Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

First look: Winx billionaire’s beachfront Surfers Paradise apartment development greenlit

Fishermans Bend

<html><body>
Much has been said and written about the intended urban renewal of the Fishermans Bend area. To date the State Government has yet to release a coherent structure plan and consequently refused to approve any applications until said structure plan is realised, while all the time planning applications for the area have landed at the Department of Planning &amp; Community Development's (DPCD) offices with regular monotony. Of these applications, all have fallen within the high-density Montague Precinct.

That is, until now with Montague's dominance broken in part by Artisan Architects. Lorimer Precinct is northern-most precinct of Fishermans Bend that sits in behind the Mirvac controlled Yarra's Edge Precinct within Docklands. Acting as the transitional area between Docklands and Fishermans Bend, Lorimer has received two new planning applications that carry Artisan Architects unmistakable design fingerprints all over.

<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/Image9_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="DPCD Fishermans Bend urban renewal map"><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/Image9_6.jpg?itok=tSQtQhKc" title="DPCD Fishermans Bend urban renewal map" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Submitted to DPCD a few short days ago by Ratio Consultants Pty Ltd, the proposed development (below) has been devised on behalf of Belsize Nominees Pty Ltd &amp; Cojas Holdings Pty Ltd. Located at 150 Turner Street, Port Melbourne the site is in immediate proximity to the CityLink Lorimer Street offramp. Consequently a six level podium has been incorporated, equaling the CityLink offramp in terms of height. 252 car spaces, bicycle bays and associated services are located through the podium, as is one retail space and limited office accommodation.

The scheme call for 24 levels of apartments to follow. Sitting along a north-south axis, the residential levels are planned to contain 361 apartments, with expansive eastern views toward Melbourne's ever-changing skyline. 150 Turner Street would hold 35,150sqm of gross floor area while net sellable area of 21,490sqm is envisaged. Currently a open air carpark, Artisan Architects were confronted by a difficult site with aerial impediments. To counter this, Artisan have employed heavily repetitive design patterns over East, West and podium aspects to maintain visual interest whilst also breaking the sheer bulk of the proposed tower.

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image7_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="150 Turner Street, Port Melbourne. Image © Artisan Architects"><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/Image7_13.jpg?itok=3QKvqKHb" title="150 Turner Street, Port Melbourne. Image © Artisan Architects" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

In close proximity, 351 Ingles Street Port Melbourne (below) will be lodged with DPCD in coming weeks. When lodged, it will become the largest proposed redevelopment handled by State planners since the rezoning of Fishermans Bend, and one of the largest devised for any area of Melbourne. Built and owned by Salta Properties until early 2012, the Citiport Business Park currently holds sway over the site. Early last year GPT purchased the site for $61 million and currently have the premises listed on their <a href="http://www.gpt.com.au/Our-Business/Our-Properties/Citiport-Business-Park,-Port-Melbourne" target="_blank">website</a> at near full occupancy, with average leases expiring in 2.3 years.

Located directly behind the townhouse component of Yarra's Edge, Artisan Architects have devised a five tower scheme that would capitalise on extensive views still available, owing to the established lowrise area opposite coupled with the Yarra nearby. Of the five towers, the tallest would rise 45 levels and approximately 140m which would be of a similar height to the existing/approved towers at Yarra's Edge located slightly to the east. The headline statistics for 351 Ingles Street read as follows:

<ul>
<li>5 towers, over two separate podiums</li>
	<li>1915 apartments</li>
	<li>1509 car spaces</li>
	<li>Gross Floor Area - 184,500sqm</li>
	<li>Net Sellable Area - 90,900sqm</li>
	<li>Office space - 14,038sqm</li>
	<li>Retail space - 2,557sqm</li>
	<li>Public plaza and arcade - 1,804sqm</li>
</ul>
Given the immense size of the proposal it surely won't be too long before mainstream media report on this application.

<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/Image8_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="351 Ingles Street, Port Melbourne. Image © Artisan Architects"><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/Image8_6.jpg?itok=EV5-ZZqQ" title="351 Ingles Street, Port Melbourne. Image © Artisan Architects" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

It's encouraging that applications such as the duo above are starting to flow through the Lorimer Precinct, hopefully acting as the metaphorical bridge over the divide between Docklands and what will be the heart of Fishermans Bend via the Montague and Sandridge Precincts.

