<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/draycon">Draycon Building</a> is nearing completion of Boutique Chevron Island, a 42-apartment development on the northern end of Chevron Island at 17–19 Parneno Street, with a limited-time offer of fully furnished apartments available.

Now more than 90 per cent complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/boutique-chevron-island-17-19-parneno-chevron-island-qld-4217">Boutique</a> has been shaped by one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held island addresses, where riverfront outlooks and walkable access to Surfers Paradise converge.

For Draycon Building Managing Director Howard Dabit, the appeal of the site was immediate.

“I knew it was a good site as soon as I saw it,” Dabit said.

“The position and location on the north end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>, the way the river swirls around the site basically from the north to the east, it feels like the site is surrounded by the water. The height that we’ve got and the aspect looking north is beautiful. Eighty per cent of the apartments are looking north so they get that drenching sunlight coming in.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360922]

That northern orientation places the development within a stretch of Chevron Island defined by open river aspects and skyline views, while remaining embedded in the suburb’s established village setting.

Chevron Island has increasingly drawn owner-occupiers seeking centrality without the intensity of high-rise beachfront living. Positioned at the geographical centre of the Gold Coast, the island offers direct access to both the beach and key cultural infrastructure while retaining a neighbourhood-scale character.

Connected by bridge to Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island offers walkable access to beaches, riverfront parklands and a revitalised foreshore boulevard animated by walkers and cyclists throughout the day. The Pacific Ocean is only minutes away, reinforcing the suburb’s dual river-and-surf identity.

At the same time, Thomas Drive forms the spine of the island’s village life, delivering cafés, wine bars, casual dining and everyday services within easy reach. Independent grocers, wellness operators and neighbourhood retailers contribute to a community atmosphere that remains distinct from the vertical scale of the beachfront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360915]

In the opposite direction, the Green Bridge links directly to HOTA – Home of the Arts – placing galleries, performance venues and parklands within walking distance. Weekly markets and major exhibitions draw visitors from across the region, while residents return to a quieter residential pocket at day’s end.

Public transport, including nearby bus routes and the G:link light rail corridor along the coastal spine, strengthens connectivity north and south. Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital precinct and established private schools such as The Southport School are all within a short drive.

Ongoing investment across Surfers Paradise, HOTA and the broader Southport corridor has elevated amenity while preserving Chevron Island’s comparatively low-rise residential character. It is this balance, walkable village atmosphere paired with metropolitan-scale infrastructure, that continues to differentiate the suburb from higher-density beachfront precincts.

Boutique comprises just 42 residences, designed to maximise river and skyline outlooks within this tightly held island setting.

Boutique Chevron Island is slated for completion in April 2026, with prices starting from $1,220,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=89709]

Joel Robinson

Draycon Building’s Boutique Chevron Island places 42 residences at the heart of the Gold Coast

Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has secured planning approval for a $300 million residential development in Lindfield, marking the company’s second project on Sydney’s North Shore and its first on the Upper North Shore.

Located on Beaconsfield Parade and designed by DKO Architecture, the state significant development comprises three buildings of up to 10 storeys and will include 399 residences, including 59 affordable homes and 40 adaptable homes.

Residences will range in size from one, two and three bedrooms, with two-bedroom apartments accounting for over 60 per cent of the product make-up. Residents will have access to a broad suite of amenities, including a wellness area, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a pool, a gym, a community room and a golf simulator.

In line with Deicorp’s long-standing focus on creating transit-oriented communities, the project is located just 260 metres from the Lindfield Train Station, reinforcing its role in delivering well-connected housing close to established infrastructure, retail and local services.

The inclusion of affordable and adaptable housing supports greater diversity within the local market, while the mix of apartment types responds to demand from downsizers, young professionals and families seeking access to the Upper North Shore.

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri OAM said the approval represents an important milestone for both the company and the suburb

“This approval allows us to deliver well-designed homes in a location that is already supported by strong transport and community infrastructure," Deiri said.

"Our focus is on creating places that integrate into their surroundings and provide long-term value for residents, and the broader Lindfield community. Being within walking distance of the station ensures this project supports sustainable growth in the right locations."

Across its portfolio, Deicorp currently has 4,703 apartments under construction, playing a leading role in shaping connected, liveable communities across Sydney.

Its expanding portfolio of Metro-linked developments includes Tallawong Village, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> in Five Dock, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hyde-metropolitan-sydney-133-141-liverpool-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Hyde Metropolitan</a> in Sydney CBD, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a> in Crows Nest and Showground Village, Castle Hill.

Deicorp purchased the Beaconsfield Paradise site last year. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2026 and will be completed in 2029.

Deicorp expands portfolio to nearly 5,000 apartments with Lindfield project

In a joint venture with The Trump Organization, Australia developer Altus Property Group has announced plans to bring a Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower to the Gold Coast, marking the first Trump-branded project in Australia.

"Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast is our first official project in Australia and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences in iconic locations around the world," Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said.

"This development exemplifies the Trump brand’s dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community."

The 91-storey building, which will become the tallest in Australia at 335 metres, will feature a&nbsp;285-room luxury hotel bearing the trademark Trump logo. It will also include 272 luxury residential apartments, a three-level podium with an exclusive Beach Club, and over 3,400 sqm of premium commercial, retail, and dining space, revitalizing the central Surfers Paradise precinct.

“Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand,"&nbsp;Altus founder and chief executive David Young said.

