<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

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<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

Sydney

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Rothwell Lodge, the 1840s Georgian Regency mansion spanning three levels, has been sold for a record setting $5 million <a href="https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-glebe-nsw-2037/127001/?searchID=39160390" target="_blank">through McGrath agent Michael Glynn</a>.
With Otto Cserhalmi and Partners renovations, it is one of Glebe's oldest colonial mansions set on a 1,000 square metre block, with rear factory workspace.
With classically proportioned spaces with 3.7 metre high ceilings, it was the home and office of the heritage architect, Otto Cserhalmi.
Its wrap-around verandah overlooks almost a landscaped park.
It was among the social housing used during the Great Depression.
The Ferry Road farmhouse once enjoyed Blackwattle Bay views east toward the City. 
It was built for Rev William Boyce, the Methodist friend of Wigram Allen of Toxteth Park, whose second marriage was to Allen’s daughter, Mary.
For many years it was a lodging house with a shoe-making warehouse factory at the rear.
The Glebe Society calls Rothwell Lodge <a href="https://www.glebesociety.org.au/wordpress/?buildings=rothwell-lodge-2" target="_blank">an example of the post-Regency style</a>.<a href="https://www.glebesociety.org.au/wordpress/?buildings=rothwell-lodge-2" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.glebesociety.org.au/wordpress/?buildings=rothwell-lodge-2" target="_blank"></a>
Ernest Pederson Reserve was once the front lawn of Rothwell which was bought by Robert Hannan.
Cserhalmi has been involved with prior Glebe renovations including 19a Toxteth Road where <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-glebe-nsw-2037/64885" target="_blank">a renovated historic 1898 church hall residence</a> was sold for $4.1 million.
<img src="/images/2014/05/15/glebe%20may%2015%20one.jpg" alt="">
The suburb's previous highest sale was Bowden, the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-glebe-nsw-2037/93966" target="_blank">1886 Gothic Revival Victorian era mansion</a> (pictured below) sold through McGrath for $4.2 million in 2011.
<img src="/images/2014/05/15/glebe%20may%2015%20two.jpg" alt="">
Montana, at 36 Boyce Road, was the first sale above $4 million in 2003 when the 1892 Federation-style house built for the Whetton family, who made money from marine contracting at Blackwattle Bay, fetched $4.01 million.
Glebe's last landmark sale was the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-glebe-111881083" target="_blank">Queen Anne mansion, Hartford</a> (pictured below), though its sale price fell short of the desired $4 million plus expectations.
<img src="/images/2014/05/15/glebe%20may%2015%20three.jpg" alt="">
The home of recruitment executive Randall Maple and his wife, Erica Maple-Pols sold through Christie's Ken Jacobs at $3.85 million.
Built for a Scottish doctor, E. Randolph Magnus, it sits on a 1,115-square-metre Glebe Point Road block. Title Tattle recalls the home broke the suburb's $1 million barrier when $1.75 million was paid in 1989.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Rothwell Lodge, 1840s Georgian Glebe mansion sells for $5 million

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Read Editor Alastair Taylor's blog post on the parallels that can be drawn on the EcoDenCity initiative in Sydney and the Planning Zone reforms currently underway in Victoria here.

A new initiative by Urban Taskforce Australia seeks to address the issues in housing Sydney's diverse and growing communities. Named EcoDenCity, it echoes many aspects of the approach Vancouver took in the last decade to address its growth. 

In June 2006, the then Mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan, launched an initiative called Ecodensity. This initiative sought to address Vancouver's vast and growing ecological footprint by committing to environmental sustainability in all future planning decisions. The central tenet of the Ecodensity initiative is that high quality densification, in itself, is one of the most effective sustainable measures a city can take to reduce its ecological footprint. The benefits of a denser city are numerous; it allows people to live closer to workplaces and amenities, promotes more efficient and cost-effective public transport, reduces trip length which in turn encourages walking and cycling, promotes the use of green energy initiatives, reduces both infrastructure costs and duplication and limits urban sprawl.

