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The Victorian Planning Minister, Richard Wynne, has announced an election policy that would see embedded networks banned from new Victorian apartment developments should the Andrews Government be re-elected in November.

Exemptions to the ban will apply if a micro-grid powered by renewable energy is added to the building. Other policies outlined by the Planning Minister include:

<blockquote>
Increasing apartment setbacks from neighbouring properties to improve privacy, natural light, airflow and to stop streets being turned into cold, dark wind tunnels

Introducing minimum green space standards 

Ensuring apartment exteriors are made from natural, durable and safe materials, such as brick, timber, concrete, metal, stone or non-combustible cladding 

Putting in place mandatory construction management plans to put an end to residents being disturbed by noise from construction workers or rubbish removalists outside reasonable hours.
<cite>ALP media release</cite>
</blockquote>

The Planning Minister also announced $4 million will be set aside for architecture practices operating in the state to work with the State Architect in order to produce better apartment blueprints "that support the building of developments that become world-leaders in design, sustainability and liveability."

The latest policy announcements in the planning sphere arrive soon after the Planning Minister approved interim heritage controls for the City of Melbourne.

Heritage protections will cover 65 individual sites, two group listings and nine precincts that include the likes of Flinders Lane East, Drewery Lane, Swiss Club of Victoria and the former Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board building.

Interim controls will remain in place while the City of Melbourne conducts its most extensive heritage audit since the 1990s at which point, after the review, it is expected the heritage controls - subject to the review - will become permanent.

<h2>What is an embedded network?</h2>

They are pieces of utility infrastructure which can encompass electricity distribution, internet provision and gas distribution to individual apartments in a building. 

Typically, a developer signs a contract with an embedded network provider to install the infrastructure (i.e fibre to every apartment for high-speed internet) and in return, the embedded network provider gains a captive market where all tenants or landlords in an apartment building must use the embedded network provider for retail services.

In another example, if an embedded network provider is present in an apartment building for electricity distribution/provision, all tenants or owner-occupiers in that building are unable to take advantage of electricity retail competition as they are forced to use the retail services provided by the embedded network provider.

The ALP and Liberals are launching their official election campaigns on Sunday.
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Alastair Taylor

ALP unveil planning-related policies including banning embedded networks in new apartment developments

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Yesterday the Andrews Government announced it was extending its level crossing removal programme and taking the promise to expand the list of 50 to 75.  The <a href="/news/labor-adds-25-to-its-list-of-50-level-crossing-removals">announcement named 14 level crossings</a> and a further 11 would be revealed in due course.

In 2017 the Victorian Auditor-General recommended the development of a 'transparent selection and prioritisation process' for the removal of level crossings beyond the government's commitment of 50.  That framework was <a href="https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/334914/Extra-Crossings_Prioritisation-Framework.pdf">published</a> by the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) on Sunday.

<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/crossings_removal_framework_principles_0.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Key principles and underpinning factors used in the prioritisation framework"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="331" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/crossings_removal_framework_principles_0.png?itok=VkdvyyB_" title="Key principles and underpinning factors used in the prioritisation framework" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Key principles and underpinning factors used in the prioritisation framework</figcaption></figure>When the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project is operational and Watergardens-Sunbury services are taken out of the loop and start through-running to Pakenham and Cranbourne, the existing northern loop will receive a capacity boost allowing for more train services to run to both Craigieburn and Upfield.

The Craigieburn line was awarded in 2017 the dubious title of most overcrowded line on the network and is also the main artery for population growth in the inner-to-middle north-west of Melbourne.  Central Moonee Ponds is at the vanguard of increased development activity on the corridor with 21 projects on the Apartments.com.au database.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/moonee-ponds-vic?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>

Already residents are starting to move into Caydon's former Moonee Ponds market site and the continued completion of new apartments combined with the myriad of other local projects is set to continue to grow central Moonee Ponds' population over the next few years.

Throw in the growing outer north and patronage is likely to climb considerably on the Craigieburn line requiring more services to cater for all the new residents.  

Two level crossings on the Craigieburn line were included in the original list of 50, Buckley Street in Essendon which is now complete, and Glenroy Road in Glenroy which is still at a planning stage.  There are 5 other level crossings still in existence on the Craigieburn line - Macaulay Road in Kensington, Puckle Street/Holmes Road in Moonee Ponds, Park Street in Moonee Ponds, Gaffney Street in Pascoe Vale and Devon Road in Oak Park.