"Altus Property Group is proud of its track record in delivering landmark developments across Australia, and our expertise ensures this project will be an outstanding success."

Trump Hotel heads for the Gold Coast to become Australia's tallest building

More than a century after the Corrimal Coke Works first opened in 1912, the industrial landmark that helped shape the suburb is being reinterpreted as a walkable residential neighbourhood, with Stage One of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-works-stage-one-27-railway-street-corrimal-nsw-2518">The Works</a> now underway at 27 Railway Street.

For 102 years, the site was central to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/corrimal-nsw-2518">Corrimal</a>’s economic and social identity before operations ceased in 2014. Rather than erasing that legacy, developer Legacy Property has embedded it into the masterplan, retaining and reinterpreting elements such as the iconic 1912 brick chimney and sections of the original C1 Coke Oven Battery, alongside the adaptive reuse of the former powerhouse building.

Stage One will introduce 181 apartments across low-rise buildings, offering predominantly two and three-bedroom residences with completion targeted for mid-2027. The scale and configuration reflect a deliberate focus on owner-occupiers, targeting those seeking a lower-maintenance home in a prime location within the northern suburbs of Wollongong.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359833]

Apartments have been designed to maximise natural light and cross-ventilation, with floor-to-ceiling glazing extending living areas onto generous balconies. Engineered timber flooring, induction cooktops and 900mm ovens in larger residences support everyday functionality, while two interior palettes allow buyers to tailor finishes to their preferences. The material selection draws on a restrained coastal language, intended to connect homes to their surroundings rather than compete with them.

The Works forms part of a broader 18-hectare masterplan that will ultimately deliver around 550 dwellings, new parks, and a heritage precinct celebrating the site’s past. More than seven hectares are dedicated to open space, including Southern Park and a Village Green with community gardens and recreation areas. The creek corridor is being rehabilitated with 150,000 native plantings, restoring biodiversity to the site and softening landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359841]

Positioned adjacent to Corrimal Station and within walking distance of Corrimal Town Centre, the precinct places daily essentials, rail connections and local retail within easy reach. Wollongong CBD, including the hospital, university and entertainment venues, sits approximately 6.5 kilometres to the south.

For buyers more familiar with North Wollongong, Corrimal offers a different proposition: a well-established coastal suburb framed by beaches to the east and the escarpment to the west, with a strong sense of local identity shaped in part by the former Coke Works. The Works seeks to reinforce that identity by creating a connected, walkable neighbourhood between coast and escarpment, rather than a standalone apartment complex.

Sustainability underpins the development approach. The Works is targeting Wollongong’s first 5-Star Green Star-rated community, with water-sensitive urban design, recycled materials and energy-efficient buildings integrated across the masterplan. For residents, these measures provide not only environmental benefits but also reduced operational costs and future resilience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359842]

With construction commenced and display materials available to view, prospective buyers can now engage more directly with the project’s vision, reviewing floorplans, material selections and the broader masterplan in detail. For many local homeowners weighing a move, the opportunity to experience how heritage, landscape and contemporary design intersect may help bridge the gap between familiarity and the next chapter.

As Stage One progresses toward its mid-2027 completion, The Works represents a significant chapter in Corrimal’s evolution, transforming a site that once powered local industry into a walkable residential precinct designed for its next generation of residents.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143415]

Legacy Property’s The Works reimagines Corrimal’s century-old Coke Works

When it comes to developing in Melb​ourne's Bayside region, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a> knows exactly what buyers want.

With a longstanding presence in the area and a string of sell-out projects, Lowe Living consistently delivers developments that are as sought-after as their predecessors.

Their latest instalment is in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-east-vic-3188">&nbsp;East,</a> the same postcode where they have previously delivered Hampton Hill and Oceano. The developer-builder recently commenced construction on its newest project,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marella-hampton-31-35-alicia-street-hampton-east-vic-3188">Marella</a>, a collection of 32 apartments just five minutes from the beach.

Site acquisition is paramount to success. Lowe Living rarely brings a building to market that isn’t within walking distance of essential amenities, whether it be the beach, a prominent retail strip, or a train station. Marella is no exception, located at its Alicia Street address, less than a kilometre from the retail heart of Hampton Street and Hampton Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358495]

Equally important to Lowe Living is the architecture.

For Marella, they appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, who explains that the architectural vision was to create a contemporary reinterpretation of the Californian bungalow, a style that’s iconic to Hampton’s heritage.

"By borrowing, abstracting, and reinterpreting elements of this quintessential style, such as strong datum lines, articulated columns, exposed structures, and roof tiles, our design strikes a balance between modernity and familiarity," says Cera Stribley.

"This approach ensures that the development is not only visually appealing but also contextually sensitive, resonating with Hampton's existing architectural landscape."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358499]

The building features terracotta brick, soft cream masonry, and exposed metal detailing, giving it a tactile presence that is intended to weather gently over time.

Internally, the focus on lasting quality continues, with two and three-bedroom residences anchored by sculptural stone kitchen islands, natural light, and clearly defined transitions between living, dining, and outdoor spaces.

The layouts have been carefully designed. Open-plan zones extend to private balconies, with light-filled interiors and generous kitchen proportions, supported by Miele wall ovens, induction cooktops, and integrated fridge-freezers. These are not small apartments rebranded as luxury; they have been designed at scale, with ample storage, hotel-style entry access, and secure basement parking provided as standard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358492]

At the uppermost level, Marella’s Signature Collection penthouses offer city or bay views, large entertaining terraces (some with outdoor spas), and elevated finishes, including fully wrapped stone kitchen benches and a Liebherr wine fridge.

