There’s a quiet patch of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hawthorn-vic-3122">Hawthorn</a>, between the bustle of Glenferrie Road and the curve of the Yarra, that rarely sees change, and even more rarely, new apartments. But that’s exactly where <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pomeroy-pacific-quattro-corp">PQD</a> is planting Kooyongkoot: a deliberate, 18-residence answer to the question of what downsizers actually want.

“This is something this pocket of Hawthorn has never seen before,” says Fil Gacesa, head of sales at PQD. “<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a> will deliver just 18 large-scale apartments in the heart of Hawthorn. It is the true definition of resort-style living.”

<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/59D7VxzltmM?si=1iCzRD7FRneKryfv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

That scale is central to the story. It’s what allows for two dedicated lift cores, short corridors, and a generous lightcourt that draws natural ventilation and sunlight into every residence. It’s also what makes room for the sort of amenity usually confined to high-density towers: a fully equipped wellness centre with infrared and traditional saunas, yoga and pilates studio, cold therapy shower, and treatment room. There’s a golf simulator, car and dog wash stations, and extensive storage too, not bolted on, but baked in from the start.

But more than the checklist, it’s the design intent that carries weight. “This project has been many years in the making,” says Mark Pomeroy, Director of PQD. “Not just in planning, but in listening, to what our buyers and the local community are looking for”.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355289]

That listening shows up in the materials, oak floors, natural stone, V-ZUG appliances, and in how space is handled. Penthouses feature private rooftop terraces with pools. Terraces and garden residences embrace outdoor connection. Inside, the layouts skew large and open, geared for hosting, not just housing.

Architecturally, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>’s approach is grounded. There’s no reaching for spectacle here. Instead, the building offers a sculptural calm, anchored by landscaping from Eckersley Garden Architecture.&nbsp;

“We wanted to create spaces that feel expansive, serene, and meaningfully connected to daily life,” said founding partner Chris Stribley elsewhere.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

That sentiment, calm, connection, echoes in the location itself. Kooyongkoot sits just a short stroll from Central Gardens, Fairview Park, and the Rivoli Cinema. Tram lines and schools are close, but the street is tucked, quiet, and leaf-lined.&nbsp;

“Residents of Kooyongkoot will be a short stroll from Fairview Park, Central Gardens, and the Glenferrie Road retail strip," Gacesa notes, "but you're also cocooned in this peaceful pocket behind extensive landscaping by Eckersley Garden Architecture.”

Kooyongkoot is set for completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Staff Writer

The project that said no to compromise: Inside Kooyongkoot, Hawthorn

When long-time Ivanhoe locals Graeme and Catherine, decided it was time to downsize, they weren’t necessarily in a rush.&nbsp;

Like many in their stage of life, they had started thinking about apartment living, but anticipated making the shift in two to three years.

That timeline changed when they visited <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe">Candela</a>, a new boutique development by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>. The project ticked all the boxes they were looking for: location, quality design, and long-term lifestyle benefits, which prompted them to bring their decision forward.

“It was the right place at the right time,” they said. “We knew immediately it ticked all the boxes, and we didn’t want to wait.”

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Their decision to downsize was driven by a combination of practical needs and lifestyle considerations. Their existing home, while much loved, had become increasingly difficult to maintain. It spanned multiple levels, included extensive front and back gardens, and was starting to show the wear that comes with age.&nbsp;

They were looking for a more manageable lifestyle, one with less upkeep and more freedom. A brand-new apartment with no maintenance requirements and the ability to simply “lock up and leave” gave them peace of mind and a greater sense of control over their future.

Financially, the purchase made sense as well. The available stamp duty savings, strong price-to-value offering, and timing of the settlement suited their plans, making the transition smoother and more cost-effective. The apartment's design and inclusions further supported their choice.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357493]

The layout was both functional and flexible: three bedrooms, a butler’s pantry, a separate laundry, and a large open-plan living area. It gave them the freedom to host a family, accommodate guests, or set up a home office. The expansive balcony and elevated views added to the appeal, providing a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.

