-ring suburban bus routes (actually, multiple routes) as well as radial tram access.  With the advent of the Boondoggling East-West tunnel, if you were the State Government one would assume traffic through this corridor will reduce and therefore with a calmer road, building density could be increased creating a more appealing urban environment.  Maybe City of Moreland doesn't see it that way? 

Regardless, the video produced by Moreland (see their <a href="http://www.morelandplanning.com/" target="_blank">website</a>) talks about increasing development intensity around existing shopping strips as well as Public Transport corridors - Melville Road and Bell Street has both yet it is proposed to be protected under the Residential Neighbourhood Zone.

Melville &amp; Bell Pascoe Vale South - all the public transport infrastructure is here as well as existing retail space, yet is not set to receive new Residential Growth Zoning under the current Moreland proposal.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://www.google.com.au/maps?dg=opt&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.739263,144.945708&amp;panoid=7FQtSVfAiMGz0zc2SDI8bg&amp;cbp=13,301.06,,0,8.62&amp;ll=-37.740532,144.94635&amp;spn=0.002664,0.00603&amp;z=17&amp;source=embed&amp;output=svembed" width="100%"></iframe> <a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps?dg=opt&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.739263,144.945708&amp;panoid=7FQtSVfAiMGz0zc2SDI8bg&amp;cbp=13,301.06,,0,8.62&amp;ll=-37.740532,144.94635&amp;spn=0.002664,0.00603&amp;z=17&amp;source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a>

Up in the north of the LGA, Hadfield / West Street looks set to have the residential growth zone - where apartments/units up to 4 levels can be built. If you look at the current LGA map from Moreland on <a href="http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/Maps/Localities/PDFs/37_Moreland_LAM.pdf" target="_blank">PTV's site</a>, there's a single bus route which, like many all over the city, zig zags around back streets trying to do too many things at once.  Serious input from Spring Street and PTV is required to streamline the routes north of Bell Street - applying a zone which could result in near 250-350 people/hectare living in buildings up to 4 levels away from the primary public transport corridors and the existing bus system is going to require work.  

So Moreland residents, you can go here: <a href="http://www.morelandplanning.com/your-suburb">http://www.morelandplanning.com/your-suburb</a> enter your address and see the proposed changes relative to your address.

 
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Reformed planning zones: City of Moreland

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Was Kevin Rudd's "Minister for Cities" policy announcement in Perth on Friday (30/8/13) tokenistic, policy-on-the-run or about time?  A mixture of all three. 

Let's be clear - urban planning is firmly the role of State Governments and Local Governments to implement.  The States and Territories are the ultimate service providers we interact with the most - hospitals, schools, roads, public transport; they are the cornerstone of our federation, yet since the 1940s the States' ability to raise revenue - levy taxes - has diminished leaving them to look up to Canberra for help to implement their policy.  Where historically Australia's political scene has been city versus rural (and in some respects this hasn't changed to this day) with one political party dedicated to the bush - The Nationals, the ALP and Liberal Party have been left to fight over the seats in our capital cities. 

Over the past 70-80 years, on both the ALP and Liberal Party's watch (and in Victoria's case earlier last century, the Country party's watch), we've seen Australia's cities grow on the back of the automobile and for many the insatiable desire to own a house with a backyard in a suburb not too far from family and employment. Yet the problem we have, highlighted so perfectly by Kevin Rudd's speech, is the people who choose to rent, own, play or work in the outer growing fringe areas are running into the ultimate 'gotcha' hat-trick:  

<ul>
<li>private transport has nasty external factors affecting affordability (volatile petrol prices) as well as direct negative effects when solely relied upon (congestion),</li>
	<li>the slow roll out of other essential infrastructure along with the early isolation that is associated with the standard suburban development phenomenon and,  </li>
	<li>access to employment diminishes the further you live away from job clusters.</li>
</ul>
Central Melbourne is now on its own development trajectory.  It's a trajectory that we can quite easily sit back and say we don't need to passionately advocate continuing the momentum for thanks to the work carried out by the visionaries of late last century and the new market which has sprung up around the vision.  The density debate in Melbourne is shifting toward how can the city better utilise its vast array of brownfields sites and under-developed corridors to increase localisation of services whilst also meeting the housing needs through sustainable development patterns.   As our <a href="/developments" target="_blank">Project Database</a> illustrates, urban development has already begun spread beyond the traditional centre of the city - but equally you didn't hear Kevin Rudd talk about increasing density, rather it was a speech targeted directly at the voter-land of the outer swinging seat suburbs regardless of the public transport emphasis.

Kevin Rudd's speech emphasis on Public Transport is a breath of fresh air, but to my mind he lost marks where made an apparent pitch to bringing jobs closer to where people live.  Mass government-funded incentive-driven private sector job decentralisation is a repulsive thought and a rebuke to the quality work that's been happening over the past few decades to make central areas of Melbourne more attractive for business to grow and prosper.  What's needed is leadership in driving new development into existing areas which have scope to cater for increased housing diversity and density allowing the workers to move closer to the workplace - not move their workplace closer to them.  