Flexible room arrangements allow for a fourth bedroom or secondary living space, sought-after by both empty nesters who want the space when family visits and families with older children.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358498]

A residents’ lounge on the ground floor reinforces the project’s small-community feel. With a fireplace, private dining area, and adjoining terrace, it’s one of several shared spaces that balance amenity with privacy and scale.

Construction has commenced, with completion expected in early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146197]

Lowe Living continues Bayside legacy as Marella rises in Hampton

suburb

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Sydney’s second biggest CBD, <a href="/new-apartments/parramatta-nsw">Parramatta</a>, is seeing an influx of development in the heart of its major business and commercial centre. Growing in population above 27,000 people, residential high rise projects are being focused to the city centre, resulting in a new wave of urban density.

The culturally diverse suburb is the oldest inland English settlement which is now home to a myriad of Heritage buildings, the 10th largest shopping centre in Australia, Westfield Parramatta, the renewed Western Sydney Stadium along the Parramatta River, a vibrant Church Street with boutiques, cafes, bars and Indian and Chinese cuisine options and Western Sydney University. 

With NAB relocating 3000 employees from <a href="/developments/sydney-nsw">Sydney CBD</a> to Parramatta CBD, revamped works of major roads, squares and the main service station, Parramatta is experiencing a major boom.

Here are a few exciting projects igniting the city centre. 
 

<a href="/new-apartments/8-phillip-street-2-10-phillip-street-parramatta">8 PHILLIPS STREET - RESIDENTIAL + HOTEL</a>

<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/woods_bagot_8_phillip_street.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Render by Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1043" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/woods_bagot_8_phillip_street.jpg?itok=w3r_iSHh" title="Render by Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Render by Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Woods Bagot’s 8 Phillips Street is a 55 story rhomboid-shaped glass tower will feature Sydney’s tallest rooftop bar, ‘Studio 54’ with sweeping views over the city. 
The tower will comprise of 314 luxury one, two and three bedroom apartment configurations including studio and penthouse options and the QT Boutique Hotel with over 200 deluxe rooms and 50 executive suites.

<a href="/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> boldly incorporates the existing heritage building, the 1926 St. Andrew’s Hall, by integrating it into the entrance with the new development floating above, making for a stunningly impressive residents lobby and streetscape. The five story trapeze garden at the entrance to the tower is just a hint of what’s to come with balcony overhanging plants and a rooftop garden featuring contemporary native Australian species, planted to create a secret garden oasis with intimate communal spaces. 
 

<a href="/buildings/the-lennox-12-phillip-street-parramatta">THE LENNOX - RESIDENTIAL</a>

<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/the_lennox_source_jpw.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Render by JPW Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="722" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_lennox_source_jpw.png?itok=wkRIFLHV" title="Render by JPW Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Render by JPW Architects</figcaption></figure><a href="/architects/jpw-architects">Johnson Pilton Walker Architects</a>’ The Lennox tower is one of many high rise residential developments springing up throughout Parramatta. Rising 152 metres above the Parramatta River, the uninterrupted views are one of the many 5 star amenities such as a private lounge room with entertainment deck, a pool, outdoor terrace and zen wellness and fitness centre.

The Lennox will be part of the gateway that is set to dominate the CBD’s skyline, being the first one many high rise towers visitors will see as they cross the bridge. The first three floors of the podium will include retail tenancies, a council owned discovery centre, a conference centre and a cafe with an upgrade riverfront for public use.

Many <a href="/developments/parramatta-nsw">Parramatta developments</a> aren’t just privatised residential components, but like The Lennox, have much to offer the public domain whether that be revitalising waterfronts, providing civic spaces or enlivening heritage structures. 
 

<a href="/buildings/west-village-88-church-street-parramatta">WEST VILLAGE - RESIDENTIAL</a>

<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/woods_bagot_west_village.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering by Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="735" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/woods_bagot_west_village.jpg?itok=A-Lfi2-l" title="Rendering by Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering by Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>The sophisticated residential tower provides 397 world class apartments across 40 floors and rising 150 metres above the Parramatta skyline. Woods Bagot has designed this high quality tower which aims to give the city centre that new edge and connect to the streetscape with ground floor retail and cafes.

Developers <a href="/developers/ecoworld-international">EcoWorld</a> have enlisted landscape architect Myles Baldwin to conceptualise the podium garden above level 7 with sweeping views of the Sydney CBD with fully equipped chef’s kitchen, alfresco dining options, leafy terraces and a barbeque area.

Rumours are that Malaysian favourite ‘Chinta Ria’ and gourmet Italian providore ‘Salt Meats Cheese’ are to open tenancy on the ground floor strip, proving that collaboration between developers, architects and suppliers have made for a very important and vibrant project.

As this development takes shape, by the time it completes in late 2019, it will have cemented itself into the Parramatta community fabric and truly embodies the city centre moving towards a progressive future. 
UPDATE: <a href="/news/parramatta-s-west-village-tops-out-at-40-levels">West Village tops out at 40 storeys</a> as of late November 2019 with a 95% sales rate success. Designed by <a href="/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the tower features 398 luxury one, two and three bedroom apartments which rise from the vibrant ground floor retail precinct. 