Having said that, these applications do raise a number of wider questions. What of the potential acoustic and liveability issues of apartments spaces metres away from a number of Melbourne's ever-busy arterials? Will the current Route 238 bus that runs along Lorimer Street sufficiently cope with the expected population explosion and what improvements in public transport are planned for Lorimer Precinct? Are these merely applications that are designed to increase land value, prior to the site being onsold? Can an area hemmed in by the Westgate Freeway truly be a successful and enjoyable urban environment, given similar areas of Southbank struggle in such regards?

UrbanMelbourne.info can't answer these questions, here's hoping those responsible for Fishermans Bend can. Regardless Artisan Artchitects have produced two unique proposals that would surely make for interesting markers within the Lorimer Precinct.

Images © Artisan Architects

See the image catalogue for both projects in their respective forum threads

<a href="/news">150 Turner Street</a>

<a href="/news">351 Ingles Street</a>
</body></html>

silvermb

Lorimer Precinct; Artisan Architects lead the way

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Focusing on the height of a new development has become somewhat of a sport in Melbourne of late. Yesterday was no exception with the Associate Editor of The Age Shane Green writing a column titled <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/comment/highrise-utopia-or-another-pieinthesky-pipe-dream-20130621-2oo4s">High-rise utopia or another pie-in-the-sky pipe dream?</a>

In it, Green states "The real risk he [Planning Minister Matthew Guy] faces is that this [Fishermans Bend] will be another Docklands - our last big urban renewal idea that was so poorly executed that it has become a case study in what not to do, and a byword for unmet potential". Notwithstanding the organisation Green works for has been every much a part of the real problem with Docklands (Fairfax's Media House like many other new Docklands / CBD fringe offices - we call them groundscrapers - consume more land than an office skyscraper in an attempt to flatten organisational hierarchies yet these buildings occupy prime sites which are for the most part inactive outside of normal business hours), the comparison of the supposed non-success of Docklands and his main point "there are early signs it will be a place where high-rise is king, in keeping with the government's love affair of all things tall in the rest of Melbourne" is dubious at best.

I know Apartments.com.au has only been live since March, but like the comment I made at the time in response to the op-ed written by ABC producer Daniel Ziffer and published in The Age a few weeks ago (<a href="/expert-insights/buying/melbournes-future-a-sip-of-tsim-sha-tsui-and-a-gulp-of-brooklyn">my response</a>, <a href="/news/caroline-springs-in-the-sky#content">response by Nick Harrison</a>), I'd like to point out Green's statement "in keeping with the government's love affair of all things tall in the rest of Melbourne" can be negated by spending just a few short minutes on our <a href="/developments">project database</a>. The "rest of Melbourne" has a very healthy mix (in built-form, use and height) of urban developments proposed, before planning authorities (local and state), at sales or under construction.

<h2>Human scale means different things to different people</h2>

Green needs to define what "human scale" means to him and what exactly his definition of a high-rise is otherwise the debate about our future development is going to be muddled in a large cacophony of hurbis. Quoting trusty (tongue-in-cheek intended) old <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_scale#Human_scale_in_architecture">Wikipedia</a>:

<blockquote>
Humans also interact with their environments based on their sensory capabilities. The fields of human perception systems, like perceptual psychology and cognitive psychology, are not exact sciences, because human information processing is not a purely physical act, and because perception is affected by cultural factors, personal preferences, experiences, and expectations. So human scale in architecture can also describe buildings with sightlines, acoustic properties, task lighting, ambient lighting, and spatial grammar that fit well with human senses. However, one important caveat is that human perceptions are always going to be less predictable and less measurable than physical dimensions.
<cite><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_scale#Human_scale_in_architecture">Wikipedia: Human scale</a></cite>
</blockquote>

Focusing on the cultural factors, personal preferences, experiences and expectations part of the quote above - we have a problem in Melbourne with regards to our shift toward a higher-density future. Like many Anglosphere cities, we are overwhelmingly suburban and we've had at least 3 generations of people growing up with cars as their primary mode of transport. "Human Scale" to many of the good burghers of Melbourne will mean the single family dwelling on its own land title with distant retail, employment and social destinations. If we only frame the future urban development debate around this mindset we are going to shoot ourselves in the foot.

