Nature Based Cities (NBC), the not-for-profit organisation focused on improving biodiversity and nature outcomes in urban development, has launched its latest industry design guidelines and accreditation framework, this time targeting precinct-scale residential communities.

The move extends NBC’s influence beyond its initial focus on medium and high-density residential developments. Several projects have already achieved NBC accreditation since the launch of its Medium &amp; High-Density Residential Guidelines in early 2025.

The expansion into masterplanned communities and new residential precincts reflects the growing need for stronger nature-positive benchmarks as Australia’s outer suburban growth corridors continue to expand at pace.

Paul Hameister OAM, NBC Founder and the Executive Chairman of Melbourne developer Hamton who itself leans heavily into nature and biodiversity in its developments, says the&nbsp;nature-first approach to mitigate the effects of climate change has become standard in other parts of the world such as the UK, but Australia is lagging.&nbsp;Australia’s environmentally sustainable design (ESD) rating tools have no minimum mandatory requirements for living landscapes.

“We’ve always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren’t there,” Hameister says. “In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that’s concrete and glass with not a blade of grass. 
 
“The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn’t been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities.”

He says that having now&nbsp;made good progress in supporting developers of medium and high-density residential projects, NBC is now looking to bolster better nature-based decision-making and recognise developers of greenfield projects in the outer ring and large inner-ring brownfield precincts, who want to champion nature and living landscape as a defining feature.

Since 2022, the not-for-profit has sought to remove the roadblocks preventing developers from incorporating nature and living landscapes into their projects, shifting the conversation from the reduction of emissions and grey infrastructure, toward recognising nature as an essential infrastructure.

The New Communities Design Guidelines and Scorecard arm developers with the tools needed to deliver a nature positive outcome for their new communities. Intended to be adopted at the outset of the planning process, the guidelines are designed to help create communities that are cooler, healthier and more resilient while also enhancing social wellbeing and long-term economic value.&nbsp;

New Communities developers seeking accreditation will be independently assessed across a range of key criteria including ecology, tree canopy, biodiversity, and walkability. Once the masterplan is complete and submitted for approval, the scorecard is formalised based on proposed outcomes. Projects that meet the NBC criteria will receive either Commended or Exemplary accreditation outcomes, creating a clear benchmark for nature-positive new communities in Australia.&nbsp;

Janis Fischer, Director at Tract and NBC Advisory Council member, said the development of new communities in our suburbs can have a substantial impact on nature and biodiversity.

"By incorporating nature-based design principles at the inception of a project, developers and their design teams can achieve nature positive outcomes that are good for both people and the planet.’’&nbsp;

NBC accredited New Community projects will gain access to NBC branding and marketing tools to help communicate their nature-based credentials to purchasers and the broader market.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Nature Based Cities: A new Australian benchmark for developing nature-positive new communities

Apartment buildings are increasingly being designed around how people actually live day to day, not just how they want a building to look.

For buyers, that shift is showing up in practical inclusions that respond to changing habits. Work-from-home spaces, EV charging, wellness amenities, secure bike storage and parcel management are becoming part of the broader apartment conversation, reflecting a move toward buildings that reduce friction in everyday life.

Online shopping has become one of the clearest examples of that change.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online. That has made parcel delivery a regular part of apartment living, rather than an occasional inconvenience.

For apartment residents, however, the delivery process can be less straightforward than it is for detached homes. Parcels may be left in lobbies, redirected to Post Offices, missed entirely, or placed under the responsibility of building managers and concierge teams.

That is why secure parcel infrastructure is increasingly being considered alongside more familiar apartment amenities.

<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/-VjjLwoViX0?si=A3k7ws9NX35Uac7_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Australia Post Parcel Lockers offer one way to address the issue. When a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS, then collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN. The parcel is kept secure, accessible and removed from common areas.

The broader Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations across Australia, positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and other accessible locations.

For new apartment projects, the relevance is clear. A building’s amenity offering is no longer only about lifestyle spaces, but also about convenience, security and functionality.

As buyer expectations evolve, secure parcel delivery is becoming part of the same design conversation as flexible working, sustainable transport and resident wellbeing.

It is one less thing for residents to worry about, and another example of apartment design adapting to the way Australians now live.

Apartment design is adapting to the way Australians shop

While school holidays and trips to Europe tend to define the winter property market, there's been no cold snap at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> in North Sydney.

Developer-builder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a> sold more than $35 million worth of apartments throughout June, including a $6.8 million apartment that now ranks among the highest apartment sales ever recorded in North Sydney.

SRM Residential agent Ben Stewart said buyer demand throughout June reflected a mix of improving market confidence and longer-term thinking from owner-occupiers.

"We're seeing strong demand from owner-occupiers who are taking a longer-term view," Stewart said.

"Many recognise the opportunity to secure an apartment in an iconic building and premium location while values remain attractive. They may initially lease the property, but the intention is to eventually move in themselves, rather than purchasing purely as an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=367129]

Located at 177 Walker Street, The Walden will deliver 161 one, two, three and four-bedroom residences across a 30-storey tower designed by Rothelowman. Every apartment occupies a corner position, maximising natural light, cross ventilation and views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Sydney Heads and the northern districts.

Rather than a traditional balcony, the residences feature winter gardens that seamlessly extend the open plan living areas, creating versatile spaces for relaxing or entertaining throughout the year. Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws in natural light while showcasing sweeping views from the building's elevated Walker Street position.

Every apartment features high-end Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, and fully integrated appliances.

The larger residences have been planned with distinct entertaining and private zones, with many master suites positioned on corners to capture natural light and harbour views. Walk-in dressing rooms, freestanding baths and refined stone finishes reinforce the house-like feel that has resonated with downsizers and owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6393]

Rothelowman Principal Ben Pomroy said the project was designed to make the most of its unique position overlooking the harbour.

"The Walden is a celebration of all things beautiful, curated for those who expect nothing less than exceptional," Pomroy says.

"Meticulously designed entertaining spaces and light-filled living areas that capitalise on capturing the natural beauty of Sydney's iconic harbour."

Residents will also have exclusive access to The Pavilion, a dedicated amenity building featuring a rooftop pool, wellness studio, gymnasium, sauna, concierge service, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and work-from-home facilities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6402]

The project marks ALAND's first major luxury apartment development in Sydney's inner-city market after more than two decades delivering residential communities across Greater Sydney.