 

<h2><a href="/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">PARRAMATTA SQUARE - OFFICE, MIXED USE</a></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/parramatta_square_source_jpw_architects.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Render by JPW Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parramatta_square_source_jpw_architects.jpg?itok=4qxvXTX3" title="Render by JPW Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Render by JPW Architects</figcaption></figure>Masterplanned by <a href="/architects/jpw-architects">Johnson Pilton Walker Architects</a> as a response to the growing city, Parramatta Square comprises of 6 stand alone buildings with their own importance to the urban renewal precinct. The towers, a commercial tower to which is the new campus for 10,000 Western Sydney University students, a mixed use residential tower, proposed to be the tallest for Parramatta, a 5 Star Green office tower including a civic building, community centre and library, a 5 Star Green commercial and retail building central to the square and dual 5 Star Green energy office towers.

The 6000 square metres of open space is dedicated and centred around the rich heritage sandstone of St. John’s Cathedral and the Parramatta Town Hall and is pedestrianised with green space and public plazas to connect and integrate the new commercial, residential and community buildings.

Connected either side of the precinct by a future light rail extension and Parramatta Station, visitors and locals will be able to flow through the community heart with ease. 

Parramatta Square is about providing a higher quality of life for residents and workers with a world class premium health and fitness club, an A-grade child care facility and bespoke Business and Events centre with meeting rooms and auditoriums making the work/life integration effortless.

 

<h2>ARTHUR PHILLIP HIGH SCHOOL - EDUCATION</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/arthur_phillip_-_grimshaw_and_bvn.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Arthur Phillip vertical school by Grimshaw Architects and BVN Architecture."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="365" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/arthur_phillip_-_grimshaw_and_bvn.png?itok=PeIvPKpF" title="Arthur Phillip vertical school by Grimshaw Architects and BVN Architecture." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Arthur Phillip vertical school by Grimshaw Architects and BVN Architecture.</figcaption></figure>Arthur Phillip High School is Australia’s first vertical high school accommodating 2000 students across 16 floors of educational indoor and outdoor facilities. 
With flexible teaching spaces, adaptable room configurations and technology rich rooms that expand small to large for certain class sizes, the design aspect will mean that students and teachers will benefit from their environment with better opportunities for collaboration and personalised learning.

The collaborated architectural and landscape design by <a href="/architects/grimshaw-architects">Grimshaw Architects</a> and <a href="/architects/bvn-architecture">BVN Architecture</a> helps to deliver a truly remarkable community engaged structure aimed to meet the growth of secondary students in and around the Parramatta catchment area.

Opening in 2020, the high school will join the 1000 student facility Parramatta Public School on the existing school sites with combined tennis and basketball courts, a football field and rooftop gardens for both structures as social and environmental consciousness is encouraged.

With this development, Parramatta is set to become an even more exciting, vibrant and inclusive hub for innovation, technology, retail and commercial business. 
A fly through <a href="/news/council-offers-a-glimpse-of-what-parramatta-will-look-like-in-the-near-future">unveiling the future of the CBD</a> has been released via The City of Parramatta Council encompassing 30 different projects that won design excellence competitions over the past four years with the council stating they have a combined development value of $5.5 billion.

<h2> </h2>

 
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Nick Dante

Parramatta: Suburb Guide. Highlighting new developments in Sydney's second CBD

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Based on Urban data, these are the top 5 suburbs in the country with the most development listings available on our site per state and are amongst some of the most viewed by users. 
As activity centres expands and housing affordability fluctuates, these Australian suburbs have one major thing in common, they are booming.

 

<h2><a href="/developments/footscray-vic-3011">FOOTSCRAY, VICTORIA</a></h2>

The inner West suburb of Footscray in Melbourne, Victoria, is seeing unprecedented growth as a major activity centre and cultural hub. Footscray’s population of 20,000 people is set to almost double in the next decade and comprises of Vietnamese, Italian, Chinese, Sudanese, Ethiopian and Sri Lankan migrants with Victoria’s fourth highest proportion of residents born in South-East Asia.  
The developing suburb is a hub of creativity, culture, music and international cuisine and has been chosen as a major activity centre for the Western suburbs of Melbourne. Median housing prices are at $845,000 with median rent costs at $470 per week.

<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/victoria_one_footscray.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering of Victoria Square, Footscray by Kavellaris Urban Design and Developer Growland."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/victoria_one_footscray.jpg" title="Rendering of Victoria Square, Footscray by Kavellaris Urban Design and Developer Growland." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of Victoria Square, Footscray by Kavellaris Urban Design and Developer Growland.</figcaption></figure><a href="/buildings/victoria-square-8-hopkins-street-footscray">Victoria Square</a> is among many of the developments springing up in Footscray and is led by Developers <a href="/developers/growland-group">Growland</a> with 939 dwellings across six buildings. 
Blending into the community fabric of Footscray, Victoria Square will become a new destination for laneway dining with 3000sqm dedicated to cafes and restaurants to be enjoyed by the public. 
The complex features world class amenities such as Australia’s first above ground 400m arterial running track, a resident’s cinema, games rooms, gymnasium, lap pool, private lounge and dining rooms and a sky garden connecting the towers, creating an engaging community amongst the residents.

Prices: 
1 bed, 1 bath, 0 car - $385,000

2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $540,000

3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $599,000

 

<h2><a href="/new-apartments/liverpool-nsw-2170">LIVERPOOL, NEW SOUTH WALES</a></h2>

Set to become one of Sydney’s third biggest CBD’s, Liverpool is developing strong economic and residential opportunities within the heritage structure of the city centre. 
With a population of over 28,000, the Western city is one of the oldest settlements in Australia with strong community engagement. 
Less than 30% of Liverpool’s population were born in Australia, creating a multicultural environment to which thrives by the Georges River. 
The median housing price in Liverpool is $729,000 with a weekly advertised median rent at $450 with over half of Liverpool residents living in apartments and units.