Further quoting the same Wikipedia page:

<blockquote>
Human scale in architecture is deliberately violated for monumental effect. Buildings, statues, and memorials are constructed in a scale larger than life as a social/cultural signal that the subject matter is also larger than life.
<cite><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_scale#Human_scale_in_architecture">Wikipedia: Human scale</a></cite>
</blockquote>

In 1889, the <a href="http://www.walkingmelbourne.com/building3_apa-building-the-australian-building">APA Building</a> was completed and with its completion a title of being one of the world's tallest skyscrapers at the time. Can you imagine what Melburnians thought back then? A new 12 level building towering over everything else when the majority of the Hoddle Grid was in the 4-5 level range? The gall of it all, stop the press we have a crisis on our hands! Fast forward more than a century, design, construction and overall engineering capability has evolved to allow us create buildings such as Eureka and Rialto and with it, theoretically, our sense of what human scale means. These two towers are the leaders of the pack, they are not the norm and we shouldn't expect Fishermans Bend to be entirely comprised of buildings in this height range.

<h2>A modern story of progress, focusing on where all humans interact: the street</h2>

Back on the 2nd of April we reported on a planning application which depicts 3 high-rises sitting atop an active podium which would be completely out of place in the adjacent Southbank precinct. Why? Because the architect has taken a leaf out of the City of Port Phillip Montague structure plan and incorporated the design principles for streets and public areas. It's hard not to have high hopes for the wider precinct when <a href="/news/planning-application-123-125-montague-st-south-melbourne">123-125 Montague Street</a> has a strong focus on providing non-residential spaces to an area which is currently semi-industrial - new residents in the podium and towers above and the wider precinct, as it is developed, will benefit immensely from the mooted supermarket space and 16 other retail spaces at ground level.

<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/2s9t1et.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground landscape plan with ground floor uses © Peddle Thorp architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/2s9t1et.jpg?itok=cOzCIMZx" title="Ground landscape plan with ground floor uses © Peddle Thorp architects" typeof="Image"></a>

<figcaption>Ground landscape plan with ground floor uses © Peddle Thorp architects</figcaption></figure>Peddle Thorp have also incorporated a public laneway - attempted in Docklands, unheard of in Southbank - right through the middle of the site which can conceivably be the start of a network throughout other sites to the north and south.

The podiums have engaging facades which will wrap around the entire site allowing the car parks located behind them internally to be "out of sight, out of mind" (as they should be) - this concept is not new and has been deployed in many new developments in Docklands and Southbank.

<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/2s9t1et.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Engaging podium facade and calm street - exactly what we want for Fishermans Bend © Peddle Thorp architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/Image4.jpg" style="height: 429px; width: 702px;" title="Engaging podium facade and calm street - exactly what we want for Fishermans Bend © Peddle Thorp architects"></a>

<figcaption>Engaging podium facade and calm street - exactly what we want for Fishermans Bend © Peddle Thorp architects</figcaption></figure>Here's the current view looking East along Thistlethwaite Street

<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=Montague+Street,+South+Melbourne,+Victoria&amp;aq=0&amp;oq=Montague+Street&amp;sll=-37.860283,145.079616&amp;sspn=1.875722,4.22699&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=&amp;hnear=Montague+St,+South+Melbourne+Victoria+3205&amp;t=m&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.831717,144.951339&amp;panoid=4l6jSwe6j5WW0l5bO4LxUQ&amp;cbp=13,55.19,,0,-0.35&amp;ll=-37.839479,144.951382&amp;spn=0.027113,0.06094&amp;z=14&amp;output=svembed" width="702"></iframe>

<a href="https://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=Montague+Street,+South+Melbourne,+Victoria&amp;aq=0&amp;oq=Montague+Street&amp;sll=-37.860283,145.079616&amp;sspn=1.875722,4.22699&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=&amp;hnear=Montague+St,+South+Melbourne+Victoria+3205&amp;t=m&amp;layer=c&amp;cbll=-37.831717,144.951339&amp;panoid=4l6jSwe6j5WW0l5bO4LxUQ&amp;cbp=13,55.19,,0,-0.35&amp;ll=-37.839479,144.951382&amp;spn=0.027113,0.06094&amp;z=14">View Larger Map</a>

And this, straight from the planning application, is what Peddle Thorp have put forward for Thistlethwaite Street of the future, noting:

<ul>
<li>the strong emphasis on providing places for people to sit and converse with each other - you can't do that on City Road or Queensbridge Street.</li>
	<li>the significant reduction in space available for vehicular traffic which will calm the street even after new residents move in allowing dedicated bike lanes and urban greenery to become a signature piece of the street - you won't find that in Southbank when you step back from the Yarra promenade.</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/2s9t1et.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Proposed Thistlethwaite Street cross-section © Peddle Thorp architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/Image15.jpg" style="width: 702px; height: 353px;" title="Proposed Thistlethwaite Street cross-section © Peddle Thorp architects"></a>

<figcaption>Proposed Thistlethwaite Street cross-section © Peddle Thorp architects</figcaption></figure><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/2s9t1et.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Thistlethwaite Street - Peddle Thorp's vision © Peddle Thorp architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/Image1_0.jpg" style="width: 702px; height: 431px;" title="Thistlethwaite Street - Peddle Thorp's vision © Peddle Thorp architects"></a>

<figcaption>Thistlethwaite Street - Peddle Thorp's vision © Peddle Thorp architects</figcaption></figure>Here's the issue: Shane Green was oversimplifying what expanding the Capital City Zone means when he stated "the minister will be responsible for approving plans for projects over a certain size - high-rises". You will note I have intentionally left out the renders of the towers associated with this proposal (you can view them in the <a href="/news/planning-application-123-125-montague-st-south-melbourne">original article</a>) for the simple purpose of highlighting: attractive, calm, urban streets and high-rises are not mutually exclusive. High-rises are very much a part of the solution for housing a growing population in appropriate areas - and I can't think of a more appropriate area than blank canvas Fishermans Bend - because at the end of the day, if you get the most important aspect of redevelopment right - the public realm - its attractiveness will lure people regardless of the usual negative connotations associated with high-rises: some overshadowing at certain times of the day and wind tunnel creation.

Just look at Queensbridge Square and Freshwater Place, an area prone to large wind gusts created by the towers behind and the East End of Collins Street which is perpetually in shadow throughout the day - both hyper-density precincts with a lot of localised activity owing to the attractive public realm created over the years.

The recently released <a href="/news/gazing-into-the-fishermans-bend-transport-crystal-ball">PTV plan</a> shows a rail line entering Fishermans Bend linking it with the CBD and the rest of the rail network which in turn will support residential and employment densities in the redevelopment zone well beyond the 200 people per hectare figure Green states in his comment piece. I believe the State Government was right to expand the Capital City Zone to Fishermans Bend with one caveat, and mentioned by The Age's Associate Editor, the structure plan should force all new development in the Fishermans Bend zone to have a strong public realm emphasis like 123-125 Montague Street does, and developers should be free to incorporate a diversity heights in their developments, excluding transition areas.

We should never aim to plan ourselves into a restrictive corner - we must resist the temptation to oversimplify what's actually happening and we must also not restrict architectural diversity via arbitrary height limits in areas which scream for more diversity - as they say in the financial world and how 123-125 Montague Street superbly illustrates: past performance is not necessarily an indicator for the future.
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Alastair Taylor

High-rises can work with the public realm

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Given City of Port Phillip's resolute preference for a 100m height limit over the Montague precinct of the Fishermans Bend urban renewal project, they may well be sent into an apoplectic state should this exceptional concept design eventually come to fruition. Delivered by Architecton for an undisclosed client, it carries the address 120-132 Ferrars Street, South Melbourne. Currently home to a nondescript low level brown brick factory, the 1207sqm site may well become the areas landmark tower based on the images below.

For comparison's sake the block form below left is the 165m, <a href="/buildings/134-142-ferrars-street-south-melbourne">143-142 Ferrars Street, South Melbourne</a> scheme designed by Rothe Lowman which is currently under planning consideration.

<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/hd_2a61dc01bc07d143b94071bef3ac1863.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image © Architecton"><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/hd_2a61dc01bc07d143b94071bef3ac1863.jpg?itok=2yZqFJfj" title="Image © Architecton" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

The design calls for retail and lobby facilities through the ground floor, followed by five levels of podium carparking. Thereafter residential apartments would rise to level 60, with (sub)penthouses to level 68. Level 69 includes a plant room while the remainder consists of essentially a sloping architecture feature measuring 235m to tip.

<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/Image51.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image © Architecton"><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/Image51.jpg?itok=YGIjYZJR" title="Image © Architecton" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Granted the concept design is just that, but it would not have been commissioned with a basis of intent. When a planning application is eventually submitted for 120-132 Ferrars Street, it will be interesting to see what scale tower is called for and whether the above concept is an accurate precursor to the fact.