Despite the benefits of densification, the very idea and even the word itself, is often met in the community with fear and derision. At the extreme end of community concern are the NIMBYs and their cries of 'Dubai-ification' that are often levelled at development proposals not much taller than a two storey house with a pitched roof.

But it is these same communities who must absorb the millions of new residents in our cities in the next two decades. Furthermore, within these communities, a growing proportion are seeking more cosmopolitan lifestyles that only urban areas can bring, further propagating the need for high-density housing.

In a pitch to both those who see the need for densification and those who fear it, Urban Taskforce Australia last week launched the concept of EcoDenCity, which spells the need for housing Sydney's diverse and growing communities and the variety of ways this can be achieved. The launch of the EcoDenCity publication and website was supplemented with a presentation by Chris Johnson, CEO of Urban Taskforce Australia, along with a panel of community, council, and government representatives.

Recognising Sydney's diverse population, the presentation wound through seven residential development types proposed by Urban Taskforce as the answer to a growing Sydney. The seven types are: R2; R4; R6; R8; R12; R25 and R35+. The 'R' represents 'Residential' and the number indicates building height in storeys. Each of the residential development types was then defined in relation to their most likely demographic, population density, location within the metropolitan area and amenities they are likely to support. The following diagram summarises the attributes of each residential type.

<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/BuildingTypes.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Building types and their characteristics - image © Urban Taskforce of Australia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/BuildingTypes.png?itok=eBqJLU_c" title="Building types and their characteristics - image © Urban Taskforce of Australia" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

R2, R4 and R6 were said to be at or below tree canopy height and therefore suitable for normal suburban streets. In the case of R6, setting back the top levels to reduce apparent height was particularly effective in achieving good scale on the street. R8 was singled out for being the maximum height before expensive fire sprinklers and other controls were required. R8, along with R12 saw the shift in location to urban renewal sites, urban corridors and town centres. R25 and R35+ represented towers to be located in major centres and the CBD respectively, with a shift to smaller floor plates and a more tower-like structure.

One of the biggest fears communities have of densification is the idea that it encroaches on open space that the community might enjoy. However, if a development site or new suburb has been mandated a maximum density, a developer can opt for medium density (R4 to R12) and more open space or low density (R2) and little open space. It is often the views of the surrounding communities that determine which the developer will choose to build.

In reality, most developments in existing areas as well as many new suburbs contain a mixture of heights in their built forms to attain a desired density. On a suburb scale, higher densities and taller buildings may occur on busier roads, near shopping centres or transport hubs and taper towards lower densities further away. On a development site scale, tall buildings may occur where they impact less on the neighbouring fabric and taper down towards the boundaries. To illustrate this, the following diagram explain how these mixed-height buildings can achieve a range of desired built forms, open space and density outcomes.

<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/DensityTypes.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Density types showing a range of height and open space possibilities - Image © Urban Taskforce of Australia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/DensityTypes.png?itok=gfAWln2H" title="Density types showing a range of height and open space possibilities - Image © Urban Taskforce of Australia" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Some of the scenarios presented in this diagram correspond to developments that are either built or under-construction in the Sydney metropolitan area. Examples of these were displayed in the Urban Taskforce presentation, with developments ranging from a suburban scale of 100 people per hectare to an urban scale of 1000 people per hectare. It is interesting to note that every example development in the presentation contained 25% to 35% open space, regardless of their urban or suburban settings and all had their place in metropolitan Sydney. Some examples are listed below.

<h3>Oran Park</h3>

Oran Park is a low-density development of about 100 people per hectare on the outskirts of Sydney. Whilst it has higher density than many suburbs built in the last 40 years, 75% of the land area is either 2 story housing or open space, giving it the same feel and look of neighbouring suburbs. The increased density comes mostly from a compact urban town centre with only 25 % of the suburb containing development of 4 storeys or more, up to 8 storeys.