Three of the five remaining crossings have adjacent stations whereas Park Street and Gaffney Street are located away from existing station infrastructure.

As part of the Wider Network Enhancements in the Metro Tunnel project, Essendon station was identified as a point where shorter-run services could originate and terminate to increase frequencies on the Craigieburn line.  The Metro Tunnel Business case identifies Essendon because of its large interchange profile (the Airport West tram and multiple bus routes).

Given the context for increased need (large-scale residential development) and planned (Metro Tunnel Business Case) services on the inner to middle sections of the Craigieburn line, Macaulay Road in Kensington, Puckle Street/Holmes Road in Moonee Ponds are likely to fit the bill with the LXRA's prioritisation process.
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Focus on more level crossing removals: Craigieburn Line

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The Andrews Government has unveiled another election policy, this time extending its list of 50 level crossing removals to 75.  $6.6 billion is the pricetag for the additional level crossing removals and according to the government it will be paid for out of state budget surpluses.

The original list of 50 level crossings was an election policy for the Andrews Government in 2014 and so far 28 have been completed, financed primarily out of the sale of the 50-year lease over the Port of Melbourne.  Originally 20 were scheduled to be completed by the end of the first time of government and the full list of 50 after two terms.

Dandenong to Caulfield was one of the more high profile set of level crossing removals throughout the first term of government that saw 9 removed with elevated track and it also included rebuilding 5 stations on the line.

Other than the Frankston line, broadly speaking, the level crossing removals that have been completed have been all around the metropolitan area - Bayswater saw two removed, the Cranbourne line is seeing two to be removed, Bell Street on both the Mernda and Upfield lines will see removals.

Frankston line level crossings still feature heavily - mostly because there are just so many of them (closely followed by the Mernda line) - however one detectable theme is that the new additions to the list that have been announced 'round out' suburbs, Preston and Coburg are a prime example.

The election policy announcement from the Andrews Government named 14 level crossings with another 11 to be announced a later date.

<ul>
<li>Mont Albert Road &amp; Union Road in Surrey Hills/Mont Albert.  Once those two level crossings are removed, there will be zero level crossings left between Ringwood and the City.</li>
	<li>Glenhuntly Road and Neerim Road in Glenhuntly.  Glenhuntly Road includes the double-whammy train and tram track level crossing that slows trains to a crawl and both roads are the last in the Moorabbin - City segment to be removed.</li>
	<li>Argyle Avenue, Chelsea Road and Swanpool Avenue in Chelsea.  The three Chelsea level crossings plus the two in Glenhuntly will bring the total number of Frankston line level crossing removals to 16.</li>
	<li>Munro Street and Reynard Street in Coburg.  This increases the number of proposed level crossing removals in Coburg from 2 to 4.</li>
	<li>Oakover Road, Murray Road and Cramer Street in Preston. Removing these three level crossings, including the already identified Bell Street, will have the effect of removing all level crossings at Bell and Preston stations.</li>
	<li>Gap Road/Station Street in Sunbury.  This road ringfences Sunbury station and based on the surface level infrastructure located at Sunbury station and the extra cost in altering it, it's likely the road will pass under the rail track.</li>
	<li>Old Geelong Road in Hoppers Crossing. The last of the major roads to be removed on the outer end of the Werribee Line - several remain on the Altona Loop line and main line between the eastern Altona Loop junction and Footscray.</li>
</ul>
The level crossing removal authority has also today published a site prioritisation framework on its <a href="https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/334914/Extra-Crossings_Prioritisation-Framework.pdf">website</a>.
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Labor adds 25 to its list of 50 level crossing removals

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In case you missed it: when Melbourne Airport held its stakeholder event for 2018 earlier in October, not only did it outline its future vision for its terminals, but it also provided a lot more context to the <a href="/news/consortium-proposes-market-led-super-train-for-melbourne-airport-rail-link">AirRail Melbourne proposal</a>.

37 million passengers passed through the airport's terminals in the most recent financial year and the airport expects that to top 70 million by 2038.  Expanded runways, on-site renewable energy generation, Terminal 3 (Virgin Australia) as well as Terminal 2 (International) upgrades add to new ground transport upgrades that will all occur at the airport over the next decade.