“It just had a really good flow,” Catherine noted, something they found lacking in many other apartments they’d considered, particularly in the established market.

Candela’s boutique scale was another deciding factor. With a smaller number of residences and a top-floor penthouse position, the couple felt the development offered the privacy and space they were looking for, without feeling isolated.

“We liked that it wasn’t a huge development. It felt well-balanced, modern but still with a sense of community, not overwhelming,” they said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357508]

Equally important was the ability to remain in Ivanhoe, a suburb they know well and have deep roots in. After 46 years in the area, proximity to local parks, shops, and familiar faces mattered just as much as the apartment itself.

“We didn’t want to give up the community we’ve known for decades. Candela allowed us to upgrade our lifestyle while staying in the place we call home.”

With a Walk Score of 90, the village location supports a convenient, connected lifestyle. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/ivanhoe-vic-3079">Ivanhoe</a> Station is just a eight-minute walk away, and the neighbourhood offers access to parks, cafes, restaurants, and schools along Upper Heidelberg Road, all within easy reach.

Beyond the apartment, the couple also saw value in the broader vision for Candela, one that integrates residential living with public spaces and local amenities.&nbsp;

The development introduces 58 new apartments as well as a mix of commercial and social spaces that integrate contemporary architecture with the suburb’s existing character.&nbsp;

At ground level, residents will find a charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre, perfect for unwinding and rejuvenating. Meanwhile, the rooftop garden offers a stunning vantage point for residents to enjoy breathtaking sunsets, host gatherings, or enjoy barbecues with family and friends. It's not just a place to live; it's a vibrant community where every moment is an opportunity to connect and create lasting memories.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Why Ivanhoe locals are choosing to downsize to Candela

Mark and Roy Makari are expanding their presence in Sydney’s South West with a second major proposal for Leppington, this time envisioning a 900-dwelling mixed-use development just 850 metres from their previously lodged tower trio on Fifth Avenue.

Project management and construction management firm Creative Vision filed the plans for the&nbsp;multi-building project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/230-rickard-road-leppington-nsw-2179">230 Rickard Road, Leppington</a>. The proposal seeks to establish a new focal point for the precinct through a high-density, transit-oriented development supported by diverse land uses.

According to the Scoping Report prepared for the Department of Planning, the scheme includes around 900 apartments across multiple towers, including 135 dwellings designated for affordable housing. A mix of market and subsidised apartments will be supported by ground-level activation through retail and office space, a childcare centre, and a hotel, forming a comprehensive urban precinct.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="34797362-f3dc-4d84-8235-2657fc5f3bde" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Plan.png?VersionId=Uzckrz9tUpDQl5lX1_WMhjnv16bsr8wG" />

The Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc-0">Studio SC</a> notes that the project “intends to deliver a high-quality, high-density built form that supports the vision for the Leppington Town Centre, integrating mixed-use outcomes and public domain upgrades.” The development is expected to be delivered in stages, although a precise timeline is yet to be confirmed.

The project will be assessed through a future State Significant Development Application, with the Scoping Report indicating the team will seek design excellence via a competitive process or through an expert design review panel. Early massing diagrams suggest a series of mid- to high-rise buildings framing a central landscaped spine, with emphasis on pedestrian permeability and public space.

The planning documentation flags a strong sustainability agenda, stating that the development will “respond to the urban heat island effect, incorporate water sensitive urban design, and prioritise active transport”.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="369d7b54-1279-4cde-88ec-dcb215594414" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Podium_1.png?VersionId=QArL7B2kkLt63vl5xvL0FNV_ardAlez4" />

The proposal follows in the footsteps of the Makaris’ nearby Fifth Avenue site, where they’ve submitted plans for three towers comprising nearly 500 apartments, with 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing. That project features commercial podiums, a childcare centre, and a new public park that would occupy more than a third of the site.