Founder and CEO Andrew Hrsto previously said the rarity of the Walker Street site made it an opportunity the company could not overlook.

"This is a rare opportunity to bring a truly exceptional project to life in one of Sydney's most iconic locations, and to showcase our craftsmanship and design expertise at a world-class level," Hrsto said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6383]

The Walden has been introduced to the market at a time when demand for living in North Sydney is at an all-time high. Billions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure, including the recently opened Victoria Cross Metro station, located just 300 metres from The Walden, providing residents with direct access to the Sydney CBD in just minutes.

Private investment has also transformed the area through the arrival of new retail and dining destinations, elevating the lifestyle offering in what was once considered primarily a commercial precinct rather than an aspirational residential address.

The Walden is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

ALAND records $35 million in sales in North Sydney as The Walden bucks quiet winter selling season

The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Eastlakes Shopping Centre site has reached a major milestone, with Conquest's plans for a new mixed-use precinct officially placed on public exhibition.

The State Significant Development Application would transform the 1.7-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19a-evans-avenue-eastlakes-nsw-2018">19A Evans Avenue</a> into one of Sydney's largest urban renewal projects, delivering 736 apartments above a new shopping centre anchored by Woolworths, alongside specialty retail, dining, commercial space and new public open spaces.

The public exhibition marks the next chapter for the project after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a> acquired the stalled Stage Two development from Crown Group, who completed the first stage across the road prior to their voluntary liquidation.

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fca22c5-d1ed-4e2c-8801-03f7df1eafc8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland%20podium.png?VersionId=uomwr41nF8CmLUZRDcu3mHQechlbxucS" />

&nbsp;

Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal comprises four residential buildings ranging from 14 to 18 storeys above a two-level retail podium. The development would deliver 736 apartments, including 74 affordable homes, 215 Build-to-Rent apartments and 521 market residences. Provision has also been made for dual-key apartments, which could increase the total number of dwellings to 877.

At ground level, the shopping centre has been designed as the suburb's new meeting place, anchored by a full-line Woolworths and complemented by a curated mix of fresh food retailers, cafés, restaurants, health services and everyday convenience shopping. Generous pedestrian links and landscaped public spaces will connect the retail precinct through to Jack Mundey Reserve, creating a more walkable and connected neighbourhood.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

"Eastlakes has been overlooked for too long, and this is the community’s moment. We are building a shopping centre and homes, a genuine heart for the suburb, and we genuinely want locals to help shape it."

"We enrich communities through the creation of homes, places, and experiences designed for life, built to last, and owner for generations. That starts with listening, so we warmly encourage everyone with a connection to Eastlakes to view the plans and share their thoughts."

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22f6fb20-54fb-4bd7-8a92-48fafdd00608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland.png?VersionId=cugp7s9hrMHGJJdYzkeAkrFoQgnF4GXf" />

DKO said the design had been shaped by the site's landscape setting and surrounding open space.

"Our vision for the site embraces its unique Bidjigal identity by blending the residential living with generous landscaping and a material palette inspired by the Bidjigal locality, and celebrating the panoramic views to Botany Bay and the wetlands reserves."

"Taking cues from Country, we seek to harmonise built form with the landscape and lightly touch the earth. By reconnecting, retaining and regenerating existing ecology, and weaving in natural elements, we can deepen our connection to Country."

The landscape strategy extends across the podium and rooftops, incorporating communal gardens, children's play areas, lawns, community gardens, family gathering spaces and extensive tree planting. New landscaped links will also strengthen the connection between the precinct and Jack Mundey Reserve, while publicly accessible open spaces have been integrated throughout the development.

The proposal builds on Conquest's broader placemaking strategy for the site. Through an ongoing partnership, local artist Joe Rashbrook has been appointed Urban Art Curator, working alongside young residents to transform the project's site hoardings into a public art gallery that allows the community to engage with the redevelopment before construction is complete.

Conquest has rapidly expanded its development pipeline since acquiring the Eastlakes site, with more than $6 billion worth of mixed-use projects now in planning across Sydney, including Stanmore, Castlecrag and Waterloo.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

First look: ‘Far more than replacing a shopping centre’ as Conquest unveils 736-home Eastlakes redevelopment

Abadeen has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for one of Mosman's largest apartment developments in recent years, seeking approval to transform the former Honeysuckle Garden and Midas site on Military Road into a 100-apartment mixed-use development.

The SSDA, lodged with investment partner Phoenix Property Investors, proposes around $230 million worth of new housing on the prominent <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/494-516-military-road-mosman-nsw-2088">494-516 Military Road</a> site.

The proposal comes as Mosman Council continues to progress its recently endorsed Masterplan, which identifies the precinct for increased housing density while maintaining the suburb's established character.

Designed by DKO Architecture, the development would comprise 100 apartments above ground-floor retail, with a rooftop wellness precinct including a gym, sauna, entertaining areas and landscaped communal spaces.

Rather than pushing to the full 12-storey height identified in Council's Masterplan, the proposal ranges between five and nine storeys, stepping down towards Hale Road. A tenth level would accommodate resident amenities rather than additional apartments.

The project has been designed to appeal to a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and young professionals through to families and local downsizers looking to remain on the Lower North Shore.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5dada03f-5b4c-43ba-ba62-2868add31440" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.57.55%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7LBy0B.Jo8_iWAFJsClcV7Q3UnXrv49r" />

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock.

"The apartments have been designed as genuine long-term homes, with efficient floorplans that maximise usable living areas, generous storage, natural light and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces," Brown says."

"We've focused on creating homes for a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and growing families through to downsizers who want to remain in Mosman."

The rooftop wellness offering forms a key part of the proposal, with residents set to have access to a gym, sauna, outdoor entertaining spaces, communal dining areas, landscaped gardens and a multi-use recreation court overlooking Sydney Harbour.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d37c2d6b-583a-4a0f-b7a9-9f46b893d2f4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.58.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=FPoa5FCm2RtzjhAh2w5FTWJbV6GHfY8D" />

DKO drew heavily on the site's natural and cultural history, undertaking a Connecting with Country process with local Aboriginal Elders to inform the architectural and landscape design.

Senior Associate Matthew Ritchard said the design sought to create a building that responded to both the site's landscape and its cultural significance.