If it is the Federal Government's job to lead on mitigating the effects of climate change and grow a more prosperous nation, then serious policy leadership on weaning Australian cities off the car and continual low-density suburban expansion (under the misguided "housing afforability" banner) must come from them.  <a href="http://www.carbonneutral.com.au/climate-change/australian-emissions" target="_blank">15% of Australia's emissions come from Transport</a> - of which the private car is the biggest polluter and even if we switched the power source for every car in the country to some as yet mass-marketed device, we still will have congestion and isolating distance problems.   State Governments understand and are actively refreshing and implementing metropolitan strategies which are attempting to curb fringe development (Melbourne 2030, Melbourne @ 5 million and the upcoming Napthine Government planning strategy) and redirecting capital and investment into existing areas but given the same Governments' willingness to shift growth boundaries we're likely to be dealing with the suburban problem for many years yet.  The extra oompf from a small but well resourced Federal ministry in Canberra could be beneficial in keeping States and their strategies in check, as long as they same Federal Government resists the urge to use the same ministry to pander to the interests of the land-owners on the fringes of our cities.

Given the context of the speech - the final week of the Federal election campaign, polls pointing to a wipe out - the policy announcement appeared extremely meek and garnered little analysis on Friday night's news.  Actually, when talked about on the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/view/41909" target="_blank">ABC's The Drum</a> (fast forward to 27m30s) that night, it was tacked on to other policy discussion from the day and then quite literally scoffed off the show by the panelists!

That, right there, is the challenge for urbanists: getting air time and providing proper analysis.  The direction of our cities is not just about big ticket projects like the ALP-favoured Melbourne Metro or the Coalition-favoured East-West link, it's about the sum of the whole.  Canberra holds the considerable purse strings - and always will hold them unless we change our constitution (and the relationship Canberra has with the states) - we should be demanding leadership from this sphere of government, not just having Federal agencies like Infrastructure Australia working within its silo.  As Kevin Rudd said, 80% of this country's economic output is from cities - what's wrong with having leadership ensuring all the policies of the Federal Government and the tools it has its disposal are given a proper urban planning context?
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Federal Government leadership on cities? Yes please

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Asia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd - the owner and operator of Melbourne's Tullamarine airport - released its <a href="http://melbourneairport.com.au/About-Melbourne-Airport/Media/Media-releases/melbourne-airports-july-passenger-traffic-results" target="_blank">July year-on-year passenger statistics</a> yesterday.  Standing out amongst all other statistics in the media release, was that Tullamarine has for the first time registered more than 30 million passengers passing through its terminals.

Likewise more than 2 million passengers passed through the domestic terminals and as stated in media release, APA have acknowledged early works have begun on expanding Terminal 4 - the low-cost terminal which Tiger Air currently operates out of.  You can see some of the renders posted on our forum back in April <a href="/news/tullamarine-joins-the-30-million-passengers-per-year-club" target="_blank">here</a>.

I've always liked to think growth in airports - be it passenger numbers, aircraft movements or infrastructure growth - are a reflection of the city they're located in.  When an airport is growing through passenger numbers and therefore aircraft movements, it's generally a good sign the city the airport is attached to is likewise seeing healthy growth.  

It's not all about Melbourne's profile being expanded through the greater connectivity afforded by airlines increasing frequencies, such as Singapore airlines recently moving to 4 x daily operations between Melbourne &amp; Singapore, or creating new routes like Air India will be soon to Delhi; it's just as much a reflection of the mood of Melburnians and their happiness/ability to splurge and go see the rest of the world.

<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/air-india-boeing-787-dreamliner-during-paris-air-show.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Arriving within days, an Air India 787 Dreamliner. Image © Indian Economic Times "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/air-india-boeing-787-dreamliner-during-paris-air-show.jpg?itok=PigXJ7Iu" title="Arriving within days, an Air India 787 Dreamliner. Image © Indian Economic Times " typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Image Credit: Indian Economic Times.  Click <a href="http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=%3D%22boeing+787-8+dreamliner%22&amp;airlinesearch=%3A%28%22air+india%22+OR+%22air-India%22+OR+%22%28air+india%29%22+OR+%22%28air-india%29%22+NOT+%22express%22+NOT+%22regional%22%29&amp;countrysearch=&amp;specialsearch=&amp;keywords=&amp;sort_order=photo_id+desc&amp;page_limit=15&amp;daterange=&amp;range=&amp;thumbnails=&amp;engine_version=6.0" target="_blank">here</a> for more photos of Air India's 787.

Despite a general belief that a high-speed rail corridor between Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney would be good thing for the environment (as long as the power generated for the new line was from a renewable or cleaner-than-coal source) as well as capacity issues in Sydney, we're likely to be stuck with Tullamarine as our primary entry and exit point for many years yet.   It's encouraging to see the many-times-over refreshed masterplan is slowly coming to fruiting through the recently announced 3rd runway planning project and the ongoing terminal expansion projects but as I and others have written on UrbanMelbourne.info before, one of the main issues which will remain with Tullamarine is ground transport access.  

It might take another decade for Tullamarine to reach 40 million passengers a year - the passenger figure generally thought to be where there will be a definite "<a href="http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/six-million-people-would-use-train-to-melbourne-airport/story-e6frfkp9-1226647198690" target="_blank">need</a>" for a rail line to and from the centre of the city - but it will be an interesting decade given the push to expand the Tullamarine Freeway between the Western Ring Road and the airport.  

Will we see more frequent skybus services in the interim?  Who knows, but it's a sure bet on the road to 40 million passengers, the pressure to service Tullamarine from a ground transport perspective is going to increase and here's also hoping the State Government comes to a better agreement to channel more non-skybus services into the precinct from areas where most airport employees live.
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Tullamarine joins the 30 million passengers per year club

The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 52-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 52-storey tower, which has just shy of 250 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Alastair Taylor

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