If nothing else Architecton's concept poses the question; should Montague have a signature tower much like what Eureka is to Southbank, or should the area be content in churning out towers of uniform height and bulk? I would suggest any precinct/skyline is far more dynamic with a degree of variety, so by all means add a tower of this scale on the proviso the design quality is of the highest calibre.

See Architecton's <a href="http://www.architecton.com.au/34556/1408291/select-projects/ferrars-street-south-melbourne" target="_blank">Ferrars Street project</a> webpage for further information and images
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CoPP that! 235m tower for Fishermans Bend?

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<a href="/buildings/134-142-ferrars-street-south-melbourne">132-134 Ferrars Street South Melbourne</a> was the first development application lodged for the Montague precinct at the Fishermans Bend urban renewal area. Although Apartments.com.au has already <a href="/news/planning-application-123-125-montague-st-south-melbourne">covered</a> another application at <a href="/new-apartments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">123-125 Montague, St South Melbourne</a>, 132-134 Ferrars Street is to date the tallest application in the area under consideration by DPCD, and the application that has garnered the most media attention.

Put forward by <a href="/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> architects on behalf of <a href="/developers/sungard-availability-services-vic-pty-ltd">Sungard Availability Services Vic</a>, the application is seeking approval for a 49 level, 165m tower containing two ground-floor retail spaces, a childcare facility, 381 apartments and associated car parking through the podium structure.

<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/Image2_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial overview of Montague area"><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/Image2_11.jpg?itok=G4xDSx_c" title="Aerial overview of Montague area" typeof="Image"></a>

Rothelowman have cited South Melbourne's historical name Emerald Hill in the planning application as the major driver behind the design concept. In starting with a block form, the architect has worked through a process very much similar to the image below. Sawing, cutting and polishing an initial concept has resulted in Rothelowman delivering a prismatic tower form very much similar to a cut and polished purple emerald.

Reinforcing this notion is the use of purple/blue glass as part of the towers angular facade. Clear and dark grey glass, purple and mid grey metal cladding, exposed concrete, pressed metal and grey metal louvres round out the materials schedule for 132-134 Ferrars St.

 

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image7_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="South Melbourne history cited in the design process"><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/Image7_11.jpg?itok=UovzEA1-" title="South Melbourne history cited in the design process" typeof="Image"></a><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/Image10_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The angular crown of 132-134 Ferrars St, mimicking that form of a jem"><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/Image10_2.jpg?itok=WMu8kYLs" title="The angular crown of 132-134 Ferrars St, mimicking that form of a jem" typeof="Image"></a>

Whilst the tower maintains a sleek form, the lower levels and street interface provide a complete contrast. Highly articulated and providing activity to both street frontages, the podium is cleverly designed to hide its primary use as a car park. Internally are two retail tenancies and a bike repair workshop totalling 209sqm, 214 car spaces with the limited two and three bedroom duplexes facing both Ferrars Street and Thistlethwaite Street. Level 6 includes a childcare centre with 648sqm of internal spaces plus 483sqm of covered play areas.

For those readers who would ask why the car park is located above ground rather than below, the planning application gives a fair indication as to future expectations. The towers podium design has included flood barriers and ramp apex's to negate envisaged future flood events on the back of a predicted rise in sea levels up to the year 2100. Essential services face Buckhurst Lane and are at the highest point of the site.

Given the site is AHD 2.4m above sea level i'll let the readers draw their own conclusions on that aspect. Regardless it's a good indicator to the likelihood of most if not all future Montague towers having their car parking areas above ground. If this is to be the norm I hope that state planning body DPCD enforce an highly innovative and uniform stance in response to above ground car parks that have the tendency in other areas of Melbourne to quash vibrancy and street level activity.

<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/Image25_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="132-134 Ferrars Street street interface"><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/Image25_0.jpg?itok=nS_5VM_4" title="132-134 Ferrars Street street interface" typeof="Image"></a>

Of all images provided through the planning document, this may well be the most prophetic. 132-134 Ferrars Street appears here all on its lonesome, with the bulk of Southbank in the distance. If this planning application is to receive approval it will set the standard for Montague in terms of both height and density. Interesting times ahead!