Not only do we have a clearer picture of the terminal changes that will occur over time (see video below) but we also now have a far clearer vision of where a station might be located.

Remember when a consortium led by the Melbourne Airport operator unveiled it's proposal for <a href="https://www.airrailmelbourne.com.au/">AirRail Melbourne</a> and posted a render of the airport station interior?

<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/airrail_melbourne_airport_station.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="AirRail Melbourne Airport Station render. Image: Melbourne Airport"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/airrail_melbourne_airport_station.jpg?itok=Lv8f4FDd" title="AirRail Melbourne Airport Station render. Image: Melbourne Airport" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>AirRail Melbourne Airport Station render. Image: Melbourne Airport</figcaption></figure>This is where it is located, according to the AirRail Melbourne proposal, unveiled as part of the Airport's own expansion plans.

<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/mel_air_station_vision1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Render of T2 and station located in forecourt. Image: Melbourne Airport"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="324" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mel_air_station_vision1.jpg?itok=CHb1U9vt" title="Render of T2 and station located in forecourt. Image: Melbourne Airport" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Render of T2 and station located in the forecourt. Image: Melbourne Airport</figcaption></figure>Of course, the AirRail Melbourne proposal is just that - a proposal - and with a state election underway whose result will have a major impact on the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, what the airport operator's have produced might not be the actual outcome.

Regardless, the money invested in the early design that's clearly been undertaken gives a clear indication on the thinking involved with future ground transport options at the airport.

Note that in the render above, other than the station located outside Terminals 3 &amp; 4, the other major change is the departure and arrival car lanes for private vehicles will divert away from the existing forecourt and it appears the existing departure ramps and car lanes will be given over to pedestrians.

See the video below for a wrap up of the future plans for Melbourne Airport.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uG3yQGSODHU" width="100%"></iframe>
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AirRail Melbourne - Airport Station location revealed in stakeholder presentation

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On Sunday, the Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten announced that if the ALP are elected at the next federal election, they will match the $300 million the state government has committed towards design and planning for its signature re-election promise, the Suburban Rail Loop.

Meanwhile, the public transport election stakes keep rising with the Andrews Government unveiling a plan to electrify Wyndham Vale and Melton lines, while at the same time increasing track capacity to allow more regional express trains to run to and from the city to Ballarat and <a href="/new-apartments/geelong-vic-3220">Geelong</a>.

The Suburban Rail Loop is a proposal to build an orbital rail line linking all existing railway lines (except Sandringham and Alamein) at key points around the middle ring of Melbourne.  Likewise, it aims to put Monash University's main campus in <a href="/new-apartments/clayton-vic-3168">Clayton</a>, Deakin's primary Melbourne campus in <a href="/developments/burwood-vic-3125">Burwood</a> and La Trobe University's main campus in Bundoora directly on the rail network.

When the Premier and Public Transport Minister, Jacinta Allan, showcased the Suburban Rail Loop for the first time, a handful of estimated journey times were released. More estimated trip times emerged from the media conference held in <a href="/new-apartments/box-hill-vic-3128">Box Hill</a> on Sunday.

Original estimated journey times.

<ul>
<li>25 minutes from Clayton to Bundoora.</li>
	<li>25 minutes from Box Hill to the Airport.</li>
	<li>35 minutes from <a href="/new-apartments/broadmeadows-vic-3047">Broadmeadows</a> to Monash.</li>
	<li>45 minutes from <a href="/new-apartments/cheltenham-vic-3192">Cheltenham</a> to the Airport.</li>
</ul>
New estimated journey times.