"The architectural language of the project is a deep expression of Connecting with Country, where the materiality and colour palette serve as a bridge between the site's geological history and its future as a residential sanctuary."

The proposal also retains the site's established blue gum tree as the centrepiece of the communal landscaped gardens, while introducing activated retail fronting Military Road to strengthen the connection between Mosman and Cremorne villages.

If approved, the project would deliver 100 new homes within walking distance of shops, public transport, schools and local amenities, adding to the limited pipeline of new apartments on the Lower North Shore.

<h2>Project Snapshot</h2>

Project: Honeysuckle Garden Redevelopment

Address: 494-516 Military Road, Mosman

Developer: Abadeen and Phoenix Property Investors

Architect: DKO Architecture

Lead Architect: Matthew Ritchard

Value: $230 million

Residences: 100 apartments

Key features:

<ul>
	<li>
	Ground-floor retail
	</li>
	<li>
	Rooftop wellness precinct
	</li>
	<li>
	Gym and sauna
	</li>
	<li>
	Outdoor entertaining and BBQ areas
	</li>
	<li>
	Landscaped communal gardens
	</li>
	<li>
	Multi-use recreation court
	</li>
	<li>
	Retained mature blue gum tree
	</li>
	<li>
	Connecting with Country design process
	</li>
	<li>
	Harbour, CBD and Balmoral views from upper-level apartments
	</li>
</ul>

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock

First look: Abadeen plans 100 apartments on former Honeysuckle Garden site in Mosman

Student accommodation

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According to Savills Director of <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/student-accommodation.aspx" target="_blank">Student Accommodation</a>, Conal Newland, the Australian student accommodation market is transitioning, on the back of a significant increase in the development of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) across Australia’s capital cities.  This wave of new accommodation is now reaching completion, with a significant increase in the supply of PBSA throughout the next two years.  In New Zealand, the demand for more institutional PBSA appears relatively strong, but the feasibility of delivering new accommodation is challenging given rental prices which are low but have been increasing and current build costs which are relatively high.
Private sector vs university
The sector is entering a new phase, where there will be more beds owned and operated by the private sector than universities.  The last Australia-wide survey of student accommodation carried out by University Colleges Australia (UCA), in association with (at the time) ACCUHO, as at November 2004, indicated that there were 74,482 beds provided across the country.  Of that, 44,260 places (representing 59 percent) were provided by universities and colleges or located on-campus.  The remaining 30,222 (41 percent) were provided by commercial entities, churches and charitable trusts. 
A number of the private sector consortia that have been active in the Australian student accommodation market must now move from primarily a development phase, into a focus on operations.  Initially, this will be to attract students and stabilise new properties’ occupancy levels.  This change in business mode, to deliver strong asset performance returns, has been coined by certain market participants as the challenge to “put the rubber on the road”.  Operational performance driven by good management is key area of interest for market observers moving into 2018.
Focusing on the main capital cities, Savills 2017 research indicates that 38,960 beds were provided by commercial operators.  In addition, Savills research indicates that 7,793 bedrooms will be delivered in 2018.  From the start of semester two 2018, commercial providers will be operating a total of 46,753 bedrooms across Australia.  This rapid increase in the supply of accommodation is undoubtedly going to cause some challenges and opportunities for operators.  New players entering the market looking to establish brands and stabilise assets, with existing operators protecting market share as new competition arrives. 
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/4/10/savills3.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/10/savills3.jpg" alt="">
A deeper look into each market
In Sydney, a total of 1,034 bedrooms are due for completion in 2018.  Overall, the PBSA development pipeline remains relatively restricted in Sydney, due to continuing buoyancy in the value of development sites – primarily driven by residential developers in the key locations for student accommodation.  The University of Sydney (and its associated colleges) is also active, with a number of new projects underway.  The uptake for off-campus accommodation in 2018 has been strong, with most high-quality assets now at or near capacity.  
The Melbourne market has also had a robust start to 2018, with strong demand for bed spaces.  Savills research indicates that 1,709 new beds of accommodation are due for completion in 2018.  We see continuing strong demand for this new accommodation, particularly at the lower rental price points.  
Brisbane has a significant amount of new accommodation due for completion in 2018.  Our research indicates that 3,922 bedrooms will be completed.  This represents a 44 percent increase on top of the existing provision of commercial accommodation (8,870 bedrooms).  There is also some indications of lower than expected demand for accommodation priced towards the top of the market, with rental discounts being offered to students, and self-contained studios being reprovisioned to twin rooms with the inclusion of bunk beds.  The new delivery of accommodation at Southbank is creating a student hub, with focused activity and vibrancy in that location.  Continuing opportunities to delivery new accommodation at lower end of the market price point.
Adelaide has also been active, with Savills research indicating that 1,128 bedrooms will be delivered in 2018.  This is off a relatively low base of commercial provision of 3,047 beds.  Demand has been steady for the new well located  accommodation that has recently been completed.
In Perth several new projects have been promoted in the last 12 months and construction is underway on Global Student Accommodation’s (GSA) first scheme in Northbridge which is anticipated to open in 2019.
In New Zealand there has been very limited delivery of new off-campus PBSA in the last two years as build costs have risen to levels that impacts on the financial feasibility of projects.  Levels of demand appear relatively robust in the main cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.  The residential rental markets are currently relatively tight with limited vacancies and there has recently been several news articles on rising rental levels.  
Future outlook for student housing
Looking forward to 2019, the pipeline supply for Melbourne and Brisbane remains strong, and Savills will be closely monitoring the uptake of new PBSA within both of these markets.  There appears to be continued excess demand for good quality PBSA in Sydney, with developers and investors focussing hard on new opportunities – Savills predicts that non-CBD locations may become increasingly prevalent for new off-campus residences.
While supply has been increasing across most of the main markets, it is important to note that the existing provision of institutional-quality PBSA in Australia is coming from a historically extremely low base, with supply levels very low by international standards.  The delivery of this new wave of accommodation is benefiting students by giving them access to modern facilities, well located in respect of their place of studies, together with enhanced levels of amenities.  The delivery of new high-quality PBSA has also been identified as a key enabler of the continued performance of Australian universities within the global Higher Education market. 
On campus, there have been several new projects in the past 12 months.  The University of Melbourne entered into an agreement with Lendlease as the master developer and Urbanest as the student accommodation developer for approximately 450 beds of new accommodation within the Carlton Connect mixed-use development.  The University of Tasmania completed an outsourcing of its student accommodation portfolio in Q3 2017.  More recently, James Cook University is delivering approximately 500 new beds of accommodation at its Cairns Campus for the start of 2018.  
Savills is seeing an increasing amount of activity involving universities taking a more commercial focus towards the operation of and investment into the provision of on-campus student accommodation.  Through this process, there will be more opportunity for collaboration between the universities and the experienced student accommodation providers. 
There are also a number of proposed developments in smaller cities and regional areas, as universities in these localities identify the need for provision of quality PBSA to support the wider objectives of the university.  The feasibility of these new regional projects are typically more challenging without the strong back-up of a direct let alternative, so universities are often required to underwrite a certain level of occupancy or revenue.  It is expected that this is a trend which is set to grow in the short to medium terms. 
International students in Australia
From a demand perspective, the latest available student demographic information from the Department of Education and Training (February 2018) indicates that international students studying in Australia increased from 253,757 in 2015 to 278,718 in 2016 representing an annual increase of 9.8 percent.  This has been on the back of strong double-digit growth throughout the past two years.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/4/10/savills2.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/10/savills2.jpg" alt="">
The Australian international student market is continuing to be dominated by a large number of students from Southeast Asian countries, with China and India continuing to be the strongest countries of origin. 
As of the start of March 2018, the new 457 Visa regulations have come into force.  There have already been some indications that these visa changes will have material impacts on the Australian University sector.  In the past, certain levels of international students have been attracted to Australia on the basis that they could convert student visas into longer-term visas with the ability to work and remain in Australia.  It is expected that the impact of these visa changes will be reflected in student enrolments in 2019. 
Student accommodation in catch up mode
In summary, Savills sees the Australian student accommodation market in a “catch-up” mode coming from a historically low supply of University and College accommodation, which was primarily on-campus and with a significant amount of catered offerings.  There is a new wave of institutional development – particularly focused off campus – with a large amount of new PBSA being delivered across Australia’s capital cities in 2018 and 2019.  
While Savills considers that there may be some locations with reasonably limited short-term performance rental increases and occupancy levels, the company does not consider that at this stage any of the major Australian markets are reaching a supply saturation point.  There are still numerous opportunities in most markets to meet the growing levels and expectations of student demand.  The critical success factors for the successful delivery of new accommodation will - from a real estate perspective - focus on factors such as the location of the property and a tenancy mix (with corresponding rental price points) to meet the local market.  Competent management will be essential to ensure operational success and will be more important than ever moving forward and supply increases in many Australian markets.
In New Zealand the supply of new PBSA will remain restricted until build costs, or land values in the main cities ease.
Savills is a leading global real estate service provider offering the full spectrum of services from strategic advice to managing assets and projects and transacting deals. Conal Newland is Director of <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/student-accommodation.aspx" target="_blank">Student Accommodation</a>. To learn more about Savills, visit <a href="http://www.savills.com.au" target="_blank">savills.com.au</a>.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Student accommodation: Now it’s time to put the rubber on the road

