<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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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

Sustainability

Norwest parent developer Mulpha and the University of NSW Built Environment School have released the results of a two-year research study aimed at understanding how the Norwest precinct handles heat and assessing ways to mitigate its impact through smart building, infrastructure and landscape design.

The target of the project is to lower the local Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) by two degrees, which will deliver significant cost savings and health benefits to the businesses, residents and visitors to Norwest.

Urban Heat islands form as vegetation is replaced by asphalt and concrete for roads, buildings, and other structures necessary to accommodate growing populations. These surfaces absorb and re-radiate the sun’s heat, causing surface temperatures and overall ambient temperatures to rise.

Mulpha has adopted an urban heat response to minimise heat build-up in its Norwest developments, including its zero-carbon development Norwest Quarter.&nbsp;

Head of Developments, Tim Spencer said the design considerations adopted at an early-stage in any development will have a major impact on the climate variability and liveability in urban environments such as Norwest.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=103264 project_image_fid=196015]

“We are excited to be collaborating with some of the leading thinkers and bright young minds of UNSW to really understand the Norwest micro-climate and how we can influence it with good planning and design," he said.

“Effective collection of on-the-ground data and analysis by world leading experts is central to our vision for Norwest as a Smart City that leads the way in urban design."

“A more liveable urban environment is also a better business and living environment that can deliver energy cost savings and ensure Norwest is a place where people enjoy being and giving their best, as well as being a great place to live and work in all respects."

“Only through collaboration are we going to be able to realise a liveable precinct, so by sharing this knowledge we hope other developers and even homeowners will take steps to assist in lowering the urban heat in Norwest,” Spencer added.&nbsp;

As the Hills only zero carbon precinct, sustainability and an environmentally-friendly design has been at the forefront of Mulpha’s Norwest Quarter development.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=103264 project_image_fid=196018]

The buildings have been designed to use light coloured materials throughout for high solar reflectivity, as well as using awnings, screens and external shading structures.

To reduce heat in Norwest, there is also the plan for substantial rewilding of the land surface, with a high percentage of deep soil planting and canopy cover, tree planting in both private and public spaces, and water features established throughout the precinct.

Over 70 per cent of the project is dedicated to green, open spaces, which will only bolster the effects of the new plan, with 2,000 residents expected to call Norwest Quarter home upon completion.&nbsp;

According to the NSW and ACT Regional Climate Modelling (NARCLiM), Sydney is expected to experience an increase in average maximum and minimum temperature for all seasons in the future, reflecting the broader phenomenon of global warming.

A Norwest-specific urban cooling guide has been published this week for the benefit of all developers and design practitioners working in Norwest to understand urban overheating and introduce suitable cooling strategies. This will improve the performance of developments, create a more liveable environment and address the challenges of climate change at a local level.

This marks the culmination of two years of monitoring and analysing Norwest’s microclimate from a network of 15 environmental sensors around the Norwest precinct to determine how the precinct performs now as well as how it will develop as the climate continues to change.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=103264 project_image_fid=196012]

Dr Negin Nazarian, Scientia Senior Lecturer, UNSW Built Environment, said heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe, which has serious consequences for public health, liveability and functionality of urban environments.

“Heatwaves in Australia kill more people than any other natural disaster, Nazarian said.&nbsp;

“With the increased rate of urban development, city and precinct scale climate is dramatically changed, resulting in additional warmth brought about by the urban heat island effect.

“It is paramount that we understand and closely monitor not only the climatic factors, but also the urban design characteristics that impact human health and well-being in the face of such heat events, and further promote smart city strategies to address this.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=103264]

The buildings have been designed to use light coloured materials throughout for high solar reflectivity, as well as using awnings, screens and external shading structures.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

Mulpha and UNSW release plan to reduce urban heat in Norwest by two degrees

Melbourne-based real estate developer, Resolution Property Group, and Liberman familybacked, Monark Property Partners, have fast-tracked the launch of their premium Affinity Release in their new $80 million&nbsp;7 Star, zero-carbon community, Harli, in the burgeoning south-east Melbourne growth corridor suburb of Cranbourne West.

The new collection follows the success of the first release, Harmony, where 11 of the 13 lots were sold during the project's launch weekend in October, outperforming the&nbsp;5.5 sales per month average for greenfield projects across Melbourne and Geelong over Q3 of 2022,&nbsp;demonstrating demand for high performance homes with access to an established lifestyle.

Resolution Director, Jeremy De Zylva said the first release of Harli was an overwhelming success, outperforming the group’s initial sales forecast.

“The success has prompted us to fast-track the Affinity Release which has generated a lot of interest from prospective buyers,” De Zylva said.

<img alt="Render of the homes set for Harli" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5e8d2361-6bb5-4c6c-ac61-3d6c85e8f806" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E04_Streetscape%20Homes.jpg?VersionId=zILBn5uYc.3uGp3hr8D7aA2oezBwpxlc" />

“The land lots sold during the Harmony release ranged in size from 294 to 512 sqm, with prices starting from $387,000, selling to local up-sizers seeking more space, as well as investors and first home buyers.”

“The City of Casey’s population is expected to grow by around 40 per cent between now and 20412. Harli aims to meet this future housing demand, whilst creating an environmentally sustainable community for future residents.”