<ul>
<li>15 minutes from Box Hill to Monash. </li>
	<li>25 minutes from Broadmeadows to Deakin in Burwood.</li>
	<li>20 minutes from <a href="/new-apartments/heidelberg-vic-3084">Heidelberg</a> to the Airport.</li>
	<li>35 minutes from <a href="/new-apartments/glen-waverley-vic-3150">Glen Waverley</a> to the Airport.</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/victorias-future-rail-network-map.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Map showing all of the ALP's election commitments on rail. Image: bigbuild.vic.gov.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/victorias-future-rail-network-map.jpg?itok=VFR6K-lj" title="Map showing all of the ALP's election commitments on rail. Image: bigbuild.vic.gov.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Map showing all of the ALP's election commitments on rail. Image: <a href="https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/western-rail-plan">bigbuild.vic.gov.au</a></figcaption></figure><h2>New metro services for The West</h2>

The Premier was in Geelong on Tuesday morning to announce another rail-focused election commitment that would include extending metro services to both Melton and <a href="/new-townhouses/wyndham-vale-vic-3024">Wyndham Vale</a> as well as provide extra track from the city to enable faster regional services to run from Geelong and Ballarat to the city.

The plans for the western section of the Suburban Rail Loop have become clearer with a video posted on the Premier's Facebook page showing the Werribee Line extended to Wyndham Vale, which in conjunction with the extended metro services, would form the western section of the loop.

Adding to all the other rail commitments, which have focused on planning, other media outlets are reporting $150 million will be spent on expanding railway corridors to Wyndham Vale and Melton that presumably will be quadruplicated allowing metro services - which are stopping-all-stations in nature - to be separated from V/Line express services.

According to information now available on bigbuild.vic.gov.au, it is anticipated 'the three major network changes would be undertaken in stages and take around a decade to complete.'  Much of the planning work will be completed as part of the Airport Rail Link business case which is now due to be completed 'in 2019/2020'.

<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="476" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDanielAndrewsMP%2Fvideos%2F1912954475451472%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="100%"></iframe>
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Andrews unveils Western Rail Plan as Federal Labor commit to Suburban Rail Loop

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The Public Transport state election of 2018 rolls on, with another big-ticket election promise unveiling by The Greens to create a large-scale rapid bus network in Melbourne's East.

According to the policy information on one of the Greens' <a href="https://ourliveablecity.org.au/bus-plan/">websites</a>, the rapid bus network is focused on connecting multiple eastern suburbs destinations with priority given to a bus fleet that is powered by electricity.

<blockquote>
Importantly, this Rapid Bus Network can be rolled out within a year, and will reduce congestion immediately.

It won’t take 10 years to build like the North East Link toll road, or 28 years to build like the Suburban Rail Loop.

The Rapid Bus Network can be integrated and adapted into future transport network changes.
<cite>Greens Rapid Bus Network policy</cite>
</blockquote>

Dedicated bus stops would be built, similar to a platformed tram stop, and include myki readers to enable faster loading and unloading of the buses. Free wi-fi and power outlets would be provided on the buses as well.

The focus of the new services is anchored in La Trobe University and providing connectivity to the east, south-east and south of the Bundoora campus, and the map depicts how the new bus routes will link with another of the Greens' election policies: tram route extensions.

<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/greens_eastern_melb_rapid_bus.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Map of all the proposed rapid bus lines. Image: Victorian Greens"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/greens_eastern_melb_rapid_bus.png?itok=r3nUwlff" title="Map of all the proposed rapid bus lines. Image: Victorian Greens" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Map of all the proposed rapid bus lines. Image: Victorian Greens</figcaption></figure>Much of the physical infrastructure required to enable the faster services involves adding dedicated bus lanes, 'turning slip lanes' and bus priority at traffic lights, according to the information on the Greens' website.  

Large patronage generators such as Universities, railway stations, retail and other employment centres are a focus for the network and the policy states that services would run every 10 minutes, all day, every day across the 11 proposed routes.

<h2>Comment</h2>

Unless one of the major parties decides to ride the coattails of a brand new freeway into the state election, at this stage of the game, November 2018 is looking like a public transport election.

The three main parties which are in contest for seats in metropolitan Melbourne have all focused on different areas of public transport - the Greens thus far are focusing on extending or upgrading road-based public transport (trams and buses), the government/ALP are focused on big-ticket rail projects (Airport Link, Suburban Rail Loop) and the Liberal Party in conjunction with their National party coalition partners have placed an emphasis on regional rail.

The rapid bus proposal from the Greens ties in nicely with the Suburban Rail Loop put forward by the ALP - at least the eastern portion of the rail loop - and would no doubt butter the middle and outer ring suburbs up for the eventual transition to the even faster Suburban Rail Loop.