<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/the_foundry_liverpool.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering of The Foundry by SJB Architects."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_foundry_liverpool.jpg" title="Rendering of The Foundry by SJB Architects." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of The Foundry by <a href="/architects/sjb-architects">SJB Architects</a>.</figcaption></figure><a href="/buildings/the-foundry-32-34-shepherd-street-liverpool">The Foundry</a> is one of the many developments setting a precedent for inner city centre expansion and with rezoning change to mixed use in 2018, Liverpool is inviting improvements to underutilised and undeveloped sites across the city. With 198 dwellings across 17 floors, the building also features a double height lobby, a landscaped central atrium, private rooftop garden and pool with city and rivers edge views. 
The building is incorporated into the Paper Mill development which is comprised of multiple buildings along the Georges River in the city centre surrounding the 150 year old heritage listed Paper Mill building which will become the new cafe and dining quarter.

Prices:

1 bed, 1 bath - $497,000 to $601,000

2 bed, 2 bath - $580,000 to $704,000

 

<h2><a href="/new-apartments/brisbane-qld">SOUTH BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND</a></h2>

South Brisbane is one of the busiest riverfront suburbs of Brisbane home to the Queensland Museum, Streets Beach, a giant ferris wheel and offers culture, galleries, science exhibits, a vast promenade nightlife and weekend markets. Home to over 8,000 residents and tens of thousands of daily and nightly visitors, the suburb is an important destination connected by the Victoria Bridge to Brisbane CBD.

With a median age population of 30 years old, South Brisbane retains its heritage charm and vibrancy with a large amount of big name developments jumping across the river for the waterfront lifestyle and tropical cultural charm. 
Median unit and housing rents are at $510 per week with a median housing price of $994,000. 
Most residents live in apartment dwellings which have a median price of $447,000.

<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/the_standard_south_brisbane_woods_bagot.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering of The Standard by Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_standard_south_brisbane_woods_bagot.jpg" title="Rendering of The Standard by Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of The Standard by Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure><a href="/architects/woods-bagot">Wood Bagot</a>’s architecturally designed apartment tower, <a href="/buildings/the-standard-13-17-manning-street-south-brisbane">The Standard</a> is South Brisbane’s latest development standing 105 metres above ground level and comprising of 261 new one, two and three bedroom dwellings. 
The cylindrical tower includes such amenities as a rooftop pool, private dining rooms, theatre, a 240sqm fitness centre, rooftop wine bar, coffee lounge, a spa and wellness centre with sauna and three complementary Tesla vehicles for exclusive resident use.

Prices start at $500,000 for a one bedroom and can range up to $1,200,000 for a penthouse.

 

<h2><a href="/developments/belconnen-act-2617">BELCONNEN, ACT</a></h2>

Belconnen is the inner city suburb of Canberra with a metropolitan population of over 96,000 people. 
With Canberra City Centre’s restricted height and development laws, Belconnen is a designated sub-city which in recent years has developed into a mixed used activity precinct with 40% of residents born outside Australia, the sixth highest for any Canberra suburb.

Surrounding the Ginninderra Lake, Belconnen is home to the John Knight Memorial Park, a 300 store Westfield and the University of Canberra. 
Belconnen remains one of the most affordable districts in Canberra with a median house price of $431,000 and a median weekly rent amount of $410.

<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/high_society_belconnen_geocon.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering of High Society Apartment towers designed by Fender Katsalidis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/high_society_belconnen_geocon.jpg" title="Rendering of High Society Apartment towers designed by Fender Katsalidis" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of High Society Apartment towers designed by <a href="/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a></figcaption></figure>The <a href="/buildings/high-society-1-grazier-lane-belconnen">High Society Apartments</a> are one of Belconnen’s recent development that showcases the large amount of growth happening in the suburb.  
Designed by Fender Katsalidis, the two 27 storey towers rise with sweeping uninterrupted views of Lake Ginninderra and Greater Canberra and comprise of 541 apartment dwellings ranging between one, two and three bedrooms. Residents will be able to enjoy a rooftop park, barbeque area, wine cellar and cinema. The development also features a 135 room hotel on site which will establish Belconnen City Centre as the major destination it is becoming.

Prices: 
1 bed, 1 bath - $345,900

2 bed, 1 bath - $439,400

3 bed, 2 bath - $692,400

 

<h2><a href="/developments/adelaide-sa">PORT ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA</a></h2>

Approximately 14 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD sits Port Adelaide, a suburb that once was Adelaide’s most important and main supply link for the city and is now becoming a site for urban renewal. 
Traditionally a working class suburb, much is maintained in terms of the heritage and long standing public pubs and bars that line St.Vincent and Lipson Street. 
As one of the oldest settlements in Adelaide, the cultural significance of Port Melbourne is shown through its characteristic taverns and buildings, built in the late 1800’s as well as the vast amount of museums. 
Museums include the National Railway Museum, South Australian Maritime Museum, Aviation Museum, Austbuilt Maritime Museum and the Australian Museum of Childhood. 
Port Adelaide’s median housing prices range in the $570,000 range with a weekly median rent of $388.

