Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Sydney Metro

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The terminus station on the Sydney Metro Northwest which will open next year has been renamed to Tallawong, a word of local significance that's derived from the Dharug word 'dalawang' for apple gum tree.

The station until this point has been known as Cudgegong Road and is seeing significant amounts of new development projects proposed within the new station's environs.

As you might expect for an outer suburban station, Tallawong will have a 1,000 strong commuter car park and will also include various bus and kiss-and-ride bays as well as parking and storage for 55 bicycles.

All other station names on the Sydney Metro Northwest have been confirmed according to a NSW Government media release.

Tallawong will serve the outer growth area of <a href="/new-apartments/rouse-hill-nsw-2155">Rouse Hill</a> and The Ponds and developers in the area have answered the call and invested in building significant density around the new train station.

The Apartments.com.au database is showing 7 projects within walking distance of the under construction station.

Those projects collectively have a whopping 1,895 residential units at various stages of the development pipeline.

<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/image125_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="49 Terry Road, Rouse Hill"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image125_2.jpg?itok=N2UzzKHu" title="49 Terry Road, Rouse Hill" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/new-townhouses/collection-rouse-hill-49-terry-road-rouse-hill">49 Terry Road, Rouse Hill</a></figcaption></figure>4 of the projects with a total of 930 dwellings are currently being assessed by local councils and there are 2 projects which have been approved with 831 dwellings.  

A single project is under construction with 134 dwellings soon to be added to the local market.

We'll take a look at other new outer suburban stations on the new Sydney Metro in time, however, there is a distinct pattern: the public and private investment into the new Sydney Metro is certainly producing the goods when it comes to what should be built next to new stations.

We're currently still in build-up mode in terms of projects outside of Melbourne on the Apartments.com.au database but with over 600 already present from New South Wales we expect our own numbers will be superseded fairly soon.

In light of the Great Cities research released by the Property Council of Australia, who needs offshore examples of changing the way we develop cities when the country has a live one right on our doorstep?

Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.sydneymetro.info/news">Sydney Metro</a>.
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Alastair Taylor

Terminus station on Sydney Metro Northwest renamed

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Sydney Metro is delivering eight new metro stations and 4,000 commuter car parking spacesto Sydney’s growing North West region. 
Trains will run every four minutes in the peak – that’s 15 trains an hour so customers won’t need a timetable, they will just turn up and go. 
The Sydney Metro Northwest project, which opens in the first half of next year, is the first stage of Sydney Metro which will be the first fully-automated railway in Australia. 
Sydney Metro Northwest will deliver a reliable public transport service to a region which has the highest car ownership levels per household in NSW. 
Over the coming decades, an extra 200,000 residents will move into Sydney’s North West, taking its population above 600,000, or twice the size of Canberra.
Savills Australia's Ben Nastasi said there will also be a number of upgrades to current stations.
“The first stage includes eight new railway stations from Cudgegong Road Station, Rouse Hill to Cherrybrook and the upgrade of five existing railway stations (Epping, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, North Ryde and Chatswood) which will open in the first half of 2019.
“Savills NSW Retail Services team will be responsible for sourcing and delivering retail components within and around Sydney Metro Northwest stations which will incorporate a number of retail offerings of varying sizes at each location mentioned below. All retail offerings will be designed to enhance the customer experience and provide convenience for a daily, stress-free commute” he said.
Savills will manage the Expressions of Interest (EOI) campaign for retail opportunities at the following railway station locations which will have between one to four retail opportunities plus vending and ATM facilities:
Cudgegong Road, Rouse Hill, Kellyville, Bella Vista, Norwest, Hills Showground, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park and North Ryde.
“Sydney Metro Northwest are planning to deliver retail offerings that are station specific and complimentary to the broader newly created station precinct and retail already on offer in the immediate area," Nastasi said.
"Local demographics and customer research feedback allows us to provide a more tailored experience for commuters at each station, reflecting the site-specific retail need with usages accommodating their respective catchments.”
An EOI leasing campaign will commence around the first half of April 2018 and will run for eight weeks. 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Sydney Metro to deliver eight new metro stations

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One year out from the next New South Wales election, the NSW Government has announced that Westmead will feature on the second metro line that at this early stage is having its corridor refined.

Dubbed Sydney Metro West, the aim is to add more passenger capacity between the Sydney CBD and Parramatta with intermediate stops along the line offering connection opportunities.  

Exact travel times are not yet set in stone, given the corridor planning's fluid state, but the Premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, said Sydney Metro West will be the fastest journey between the two major centres.