The Liberal's regional fast rail would be greatly enhanced with the ALP's Suburban Rail Loop. Ditto, the Greens' rapid bus network because it would put multiple education and employment centres within one change of the Latrobe Valley railway line.

Whoever is able to form a government after November 24th is anyone's guess, however, wouldn't it be nice to have all of the above in a funded, multi-decade plan?
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Victorian Greens pitch Eastern Melbourne rapid bus network to the electorate

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Decentralisation is back as word-du-jour with both the Liberal party in Victoria and now the Federal Liberals spruiking policies that will result in greater population growth in regional areas.

The Federal Government can pull a few strings in the visa and migration area and it too can choose to invest in projects that would stimulate regional town and city growth but for the most part, state governments - the level of government that owns crown land and has the Ministry which governs the use of all land within the jurisdiction - need to be on board as well.

Decentralisation is a noble agenda, spreading growth and the opportunities associated with it to a wider area ensures there's an equitable future for parts of Australia outside the capital cities. But what's the point if the infrastructure to support decentralisation is focused on long-distance commuting to the state capitals?

Likewise, the state Liberal opposition's policy of high(er) speed rail to regional cities &amp; beyond is likely only going to cater for people in the centre of Melbourne; in fact, if the goal is to enable far more long-distance commutes, you'd need both the ALP and Liberal policies announced to ensure that regional city dwellers who work in metropolitan Melbourne don't need a car at the other end.

There are so many questions.

<h2>Questions that Regional Cities need to ask</h2>

One thing that is not clear is what type of growth the regional cities would take on. Will it be sprawl-tacular growth like on the fringes of Melbourne or will planning schemes be updated and incentives implemented to add density to the likes of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley? Are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of the state capitals?

Will existing populations in regional cities accept far higher population growth rates? 

To what extent can existing electricity and water infrastructure cope with increased growth?  Can any regional city put their hand up and say 'yes, we want the growth' or will there be some sanity in stopping regional city growth in areas that are more likely to succumb to drought over future decades?

<h2>Questions that need to be asked of Governments</h2>

What level of state aid from any level of government will be available to incentivise employers to either move or set up new operations in regional cities?

Will each regional city destined for higher growth receive local public transport upgrades to mitigate increased car traffic in the regional cities?

Will state capital cities see less infrastructure to transition them away from auto-dependency as a result of population growth shifting to regional cities?

<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/melb_east_end_cc_by_sa.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Melbourne's East End. Image: flickr"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="368" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melb_east_end_cc_by_sa.jpg?itok=jp4hhhl1" title="Melbourne's East End. Image: flickr" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne's East End. Image: <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobarc/43801964884">flickr</a></figcaption></figure>If decentralisation is the direction voters want to take, incumbent or incoming governments need to drop the laziness associated with showering out the cash on transport links that aim merely to enable a far greater volume of long-distance commuting between the inner-cities of the state capitals to regional cities.

Regional cities should not become dormitory towns, they should have every resource required to encourage employment growth within their own boundaries to stem the flow of long-distance commuting to state capitals.

Otherwise, we'll be replicating sprawly growth at the fringe but on a much larger, more expensive, scale.

Lead image credit: Marcus Wong
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What's the point of decentralisation if everyone commutes to a capital city?

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Open-air car parks opposite Victoria University's Footscray Park campus have been selected as the site for the new Footscray Hospital with the Andrews Government today making the announcement that if they're re-elected, construction will commence in 2020.

The May budget allocated a sum of money to purchase the land required for the new hospital and today it was announced the new facility will have 504 beds, a number well up on the current facility's capacity of 290 beds at the Gordon Street site.

Spring Street says the new facility will allow 15,000 more people to be treated per annum with a further 20,000 emergency admissions also possible.  The state government also says there will be an expansion of specialist facilities with a focus on mental health care expansion as well.

<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/footscray_hospo_1.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Render of the new Footscray Hospital - image: supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/footscray_hospo_1.jpeg?itok=Gu1aXB94" title="Render of the new Footscray Hospital - image: supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Render of the new Footscray Hospital - image: supplied</figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/western-suburbs-hospital-health-hub-planned-for-victoria-universitys-footscray-campus/news-story/64e58732e81dc165d8eb140ad2c08550">Reports</a> from December 2017 suggested that Victoria University will also invest in a redevelopment of its Footscray Park campus to the tune of $300 million in order to establish a new 'College of Health and Biomedicine'.