The environmentally sustainable development will become home to a market-leading residential community comprising two hectares of wetlands and 181 lots to be released in stages, with all home designs to be 7 Star NatHERS, zero-carbon and all-electric.

The Affinity Release comprises 12 lots ranging from 400 sqm to 546 sqm, with prices starting from $475,000. Six of the lots face the wetland reserve and the remaining six lots benefit from a 32 metre depth, providing plenty of space for buyers to build their dream home.

Core Projects’ Senior Project Manager, Sara Andreadis, confirmed that Harli’s environmentally sustainable design was resonating strongly with prospective purchasers.

“Around 48 per cent of Harli’s enquiry to date has come from upgraders which well and truly bucks the trend we’re seeing across other projects, indicating this segment’s growing desire to contribute to a healthier, low-impact future,” she said.

“We anticipated young families and upgraders would be attracted to the project due to its infill location, being within walking distance from several established education, transport, retail and recreation facilities – but we are also finding that our buyers are appreciating the environmentally sustainable design features and high quality of the product.”

“We expect that in time, Harli will become regarded as an exemplary sustainable residential community that reflects our ethos of developing great places to live, with energy efficiency and low-carbon living embedded in every element of the project’s design,” De&nbsp;Zylva added.&nbsp;

<img alt="Render of the streetscape at Harli" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fcf21e87-c705-4ed2-91be-beff8793116d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Streetscape.jpg?VersionId=o3ynxh1LIkyxYKXtzI0WZ..56Iazt7wD" />

Inspired by nature, every home to be constructed at Harli will be 7 star, zero-carbon and all-electric, incorporating solar panels, double glazing, rainwater harvesting, crossflow ventilation, LED lighting and all-electric household appliances to improve efficiency, reduce energy use and lower household bills.

Resolution has partnered with a selection of award-winning builders to deliver the Harli homes, including Arden Homes, SJD, Metricon, Eight Homes, Soho Living, Porter Davis and Beachwood Homes.

“We have become increasingly cognisant of the importance of and need for improved sustainability outcomes in residential housing and are proud to play a part in delivering Resolution’s benchmark highly sustainable Harli community,” Arden Homes’ Director, Dean Morrison, said.

Located off Lindwall Drive, Harli occupies a prominent position in Cranbourne West. Approximately 40 kilometres south east of Melbourne’s CBD, Harli is positioned adjacent to Ranfurlie Golf Club and within walking distance to Clarinda Village shopping centre, Barton Primary School and numerous parks and recreational facilities.

Construction is slated to kick off on Harli in the early months of next year.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136625]

The environmentally sustainable development will become home to a market-leading residential community comprising two hectares of wetlands and 181 lots to be released in stages, with all home designs to be 7 Star NatHERS, zero-carbon and all-electric.

7-star Cranbourne West community outperforms regions’ average Q3 sales in launch weekend 

Work is set to begin on Iris Residential’s The Terraces, Claremont development early in 2023, with BGC Construction appointed to build what is expected to be Australia’s most sustainable large-scale apartment project.&nbsp;

The local construction group will soon begin building the $150 million development, in is the final piece of the puzzle in DevelopmentWA's sought-after Claremont on the Park precinct.&nbsp;

The eight-storey, 137-apartment luxury building, which is scheduled for completion by late 2024, will set a new benchmark for sustainable residential development in Australia – with the project achieving an industry-leading average 8.05-star Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) rating.

NatHERS ratings are used to predict the amount of heating or cooling dwellings need to stay comfortable in all weather conditions. In Australia, residential developments are required to meet a minimum 6-star NatHERS standard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111894 project_image_fid=190182]

Iris Residential Managing Director, Simon Trevisan said the 8.05-star rating is something they don’t believe has been achieved in any other large-scale residential development anywhere in Australia.

“Most apartment developments of this size come in at the 7 to 7.5-star level, and certainly we haven’t been able to find anything comparable out there in the market either here in Western Australia or on the east coast.”&nbsp;

The highest-rated residences at the HASSELL-designed project reach 9.7 stars on the 10-star scale, which means those apartments are virtually self-lighting and self-climate controlled, while close to 30 per cent of the apartments at The Terraces will achieve a 9-star NatHERS rating.

A comprehensive suite of sustainability features will reduce energy use by 35 per cent, including natural cross ventilation over 92 per cent of residences and a 40 per cent reduction in internal lighting energy consumption.

Double glazing, sliding balcony screens, enhanced breezeways and a northerly orientation for all apartments will ensure buyers are comfortable year-round, no matter the weather, without having to rely on artificial heating or cooling.

Trevisan said he anticipated sustainability performance at The Terraces would resonate strongly with buyers on a number of fronts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111894 project_image_fid=190170]

“This is what sustainable design is about – there are no compromises, no greenwashing,” he said.&nbsp;

“The greenhouse gas emissions benefit via electricity use reduction is real and measurable, and the cost savings from significantly lower power bills are also tangible. A strong sustainability performance means reduced costs for homeowners, whether we’re talking about their power bills or strata levies.

“A more intangible, though absolutely important, benefit is the quality of life that comes from living in a space filled with natural light and fresh air. First and foremost we’re about delivering comfortable homes for people, and it should be the most comfortable home we can provide,”&nbsp;Trevisan added.