Both developments are situated within walking distance of Leppington Train Station and fall under strategic precinct plans promoting higher density housing. The town centre is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by state government planning reforms aimed at fast-tracking housing delivery.

Together, the two projects represent a combined ambition of nearly 1,400 new homes across just under two kilometres of central Leppington.

First look: 900-home mixed-use precinct planned for Leppington

Leading Australian integrated property development group, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a>, has released the signature penthouses crowning its landmark AURA by Aqualand precinct at 168 Walker Street in North Sydney, unveiling Il Magnate and La Divina as the largest and most luxurious penthouses in the suburb.

With prices anticipated to commence from $15 million, and each accompanied by a new Porsche Carrera 911 valued at over $500K, the residences mark the culmination of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA by Aqualand</a>’s decade-long journey and the beginning of its final sales chapter. 
&nbsp; 
Their release follows more than $850 million in record-breaking residential sales and the building’s completion and occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358868]

The Richards Stanisich-designed 284 sqm Il Magnate and 224 sqm La Divina penthouses, collectively known as The Icons of AURA, are conceived as grand luxury homes rather than apartments, with expansive proportions, elevated materiality and curated identities that reflect their status as one-off residences.&nbsp;

Il Magnate features a grande master suite, complete with substantial walk-in dressing area and ensuite, three other bedrooms, second ensuite and another bathroom, powder room, open plan kitchen, scullery, substantial dining area and generous living room divided by a feature fireplace, and a multifunction wintergarden, which is ideal for a study and adjoining office breakout space. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, the La Divina residence offers the same amenities, sans the powder room, on a slightly smaller alternate floor plan configuration.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358863]

Each occupies half of AURA by Aqualand’s topmost 28th level, comes with four secure car spaces and pairs sweeping Sydney Harbour panoramas with large-scale living spaces, refined detailing and a level of craftsmanship and amenity rarely offered in the North Shore market.&nbsp;

Penthouse residents will also receive Etymon’s ‘Black Key’ private concierge and lifestyle management service, an invitation only offering providing the ultimate in bespoke personalisation, including a range of everyday discrete services, from dinner party management, grocery deliveries, pet feeding or plants watered, dinners, snacks and coffee deliveries, event ticket sourcing, right up to organising travel visas and international airfares. Rarely seen in Australian properties, the service provides residents the benefits of living in a world-class luxury hotel-style home, akin to The Ritz, or the Waldorf Astoria.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358862]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>’s Director, Kirsten Stanisich, said the studio set out to craft residences that feel profoundly considered, contemporary and deeply connected to their setting.

“From the outset, we approached these penthouses with the sensibility of a grand Parisian residence - generous in scale, elegant in proportion and designed to feel more like a handcrafted home than an apartment," Stanisich said.

“Their elevated position and sweeping harbour outlook informed every decision, creating a rare connection between urban sophistication and natural calm. We shaped each space with expressive materiality, sculptural forms and bespoke detailing that invite touch and interaction.&nbsp;

“The result is a pair of residences defined by volume, light and an inherent softness - refined, flexible and deeply personal. These penthouses are unlike anything else in North Sydney, offering a sanctuary of true luxury framed by some of the city’s most remarkable views.”

For Aqualand’s Head of Sales &amp; Marketing, Alex Adams, the collaboration with Porsche underscores the shared ethos behind the residences.

“Aqualand’s collaboration with Porsche underpins both brand’s sharing an obsession with craftsmanship, design excellence, and enduring value," Adams said.

“Our penthouses are created for those who appreciate the finer details and expect the extraordinary at every touchpoint. Including a Porsche simply extends that experience beyond the residence - it’s a continuation of the lifestyle our buyers already live.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292862]

Aqualand’s Managing Director, Jin Lin, said the penthouses represent both the pinnacle of AURA by Aqualand and an important design benchmark for the company’s future pipeline.&nbsp;

“These stunning penthouses reflect the purest expression of Aqualand’s design ambition," Lin said.