<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/dock_one_port_adelaide.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering of Dock One Townhomes by Starfish Developments"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="343" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/dock_one_port_adelaide.jpg" title="Rendering of Dock One Townhomes by Starfish Developments" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of Dock One Townhomes by <a href="/developers/starfish-developments"">Starfish Developments</a></figcaption></figure><a href="/developments/port-adelaide-sa-5015">Dock One</a> is just one of the many developments happening in the Port Adelaide area, and it is quite a large one with 750 planned townhomes and apartments all ranging two and three bedrooms across one to five levels. 
The architecture, designed by <a href="/architects/enzo-caroscio-architecture">Enzo Caroscio</a> embraces the city’s heritage character and is very much inspired by local history, culture and art. With waterfront or park facing views, residents will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds and its close proximity to the bustling working class heritage centre of Port Adelaide.

As well as a vast landscape for residents to connect and socialise, the development will also refurbish waterfront heritage buildings that need repair.

Prices can range between $400,000 to $650,000.

 

<h2><a href="/developments/perth-wa">PERTH CBD, WESTERN AUSTRALIA</a></h2>

Perth has a vast array of developing suburbs but one that will see the most change will be its very own central district. The Perth CBD the city’s largest economic and cultural hub with facilities such as the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the State Library of Western Australia, the State Theatre Centre, The Perth Concert Hall and many more.

Perth CBD is home to just over 10,000 residents which is set to triple in the next decade as infill apartment development by the waterfront has encouraged an influx of movement and growth. 
To accommodate this growth, Perth has turned to revitalising the waterfront with Elizabeth Quay, creating Perth Link, a development on the edge of the city that features the new Perth Arena and strengthening its retail and commercial hub.

<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/the_towers_at_eliz_quay_fart_east_consortium.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering of the almost completed Towers at Elizabeth Quay by Far East Consortium."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_towers_at_eliz_quay_fart_east_consortium.jpg" title="Rendering of the almost completed Towers at Elizabeth Quay by Far East Consortium." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of the almost completed Towers at Elizabeth Quay by Far East Consortium.</figcaption></figure><a href="/buildings/the-towers-at-elizabeth-quay-11-barrack-square-perth">The Towers at Elizabeth Quay</a> are part of the grand urban renewal project set to attract over 12 million visitors annually. The development includes two residential towers, the first Ritz Carlton for Perth and a vibrant waterfront with water park, green space and new connecting bridges.

Located at the head of the precinct, the towers stand as the gateway jewel to the CBD. 
With 379 residential dwellings across two <a href="/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a> designed towers, residents will be able to take advantage of full panoramic views of the city and water. Amenities include a pool, gym, cycle cafe, restaurants at ground level, roof gardens and amphitheatre which will host much of the public events around the quay.

Prices: 
1 bed, 1 bath - $793,000

2 bed, 1 bath - $1,283,000

3 bed, 2 bath - $2,541,000

 

 

 

 
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Booming Australian Suburbs according to Urban

<html><body>
Firstly, what is a Polycentric city and how can it benefit our growing population?

In Urban Planning, a Polycentric city is an urban area that is organised around multiple cities. In this example, Melbourne CBD is designated as the major hub with built up connecting activity centres which benefit by sharing job creation with inner and outer suburbs using a '20 minute neighbourhood' model. 
We can benefit from being a polycentric city in numerous ways as it will decrease travel time, localise businesses, encourage walkability, cycleability, social interaction, networking and community by creating opportunities in areas with existing increased infrastructure standards.

<h2>What does Melbourne look like now?</h2>

An estimated 5 million people reside in the city limits as of early 2019 with an expected projection upwards of 8 million people by 2050. 
This immense growth has seen:

<ul>
<li>An average of 50,000 new homes being built, most of those are a product of Urban Sprawl with new housing estates, communities and suburbs developing beyond existing suburbia.</li>
	<li>Due to urban sprawl, commute times have increased for many Melbournians, adding 30 minutes to the average drivers journey to work. </li>
	<li>With infrastructure not meeting the demands soon enough due to unprecedented growth, liveability in outer reach suburbs is lower as connection to jobs, opportunities, education and basic services require car dependency.</li>
	<li>Most job creation is isolated to or around the Melbourne CBD, with a daily workforce of over 500,000 people. 
	 </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/screen_shot_2019-07-30_at_2.03.16_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Sprawl in Melbourne's South Western suburbs. Image by Google Maps"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="314" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-07-30_at_2.03.16_pm.png?itok=JQT7LvTB" title="Sprawl in Melbourne's South Western suburbs. Image by Google Maps" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sprawl in Melbourne's South Western suburbs. Image by Google Maps</figcaption></figure> What will Melbourne look like as a polycentric city?

<ul>
<li>With activity centres already in place and on the move for urban renewal and rejuvenation in Frankston, Reservoir, Moonee Ponds, Box Hill, Footscray, Preston, Epping, Sunshine, Dandenong and Werribee we will see an abundance of localised opportunity and a shared balance of job creation that extends beyond the CBD, strengthening our city economy.</li>
	<li>When built up, these activity centres will provide a diverse range of jobs, activities and housing options for residents as well as playing major roles in delivering health, education, government, retail and commercial services.</li>
	<li>Existing local activity centres thrive as they remain dedicated to community, culture and social attributes as well as giving residents no reason to commute one or two hours to work. This increases the quality of life majorly.</li>
	<li>These mini-cities are hubs of medium to high density mixed use developments, which will help curtail urban sprawl thus lessening the impact on native ecological and natural environments.</li>
</ul>
 