Located along the boundary of the historic Claremont Oval, The Terraces sit in the heart of the affluent Claremont locale, set to take advantage of all the area has to offer, with the suburb home to river vistas, leafy parklands and many of Perth’s most exclusive boutique retail outlets.

Residents at The Terraces will also benefit from the close proximity to Claremont train station, now offering direct access to the new Forrestfield-Airport METRONET link, reducing the need for car travel and further adding to the development’s sustainability credentials.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111894 project_image_fid=190179]

Trevisan said sustainability was a key element in Iris Residential’s development strategy, acknowledging that residential developers had a big role to play in achieving emissions reductions targets.

“Iris has been a leader in sustainable development in Western Australia for decades, it’s a key part of our point of difference in the apartments space,” he said.

“According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and water, energy use in residential buildings accounts for 24 per cent of overall electricity use and 12 per cent of total carbon emissions.

“By increasing energy efficiency, households not only enjoy lower energy bills but have higher quality of life, while also being satisfied in the knowledge that they are making a real contribution to addressing climate change.”

The Terraces will join BGC’s already sustainable portfolio, with the Western Australian builders committed to creating environmentally-friendly developments.&nbsp;

“We have a desire to reduce environmental impacts as effectively as we can, with a strong focus on positive environmental outcomes,” they say.&nbsp;

“We place an emphasis on targeting projects with a significant environmental design factor.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111894 project_image_fid=190173]

BGC has also strung together a list of awards over their time, most recently being awarded the 2022 MBA WA Excellence in Construction award for the best regional project.&nbsp;

The group previously worked on Iris’ Shenton Park project, Shenton Quarter, which is slated for completion by early next year.&nbsp;

The mixed-use development was one of the first projects to be endorsed by the State Design Review Panel and was commended for its best-practice sustainability features, which have been designed to achieve the equivalent of a 4-star Green Star rating.

DevelopmentWA acting Chief Executive Dean Mudford said close consultancy with town planning firm Element will ensure that The Terraces will integrate seamlessly into the multi award-winning precinct, Claremont on the Park.

“As the Western Australian Government’s development agency, DevelopmentWA has a critical role in helping lead the way to a more sustainable way of living – ensuring the communities and projects we deliver demonstrate new, smarter ways to live and work,” Mudford said.&nbsp;

“At Claremont on the Park, sustainable development has been a fundamental part of our vision in creating this thriving, connected and award-winning precinct, and it’s been really pleasing to see industry embrace that vision as the project has taken shape."

“With what is expected to be a nation-leading sustainability performance, The Terraces is an outstanding example of what can be achieved as part of a master-planned and focused approach to precinct-scale development,” he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111894 project_image_fid=190180]

Australian private debt provider, Metrics Credit Partners, funded the acquisition of the land in 2021 and continues to support the project as it moves through to the development phase.

Metrics Managing Partner Andrew Lockhart said that from a lender’s point of view, the sustainability outcomes of The Terraces improved the marketability of the finished residences, helping to mitigate credit risks.

“ESG and sustainability factors are at the heart of Metrics’ approach to assessing and managing risk for investors,” Lockhart said.

“We are delighted to see such great alignment between the developer, buyers and financiers to achieve meaningful advances in the sustainability factors for residential developments – and these are clearly demonstrated in The Terraces.”

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The eight-storey, 137-apartment luxury building, which is scheduled for completion by late 2024, will set a new benchmark for sustainable residential development in Australia – with the project achieving an industry-leading average 8.05-star Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) rating.

Australia’s greenest apartments set to take shape in Claremont

Residents within what will be Australia&rsquo;s tallest skyscraper, STH BNK By Beulah, will breathe in some of the freshest, healthiest and cleanest air in any Australian residential skyscraper, thanks to a bespoke centralised ventilation system that places an emphasis on health and wellbeing.

Designed primarily to optimise sleep quality and productivity, the system developed together with world-leading engineers ARUP, will also protect against noxious fumes, bushfire smoke, disease transmission and moisture issues by removing contaminants from the outside air.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8804 project_image_fid=27929]

Fresh air is directly ducted to every STH BNK By Beulah apartment, while a full heat exchanger system recovers energy from the exhaust air stream to minimise energy consumption.

By constantly supplying fresh air and exhausting stale air, the oxygen content in each apartment is increased, resulting in up to 10 times less CO2 compared to apartments and houses where stale air is recirculated.

Beulah Managing Director Jiaheng Chen said with Beulah FreshAir&trade;, residents will feel like they&rsquo;re in the world&rsquo;s cleanest destination, constantly breathing the freshest unpolluted air at the most comfortable temperature &mdash; regardless of the conditions outside.

&ldquo;There&rsquo;s been a massive shift towards improving the ventilation and quality of air in buildings, mostly off the back of air-borne diseases, but Australians have also had to deal with unsafe air quality during our recent bushfire seasons,&quot; Chen said.

<a href="/new-apartments/sth-bnk-by-beulah-southbank-60-southbank-boulevard-southbank"><img alt="" height="1697" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/sth_bnk_by_beulah_2.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

&ldquo;Although Australia ranks incredibly well on a global scale in terms of air pollution, the Beulah FreshAir&trade; ventilation system will play a pivotal role in improving the health of residents in terms of sleep, productivity and overall well-being. If the past two years have taught us anything, it&rsquo;s that we are spending more time at home than ever before.&rdquo;

One of the towers in STH BNK By Beulah will become Australia&rsquo;s tallest building.&nbsp;There will be two towers at the&nbsp;City Road&nbsp;address, one rising 102 storeys, some&nbsp;366 metres in to the sky. There will be around 449 apartments across the two towers, as well as a hotel, commercial, and retail space.