“The unparalleled design intent makes them not only the glistening crown of AURA by Aqualand, but the crown of North Sydney itself. They’re essentially a thank you gift to a burgeoning community that deserves this level of quality and architectural consideration.&nbsp;

“We’re leveraging the unrivalled standard set here as the foundation for what comes next, including our upcoming Anderson Street, Chatswood; 15 Blue Street, North Sydney and Central Barangaroo projects. Purchasers of these penthouses will essentially be living inside the blueprint of Aqualand’s future.

“These landmark residences demonstrate how far North Sydney has evolved and the strength of demand for highly curated, bespoke luxury homes. They’re more than penthouses, they’re legacy residences.&nbsp;

“With AURA by Aqualand now a thriving new precinct with residents well and truly settled, and our in-house world-class lifestyle amenity activated, Il Magnate and La Divina represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure an extraordinary piece of North Sydney’s future.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=30959]

Joel Robinson

Aqualand launches North Sydney penthouses with free Porsche Carrera 911

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/bokarina-qld-4575">Bokarina</a> Beach has quietly evolved into one of the Sunshine Coast’s most complete coastal lifestyle precincts, defined not just by proximity to the ocean, but by how residential living, local retail and everyday amenity are stitched together.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bask-bokarina-38-bokarina-boulevard-bokarina-qld-4575">Bask Bokarina</a> now represents the final residential chapter in that transformation.

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Over recent years, the Bokarina Beach precinct has taken shape as a walkable, community-oriented neighbourhood, anchored by beachfront access, Lake Kawana to the west, and a growing mix of cafés, specialty retail and public open space.&nbsp;

With Zinc Bokarina already delivered next door by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG), Bask is the last opportunity to buy a brand new apartment within the precinct, effectively rounding out a fully formed coastal village.

GVG has positioned Bask to strengthen that lifestyle framework. Ten ground-floor retail spaces are planned beneath the residences, extending Bokarina Boulevard’s existing activity and reinforcing the area’s everyday convenience, from casual dining and coffee to local services, within a short walk of the beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333359]

The residential component comprises 135 apartments across two buildings, Mydas and Caretta, with a clear shift toward larger three- and four-bedroom layouts and penthouses. That mix reflects a maturing buyer profile in Bokarina, where demand is increasingly led by owner-occupiers and active downsizers seeking space, permanence, and connection to place rather than short-term coastal accommodation.

Design and amenity have followed the same logic. Residents will have access to a heated plunge pool, gym, private dining room with a full kitchen, landscaped communal gardens with barbecues and a firepit, and a shared herb and vegetable garden, facilities intended to support daily use rather than resort-style turnover. Pet-friendly features, including a dog wash bay, acknowledge both buyer expectations and the area’s dog-friendly beach, located around 250 metres from the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333366]

“Bokarina has become one of the Sunshine Coast’s most desirable beachside communities, and Bask represents the very last chance to buy new in this location,” GVG Director Sam Gardner said.&nbsp;

“Our focus has been to create spacious, functional apartments that meet the needs of locals who want to downsize without compromise, as well as those seeking a full-time coastal retreat.”

Positioned between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Kawana, Bask apartments have been oriented to capture outlooks toward the water or the Glass House Mountains, reinforcing the project’s connection to its natural surroundings. With parks, beachfront paths, hospitals, retail and public transport already in place, Bask arrives at a point where the broader precinct is no longer emerging, but established.

Construction is expected to complete in Q3 this year, with apartments ready to move into this Spring.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=141609]

Bask to complete Bokarina’s Sunshine Coast lifestyle precinct as final apartments are released

Perth Metronet

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Perth's new Forrestfield railway line that will also serve Perth Airport is expected to complete tunneling in the first half of 2020 as progress steps up a gear on building the new stations.