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UK-based student accommodation provider Scape’s plans for a student accommodation tower fronting Swanston Street on the former Carlton United Brewery site failed to receive the support of City of Melbourne (CoM) at last month's Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee meeting.

This follows the latest design iteration which had an almost identical design expression to Swanston Street, but differed in other aspects including girth. During the redesign the tower has also been reduced by 8 storeys.

<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/scape_cub_comparison.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Before and after of the two schemes. Images : DCM"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="364" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/scape_cub_comparison.jpg?itok=nAXlh5Wt" title="Before and after of the two schemes. Images : DCM" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Before and after of the two schemes. Images: DCM</figcaption></figure>Chief amongst CoM’s concerns for the Denton Corker Marshall-designed 22-storey tower was lack of a suitable transition between the high-rise built form of the Melbourne CBD and the lower built form of Carlton, in addition to a perceived lack of consideration for the adjacent heritage buildings.

CoM has also expressed concern that Scape’s proposal would negatively impact the public realm and will lead to an unsuitable built form and urban design outcome on Swanston Street, due from its sheer breadth to the street.

The revised design adopts a similar modular, monolithic and monotone aesthetic to Scape’s first Melbourne project on Swanston Street opposite RMIT, whereas the CUB proposal is more of a slab form. CoM’s urban design team recommends a more vertical, granular approach to the arrangement of the massing, in lieu of the current slab configuration, citing Urban Nest’s 599 Swanston Street as an exemplar.

<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/599-605_swanston.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Urban Nest's 599-605 Swanston Street was cited as a good example by CoM planners. Image : Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="520" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/599-605_swanston.png?itok=dsPqV2jz" title="Urban Nest's 599-605 Swanston Street was cited as a good example by CoM planners. Image : Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>599-605 Swanston Street was cited as a design exemplar. Image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The massing of the overall form remains challenging in the Swanston Street context, with the appearance of a monolithic, employing coloured finishes and applied sunshading hoods over a broad elevation of some 70m in length (equivalent to 10-11 traditional shop fronts within the retail core).

Whilst the sky garden is a positive inclusion to provide some relief, we require further depth and massing articulation of this surface in lieu of reliance on surface effects. We have a similar critique of the upper component of the form, which appears intentionally flat with flush windows reinforcing the sense of a monolithic block.

Whilst this technique has been deployed in more slender built form by DCM, its application in this broad slab-like form is highly problematic, and lacks any relationship to built form within its surrounding Swanston Street context.

The recently approved and under construction 599 Swanston Street offers a helpful counterpoint, where Hayball and Urban Nest worked closely with CoM to develop a clustered vertical form in order to offset a similar proportioned slab envelope, in conjunction with a tactile, brick base element which responded to the scale of the retained corner heritage form.

We would strongly recommend a more vertical, granular approach to the arrangement of this considerable mass, in lieu of the current slab arrangement.

- City of Melbourne's Urban Design Team via Future (Planning) Committee Report
</blockquote>

Scape has big plans for Melbourne with a further tower – set to be the tallest student accommodation building in the world - on Franklin Street, also currently at planning.