The $2.7 billion mixed-use development, will also have its own Private Auto Club,&nbsp;Australia&rsquo;s first-of-its-kind Private Auto Club.

The STH BNK Auto Club will give residents the opportunity to use the fleet of luxury vehicles,&nbsp;from&nbsp;BMWs and Teslas to Porches and Range Rovers.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=8804]

A new bespoke centralised ventilation system that places emphasis on health and wellbeing will feature in STH BNK by Beulah apartments, designed primarily to optimise sleep quality and productivity.

STH BNK by Beulah to provide the cleanest air in any Australian residential skyscraper

The Property Council of Australia has announced the important role the property industry will play in achieving net zero as NSW decarbonises its economy.

NSW director Luke Achterstraat said as NSW invests $4.8 million in speeding up the transformation of the state&rsquo;s built environment towards net zero emissions, buildings can provide some of the least cost abatement opportunities in the economy.&nbsp;

<blockquote>
&ldquo;Accelerating Australia&rsquo;s transition to sustainable housing could both protect the home building sector, as well as spur growth in delivering more than half a billion dollars of additional investment in the construction industry by 2030 and create over 7,000 new jobs,&rdquo; Achterstraat said.
</blockquote>

Effectively, this would also save Australians $600 million on their energy bills.&nbsp;

According to the Property Council, upgrading the energy efficiency of Australia&rsquo;s commercial buildings would not only stimulate economic activity through inputs of local labour, it would also deliver an estimated $12 billion in energy savings between 2016 and 2030.

&ldquo;Since efficient buildings are also healthier and more productive, gains in staff productivity are likely to dwarf the benefits in energy savings.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7149 project_image_fid=175541]

According to the <a href="https://arena.gov.au/renewable-energy/renewables-in-buildings/">Australian Renewable Energy Agency</a> (ARENA), buildings account for more than half of the nation&rsquo;s electricity consumption and are a major driver of &lsquo;peak demand&rsquo;.

An additional 2019 study revealed that the construction, operation and maintenance of buildings account for almost a <a href="https://theconversation.com/buildings-produce-25-of-australias-emissions-what-will-it-take-to-make-them-green-and-wholl-pay-105652">quarter of greenhouse gas emissions</a> in Australia.

&ldquo;We encourage the NSW State Government to leverage the unique opportunity the built environment offers to dramatically reduce carbon emissions in highly cost effective ways that will also stimulate the economy,&rdquo; Achterstraat said.&nbsp;

&ldquo;As Australia heads towards a low emissions economy, governments must provide a clear pathway of policies that give certainty to industry and create economic opportunities for Australian businesses.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758 project_image_fid=150461]

Other key industry bodies, including the&nbsp;Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), are also encouraging the government to make use of the largely untapped emissions reduction opportunities available within the sector.&nbsp;

GBCA CEO Davina Rooney&nbsp;Australia&rsquo;s property sector is already&nbsp;leading the way in carbon reduction&nbsp;and making commitments at COP26 can help the Australian Government build on this work.&nbsp;

Facilitating the transition of Australia&rsquo;s building sector towards an economy for the future is critical in improving and sustaining the future liveability, productivity and sustainability of our communities and cities.

Achterstraat concluded: &ldquo;With the right policy frameworks in place, we can minimise the costs of a transition&nbsp;to net zero emissions and create economic opportunities across all parts of industry, from sole traders and homeowners to large businesses.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Buildings account for more than half of the nation’s electricity consumption and are a major driver of ‘peak demand’

max.kwok_55688

Property industry to play a pivotal role in the race to net zero, says Property Council

4 Ballarat St is the latest collaboration between developer Assemble and environmental design consultants Atelier Ten.

The team worked together to ensure best practice waste and sustainability targets were in place at the 171-residence development.

&ldquo;We have introduced some sustainable solutions throughout the building to reduce our environmental impact and enhance the quality of life of our future residents&rdquo;,&nbsp;Rebecca Shackleton, Director of Relationships and Marketing at Assemble, said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160734]

Inspired by the history of Brunswick and its unique spirit of inclusivity, progress and opportunity, 4 Ballarat St follows a clear set of design principles to ensure natural light, cross-flow ventilation, and connection to landscaping and open space.

The homes, while also offering a more accessible pathway to homeownership through the&nbsp;&lsquo;rent with the option to buy&rsquo; Assemble Futures&nbsp;scheme, are fully electric and run on 100 per cent renewable energy.

4 Ballarat St also includes its own green spaces, with landscaping by Rush Wright Associates to include lush entrance gardens, native tropical plants and communal landscaped space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160730]

The development also aims to close the loop on waste through an onsite bio-composter.

Around half of all waste generated in homes is food waste, so as part of Assemble&rsquo;s wider organic waste management strategy, residents of 4 Ballarat St can contribute to the health and wellbeing of the land beneath them.