In an end of year news update, the project delivery team said 7600 tunnel rings have been installed and both TBMs - Grace in the lead, Sandy in pursuit - are nearing the end of the run under the Swan River broadly along the Tonkin Highway corridor toward the Bayswater tunnel diver and junction site.

Following the excavation of the station pit at Redcliffe - located to the east of Perth Airport's Qantas terminals - both TBMs arrived in the first half of 2019, underwent a one-month-long maintenance round and then were sent on the final leg of the journey towards Bayswater.

Meanwhile, early works have begun on the upgrade to Bayswater station that <a href="/news/wa-government-unveils-major-upgrade-for-bayswater-station-as-part-of-perths-metronet-program">Urban.com.au reported on in December 2018</a>, with an <a href="https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2020/01/Kurrajong-tree-relocated-as-part-of-Bayswater-METRONET-works.aspx">80-year-old Kurrajong tree</a> delicately relocated from the station worksite.  

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At Airport Central station which is located next to the Virgin and International terminals, in November the Skybridge linking the station to the terminals was completed with the longest single-span uninterrupted escalators measuring 35m long and 15 high being the noteworthy addition late last year.

The line's terminus at Forrestfield station reached the halfway mark during 2019 according to the end-of-year summary. The tunnel portal building, storage building as well as station's main concourse, platforms and vertical transport (escalators, stairs, lift frames) were all installed in 2019.

The Forrestfield-Airport Link is being delivered through a single-package "lump sum" Design and Construct Contract that was awarded to a Slini Impregilo-NRW Joint Venture in April 2016.  

<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/bayswater-wa?embeddable=list-map" width="100%"></iframe>

<h2>Thornlie-Cockburn link contracts signed</h2>

In mid-December 2019 the Western Australia Government signed a contract to kick off construction on the <a href="/news/wa-cabinet-pushes-yanchep-extension-and-thornlie-cockburn-link-closer-to-start-of-construction">Thornlie-Cockburn link</a> which will create a suburb-to-suburb loop in Perth's southern and southeastern suburbs.

The Thornlie-Cockburn link is designed to connect the southern Mandurah line with the southeastern Armadale line.  Thornlie already exists as a branch off the Armadale line, the project will see existing track duplicated and then extended to Cockburn Central with two new stations located between Thornlie and Cockburn Central.

The price of the contract has come in at $716 million and is expected to be complete by 2023.  This compares to a pre-election commitment of $474 million and a start date of 2021.

The NEWest Alliance comprising CPB Contractors and Downer was awarded the contract.

<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/perth_metro_net1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The WA Government's METRONET heavy rail plan"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/perth_metro_net1.jpg?itok=55o0mTHz" title="The WA Government's METRONET heavy rail plan" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The WA Government's METRONET heavy rail plan</figcaption></figure>
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Alastair Taylor

Perth's Forrestfield-Airport rail link tunnelling expected to finish in first half of 2020

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WA Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, has announced the opening date for Perth's Forrestfield-Airport rail link will open one year later than originally expected.

The delay in opening has been caused by the need to undertake urgent remediation works back in September, when a leak developed in the tunnel-to-tunnel cross passage near the Forrestfield station site. 

The leak caused damage to 26 metres of tunnel and created a sinkhole on the surface. The WA branch of the CFMEU, through its Facebook page, was highly critical of the head contractor, pointing out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CFMEUWA/videos/2142060989457142/">tunneling shortcomings</a> as recently as early December.

According to a WA Government media statement, the damaged section of tunnel has been stabilised and made safe with solid temporary supports.  

Permanent solutions to fix the damaged section of tunnel include possibly rebuild the damaged section of tunnel either from the surface down or from within the tunnel itself. The WA Government has also <a href="https://www.perthnow.com.au/politics/state-politics/quality-controller-wanted-for-forrestfield-airport-link-ng-b881024438z?fbclid=IwAR3fuPJAmpVLPG2iv-ZzFHT2iD4lCXhZjQ_pGwxm7jEYd_dMAW1lMLfHj40">advertised a role</a> for a top-level scientist to oversee the materials and workmanship use on the Forrestfield-Airport link.