<blockquote>
Sydney Metro West will become the fastest, easiest and most reliable journey between the Sydney and Parramatta CBDs, which could be as little as 20 minutes.

We have been working hand-in-hand with the community on Sydney Metro West and we have taken on board feedback to make it an even greater infrastructure project for greater Western Sydney
<cite>NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian</cite>
</blockquote>

The Sydney Metro is an operationally-independent railway utilising driverless trainsets with its first phase ('Sydney Metro Northwest') set to enter service in 2019 between Cudgerong Road in Rouse Hill and Chatswood. 

The project's second phase ('Sydney Metro City &amp; Southwest') which involves building a new rail crossing under the harbour and new tunnels running north-south under Sydney's CBD achieved planning approval in January 2017.

The second phase of the metro line will also involve converting a portion of the existing Bankstown line for the exclusive use of new driverless metro trains.

Once both phases of are complete, the railway will be 66km in length and provide rail commuter services from Sydney's outer North West through major nodes on the northern and southern side of the harbour through to Bankstown in Sydney's south-west.

The NSW Government also announced the new Sydney Metro West will have a station either at Concord or North Strathfield in order to allow passengers to interchange between the Northern line and faster Sydney CBD or Parramatta services on the new metro line.  

The Westmead and North Strathfield/Concord statements are on top of the already announced station locations at The Bays precinct, Sydney Olympic Park and still as-yet defined stations in the Sydney CBD and at Parramatta.

Further community consultation will continue as it's expected more station locations will be announced with Camellia/Rydalmere, North Burwood/Five Dock, Kings Bay and Pyrmont mentioned as possible locations.

A map published on the project's website shows potential extensions of the second metro line both eastward and westward.

<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/syd_metro_west_map.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The scope of the first stage of Sydney Metro West - image: Sydney Metro"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="297" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/syd_metro_west_map.jpg?itok=zwAJ6YAd" title="The scope of the first stage of Sydney Metro West - image: Sydney Metro" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The scope of the first stage of Sydney Metro West - image: <a href="https://www.sydneymetro.info/west/project-overview">Sydney Metro</a></figcaption></figure>
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NSW government announces Westmead will be a stop on the new Sydney Metro West

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Landcom is calling for expressions of interest to create new communities around Sydney’s new metro stations in the city’s northwest.
Landcom chief John Brogden said the Cudgegong Road Station South project met the NSW Government’s direction for the organisation to take a lead role in improving the supply, diversity and affordability of new housing in Sydney.
“Landcom has partnered with Transport for NSW to develop surplus government land around Sydney Metro Northwest stations once construction is complete to create new places for families, businesses and communities,” Mr Brogden said.
“The Cudgegong Road Station South project will see around 1,100 dwellings and 9,000m2 of retail, commercial, and community space constructed adjacent to the new metro station, enabling residents to live, work, shop and relax within the precinct.
“The mixed use development will feature a range of buildings up to eight storeys, affordable housing, and a substantial central park, all within reach of the new metro station that will operate services every four minutes in the peak.
“Landcom is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified developers to deliver diverse places that demonstrate design excellence and provide diverse housing options that meet the needs of different households.”
Mr Brogden said the Cudgegong Road development was the first site of a wider program to transform government-owned land around new metro stations at Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Hills Showground, Norwest, Bella Vista, Kellyville and Epping.
“The vision for Sydney Metro Northwest Places is to create diverse, sustainable communities where people want to live, by providing essential services, leisure destinations and public transport at their doorstep,” Mr Brogden said.
“The Sydney Metro Northwest Places is a 10-year program that will deliver about 11,000 new dwellings, parks, community facilities and up to 400,000 sqm of floor space dedicated to employment opportunities in retail and commercial enterprises, supporting new and future residents living around these public transport hubs.
“Landcom and Sydney Metro are working with the Department of Planning and Environment, local councils, other government organisations, industry, businesses and local communities to deliver the project."
They expect strong interest from local and international developers.
As master developer for the site, Landcom is coordinating the planning, civil infrastructure, and public amenity works for Cudgegong Road Station South. Landcom is seeking a developer to manage detail design, approvals and construction of new buildings on individual sites.
The development is being marketed through Colliers International until April 10.
The invitation to tender is expected to be issued mid-year, with a contract to be awarded by the end of the year.
Landcom will hold a community information session on Saturday, 17 March from 2 to 4 pm at the Rouse Hill Town Centre library to answer questions about future planning for the Cudgegong Road Station South project.
Services on Sydney Metro start in Sydney’s Northwest in the first half of next year.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Cudgegong Road Station South EOI underway