The student accommodation provider also has air rights above the new State Library Station entry on the corner of La Trobe and Swanston Streets, when it is completed in 8 years, after negotiating an outcome with the MMRA to develop an Over Site Development.

<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/scapes_future_project_pipeline.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Scape's original scheme for 212-222 LaTrobe Street is on the backburner while it's proposal for 97 Franklin Street is awaiting a Ministerial decision. Images : DCM"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="253" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/scapes_future_project_pipeline.jpg?itok=pREV2pm-" title="Scape's original scheme for 212-222 LaTrobe Street is on the backburner while it's proposal for 97 Franklin Street is awaiting a Ministerial decision. Images : DCM" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Scape's failed 212-222 La Trobe Street plus 97 Franklin Street. Images: DCM</figcaption></figure>The Franklin Street proposal also wasn't received favourably by the City of Melbourne, who cited similar concerns over facade articulation and monotony as concerns for the 60-storey tower which was also designed by DCM.

Scape's CUB proposal is set for a VCAT hearing following the Minister's failure to make a decision in the prescribed period.
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Laurence Dragomir

No Great (E)Scape for CUB Proposal

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Iglu Student Accommodation wants a prime piece of South Yarra's Forrest Hill precinct for their next Melbourne outlet.

Forrest Hill has been dominated by traditional apartment developments in recent years, although the designated urban renewal precinct is beginning to further diversify. Alongside Iglu's intended redevelopment of the land at 6-8 Claremont Street, LK Property Group are looking to add a 294 suite hotel further north along Claremont Street.

Iglu's South Yarra footprint would be the first dedicated student accommodation building in the area, although both Ozihouse South Yarra and District South Yarra provide limited student accommodation beds within their respective properties.

For site owner Harbour Claremont Pty Ltd, their agreement with Iglu Student Accommodation has seen intentions for the 1,029 square metre plot change. Initially, the developer had sought approval for a Bates Smart-designed tower during 2016, which included 106 apartments, 2,700 square metres of office space and 81 car parks within a 26-storey building.

<h2>6-8 Claremont Street application summary</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/image27_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Exterior perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="292" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_10.jpg?itok=YLHTbF4q" title="Exterior perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Exterior perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>1,029sqm site currently a three storey commercial building</li>
	<li>Proposed 24 storey tower at 74.4m in height</li>
	<li>488 lodging rooms</li>
	<li>No car parking or retail spaces</li>
	<li>Communal: gym, media &amp; games room, lounge, study spaces, outdoor balcony/verandah</li>
	<li>Shared vehicle and pedestrian thoroughfare included</li>
	<li>Cluster and studio configurations included</li>
	<li>Cost of works: $40 million</li>
</ul>
Now expected as a 24 storey tower, Iglu South Yarra's 488 rooms will be offered for rent on either 6 month or 12 month agreement terms.

In line with all contemporary student accommodation buildings, a bevvy of amenities are included. A gym, media room, lounge areas, games room, computer zone and study spaces are present, as is a first floor balcony/verandah that will bring added vitality to Claremont Street.

Cluster formations are present across levels 2-9 whilst levels 10-17 are dominated by studio apartments. At ground level, the building entry splays into an open plan lobby with a shared thoroughfare to the north of the site.

According to Bates Smart "We aim to maximise the activation of both the street frontage end the laneway. To achieve this we are proposing a linear planter with integrated seating along the northern edge. We are also proposing to incorporate a three-dimensional artwork which will bring colour and life to the space."

<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/image22_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Laneway and common area perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="523" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_13.jpg?itok=IkvrOYX8" title="Laneway and common area perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Laneway and common area perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure>Iglu Melbourne City is the provider's first Melbourne project, with Hacer Group advancing the build to structural completion.

Due to open mid 2018, the 594-bed student accommodation building opposite the Queen Victoria market is also a design produced by Bates Smart. A smaller nine storey building fronts 299 Franklin Street with another twenty three storey building at the rear.

Iglu Melbourne City and the South Yarra site which has gone to construction tender are part of the Iglu Australia series, joining two outlets in both Brisbane and Sydney. 

<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/img_3696.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Iglu Melbourne City is structurally complete."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_3696.jpg?itok=ObmdSmnl" title="Iglu Melbourne City is structurally complete." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Iglu Melbourne City is structurally complete with the tower crane now removed.</figcaption></figure><h2>6-8 Claremont Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Harbour Claremont Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Project Architect: Bates Smart Architects</li>
	<li>Town Planning: Contour Consultants</li>
	<li>Waste and Traffic: One Mile Grid</li>
	<li>Environmental Sustainable Design &amp; Services Engineer: ADP Consulting</li>
	<li>Wind Consultant: Windtech</li>
	<li>Project Management: Point Polaris</li>
	<li>Fire Engineering: Olsson Fire &amp; Risk</li>
	<li>Structural Engineering: Webber Design</li>
	<li>BCA: Steve Watson &amp; Partners </li>
</ul>
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silvermb

Iglu Student Accommodation heads for South Yarra

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Journal Student Living's move on 500 Swanston Street headlines a fresh drive of student accommodation projects looking to call Carlton home.

The $60m build would be Journal's second Melbourne project after 18-32 Leicester Street which is in the hands of Icon Construction. Journal Student Living is backed by South African company Redefine Properties.

500 Swanston Street as the current home of the CFMEU accounts for a 1,388sqm land plot and finds itself in the midst of a handful of student accommodations buildings. METIER3 have designed the newest member of the pack to include 710 student beds across 18 levels.

Spanning 57 metres in height, the development will also include heavily activated lower levels and roughly 1,700 square metres of student communal space.

<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/image43_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Three distinct volumes constitute the new 500 Swanston Street. Planning image: METIER3"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="439" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image43_7.jpg?itok=4vQhi4g0" title="Three distinct volumes constitute the new 500 Swanston Street. Planning image: METIER3" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Three distinct volumes constitute the new 500 Swanston Street. Planning image: METIER3</figcaption></figure>METIER's first student accommodation design enters the Apartments.com.au Project Database just as Urbanest has been confirmed for the Carlton Connect Initiative, which will account for the former Royal Women's Hospital further north along Swanston Street.

Aside from University of Melbourne's new School of Engineering, office space and a mass of retail space, the project jointly designed by Hayball and Woods Bagot will also take on 528 student beds across 274 rooms. Urbanest will manage the new wing of the development which spans 15 levels.