<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/forrestfield1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The flooded tunnel on the Forrestfield-Airport Rail Link (September 2018). Image: WA CFMEU"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/forrestfield1.jpg?itok=hJmejURH" title="The flooded tunnel on the Forrestfield-Airport Rail Link (September 2018). Image: WA CFMEU" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The flooded tunnel on the Forrestfield-Airport Rail Link (September 2018). Image: WA CFMEU</figcaption></figure>The WA Transport Minister said despite the delay and the tunneling bungle, the project has been designed with a useful life of 120 years.

<blockquote>
"Our primary focus is on safety and quality, and that is why today we have set a revised timeframe for the project. It is also to make sure we inform the public of the proposed timeframe as soon as practicable.

While the delay is unfortunate, this project is being built to last 120 years. I believe the time added to the construction schedule is a small price to pay to ensure we safely deliver this asset which will serve the people of WA for generations."
<cite>Rita Saffioti, WA Minister for Transport</cite>
</blockquote>

The Forrestfield-Airport Rail Link was initiated by the previous state government in Western Australia, and the present government has rolled it into its wider METRONet public transport strategy which will see multiple new lines built as well as the beginning of orbital rail links throughout metropolitan Perth.

<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPerthMETRONET%2Fvideos%2F709974509343157%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="100%"></iframe>
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Perth's Airport Rail Link delayed, now set to open in 2021

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Perth's Forrestfield-Airport rail link charges on and the Western Australian government has unveiled concept images which relate to a major upgrade to Bayswater station, the point where the new rail line will join the main Midland line in Perth's eastern suburbs.

Already a grade-separated road/rail crossing, the new station would see track raised, a new station built and the shallow road trench which currently runs underneath the railway line will be restored to its natural grade.  

Community engagement began in March 2018 with almost 1000 people completing online surveys and 300 people used the 'drop-in' centre to provide feedback on the concept.

According to the WA Public Transport Authority, the concept balances the community's feedback by providing new open space around the station precinct, creates a station structure and design that integrates with the Bayswater town centre, improves road traffic conditions and potentially will allow a second road underpass to be built.

The concept will be taken to marketing in early 2019 with a view to start construction in late 2019.  See <a href="https://www.metronet.wa.gov.au/projects/bayswater">metronet.wa.gov.au</a> for more information.

<h2>Perth airport Central station to be linked with skybridge</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/perth_air_skybridge.png" rel="gallery-all" title="The new skybridge that will link the Airport Central station with the terminals"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="301" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/perth_air_skybridge.png?itok=c6xPFPRl" title="The new skybridge that will link the Airport Central station with the terminals" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The new skybridge that will link the Airport Central station with the terminals</figcaption></figure>Late in November, Metronet released renders of the pedestrian structure that will link the Airport Central station with Terminals 1 and 2 at Perth Airport. 

The elevated and enclosed walkway will be 280 metres long and will include travelators and lifts will be present at both ends of the walkway. 

<blockquote>
The development of Airport Central Station and its link to the terminals via the Skybridge will provide a seamless passenger experience to our terminals, and will link the central airport precinct with the new rail line.

The Skybridge will connect the station with current and future terminal infrastructure, and we will be looking at opportunities to create a 'sense of place' in the walkway which will offer visitors a great welcome to Western Australia.
<cite>Perth Airport CEO, Kevin Brown</cite>
</blockquote>

The Tunnel Boring Machines that are constructing the tunnels have since cleared the main runway at Perth Airport according to Metronet.  To see an animation of the new Airport Central walkway, see <a href="https://www.perthairport.com.au/Home/corporate/planning-and-projects/projects/skybridge">perthairport.com.au</a>.
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WA Government unveils major upgrade for Bayswater station as part of Perth's Metronet program

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The Western Australian cabinet has endorsed two Metronet project definition plans which the WA government says construction in both cases is on track to start next year.