The onsite bio-composter will use microbial technology and heat to reduce organic waste volumes by up to 90 per cent in 24 hours, essentially turning harmful food waste into valuable fertiliser.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160735]

Residents can then use the fertiliser to enhance the soil in their rooftop veggie gardens or give it away to local community gardens and environmentally-conscious family and friends.

Other green features in this new development include:

<ul>
	<li>Rooftop Solar PV energy generation and distribution system to achieve up to 45kW on-site renewable energy</li>
	<li>Provision for car sharing and electric vehicle charging facilities</li>
	<li>Generous bike storage</li>
	<li>Minimum 7.5 NatHERS rating on average</li>
	<li>Exposed concrete soffit to provide thermal mass to help regulate internal temperature</li>
	<li>Highly efficient heating and cooling reverse cycle system as well as ceiling fans</li>
	<li>Full height double-glazing to balconies for views out and daylight penetration</li>
	<li>Communal laundry and clotheslines to encourage lower energy use</li>
	<li>Low VOC materials used throughout design</li>
	<li>Sustainable water management through re-use and recycling of stormwater to toilets and secret landscapes</li>
</ul>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160738]

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=94542]

The team worked together to ensure best practice waste and sustainability targets were in place at the 171-residence development

Assemble Futures deliver sustainable living at 4 Ballarat Street, Brunswick

EXPERT OBSERVER

This week, the NSW government announced almost A$500 million towards boosting the uptake of electric vehicles. In its new <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/initiative/nsw-governments-electric-vehicle-strategy">electric vehicle strategy</a>, the government will waive stamp duty for cars under $78,000, develop more charging infrastructure, offer rebates to 25,000 drivers, and more.

Given the transport sector is Australia&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/6686d48f-3f9c-448d-a1b7-7e410fe4f376/files/nggi-quarterly-update-mar-2019.pdf">second-largest polluter</a>, it&rsquo;s a good thing Australian governments are starting to plan for a transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

But transitioning from cities full of petrol-guzzling vehicles to cities full of electric ones won&rsquo;t address all of the environmental and social problems associated with car dependence and mass manufacturing.

So, let&rsquo;s look at these problems in more detail, and why public transport really is the best way forward.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7633 project_image_fid=32168]

<h2>Mounting disadvantage and health issues</h2>

EVs do have environmental advantages over conventional vehicles. In particular, they generate less carbon emissions during their lifetime. Of course, much of the emissions reductions will depend on how much electricity <a href="https://theconversation.com/climate-explained-the-environmental-footprint-of-electric-versus-fossil-cars-124762">comes from renewable sources</a>.

But carbon emissions are only one of the many problems associated with the dominance of private cars as a form of mobility in cities.

Let&rsquo;s start with a few of the social issues. This includes the huge amount of <a href="https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2013-11/apo-nid59916.pdf">space devoted to car driving</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.10.044">parking</a> in our neighbourhoods. This can <a href="https://theconversation.com/reclaiming-the-streets-we-all-can-have-a-say-in-the-new-normal-after-coronavirus-137703">crowd out other forms of land use</a>, including other more sustainable forms of mobility such as walking and cycling.

There are the financial and mental health costs of <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-city-workers-average-commute-has-blown-out-to-66-minutes-a-day-how-does-yours-compare-120598">congestion</a>, as well, with Australian city workers spending, on average, 66 minutes getting to and from work each day. <a href="https://www.bitre.gov.au/statistics/safety">Injuries and fatalities on roads</a> are also increasing, and <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11524-009-9433-9">inactivity and isolation</a> associated with driving can impact our physical health.

Car-dependent cities also contribute to <a href="https://trid.trb.org/view/1154961">disadvantage for people who don&rsquo;t have access to cars</a>, and uneven <a href="https://apo.org.au/node/449">financial vulnerability</a> associated with the high costs of car ownership and use.

Indeed, some of these problems could be made worse &mdash; for instance, subsidies for EVs could end up favouring wealthier people who can afford new cars.

<h2>Mining for resources</h2>

A mass global uptake of EVs will generate major environmental problems, too. Most concerning of these is the use of finite mineral resources required for their construction, and the environmental and labour conditions of their extraction.

This was recently highlighted in a <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions">recent report by the International Energy Agency</a>. As the agency&rsquo;s executive director Fatih Birol said, there&rsquo;s a

<blockquote>
looming mismatch between the world&rsquo;s strengthened climate ambitions and the availability of critical minerals that are essential to realising those ambitions.
</blockquote>

Minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and copper are key ingredients required to make EVs.

As the report noted, EVs use double the amount of copper than conventional vehicles. EVs also require considerable amounts of lithium, cobalt and graphite that are hardly required at all for conventional vehicles. And it expects demand for lithium to grow 40-fold between 2020 and 2040, driven by EV production to meet climate targets.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408077/original/file-20210624-13-12t8z1b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408077/original/file-20210624-13-12t8z1b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408077/original/file-20210624-13-12t8z1b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408077/original/file-20210624-13-12t8z1b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408077/original/file-20210624-13-12t8z1b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408077/original/file-20210624-13-12t8z1b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408077/original/file-20210624-13-12t8z1b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408077/original/file-20210624-13-12t8z1b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" /></a>

<figcaption>There are better ways to cut transport emissions than greater uptake of electric vehicles. Shutterstock</figcaption>
</figure>

There is <a href="https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/speed-of-green-energy-shift-triggers-supply-alarm-20210506-p57pi5">considerable discussion</a> of Australia&rsquo;s natural advantage as a supplier of some of these minerals, as we have large reserves of lithium and rare-earth metals beneath parts of the continent.