The project at 700 Swanston Street adds to Urbanest's two existing campuses and two further campuses in development.

Reports on 700 Swanston Street were handed down last night; the expected outcome being City of Melbourne's support final for the project.

<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/image42_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Urbanest's latest located at the Carlton Connect Initiative. Planning image: Hayball/Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="481" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image42_4.jpg?itok=e9MBKrdi" title="Urbanest's latest located at the Carlton Connect Initiative. Planning image: Hayball/Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Urbanest's latest located at the Carlton Connect Initiative. Planning image: Hayball/Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Also on the City of Melbourne's agenda last night was Cedar Pacific's bid to transform Carlton's 123-135 Bouverie Street into one of the city's larger student accommodation projects.

The nettletontribe-designed project has gone through design alterations, which includes an increased setback above the onsite heritage building, a reduce the number of student rooms to 579 and an increase in communal space as a result of internal rearrangements. 123-135 Bouverie Street too has been recommended for approval, subject to conditions. 

There are currently a dozen student accommodation projects within Carlton under development.

<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/image44_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bouverie Street's likely addition. Planning image: nettletontribe"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="337" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image44_3.jpg?itok=OFqXIoev" title="Bouverie Street's likely addition. Planning image: nettletontribe" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bouverie Street's likely addition. Planning image: nettletontribe</figcaption></figure>
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Carlton's magnetic appeal for student accommodation strengthens

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The pipeline for delivery of new student accommodation in Melbourne has increased quite significantly in the last 12 months, according to Savills.
According to a recent research report, in 2016 there was a total pipeline of 9,651 beds, which has increased to 16,295 beds in 2017. 
This increase has been driven by two key factors. Firstly, the availability of development sites in proximity to the University of Melbourne’s Parkville Campus and RMIT University have contributed to an increase in the promotion of off-campus projects. Secondly, the University of Melbourne’s 2020 strategy to increase the pipeline of student accommodation bedrooms to 6,000. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/11/21/MelbourneStudents.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/11/21/MelbourneStudents.png" alt="">
“Our analysis of the pipeline supply indicates that 3,958 bedrooms are programmed for delivery in 2018. In 2019,” according to Savills’ recent Student Accommodation Report. 
 <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/11/21/GreaterMelStudent.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/11/21/GreaterMelStudent.png" alt="">
3,771 beds have development approval or are under construction, therefore combined with more speculative developments there is a total of 6,341 bedrooms that may be delivered in 2019. 
If all of the accommodation within the supply pipeline is delivered, the existing provision of circa 7.2% (based on 2015 student numbers) may increase towards 9.1% in 2020 and 11.6% in 2025. 
Analysis of the development pipeline indicates that over 50% of the proposed new developments will comprise self- contained studios. The balance of the pipeline is distributed between shared apartments, and circa 10% which is dormitory styled influenced by the universities. 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Melbourne's student accommodation pipeline rose sharply in 2017: Savills

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As expected GreenFort Capital is in the process of creating one of Melbourne's largest student accommodation projects at 478-488 Elizabeth Street.

It was <a href="http://www.afr.com/real-estate/commercial/development/greenfort-capital-snaps-up-melbourne-highrise-site-for-35m-20170913-gygn25">revealed during September</a> that the alternative real estate investment outfit secured the site at the top end of Elizabeth Street for $35 million. GreenFort Capital is headed by Adam Vaggelas who was previously with Blue Sky, with that operator rolling out three separate projects in Melbourne under the Atira Sudent Accommodation banner.

GreenFort Capital's Elizabeth Street project is their first in Melbourne, and has the financial backing of Goldman Sachs.

New plans for the 1,172sqm site at 478-488 Elizabeth Street sees a new 52 level tower on the cards, incorporating 864 student beds. This figure is broken down into ensuite studios (59%), twins (7%), ensuited 5 bedroom clusters (23%), ensuited 7 bedroom clusters (3%), 2 bedroom cluster with shared bathroom (5%) and DDA bedrooms (3%).

According to documents the development will include a minimum of 26 accessible rooms to cater for people with disabilities. 

Holding a build value close to $100 million, 478-488 Elizabeth Street also includes 180 bicycle bays, common areas and retail tenancies at street level. The tower's facade will be a mix of curtain wall glazing, precast concrete and screens, with all habitable areas having access to openable windows.

Slated for a 5 Star Green Star Rating, 478-488 Elizabeth Street's reworked purpose is based upon the following design principles:

<ul>
<li> Co-located community meeting places &amp; terraces</li>
	<li>Public realm primacy and eligibility</li>
	<li>Civic scale and detailed streetscapes and interfaces</li>
	<li>Reinforcing the Local, Social, Natural and Built Context</li>
	<li>Memory, material response and identity</li>
	<li>Resilience and Sustainability</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/image28_2_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The original tower proposed onsite. Image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="815" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image28_2_0.jpg?itok=5k3PN9Ff" title="The original tower proposed onsite. Image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The original tower proposed onsite. Image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>A 52 level student accommodation outcome is a far cry from the tower's original form. 68 levels onsite was expected at the project's first run at planning, resulting in a tower of 208.4 metres in height containing 383 apartments plus 198 hotel suites over lower levels.

Lodged during mid 2015 prior to amended planning rules being implemented, 478-488 Elizabeth Street slots in between two of Melbourne's tallest residential buildings, namely Vision Tower and Victoria One. Elenberg Fraser was the architect of choice prior to GreenFort Capital assuming control of the site.