Other reports similarly referred to the new hospital site also including a private hospital.  The state government statement only focuses on a new public hospital for Footscray.

Despite having seven universities with major campuses in Melbourne, only three offer medicine courses at Monash University (Clayton), The University of Melbourne (Parkville) and Deakin University's School of Medicine based at its Waurn Ponds campus on the outskirts of Geelong.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Incredible announcement today - re elected Labor Government will build a $1.5 bill new Footscray Hospital. Thank you <a href="https://t.co/etUPZGVkjt">pic.twitter.com/etUPZGVkjt</a>
— Western Health (@western_health) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/western_health/status/1048715530704642048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Western Health operates Footscray Hospital, as well as Sunshine Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Sunbury Day Hospital, will operate the new currently under construction Joan Kirner Women's and Children's hospital adjacent to Sunshine Hospital.

The existing Footscray Hospital site on Gordon is co-located with Western Private and should the new public hospital be built at the corner of Geelong and Ballarat Roads in Footscray Park, the existing site is likely to gain interest from parties interested in redeveloping the site.

The proposed new site of the Footscray Hospital, the existing site and the nearby Kennards redevelopment zone are all linked into Footscray station by the 82 Moonee Ponds-Footscray tram.
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New Footscray Hospital location unveiled

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With the unveiling of the finalised Fishermans Bend framework and planning controls, aside from precinct plans, another major question remaining relating to the redevelopment zone is transport.

A tram extension over the Yarra from Collins Street in Victoria Harbour was identified as a medium-term priority project in the <a href="https://www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/87059/Fishermans-Bend-Integrated-Transport-Plan-Final.docx.pdf">integrated transport plan</a> and two alternative heavy-rail corridors were also identified.

On trams, a single bridge which carries at least two routes across the Yarra and then splits to service the Lorimer-Employment precinct north of the West Gate Freeway and Wirraway-Sandridge to the south of the West Gate Freeway will go a long way to connecting Fishermans Bend to the rest of the CBD and Docklands.

However, the real city-changing transport infrastructure is the second metro tunnel that will draw south-west Melbourne much closer to the city and also increase capacity on the Footscray-Newport and City-Clifton Hill railway lines.

The integrated transport plan showed two alternative routes.  According to the maps in the plan, both routes share the same station in Sandridge - the Fishermans Bend precinct located to the south of the West Gate Freeway opposite Yarra's Edge in Docklands - and one heads under Plummer St with a station in Wirraway and the other heads north under the West Gate Freeway into the employment precinct.

This is the limit of publicly available information on the project and since the integrated transport plan was unveiled with the draft framework plane late in 2017, we've not heard boo about it since.

<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/fishbendtransport1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Future transport routes in Fishermans Bend. Image: FB Integrated Transport Plan"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="358" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fishbendtransport1.png?itok=eTI51zZi" title="Future transport routes in Fishermans Bend. Image: FB Integrated Transport Plan" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Future transport routes in Fishermans Bend. Image: FB Integrated Transport Plan</figcaption></figure><h2>Will the 2020s and 2030s be the new golden age of railway building?</h2>

The Premier has stated on many occasions that he won't be in the job when the Suburban Rail Loop is completed but he'll be the one who starts it.  The real question is, will he be the premier which starts Melbourne Metro 2 as well?

The Federal Government under former Prime Minister appeared to force the state government's hand on the Melbourne Airport Rail Link earlier this year and not more than a month ago, the state government stunned many when it announced its Suburban Rail Loop election policy.

We know the Melbourne Metro 2, Melbourne Airport Rail Link and Suburban Rail Loop will be very expensive projects with business case development underway for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link and Infrastructure Victoria has provided a preliminary assessment of Melbourne Metro 2.  The Suburban Rail Loop's business case will start in 2019 if the Andrews Government is re-elected.

There's still a way to go with Fishermans Bend - the detailed precinct plans - and the framework documents that were published last Friday contain precinct breakdowns which project population, jobs and open space over two timeframes.  Starting with 2018 as a base case, the projections are 2025 and 2050.

Today, the number of jobs in Sandridge stands at 5,200 and in 7 short years that number is expected to double to 11,080 before ultimately heading toward 26,000 jobs by 2050.