<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/OranParkDetails.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Oran Park fact sheet"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/OranParkDetails.png?itok=cFZlfLvT" title="Oran Park fact sheet" typeof="Image"></a>

<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/OranParkPhoto.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial of Oran Park"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/OranParkPhoto.jpg?itok=s8T2SBEe" title="Aerial of Oran Park" typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

<h3>Harold Park</h3>

Harold Park is an urban infill development in the inner suburb of Glebe in Sydney. Surrounding the site are many heritage-listed two-story terrace houses, so a sensitive solution was required. With 35% open space, the remaining 65% of land area consists of building heights of 4-8 storeys. In particular, the use of setbacks on the top few floors significantly lowers the apparent height of the buildings. At a population density of about 300 people per hectare this type of development is suited to middle ring suburbs as well as heritage inner suburbs.

<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/HaroldParkDetails.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Harold Park fact sheet"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/HaroldParkDetails.png?itok=Cht24xNx" title="Harold Park fact sheet" typeof="Image"></a>

<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/HaroldParkPhoto.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Render of Harold Park apartment block"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/HaroldParkPhoto.png?itok=-shzHWd-" title="Render of Harold Park apartment block" typeof="Image"></a>

<h3>Central Park</h3>

Central Park is a development on the fringe of Sydney’s CBD, with excellent rail and bus services on its doorstep. Half built, it will soon cater for a density of 1000 people per hectare with 25% open space and roughly equal amounts of R8, R12, R25 and R35+ buildings on the remaining land. It is a development clearly aimed at those wanting an urban lifestyle and the amenities it can offer.

<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/CentralParkDetails.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Central Park fact sheet"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/CentralParkDetails.png?itok=osD8BeNQ" title="Central Park fact sheet" typeof="Image"></a>

<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/CentralParkPhoto.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial of Central Park development "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-702px" src="http://urbanmelbourne.info/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_702px/public/pictures/article-images/CentralParkPhoto.jpg?itok=D24RyOYx" title="Aerial of Central Park development " typeof="foaf:Image"></a>

Following the EcoDenCity presentation, each of the panel members gave a short response with respect to their backgrounds in industry, community and government. They are summarised below:

Peter Spira - General Manager, Meriton

Peter commented on the 50-year history of Meriton and noted that in that time, apartments have gone from a choice of last resort to first resort. The stigma of apartment living has well and truly disappeared and a whole new generation of young adults - mostly the children of baby-boomers - have in the last 15 years embraced the urban cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Geoff Turnbull - Spokesperson for REDWatch

Geoff spoke of his concerns regarding the EcoDenCity initiative, citing the examples used in the presentation and unintended problems these developments might cause to the existing community. Traffic and transport problems were mentioned in regard to the ‘Erko’ development, which despite being close to Erskineville station, trains were often at capacity and passengers at the station were unable to board. Lack of schools, or places to put them was cited as a problem when an influx of new residents into an already existing area occurs, as has been recently reported in the media. Geoff spoke of the large segment of social housing residents in his community and argued that there was no consideration for their amenity and no provisions for fostering a social mix between them and the new residents. Also mentioned was a complaint that in the preparation of the new planning laws for NSW, the various interest and community groups were segmented during consultation, and an argument was put forward for integrated discussion involving all relevant parties. In response, Chris Johnson suggested that many of the major concerns Geoff raised like public transport and community facilities were outside the scope of developers. Developers also paid Section 94 contributions to government which should be directed towards the funding of such amenities. 

Sima Truuvert - Director of City Planning, Randwick Council

Sima spoke about the main urban activation areas in the Randwick Council area, surrounding the Anzac Parade route and the University of NSW/hospital precinct. She reiterated the concerns of local residents, namely lack of privacy, loss of views and overshadowing and that to overcome these concerns, the need for transparency is crucial.

Ross Grove - Councillor, Holroyd Council (former Mayor)

Ross explained his time as Mayor of Holroyd Council as one of success, going from the second slowest council for DA approvals to being a top 10 performer. With new LEP’s, DCP’s and slashing Section 94 developer contributions by 30%, the council fostered a culture of growth that residents could adapt to. By articulating clarity of vision, the council were able to stymie NIMBYism. By communicating the benefits of development, including life choices, diversity of housing for different stages of life, providing more affordable housing options and improved infrastructure for the area, residents were able to accept this vision for growth. Most importantly, by showcasing to the residents that building higher densities in the central areas where they would be better suited to, the ‘quarter acre block’ prevalent in the Holroyd Council area would be protected.