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Engineering firms Arcadis and Mott MacDonald have won the Underground Station Design and Technical Services contract, which will see the two companies work as joint lead designers within the Metron consortium.
The Metron design consortium also includes global architecture house Foster + Partners, local architect Architectus, and engineers Arcadis, Mott MacDonald and Robert Bird Group.
The dual consultancies will hold primary responsibility for the engineering design of six underground metro rail stations for Stage 2 of the Sydney Metro project, as well as a 30 kilometre extension of metro rail under Sydney Harbour and through new CBD stations.
“Sydney Metro will be one of the most transformational projects in NSW since the Sydney Harbour Bridge and we are very excited to bring our combination of global experience and Australian intel to the project,” remarked Anthony Venturini, managing director of building and urban development, Arcadis Australia Pacific.
“This win reinforces the strength of the Arcadis Australia Pacific business and continues our strong growth through winning nation-building projects,” he said.
With a total of 31 stations and 66 km of new metro rail overall to be constructed, Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project. 
“We are very proud to be the joint lead designers on a key part of Australia’s largest public transport project and continue to apply our global metro expertise to Australian projects,” added Stephen Giblett, built environment sector leader, Mott MacDonald Australia &amp; New Zealand.
“The Sydney Metro will truly transform this great city and the underground station design services role METRON will perform is critical to this,” he concluded.
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Metron wins Sydney Metro design contract 

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GUEST OBSERVATION
The NSW government should consider a shared service model as an alternative to amalgamations of councils in the Sydney Metropolitan Area if there is to be a rethink of the mergers.
The state government has expended considerable time and money on a thorough and comprehensive review of local government and it would be a shame if no reforms were implemented. There are alternative options which allow councils to share services without forcing amalgamations.
A good example of a shared service between councils is the planning and development assessment of major projects over $20 million.
Council planners could be merged into six ‘centres of excellence’ across metropolitan Sydney to undertake strategic planning and development assessment of large projects. This would align the council planning system with the six districts established by the Greater Sydney Commission. There would also be a more efficient pooling of expertise and increased career opportunities in this model. The six planning centres of excellence should drive housing supply across Sydney.
It is the large projects that need more dialogue with state government agencies so the link with the Greater Sydney Commission would help this. The assessment of small local projects, which represent around 95% of development applications, would remain at the local level.
The planning centres of excellence would have a board composed of representatives of the individual councils in the district. There may well be other services like roads maintenance that are better managed at the district level.
If plebiscites are planned with local residents about council amalgamations then ways to reform the provision of services must still be proposed that may not relate to full amalgamation. The earlier review of local government did propose joint organisations and shared service centres as viable alternatives to full amalgamation.
The NSW government has made a significant commitment to the Greater Sydney Commission and its six districts. This reform should lead to the integration of appropriate council services into the same structure.
Chris Johnson is chief executive officer of property development industry group Urban Taskforce and can be contacted <a href="https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=97&amp;Itemid=126#.Vdaart55dFI" target="_blank">here</a>.
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NSW government still need to rethink service model if Sydney council mergers don’t go ahead: Chris Johnson

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GUEST OBSERVER
Planning approval of the Sydney Metro from Chatswood to Sydenham is great news, however there is a lack of certainty for development around the stations and areas around the rail corridor.
The planning approval of the Sydney Metro including tunnels under the harbour demonstrates the commitment of the Baird Government to an extensive metro network across metropolitan Sydney.
Along with the Metro West line between Sydney and Parramatta the Metro network sets the framework for extensive areas of urban renewal around the new stations, which will help boost must-needed housing supply.
The Urban Taskforce is concerned, however, that planning for the urban renewal of areas around the rail corridor is taking far too long. Developers have no certainty and cannot proceed with housing projects as strategic land use planning around the metro is lagging far behind.
An example is the Sydenham – Bankstown Urban Renewal Corridor Strategy. The draft Strategy was exhibited by the Department of Planning in October 2015, however rezoning proposals for areas along the Corridor are on hold until local councils prepare detailed planning controls. 
This could take an additional 2 years, even more if the council is subjected to an amalgamation, before the local environmental plan is complete. Developers simply cannot sit on land for that long with no outcome.
Until planning around these corridors comes up to speed, the NSW Government must fast track plans around metro stations, or develop a process where land owners and developers can obtain a development approval or rezoning in significantly less than 3 years.
The Department of Planning’s Guide to Preparing Planning Proposals issued in August 2016 states that the rezoning proposals have merit ‘if they are consistent with relevant district, corridor or precinct plans applying to the site, including any draft regional, district or corridor plans released for public comment.’ It seems that the Greater Sydney Commission Planning Panels are not following this guide.
Boosting Sydney’s housing supply is absolutely critical if we are to alleviate the housing affordability crisis. It is an excellent time to fast-track planning proposals for new housing around proposed metro rail stations.
Chris Johnson is chief executive officer of property development industry group Urban Taskforce and can be contacted <a href="https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=97&amp;Itemid=126#.Vdaart55dFI" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Sydney Metro forging ahead but urban renewal lags behind: Chris Johnson