<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/Image11_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A sign of things to come"><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/Image11_3.jpg?itok=TpLFScZi" title="A sign of things to come" typeof="Image"></a>

All images above © Rothelowman

 
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Leading the way > 132-134 Ferrars St, South Melbourne

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Sticking with the Fishermans Bend theme, today I want to have a brief look at the Transport aspects of the area.
At present, and reflected in City of Port Phillip’s structure plan for Montague, the eastern extremities bordering Southbank of the Fishermans Bend precinct is served by the very high frequency #96 tram to St. Kilda Beach while slicing right through the heart of the Montague precinct, the #109 Port Melbourne tram will be the primary non-road transport option for the area.
The PTV’s recent public release of the heavy rail plan that has more or less been in use for 5-6 years states that an extension of the Clifton Hill – Parkville – Flagstaff – Southern Cross tunnel, envisaged to be operating by 2030, will eventually end up as a terminus in Fishermans Bend.
<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/schematic_stage_4.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Stage 4 of the PTV's plan shows an extension to Fisherman's 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/schematic_stage_4.png?itok=nR7DOsLE" title="Stage 4 of the PTV's plan shows an extension to Fisherman's Bend" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
As a footnote to the Fishermans Bend extension, PTV states the line may end up crossing the Yarra and connecting with Werribee/Altona Loop/Williamstown lines at Newport. This footnote requires a much more detailed look as there are significant impacts for the West Gate bridge should Fishermans Bend develop without any significant public transport investment to enable south-western connectivity.
Using the statistics from City of Port Phillip’s Montague structure plan, the three precincts inside Montague are planned to have 379, 519 and 520 people per hectare in the City road, Southern neighbourhood and Northern neighbourhood precincts respectively – or an average of 472 people per hectare.
Likewise the jobs density is planned to be 233, 412 and 148 jobs per hectare in the City Road, Southern neighbourhood and Northern neighbourhood precincts respectively – or an average of 264 jobs per hectare.
Applying those averages across the whole Fishermans Bend area (240 hectares) that equates to a potential resident population of 113,000 people and 63,000 jobs.
Montague in isolation may be able to cope by utilizing the two Light Rail lines + bus route improvements but when we look at greater Fishermans Bend area, it’s not hard to see that two small tram lines navigating through congested Clarendon and Spencer Street city intersections just won’t cut it.
The PTV’s plan appears to place a Clifton Hill-Southern Cross tunnel dependency on the Fishermans Bend line and it was grouped with all the potential network extensions that have been studied – Rowville, Airport and Doncaster – in the later stages of the plan.
There’s some obvious reasons for this as the PTV plan tends to revolve around building capacity through the centre of the city in order to then expand branch lines.  
However, like all proposed rail extensions or new lines in Melbourne, serious consideration for differing railway technologies operating independently of the existing and soon-to-be upgraded network over the next 2 decades should be studied sooner rather than later.
A Newport-Clifton Hill line via Fishermans Bend and the CBD is a prime candidate as a start to implement something similar to the Canada Line in Vancouver for Melbourne with extensions via conversions of existing rail lines to Williamstown and Laverton via Altona to the west and extensions to Doncaster from Clifton Hill (or Victoria Park) to the east thereafter.  Refer to the Orange line on this <a href="https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=211205020527797360410.0004d2a9a5c2cf8aaec20&amp;msa=0&amp;ll=-37.822802,144.951811&amp;spn=0.058646,0.132093" target="_blank">map</a>.
This could in turn remove the need to build a larger and therefore more expensive rail tunnels from Clifton Hill to Southern Cross.  Similarly it removes the Clifton Hill-Southern Cross dependency for a Doncaster Line and frees up capacity on the existing Newport-Footscray corridor for more trains running into Werribee, and as per the PTV plan, eventually to Wyndham Vale/Tarneit.  Further minimizing potential costs could be another bridge across the lower Yarra adjacent to the West Gate Bridge.
It’s possible that Fishermans Bend may be implemented in a way that Docklands should have been: one stage at a time, and therefore the pressure to build heavy or hybrid heavy/light rail infrastructure for full connectivity to both the east and the west will not be as great. However, judging by the speed in which large development sites are being secured by developers and proposals being drawn up in the Montague precinct already, the PTV’s plans to roll out this necessary piece of rail infrastructure is in danger of being rolled out too late.
The Victorian Government would be wise to set aside funds in the upcoming budget to study the potential for long-term Public Transport connectivity in this important urban renewal project.
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Gazing into the Fishermans Bend transport crystal ball