But before governments and mining bodies rush to exploit these reserves, they need to ensure much more is done to avoid the injustices perpetrated against Traditional Owners and their lands and heritage. The recent appalling <a href="https://theconversation.com/rio-tinto-just-blasted-away-an-ancient-aboriginal-site-heres-why-that-was-allowed-139466">destruction at Juukan Gorge</a> by Rio Tinto&rsquo;s iron ore operation is just one example of this.

<a href="https://theconversation.com/critical-minerals-are-vital-for-renewable-energy-we-must-learn-to-mine-them-responsibly-131547">Mining also has its own environmental problems</a>, such as land clearing and associated biodiversity loss, the pollution and contaminants it produces, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/arent-we-in-a-drought-the-australian-black-coal-industry-uses-enough-water-for-over-5-million-people-137591">intensive water use</a>.

The conditions of extracting these critical minerals in other parts of the world are dire. There&rsquo;s the oppressive working conditions <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/18/how-the-race-for-cobalt-risks-turning-it-from-miracle-metal-to-deadly-chemical">in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo</a>, the conflict over <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/14/electric-cost-lithium-mining-decarbonasation-salt-flats-chile">Indigenous rights in Chile&rsquo;s lithium mining areas</a>, and environmental destruction associated with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2015/apr/15/rare-earthenware-a-journey-to-the-toxic-source-of-luxury-goods">mining rare earth minerals in China</a>.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408075/original/file-20210624-21-1nlr7vh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img alt="Lithium mine with brine pools" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408075/original/file-20210624-21-1nlr7vh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408075/original/file-20210624-21-1nlr7vh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408075/original/file-20210624-21-1nlr7vh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408075/original/file-20210624-21-1nlr7vh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408075/original/file-20210624-21-1nlr7vh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=565&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408075/original/file-20210624-21-1nlr7vh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=565&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408075/original/file-20210624-21-1nlr7vh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=565&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" /></a>

<figcaption>Mining for rare-earth metals such as lithium comes with enormous environmental impacts. Shutterstock</figcaption>
</figure>

<h2>Broadening ideas about transport</h2>

To focus on these problems is not to suggest the new policies on electric vehicles are unimportant, or that they don&rsquo;t stand to have some positive environmental impact.

The point is private EVs are not a solution to the combined challenges of reducing our urban environmental footprints and making better cities for all, and that they have their own problems.

Instead, we should develop a good mass public transport system with extensive and frequent coverage. Alongside urban development with a more even distribution of jobs, services and opportunities, investing in better public transport could reduce car dependence in our cities.

This would have a range of environmental and social benefits: making more space available for people instead of machines, extending the benefits of mobility to people who can&rsquo;t or don&rsquo;t drive, and reducing demand for finite minerals.

Even fossil-fuelled public transport has fewer emissions than conventional car travel. Data from the <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/ipcc_wg3_ar5_chapter8.pdf">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> shows the most fuel-efficient buses and trains generate less than half the carbon emissions per passenger kilometre of fuel-efficient cars. Of course, public transport powered by renewables will be even better.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408072/original/file-20210624-15-1chlrge.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img alt="Trams on Swanston Street" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408072/original/file-20210624-15-1chlrge.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/408072/original/file-20210624-15-1chlrge.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408072/original/file-20210624-15-1chlrge.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408072/original/file-20210624-15-1chlrge.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408072/original/file-20210624-15-1chlrge.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408072/original/file-20210624-15-1chlrge.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/408072/original/file-20210624-15-1chlrge.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" /></a>

<figcaption>Melbourne&rsquo;s tram network is the biggest in the world. Shutterstock</figcaption>
</figure>

But as things stand, we are far from having such a city. The benefits of good public transport and public services are <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1068/a140008g">unevenly distributed across our cities</a>.

In Sydney, for example, there are significant investments in new public transport infrastructure in some parts of the city, such as <a href="https://www.sydneymetro.info/west/project-overview">Metro West</a> and the recently completed North West Metro. There are <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/entire-nsw-rail-network-to-go-green-by-2025-smaller-ferries-to-go-electric-20210610-p58013.html">welcome commitments to reduce emissions</a> in that sector, too.

But we&rsquo;re a long way from planning new developments and redevelopments to make public transport a viable alternative to cars. The <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-18/western-sydney-urban-sprawl-lesson-for-other-australian-cities/100072140">lack of public transport infrastructure in newly constructed, master-planned</a> estates on Sydney&rsquo;s urban fringe is the most glaring example.

Ultimately, it&rsquo;s important that a transition to electric vehicles doesn&rsquo;t dominate the discussion we need to have about urban transport.

Our challenge is to simultaneously reduce the carbon footprint of different forms of transport, while also thinking much more broadly about the sustainability and justice of the system of mobility that&rsquo;s so central to daily life in our cities.<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/163247/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important" width="1" />

&nbsp;

This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/cramming-cities-full-of-electric-vehicles-means-were-still-depending-on-cars-and-thats-a-huge-problem-163247">original article</a>.