All three other precincts (excluding the employment precinct) are all similarly projected to either double or triple, albeit from much smaller collective bases.

It's conceivable the tram network could be extended into the redevelopment zone within the same time period as the next state government term. The jobs and population predictions for Fishermans Bend precincts by 2025, on the face of it, pass the pub test when it comes to matching them with new tram capacity, but on the road to the 2050 levels, that train line will be needed.

Finance aside, labour (and specifically, the cost of labour) will be an issue with many rail projects underway at the same time in Melbourne, notwithstanding NSW's very large pipeline of work, WA's ongoing Metronet program and Brisbane's set to get in on the underground rail action with its Cross River Rail project.

Another pre-election announcement appears to assuage the labour concerns with Holmesglen Institute selected as the site for the country's first tunneling school; likewise the Andrews Government's announcement on select TAFE courses attracting zero fees will also help bolster the workforce required to construct 3 major rail projects at one time.

The Melbourne Airport Rail Link and the Suburban Rail Loop have 2022 as their shovels-in-ground dates and the metro tunnel now under construction is not scheduled to complete until 2025 - from start to end, that's roughly a 10 year project. 

Should Metro 2 not aim to start in 2022 as well?  By the time it would be completed - circa 2032, Fishermans Bend will be hitting its stride if the population and job numbers are to be believed.
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What next for Fishermans Bend?

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The Victorian state opposition Liberals have announced a policy to upgrade major regional lines to support their policy of population decentralisation throughout the state.  $19 billion is the headline cost and the party said it would involve upgrading existing fast lines to allow for 200kph trains and also extend faster tracks beyond their current endpoints.

Also headlining the policy announcement is that express journey times from regional cities would be slashed in half from Traralgon and Geelong, reduced by a quarter from Ballarat and Bendigo.  

Some track realignments will be required in order for trains to operate upwards of 200kph and a new fleet of trains would be procured for the higher-speed services.

Matthew Guy was interviewed on ABC Melbourne on Wednesday morning and he told interviewer Jon Faine new track would be required through south-eastern Melbourne in order to achieve the travel time savings to the Latrobe valley cities.

Many of Victoria's regional railway lines outside of Melbourne already support services to operate at speeds up to 160kph.  This was brought about through the Regional Fast Rail project that kicked off under the Bracks Government.

Back then, the promise to increase train speeds and increase services to regional areas was a key electoral wedge against the then coalition Kennett Government.

The Regional Fast Rail project from the previous decade saw upgrades to track and signalling from Watergardens to Bendigo, Sunshine to Ballarat, Werribee to Geelong and Pakenham to Traralgon which enabled a new fleet trains capable of cruising at 160kph to operate faster services between regional cities and Melbourne, as well as all the towns in between.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7jKiND62Zd0" width="100%"></iframe>

The Herald Sun <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/state-election/matthew-guy-to-reveal-19b-plan-for-200kmh-regional-victoria-super-trains/news-story/fe9360c894b57c34a08b5c65e7cb9a95">reported</a> a previous opposition commitment to 96 new model Vlocity carriages can operate at 200kph are included in the overall $19 billion pricetag.  The cost of the new train fleet is reportedly $633 million.

In the policy statement, the opposition leader states the new train fleet will be based on Bombardier's Vlocity vehicle platform with the possibility of adding double-decker trains later on.

Likewise, the Herald Sun reported the opposition leader said the Liberal policy unveiled today would complement existing work the Andrews Government is carrying out in conjunction with the Federal Government, the <a href="http://regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au/">Regional Rail Revival project</a>. 

The opposition's policy also appears to piggyback on, or at least provide support to, the proposal to create a 'super-hub' at Sunshine as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.  That project provides extra tracks between Sunshine and the City for more types of services to run on top of an airport shuttle service.

The <a href="https://www.matthewguy.com.au/media-release/guy-high-speed-rail-for-victoria/">policy</a> also signals the re-opening of passenger services to Donald, Mildura, Hamilton and Horsham as well as providing 'substantial upgrades' to Warrnambool, Wodonga, Shepparton, Echuca and Bairnsdale.
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Victorian Liberals announce a high-speed rail project programme to bolster decentralisation policy

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Alastair Taylor

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