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As a precursor to numerous planning applications appearing for Fishermans Bend, today we'll focus on Montague - one of four defined Fisherman's Bend sub-precincts planned by the state government. Montague has a structure plan, with the City of Port Phillip adopting it during September 2012.
To view the entire structure plan document suite, click <a href="http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/montague-precinct-structure-plan.htm" target="_blank">here</a>, but for the time being we'll focus on Montague as seen through Port Phillip's eyes.
In the southern area of Montague, City Road is to have the least amount of change as seen below. City Road, according to the structure plan will have a simple and easy to understand built-form profile.
<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/city_road_1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Indicative scope of change for City Road - Image credit City of Port Phillip"><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/city_road_1.png?itok=9RcwgXSl" title="Indicative scope of change for City Road - Image credit City of Port Phillip" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
<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/city_road_2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="City Road's basic height/setback principles - Image credit City of Port Phillip"><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/city_road_2.png?itok=KhzEKzf8" title="City Road's basic height/setback principles - Image credit City of Port Phillip" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
<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/city_road_stats_map.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="City Road Neighbourhood map and stats - Image credit City of Port Phillip"><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/city_road_stats_map.jpg?itok=zeYe6bRS" title="City Road Neighbourhood map and stats - Image credit City of Port Phillip" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
Moving toward the central area, the density and height of buildings will increase markedly compared to City Road as seen below. The difference between City Road and Southern Neighbourhood is clearly outlined in the basic height/setback and street profile - note the change of uses.
<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/southern_1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Indicative scope of the Southern Neighbourhood - Image credit City of Port Phillip"><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/southern_1.png?itok=N1Nt4FAN" title="Indicative scope of the Southern Neighbourhood - Image credit City of Port Phillip" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
<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/southern_2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="South Neighbourhood's basic height/setback principles - Image credit City of Port Phillip"><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/southern_2.png?itok=ZLdu0QMh" title="South Neighbourhood's basic height/setback principles - Image credit City of Port Phillip" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
<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/southern_stats_map.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Southern Neighbourhood map and stats - Image credit City of Port Phillip"><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/southern_stats_map.jpg?itok=J35Bu-_e" title="Southern Neighbourhood map and stats - Image credit City of Port Phillip" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
The Northern Neighbourhood of Montague is where City of Port Phillip has planned to have mixed use towers of up to the 100m in height.
<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/northern_1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Indicative scope of the Northern Neighbourhood - Image credit City of Port Phillip"><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/northern_1.png?itok=jRRGGKlm" title="Indicative scope of the Northern Neighbourhood - Image credit City of Port Phillip" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
<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/northern_2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Northern Neighbourhood's basic height/setback principles - Image credit City of Port Phillip"><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/northern_2.png?itok=Xxo1ev3g" title="Northern Neighbourhood's basic height/setback principles - Image credit City of Port Phillip" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
<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/northern_stats_map.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Northern Neighbourhood map and stats - Image credit City of Port Phillip"><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/northern_stats_map.jpg?itok=trhb-vuZ" title="Northern Neighbourhood map and stats - Image credit City of Port Phillip" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>
Given the brief outline above, what is not clear is if the Port Phillip vision will be fully implemented or even partially implemented as the Planning Minister has extended his <a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/portphillip/ordinance/61_01s_port.pdf" target="_blank">authority</a> to the City of Port Phillip lands located within Fisherman's Bend (all land South of the West Gate Freeway).
Planning minister Matthew Guy's getting a bit of bad rap in the mainstream media at the moment with titles such as "Mr Skyscraper" and the like. We don't wish to join this mainstream media gravy train, however the Planning Minister has the authority to override the City of Port Phillip planning framework if he desires.
The Montague Structure plan on face value ticks a lot of boxes: significant increases in density, diversity of land use (heavy integration of residential, commercial and retail), unashamedly urban and very much public transport friendly (however in saying public transport friendly, we still have reservations that Light Rail will not cope with the influx of people to the area).
Many questions remain unanswered about Montague and Fishermans Bend in general. One thing is known, Apartments.com.au will bring readers information first.
To that end tomorrow we'll look at 123-125 Montague St South Melbourne, one of the area's first submitted applications.
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