<h2>Existing - <a href="/developments/moonee-ponds-vic-3039">Moonee Ponds</a> Activity Centre</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/moonee_ponds_new_heart_pedestrians_and_cyclists.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist impression of the new civic centre space with a dedication to pedestrians, cyclists and community buildings."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/moonee_ponds_new_heart_pedestrians_and_cyclists.png?itok=1uJkgm6L" title="Artist impression of the new civic centre space with a dedication to pedestrians, cyclists and community buildings." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist impression of the new civic centre space with a dedication to pedestrians, cyclists and community buildings.</figcaption></figure> 
Moonee Ponds is a principal activity centre in Melbourne’s north-west with a current population of 15,000 people. Known for destinations such as the Moonee Valley Racecourse, Queens Park and the quaint community feel of the cafe’s, bars, boutiques and fresh food shopping of Puckle and Hall street.

This eclectic inner city suburb is just 7km out of the Melbourne CBD and has recently seen monumental growth in terms of density and commercialisation. At its core, the Moonee Ponds Junction serves as the arterial and tram connection to surrounding suburbs.

The 2030 Moonee Ponds activity plan expects to develop the suburb into a high density, pedestrian friendly, sustainable centre that intimately connects to public transport in an effort to reduce urban sprawl and car dependency which includes developments such as <a href="/buildings/hall-st-40-hall-street-moonee-ponds">Mason Square</a> by <a href="/developers/caydon-property">Caydon</a>.

Moonee Ponds vision is to exceed in creating a new civic community space with a central square around the historic Clocktower, create major improvements to car parks and pedestrian access, fostering and nurturing retail and businesses, protecting heritage, enhancing neighbourhood character and expanding community services such as health and education centres.

 

Existing - <a href="/developments/preston-vic-3072">Preston Central</a> Activity Centre

<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/screen_shot_2019-07-30_at_12.45.07_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist impression of residential and mixed use density surrounding Preston Market."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="316" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-07-30_at_12.45.07_pm.png?itok=e4wtsJ3E" title="Artist impression of residential and mixed use density surrounding Preston Market." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist impression of residential and mixed use density surrounding Preston Market.</figcaption></figure> 
Preston is a multicultural suburb 9km north of Melbourne CBD with a plan to centralise growth and progress opportunities for residents. Preston’s population of 32,000 people is made up of European, Asian and Middle Eastern residents, many of which are descendants of the post war migration. The suburbs flat terrain and abundance of land resulted in low density developments to which now is evolving into a hub for the North as population growth pressure and closeness to the CBD leads to more medium to high density residential developments.

The Preston Activity Centre is centralised around the beloved Preston Market, with a strong focus on retaining its community charm and cultural significance for the suburb. The utilisation of car parks and empty plots surrounding Preston Market and the suburbs main thoroughfare for local businesses, High Street is an important factor in bringing people closer to work and opportunities. 

Preston has numerous community facilities such as the Darebin Performing Arts Centre, Preston Library and the Northern Region Migrant Resource Centre which are all serviced by Preston Station, the main link to education and fresh food markets in the suburb.

The main objective for the central plan is to curtail urban sprawl, strengthen community links and advanced opportunities, increase business and civic space and provide residents with affordable housing options. Preston could see an increase of over 10,000 new residents in the next 5 years with high density developments such as <a href="/buildings/due-north-preston-70-82-high-street-preston">Due North</a> and <a href="/buildings/8-clinch-avenue-preston">8 Clinch Avenue</a>.

 

<h2>FUTURE - <a href="https://merrifieldmelbourne.com.au/about/">MERRIFIELD, MICKLEHAM</a></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/merrifield-render-1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendering of civic space in Merrifield’s city centre."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/merrifield-render-1.jpg?itok=qWnNkxJO" title="Rendering of civic space in Merrifield’s city centre." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendering of civic space in Merrifield’s city centre.</figcaption></figure> 
Located in Melbourne’s far north is the newly planned community suburb of Merrifield, a joint masterplan by <a href="/developers/mab-corporation">MAB</a> and <a href="/developers/gibson-property-corporation">Gibson Property</a> which will sustain a population of 30,000 residents and 40,000 workers. 
The city of the north is expected to be completed by 2025, and aims to be a hub of connectivity for small and large businesses in their business district, a cultural and community space with shops, restaurants and medium density residential and civic buildings by the Central Park and waterfront with 12,000 homes planned and already under construction. 
Merrifield is serviced by rapid bus transport and major highway links though aims to truly be a walkable, 30 minute neighbourhood where residents will use the pedestrian and bicycle friendly links to reach all of their daily needs. 
As the North is one of the fastest growing areas in the country, we need sustainable and centralised developments with updated infrastructure and commercial opportunities for residents. Car dependency makes working in the CBD difficult for many people living in the Northern suburbs as transport is infrequent or too far from home. Having a hub closer to the outer reach suburbs makes a vast improvement for businesses and locals who live an hour from the CBD.

The community is already home to one of Victoria's biggest Industrial Parks with Dulux, D'orsogna and Australia's first Kaufland setting up shop with access to sustainable energy and recycled water. 
Merrifield boasts numerous lakes, wetlands and urban parks which are designed to encourage environmental consciousness and enrich natural biodiversities. 
 

 
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How close is Melbourne to becoming a Polycentric city?