Construction is likely to begin next year given construction tenders have come to a close for the development.
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488 Elizabeth Street turns to student accommodation

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GUEST OBSERVER
In the first seven months of this year, a staggering 685,000 international students came to Australia to study. About half headed to university to study for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, most often following on from an intensive English-language course. That’s 82,000 more students than the same time last year – a 15% increase. In stock market parlance, that’s a bull market.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recently calculated the economic impact of this influx of students was A$28bn in 2016-17. This was a A$4.4bn boost on its earlier estimation, thanks to a change in methodology that included interviews with departing students in airport lounges which better captured their spending patterns and visits from family and friends.
Enrolments are concentrated in big cities
Australia should be justifiably proud of the fact it is the third largest destination for international students after the US and Britain. It has by far the largest proportion of overseas students enrolled in its universities – nearly 20%. That’s an average of one in five enrolments.
However, enrolment patterns are not evenly spread. While it’s boom time for the small numbers of public universities and private colleges able to capitalise on the incoming tide of newly middle-class students from China and India, others struggle to keep their heads above water.
Federal government data neatly paints the picture: in 2015, the Ballarat-based Federation University had the highest proportion of international student enrolments, sitting at 42.5%. However, almost all of them study in high-rise glass campuses in the Melbourne CBD. There were another six universities with international enrolments exceeding 25%. All were in inner city Melbourne and Sydney. Only 10% of inbound students go to regional areas, while Sydney and Melbourne between them attract 65% of all international students.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/11/10/qe1.jpg" alt="">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/11/10/qe2.jpg" alt="">
Earlier this year, the Committee for Perth published a report bemoaning the fact that Western Australia was failing to capitalise on the boom, and had even witnessed a decline in enrolments over the past 15 years. To compound matters, half of all WA’s international students were enrolled in offshore campuses, particularly those in Malaysia, Dubai and Singapore run by Curtin University.
But why? Surely WA has time zone, cost and lifestyle advantages compared to other states. Reasons for a lack of interest in studying in WA are unclear. Chinese students are particularly disinterested in Perth and surrounds. They may make up one third of all the students heading into Australia for study purposes, but the Chinese account for a relatively low 13.8% of WA’s international student cohort.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/11/10/qe3.jpg" alt="">
Concentration has real impacts on infrastructure and housing
One concern is that the concentration of international students in inner city Sydney and Melbourne is clogging infrastructure, adding to house and rental prices and causing ghettoisation in some residential areas.
To make matters worse, regional universities keen to get their slice of the action have started establishing high-rise glass tower campuses in the inner cities adding to rising pressures.
A recent report from property analytics company CoreLogic found that 65% of Melbourne CBD residents were not Australian citizens. In Sydney’s Haymarket the percentage was 54%, while in Clayton and Carlton in Melbourne the figure hovered around the 50% mark. A total of 17 other suburbs in Sydney and Melbourne, along with a smattering in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra postcodes, all had transient populations in which non-Australians, namely international students, comprised over 35% of the residents.
The question is why. Accommodation in our inner cities is exceptionally expensive even by world standards, giving unscrupulous landlords license to exploit the unaware.
A 2016 University of Technology Sydney report for the City of Sydney agreed. It also pointed to expensive public transport, the fact jobs are hard to come by (and international students are limited to 20 hours a week) and cultural naivety, which leaves many vulnerable to exploitation. There is little, if any, integration with locals. The report cites alcohol abuse, gambling, sexual and mental health issues, which often go unreported, as barriers for well-being.
On the upside, our inner cities are regarded as safe, despite spates of attacks on international students, such as those in Melbourne in 2008-09 and again in 2016.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/86394/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">The challenge now is to ensure the boom in student numbers isn’t undermined by bad experiences and lack of capacity. Marketing and messaging is important for attracting international students to Australia, but we need to encourage them to look beyond the two main cities. The glamour of tourism tends to catch politicians’ attention, but international education is largely left to fend for itself, despite the economic flow on impacts. What is needed is a real, coordinated, practical, focused and strategic oversight of this enormously important sector to ensure its reputation and financial health into the future.
Julie Hare, Honorary Senior Fellow, University of Melbourne.
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-need-to-make-sure-the-international-student-boom-is-sustainable-86394" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

We need to make sure the international student boom is sustainable: Julie Hare

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Student accommodation provider Urbanest will have another inner-city footprint ready for the 2019 academic year as 122-136 Berkeley Street goes to construction.

The site in question is adjacent to, and opposite GSA Australia's <a href="/new-apartments/205-223-pelham-street-carlton">221 Pelham Street</a> and <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">684-688 Elizabeth Street</a> projects, bolstering the immediate area's already heavy student accommodation construction activity. Awarded to Icon Construction, 122-136 Berkeley Street is the third current student accommodation project that the builder has on its books.

Spanning roughly 15 months, the build programme will see 139 student rooms built over the 12 level building which has a construction value of $21 million.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image7_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Berkeley Street will receive a new addition. Image: Icon Construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="459" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7_15.jpg?itok=GUgZ0pIT" title="Berkeley Street will receive a new addition. Image: Icon Construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Berkeley Street will receive a new addition. Image: Icon Construction</figcaption></figure>Also included across the site which has a 31 metre frontage to Berekely Street is limited office space, back of house facilities, a gym and common areas on level 12. A rooftop terrace is also included.

Urbanest's advancement of the project follows on promptly from an amendment that went through City of Melbourne's planning channels for the site over recent months. The 575 square metre site was previously <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/capital-gain-caydon-beavers-away-on-271-units-for-plastics-site-20150611-ghlgjf">reported</a> as purchased by a China-based consortium during 2015, although the latest planning amendment for Urbanest gained approval during September 2017.

Icon Construction is now charged with both of Urbanest's current projects, with the other located at <a href="/buildings/599-605-swanston-street-carlton">599 Swanston Street</a>. Holding a construction value of $55 million, that Hayball-inspired project is also due to be completed late next year and includes a new 21 storey tower rising behind a partially retained heritage facade, 583 student beds, common areas and retail space fronting Swanston Street. 

<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/image9_17.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="18-32 Leicester Street and 599 Swanston Street. Images: Icon Construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="231" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9_17.jpg?itok=FwPCK0S_" title="18-32 Leicester Street and 599 Swanston Street. Images: Icon Construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>18-32 Leicester Street and 599 Swanston Street. Images: Icon Construction</figcaption></figure>The trifecta in Icon Construction's current student accommodation builds is <a href="/new-apartments/journal-16-32-leicester-street-carlton">18-32 Leicester Street</a>.

A build value of $85 million will see the contractor deliver 805 beds. The turn of 2019 will see all three of Icon Construction's builds completed, with the Leicester Street project differing in that it is for internationally-backed accommodation provider GSA Australia.

The increasing number of student accommodation projects calling Carlton home now sees 10 separate developments in the pipeline.

Denton Corker Marshall's <a href="/developments/carlton-vic-3053">557-591 Swanston Street</a> is the largest at 870 beds whilst the most recent addition to the Apartments.com.au Project Database was <a href="/developments/carlton-vic-3053">625-631 Swanston Street</a>. Combining the 10 projects, Carlton could eventually host another approximately 4,300 student beds.
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Urbanest's latest project revealed as Icon Construction scores another major build

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The University of Melbourne is once more chasing the right to create another significant student housing complex.