This week, the NSW government announced almost A$500 million towards boosting the uptake of electric vehicles

Cramming cities full of electric vehicles means we’re still depending on cars — and that’s a huge problem

Property development groups, including Lendlease and Stockland, have shared their support of the City of Sydney&rsquo;s plan to include energy targets in development applications.&nbsp;

In a first for a local council in Australia, the proposal means development applications for new office buildings, hotels and shopping centres and major redevelopments of existing buildings will comply with minimum energy ratings.

Neil Arckless, Lendlease executive development director, said his organisation supported the ambitious performance standards.&nbsp;

New buildings will be more energy efficient, use more renewable energy and support the transition to net-zero emissions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7588 project_image_fid=72298]

The regulations will come into effect in January 2023 and achieve net-zero energy output by 2026.

The measures are expected to save more than $1.3 billion on energy bills for investors, businesses and occupants from 2023 to 2040, and help the City meet its target of net-zero emissions by 2035.&nbsp;

&ldquo;At Lendlease we recently set our own pathway to net zero carbon by 2025 and absolute zero by 2040&rdquo;, Arckless said.

&ldquo;We are always pushing the boundaries to innovate in&nbsp;sustainability&nbsp;and welcome the City of Sydney leading the way in the development of these performance standards. I&rsquo;m confident we can all rise to the challenge.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758 project_image_fid=79424]

The City of Sydney&rsquo;s ambitious, yet achievable, standards were created with support from developers, industry bodies, consultants and government agencies.&nbsp;

<blockquote>
&ldquo;As we emerge from the impacts of the pandemic, we&rsquo;re helping ensure sustainability&nbsp;and resilience is at the core of business recovery&rdquo;, said the Lord Mayor.
</blockquote>

&ldquo;The performance standards and evidence base can be used by all councils across Greater Sydney and will support investment in renewable energy and create jobs in regional areas &ndash; as we have already done through our investment in wind farms and solar farms in Inverell, Nowra and Wagga Wagga.&nbsp;

&ldquo;The climate challenge is one that we can only meet with concerted action. The more we can work together and exchange information, knowledge and experiences, the greater our ability to meet the NSW Government net-zero emissions target and allow us to continue to create truly liveable cities&quot;, the Lord Mayor said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13326]

Stockland CEO commercial property Louise Mason said the company strongly endorsed the City&rsquo;s net-zero energy buildings performance standards.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We have brought forward our target to achieve net zero carbon emissions to 2028 and extended the commitment across our entire portfolio, covering close to 170 active assets and projects Australia-wide,&rdquo; Mason said.&nbsp;

The measures are expected to deliver substantial financial benefits. Annually office owners will save $2,750 per 1,000 square metres of floor area and hotel owners $170 per hotel room.&nbsp;

There are also additional public benefits and savings in health, energy network and emissions costs, worth around $1.8 billion.

&ldquo;Across Greater Sydney, the changing climate is a shared problem. These performance standards will help us meet our shared goal of net zero emissions and deliver progress against the Greater Sydney region plan low carbon city objective,&rdquo; Greater Sydney Commission environment commissioner Emma Herd said.

Property development groups, including Lendlease and Stockland, have shared their support of the City of Sydney’s plan to include energy targets in development applications

Developers support the City of Sydney’s ambitious new plans for net zero buildings 

With national news evoking fresh concerns about climate change, Melbourne-based developer Neometro have shared the benefits of investing in sustainable projects.

While Savills has earmarked the <a href="/expert-insights/investing/importance-of-environmental-credentials-grows-for-property-investors-savills" target="_blank">growing importance of environmental credentials in real estate</a> to attract investors, the benefits of developing sustainable projects are proving to be far more all-encompassing.

According to Neometro director James Tutton, sustainable development can set a project up for success from the get-go.

From reducing risk at both the planning and settlement stages, to meeting consumer demands, Neometro has distilled these benefits across three areas. 
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1. Planning risk

What was once somewhat limited to anecdotal discussions with Council planning officers, the concept of rewarding projects with high ESG aspirations is translating into real policy, and it&rsquo;s something several municipalities have taken on board.

Some councils, such as City of Moreland, have designed excellence scorecards to reward project applications which seek to achieve a high sustainability score.

Considering this upfront allows for better planning and better certainty, Tutton argues.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s reassuring being able to approach a project with certainty, knowing VCAT isn&rsquo;t going to pull the rug out from under you,&rdquo; he said. 
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2. Settlement risk

Purchaser mortgage choices have opened up for projects which achieve pre-established sustainability criteria.

&ldquo;Traditionally, investment decisions scrutinise financial data alone, and now we&rsquo;ve seen a shift towards investors and buyers demanding we look at the bigger picture,&rdquo; Tutton said.

Neometro noticed many purchasers going with non-major banks that reduced interest rates the better a building performed when selling its Jewell Station apartments in Brunswick.

&ldquo;Giving purchasers more mortgage options with competitive pricing increases the likelihood of them being approved for purchase, and therefore diminishes settlement risk and the nervousness that often comes with this time&rdquo;, he told Urban. 
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3. Consumer demand

&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no denying sustainability is a strong selling tool, the demand is out there&rdquo;, Tutton said.

Consumers are making socially and environmentally conscious decisions when it comes to everyday purchases, and the developer claims that property is no different.