<html><body>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/73841/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
As in many other countries, income inequality in Australia has grown over the past two decades.
At the same time, Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with more than 60 percent of the population concentrated in just six major cities. Incomes in these cities are very spatially segregated, with high and low earners concentrated in different suburbs. 
Do recent trends mean this joke is increasingly likely to be true?
In new research, I used census data to examine these patterns. Focusing on the incomes of men aged 25-54 in our six largest cities, I found that income inequality among men has grown substantially since 1991 – particularly during the 1990s. 
This has been associated with increases in the relative income gaps between different areas within the cities. The share of inequality associated with location has also increased over time – an indicator of increasing segregation. 
To the extent to which people draw on the resources of the people who live in their local area, this spatial segregation has potential implications for social cohesion and intergenerational inequality. There are also substantial differences across cities. Sydney was substantially more unequal than other cities over the whole period.
<h2>The census tells us the gap has widened</h2>
These results are based on detailed tabulations from the five censuses from 1991 to 2011. The focus on men aged 25-54 is partly for data availability reasons, but also permits a simpler focus on those income trends associated with wage growth and workforce-age income support payments. 
The research examines how incomes vary across the local areas in our six largest cities. These areas are defined using the Australian Bureau of Statistics “statistical local areas” (SLAs) designation. 
In Sydney and Melbourne, SLAs correspond closely to local government areas, while they are generally smaller areas in the other states. The income measure is the single census question on the person’s total income (before deducting taxes) – answered in categories. 
Statistical interpolation techniques are used to generate a smooth income distribution and to compensate for a change in the payments of income support between 1991 and 1996. More details can be found here.
The graph below shows trends in city-wide inequality since 1991. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/11/image-20170306-919-fd0169.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<h4><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/11/image-20170306-919-fd0169.png" alt=""></h4>
<h4>
Figure 1: City-wide inequality. Author's calculations from ABS Census data
</h4>
In each city, male income inequality grew substantially during the 1990s. It flattened out after 2001 (generally increasing slightly up to 2006, then falling back a little after the global financial crisis). In all years, incomes were substantially more unequal in Sydney than the other cities, with this gap widening over the period. 
In part, this reflects the larger size of Sydney. However, Sydney is now only slightly larger than Melbourne. Most of the gap is likely due to the high wages in parts of the financial services industry centred in Sydney. 
Within the sub-regions of each city, inequality also increased, following a similar pattern. However, the growth in income inequality within local areas was less than the overall growth in inequality. Corresponding to this, the gap between the average incomes in each region also increased. 
This is indicated in the graph below, which shows a measure of between-region inequality – the extent to which the average incomes in each area differ. Using the “GE(1)” measure of inequality, this more than doubled between 1991 and 2001. It then increased slightly up to 2006 and fell back slightly after the GFC.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/11/image-20170306-926-134dws8.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<h4><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/11/image-20170306-926-134dws8.png" alt=""></h4>
<div class="enlarge_hint">
Figure 2: Between-SLA inequality. Author's calculations from ABS Census data
</div>
The overall combination of these trends is that the share of city-level inequality associated with location has grown over the period. For the GE(1) measure, this share increased from about 15% to 18%. That is, spatial segregation between rich and poor has increased over time.
<h2>Are we segregating ourselves?</h2>
One simpler way of describing the spatial concentration of incomes is to consider the situation of the top 10% of Sydney men – those with annual pre-tax incomes of $141,000 or more in 2011. 
What fraction of these rich men lived in the low-income areas of Sydney? If we define low-income areas as the SLAs with the lowest average incomes and containing 20% of the male working-age population, then we find that only 5% of rich men lived in these areas in 2011. 
So while it is true that some rich men live in the areas that have low average incomes (and maybe they might meet poor men), they are four times less likely to do so than the average man (5% vs 20%). And this segregation has increased over time. Back in 1991, 6.2% (rather than 5%) of rich men lived in these poor regions.
The other cities are also segregated, though not quite as much as Sydney. Looking at the top 10% of earners in each city in 2011, the percentage of these who were in poor local areas was 5.6% in Melbourne and Brisbane, 5.9% in Adelaide, and around 9% in Canberra and Perth.
<h2>Dark shades of inequality</h2>
This data also allows us to consider which areas are more segregated or mixed. This is mapped below for Sydney and Melbourne.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/11/image-20170306-898-vhl1on.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<h4><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/11/image-20170306-898-vhl1on.png" alt=""></h4>
<div class="enlarge_hint"> Figure 3a: Within-SLA inequality in Sydney. Author's calculations from ABS Census data
</div>
<div class="enlarge_hint"> </div>
<div class="enlarge_hint"><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/11/image-20170306-914-1kme7i3.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div class="enlarge_hint"> </div>
<div class="enlarge_hint"><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/11/image-20170306-914-1kme7i3.png" alt=""></div>
<h4>
Figure 3b: Within-SLA inequality in Melbourne. Author's calculations from ABS Census data
</h4>
The darker shades indicate local areas with more within-area inequality – though for small regions such as this, it is more appropriate to use a word with more positive connotations such as “heterogenous” or just “mixed”. The more mixed areas are generally those with higher average incomes (plus some areas with high ethnic heterogeneity). 
This is driven by the fact that most regions include at least some men with low incomes, but high-income men are unlikely to live in the more homogeneous outer suburbs.
The concentration of high-paying employment and the poor transport linkages of Australia’s major cities undoubtedly play a large part in driving this.
Bruce Bradbury is associate professor, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bruce-bradbury-6437" target="_blank">here</a>.
</body></html>

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