The Yanchep rail extension project will see the Joondalup Line extend northwards from Butler to Yanchep over 14.5km of new track.  The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will provide Perth's first east-west rail link outside the centre of the city, linking the Armadale and Mandurah rail lines through Perth's southern suburbs.

Metronet's extension to Yanchep will include adding three new stations to the Joondalup line at Alkimos, Eglington and Yanchep and the project will also include delivering 14km of new principal shared paths to connect the new stations to the community.

Butler station will see work as well to convert it from a terminus station to a through station so the 13.8km of new dual track passenger railway can connect to the rest of the network.

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The Thornlie-Cockburn link will see track duplication works carried out on the existing Thornlie branch, and the freight corridor between Thornlie and the Mandurah lines will see augmentation works to move freight rail lines and then two new passenger tracks will be added to the corridor.

Two new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road, effectively bookending the Canning Vale employment area, will be added to the corridor and the line will then join the Mandurah line and run in the Kwinana Freeway median into Cockburn Central Station.

Like Butler station on the Yanchep extension, Thornlie Station will be modified from a terminating station to a through station and Cockburn Central will have a third terminating platform added to the existing configuration for trains coming from Thornlie, allowing passengers to interchange with the Mandurah line. 

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$1.056 billion has budgeted for both projects of which the Federal Government will be funding $700 million jointly with the WA government's $356 million.

A WA Government media release states both projects returned positive benefit-cost-ratios, a prerequisite for Commonwealth funding, and a briefing to the construction industry will be held on Wednesday, July 2018.

Metronet is a McGowan Government policy that will see greater integration of public transport and development throughout metropolitan Perth.  Metronet encompasses multiple projects including the <a href="/news/perths-forrestfield-airport-rail-link-completes-a-major-tbm-milestone">Airport-Forrestfield</a> rail link and <a href="/news/tenders-for-perth-metronet-armadale-to-byford-extension-released">Byford rail extension</a> project.

The suite of rail projects also includes a brand new line to Ellenbrook from Morley and several level crossing removals across the network as well as an eventual signaling upgrade and fleet renewal program.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Transperth">Currambine station/Wikipedia</a>.
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WA cabinet pushes Yanchep extension and Thornlie-Cockburn link closer to start of construction

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The Western Australia Government is seeking expressions of interest from a range of parties to undertake economic analysis and support business case preparation for the extension of the Armadale railway line to Byford which will possibly over the long term be further extended to Mundijong.

Expressions of interest are also being sought for engineering and land-use planning consultants who will undertake further work to inform the business case preparation.

The planning and engineering consultants will study the best station location and design options, potential land uses surrounding the station precincts as well as rail alignment design work, traffic and access analysis and creating a vision for how the extension will integrate with surrounding precincts.

The WA Government secured $750 million from the Federal Government to be used for projects under development and the Byford extension project also received $21 million in state government funding.

The WA Premier, Mark McGowan, said his government was getting on with their election commitment to move forward with its Metronet plan for metropolitan Perth.

"The Byford extension is a key component of Metronet stage one because it will link one of our fastest growing areas to the rest of our public transport system, providing access to jobs, schools, the airport and the CBD," the WA Premier said.

<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/render_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Whiteman Park station on the Morley-Ellenbrook line will see significant medium density development - image: Metronet"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="405" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/render_1.jpg?itok=7-PSaZt1" title="Whiteman Park station on the Morley-Ellenbrook line will see significant medium density development - image: Metronet" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Whiteman Park station on the Morley-Ellenbrook line will see significant medium density development - image: Metronet</figcaption></figure>Meanwhile, in late May the WA Government announced a partnership between the Department of Communities and Peet Brabham will be formed to see a new town centre and housing development occur along the Morley-Ellenbrook line.