Across every industry, organisations are stepping up to meet the demands of increasingly informed and savvy consumers.

&ldquo;As developers, we have a real opportunity to meet that demand while simultaneously supporting the need for greater sustainability within our community and being profitable,&rdquo; Tutton said.

In every marketing campaign across its stable of projects, Neometro noted that messaging with a focus on sustainability performed the strongest. 
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<h2>Sustainable projects on Apartments.com.au</h2>

Coming off the recent success at its South Crescent development, which sold in less than a week, Neometro have exemplified the desirability of sustainability-driven projects.

The group become Australia&rsquo;s first property developer to achieve B Corporation certification in 2013, making them one of the nation&rsquo;s leaders in delivering sustainable buildings.

Urban takes a look at three sustainable projects that owner-occupiers and investors should keep an eye on. 
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1. One Wilson Avenue, Brunswick 
Address: 1 Wilson Avenue, Brunswick VIC 3055 
One-bedroom apartments from $515,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5121]

Future-focused and carefully crafted, this Brunswick development is delivered in collaboration between Neometro and Milieu.

The project integrates renewable energy and has received a 7.5-star NatHERS rating.

Designed by Fieldwork, the project references the brutalist post-war buildings of the Brunswick area, and connected to a wide range of amenities and sprawling parklands. 
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2. Omnia, Moorabbin 
Address: 4-6 Horscroft Place, Moorabbin VIC 3189 
One-bedroom apartments from $465,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29048]

As part of the developer&rsquo;s commitment to environmental sustainability, Omnia uses the best materials and technologies in environmental and sustainable building methods.

Delivered by Shenfield Property, the 40-apartment development&rsquo;s park frontage adds to the growing number of green spaces in the area.

Featuring energy-efficient design, together with appealing gardens created by Wallbrink Landscape Architecture, Omnia delivers exciting new residences with comfort and style. 
&nbsp;

3. The Fabric, Altona North 
Address: 188-198 Blackshaws Road, Altona North VIC 3025 
Two-bedroom townhomes from $695,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22699]

The Fabric, designed for liveability and increased comfort year-round, boasts a seven-star NatHERS energy rating.

Delivered by Mirvac, the Altona North development commits to contributing to a more sustainable future.

Leafy green tree-lined streets, contemporary architecture and private front gardens form the walkable master-planned community.

Renowned landscaping architects, Eckersley Garden Architecture, have designed courtyards with edible planter beds and a custom-designed Patchwork Park.

Neometro shines a light on the benefits of investing in sustainable projects. What it means for banks, developers, buyers and the environment combined

Benefits for banks, buyers and the environment: Neometro shares its sustainability insights

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The benefits of living in a sustainable home include a more attractive and healthier environment, and lower costs through savings on energy and water bills.
But encouraging sustainability in the residential building sector has presented challenges.
“The residential sector is in some ways more complex than any other sector in that there are an incredible number of private owners, a pretty average National Construction Code, and huge gaps in knowledge both of residents and house builders,” says Vice-Chair of the Board for the Living Future Institute of Australia, Stephen Choi.
“Housing in general – and particularly our existing homes – is one of the most important and to some extent, ‘untouched’ areas of the built environment when it comes to providing better places to live.”
Despite the barriers, Choi is encouraged by progress in areas such as the ‘fabric first’ approach, which aims to maximise the performance of the components that make up the building fabric itself. Passivhaus is an energy performance standard that uses this approach to set targets for the thermal performance of buildings, including homes.
About 30,000 buildings worldwide have been constructed to the Passivhaus standard. The standard encourages the use of insulation, passive solar design, making a property airtight to minimise unwanted heat loss or gain, and good indoor air quality provided by mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems.
A home’s thermal performance has a major effect on its energy consumption.
About 40 percent of household energy is used for heating and cooling, according to the Australian Government’s Your Home website.
“This rate could be cut to almost zero in new housing through sound climate responsive design,” the website says.
Energy and water saving measures that reduce utility costs are popular in residential properties but beyond the cost savings it has been difficult to engage consumers’ interests in sustainable development, says Frasers Property Australia’s general manager of sustainability Paolo Bevilacqua.
As such, sustainability in residential developments has tended to focus on initiatives outside of individual apartments or houses.
The residential buildings at Central Park in Sydney share energy and air conditioning facilities rather than each building having its own facility, for
instance. This allows for a more efficient system overall. Residential developments are increasingly providing access to public transport, cycle paths and pedestrian footpaths to ensure residents aren’t restricted to travelling by car.
Some developments include fitness facilities, swimming pools and walking trails to promote residents’ health. Similarly, parks and gardens, including roof top and vertical gardens where space is limited, are becoming more common.
Bevilacqua says the green walls at One Central Park is one example of how green elements can be successfully introduced into an urban development.
“From a visual point of view it has benefits for people living in those buildings. It’s a beautiful outlook and improves air quality,” he says.
Better air purification, access to day light and lighting that works with people’s circadian rhythms are priorities gaining traction in residential developments as people begin to understand the impact on their health and wellbeing, Bevilacqua says.
For more information, download our eBook <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/tools/ebooks-and-webinars/52152-australia-aspires-to-global-green-leadership-the-living-building-challenge" target="_blank">here</a>. 
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