Located at 625-631 Swanston Street, the project has been dubbed Lincoln Square South and finds itself in the middle of Melbourne's evolving student precinct centred around Carlton's Swanston Street stretch. Lincoln Square South is the latest development that will help support the 50,000 students that visit the institution's Parkville campus.

Submitted last month, the Hayball-designed 14 level building includes capacity for 656 students.

Carrying a cost of development just shy of $70 million, the project requires demolition of three conjoined sites that house buildings dated from 1922 to 1955. An adjoining historic former warehouse building at 11-13 Lincoln Square will be reworked to become a learning hub.

<h2>625-631 Swanston Street application summary</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/uomswan.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="UoM's new building in context. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/uomswan.jpg?itok=Qla2KML-" title="UoM's new building in context. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>UoM's new building in context. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 2,568sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed: 14 level tower </li>
	<li>656 beds: 161 x studio, 154 x twin studio, 341 x cluster</li>
	<li>2,098sqm of communal area</li>
	<li>430sqm learning hub</li>
	<li>Ground floor retail space: 250sqm</li>
	<li>Provision for 20 vehicles and 172 bicycles</li>
	<li>GFA: 20,756sqm</li>
	<li>Estimated cost of development: $68,262,000</li>
</ul>
<h2>In Hayball's words</h2>

<blockquote>
The vision for the Lincoln Square South project is to establish an new exemplar for managed student accommodation within the City that brings together academic support with residential life. The facility will seek to set a new benchmark for quality accommodation operation, and to provide a unique addition to student accommodation offerings in Melbourne.

The residence will support a contemporary scholarly community, with academic leadership and quality professional support, delivering a new Hall of Residence on the South side of the Parkville campus. Central to the project is the alignment of a new and unique scholarship program with a quality residential experience. The new accommodation will support up to 60 scholarship students.

The architectural form provides a contemporary response to the University tradition of courtyard and cloister with student common spaces and upper level rooms arranged around a landscaped inner court.

The facade composition and materials incorporates a high quality of finishes and detail, reinforcing the emerging street wall civic scale of Swanston Street and which is complementary to the industrial heritage streetscape on Lincoln Square south.
</blockquote>

<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/uomswan1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="625-631 Swanston Street's internal open space. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="641" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/uomswan1.jpg?itok=3gDG8iY4" title="625-631 Swanston Street's internal open space. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>625-631 Swanston Street's internal open space. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><h2>Swanston Street's appeal - or lack of</h2>

625-631 Swanston Street's arrival continues to boost the design merits of Swanston Street.

The early 2000s saw a raft of poorly executed student housing projects line the thoroughfare, turning vast stretches of Carlton's Swanston Street into somewhat of a merit free design wasteland, with the Ian Potter Museum of Art being the exception. In recent times though the general quality of projects proposed or delivered in the area has risen markedly.

Piccolo's award-winning Upper House and the RMIT Design Hub began to turn the design tide, with a number of other projects also waiting in the wings.

Should 625-631 Swanston Street gain approval, it would join the Jackson Clements Burrows-designed <a href="/developments/carlton-nsw-2218">558-566 Swanston Street</a> and the at construction <a href="/buildings/599-605-swanston-street-carlton">599-605 Swanston Street</a> in lifting the overall design qualities of the area.

<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/uomswan2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Swanston Street perspective of the development. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="492" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/uomswan2.jpg?itok=1RF7WZvm" title="Swanston Street perspective of the development. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Swanston Street perspective of the development. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><h2>625-631 Swanston Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: University of Melbourne</li>
	<li>Architect: Hayball</li>
	<li>Town planning &amp; landscape design: Tract Consultants</li>
	<li>Structural: Webber Design</li>
	<li>Geotechnical: GeoAust</li>
	<li>Services: Lucid Consulting</li>
	<li>Building Surveyor: Mckenzie Group</li>
	<li>Fire Safety: Omnii</li>
	<li>Traffic: Impact</li>
	<li>Facade Engineer: BG&amp;E</li>
	<li>Accessibility: MGAC</li>
	<li>ESD: Wood &amp; Grieve Engineers</li>
	<li>Heritage Consultant: David Bick</li>
	<li>Waste Consultant: Leigh Consulting</li>
	<li>Acoustic: Octave</li>
</ul>
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UniMelb adds Swanston Street to their student accommodation portfolio

<html><body>
Sydney is the most attractive Australian market for investment into the student accommodation sector, according to Savills.
The total development pipeline in Sydney for student accommodation has increased to 5,435 beds in 2017 from 3,665 beds in 2016, according to the recent Student Accommodation Market Report from Savills.
The supply and demand imbalance, world class universities and status as a global city are the main factors that are driving student accommodation in the Harbour City. 
However, there are significant barriers to entry, the report notes. 
The value of land associated with competing land uses, primarily residential in CBD fringe locations, continues to be an issue for private sector developers. 
This has led to developers seeking locations outside of the CBD, primarily around transport hubs. The University of Sydney continues to be a significant participant within the Sydney market, with several new developments proposed. 
The most significant purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) completed this year has been Urbanest (picture above), delivering the first stage of their accommodation within the Darling Square precinct comprising 634 beds. 
Their second stage of that project comprising 664 beds is programmed for completion during 2018. This will be the first off-campus fully catered accommodation available to the market. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/16/SydStudent1.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/16/SydStudent1.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/16/SydStudent2.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/16/SydStudent2.png" alt="">
Analysis of the development pipeline by room type indicates that approximately 30% of the new accommodation will be provided in the most expensive form of accommodation, which is self-contained studios. 
The remaining accommodation will be provided in shared apartments, with approximately 34% of the pipeline in dormitory style rooms which is primarily influenced by the University developments.
“The affordability of student rents influencing the financial viability of delivering new accommodation will continue to be a critical issue for the Sydney market throughout the next 12 months,” says the report.
“Delivering new student accommodation within mixed use developments, such as Central Park and Darling Harbour will, in our opinion, be the main source of new opportunities in Central Sydney.”
Read the report <a href="https://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/student-accommodation.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.
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