The Morley-Ellenbrook line will be a greenfields railway that will branch off the from the Airport &amp; Midland lines near Bayswater and it will travel northwards to Ellenbrook.

The partnership announced by the WA Government is expected to construct 3000 homes as well as schools, retail and recreational facilities close to the proposed Whiteman Park train station - about halfway along the proposed Morley-Ellenbrook line.

WA Housing Minister Peter Tinley said "Brabham will be a major transport oriented development linking the Swan Valley to Perth, and provide a significant boost to the State's stock of affordable housing in Perth".

<a href="https://www.metronet.wa.gov.au/">Metronet</a> is a WA Government program that will see multiple rail extensions and new lines across Perth including the new Airport &amp; Forrestfield link, the Morley-Ellenbrook line, the Byford extension and the Thornlie-Cockburn link which will create an outer eastern and south-eastern orbital rail line in metropolitan Perth.

The program also includes station upgrades, an upgrade to the rail system's signalling system and level crossing removals.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armadale_railway_station,_Perth">Wikipedia</a>.
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Tenders for Perth Metronet Armadale to Byford extension released

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Both tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that are building the new Forrestfield-Airport Link in the WA capital have smashed through into the Airport station pit having travelled 1.9km thus far.

In common with tunnel projects around the world, the TBMs are named - Grace and Sandy.

Grace, the frontrunner, pierced the Perth Airport station box earlier this month with Sandy smashing through on May 21st. 

The Forrestfield-Airport Link project began life under the previous WA administration and has since been subsumed into the wider Metronet program which the new WA Government run an election platform on.  

The new line will branch off from the existing Midland line to the east of Bayswater and include three new stations, two underground and the terminus, Forrestfield, will be on the surface to the east of Perth Airport.

<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fforrestfieldairportlink%2Fvideos%2F1708872085871404%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="100%"></iframe>

A new flying junction is being built at Bayswater where the new tunnels will head under the Swan River and toward a new station to be named Redcliffe that will be located approximately 500m from the old Domestic and now dedicated Qantas terminal at Perth Airport.  

The second new station will be known as Airport Central, to be built nextdoor, to the south of the Perth Airport control tower.  This precinct of Perth Airport was traditionally the International terminal but has now morphed into a hybrid domestic (Virgin) and international precinct.  The Perth Airport masterplan from 2014 calls for consolidation of airport terminals in the vicinity of the Airport Central station.

The tunnels continue eastward from Airport Central and then surface just before the terminus station at Forrestfield where a major new bus/rail interchange will be built that will give residents living in Perth's east and hills district a 20-minute rail journey to the CBD.

<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/forrestfield-rail-route-diagram-updated-30-nov-2017.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Tunnel elevation diagram showing station locations and depths beneath the surface - image: Metronet"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="102" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/forrestfield-rail-route-diagram-updated-30-nov-2017.png?itok=seLUNhuN" title="Tunnel elevation diagram showing station locations and depths beneath the surface - image: Metronet" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Tunnel elevation diagram showing station locations and depths beneath the surface - image: <a href="https://www.forrestfieldairportlink.wa.gov.au/">Metronet</a></figcaption></figure>The wider Metronet program was a policy platform the new Western Australian ALP Government took to the last election and includes a large array of public transport projects that would see multiple new rail lines and extensions.

Perth's existing rail network has 33 level crossing across the metropolitan area and a level crossing removal program is included in the wider Metronet platform.

There is a project to extend the Thornlie branch which is a small branch of the south-eastern Armadale at present, to Cockburn Central on the southern Mandurah line.

Perth looks set to join Melbourne in beginning to convert existing electrified rail lines over to automatic train control which the Metronet <a href="https://www.metronet.wa.gov.au/projects/automatic-train-control">website</a> states will occur over a 12 year period.

Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forrestfieldairportlink/">Forrestfield-Airport Link / Metronet on facebook</a>.
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