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/65247/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
At first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking the new Sydney Metro rail line will turn the suburbs between Sydenham and Bankstown into an urban paradise.
Amid cheerful community facilities and cycle paths, the Department of Planning’s zoning brochure shows a colourful mass of new higher-density zones. Every town centre along the route – including Campsie, Lakemba, Canterbury and Belmore – is in line for a facelift. A raft of new apartment towers, pavement cafes and boutiques will crowd around the Metro stations.
All cities need renewal and no-one would argue that this part of Sydney isn’t crying out for it. However, the Baird government needs to explain what the changes will mean for existing residents. Compared with the rest of the city, they are typically poor, older and renters. What’s in it for them?
And who’ll profit from the value uplift that will flow from the massive investment of taxpayers’ funds, both from higher land values resulting from the new density and from being snug up against a new Metro line?
These are just two of the outstanding questions to which the government should already have articulated some answers. That’s because, as each day passes, developers are doing their maths based on the existing scenario set out by the Department of Planning. Soon it will be too late to retrofit any changes.
<h2>Where do existing residents fit in?</h2>
To understand the reality, it’s worth taking a closer look at the area along this stretch of the new Metro.
The Sydenham-to-Canterbury corridor is home to one of the largest concentrations of lower-income renters in Sydney, compounded by a large population of retirees on fixed, low incomes. Gentrification, the driver for urban renewal across much of Sydney, has not come knocking on these doors – yet.
So, what percentage of the 36,000 new apartments and other dwellings along the renewal corridor has been allocated for affordable housing? We can be sure they won’t be pitched at the pockets of those who live there now.
And as new investment comes in, so rents will rise. Without a significant affordable housing component, many of the essential workers who live there today – the mechanics, care attendants and shop workers – will be pushed further towards Sydney’s periphery. That will leave the rest of the city struggling to get the lower-paid workforce it needs to function productively.
In comparable renewal projects in cities like London and New York, a significant proportion of new stock is set aside as affordable housing, precisely to avoid such problems. It’s accepted as completely reasonable that lower-income working families should also benefit from new housing delivered as a result of public investment.
The Baird government must make it clear to developers exactly what proportion of the new homes will be set aside for this purpose – and quickly. The case for a zoning policy that mandates a proportion of all new homes as affordable has never been clearer.
The government also needs to show us where it is placing services, such as the new schools that the expanded population will need. With the government’s zoning map not identifying where these services will go, land-owners will rightly question any subsequent proposal for a school or park that would diminish their profits from possible residential development.
The government has not yet provided any explanation of the expected amount of the massive value uplift that will come from the Metro and all the amenity upgrades.
Nor have we been told whether any of it will be used to fund the Metro itself or investment in the infrastructure that will be needed to make this extensive new precinct vibrant and liveable – let alone whether it will be used to provide for affordable housing.
<h2>A model for inclusive renewal</h2>
Let me suggest a way the government can tackle all this.
We need a new model of inclusive renewal. Why not establish an arm’s-length, non-profit corporation to work in consortia or joint ventures with councils, landowners, businesses, residents (particularly in older strata properties), developers and the community housing sector?
Innovative funding for new infrastructure could come through hypothecated value-capture mechanisms. These could take the form of up-front levies on land and property sales and public borrowing supported by the increased local rates that will be collected. In this way the value uplift will be properly shared and paid for over the longer term.
Planning should be devolved to the newly amalgamated council in line with the district plans being drawn up by the Greater Sydney Commission. Affordable housing would be the responsibility of community housing providers, working with developers and the new agency. The model would also apply to other town centre and corridor renewal projects.
The new Sydney Metro promises a revolution in mass transit. However, the accompanying renewal of this corridor will affect one of the most socially and economically disadvantaged communities in Sydney. Perpetuating – or indeed enhancing – that disadvantage through wide-scale displacement and unaffordable apartment building would be disastrous.
This new urban paradise must not be just for those with deep pockets.
Bill Randolph is director, City Futures - Faculty Leadership, City Futures Research Centre, Urban Analytics and City Data, Infrastructure in the Built Environment, UNSW Australia and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bill-randolph-147968" target="_blank">here</a>.
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