Trish Oakley - Executive Director, Community and Stakeholder Engagement, NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure

Trish stressed the need to cater for growth in a sustainable, workable way and the importance of not doing so in an adversarial way with the community. The current planning system was said to be very inaccessible to the community and that any new planning system must engage people at the strategic planning stage. She welcomed the EcoDenCity initiative, and emphasised strongly the need for community consultation.

---

Final thoughts

The idea that density can drive a reduction in the ecological footprint of a city is an idea lost, either reflexively or perhaps conveniently, to many of those who would otherwise champion every other measure of sustainability. Density can be done badly or it can be planned. If planned, it would be better still to include the community in the discussion.

Urban Taskforce's EcoDenCity initiative recognises that some locations are ideal for lower densities and some locations are ideal for higher densities. It showcases the different physical forms each density level can take. It prepares for a population growth of 1.5 million people in Sydney in the next twenty years as well as the growing popularity of urban living. It might well be incidental, but by pursuing higher densities, it is in sync with sustainability and the reduction of Sydney’s ecological footprint. The EcoDenCity initiative may well be a self-serving vision for the industry that created it, but it is a positive plan for the growth of our cities. It's time for the community and their representatives to do the same. ‘Not-in-my-backyard’ isn't good enough. Instead of ad-hoc campaigns against ad-hoc densification, it would serve the community well to instead band together and demand better quality densification at the strategic stage.

 

<h3>Further Information:</h3>

http://www.ecodencity.com.au

http://www.urbantaskforce.com.au

<h3>EcoDenCity for Sydney: Urban Taskforce</h3>

Presenter:

Chris Johnson - Chief Executive Officer, Urban Taskforce

Panel:

Peter Spira - General Manager, Meriton

Geoff Turnbull - Spokesperson for REDWatch

Sima Truuvert - Director of City Planning, Randwick Council

Ross Grove - Councillor, Holroyd Council (former Mayor)

Trish Oakley, Executive Director, Community and Stakeholder Engagement, NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure.

 

All images sourced from http://www.urbantaskforce.com.au
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tonyp

EcoDenCity for Sydney, following in the footsteps of Vancouver

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Annie Stevens, writing in Fairfax's Daily Life, <a href="http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/the-melbourne-vs-sydney-rivalry-is-boring-20130501-2iseh" target="_blank">wrote a piece</a> last Friday (3/5/13) titled "Melbourne versus Sydney debate is boring" and went on to highlight how it's the stereotypes which fuel this debate to the point of boredom. I agree - however to come straight to my point: if we didn't have this boring and mundane debate, we'd have no competition between the cities - not a good outcome!

When cities and their respective citizens, business and political leaders become complacent, everyone loses - competition, and yes - this boring debate - actually has a dramatic effect on each city in such a way that drives both cities to improve.

Every now and again you read in The Age or Herald Sun that Melbourne's icons are smaller and low key in nature, such as our trams, laneways, the AFL, annual events and the list goes on while the stereotypes Annie Stevens was talking about seemingly take on a life of their own. The ensuing mundane nature of the debate does have one positive effect: it filters up to the respective local and state governments, leading business figures, lobby groups and people who are passionate about their city and entices them to hunker down and come up with a strategy to do better.

This in effect is what happened in Melbourne during the late 80's when there was a large exodus of human and financial capital. As a response, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_for_Melbourne" target="_blank">Committee for Melbourne</a> was formed and later the Kennett era arrived catapulting Melbourne &amp; Victoria out of the financial doldrums on the back of a strategy which focused on engaging the populace through an annual events calendar, laying the foundations for Melbourne to be in the relatively strong position it is today.

Sydney, from a not-so-one-eyed Melburnian, relies heavily on a singular brand and image relating directly to the Harbour, Opera House, Bridge and general relationship the city has with the water - it's the iconography we see in <a href="http://www.sydney.com/" target="_blank">tourism ads</a>, <a href="http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/invest-in-nsw" target="_blank">business investment ads</a> and <a href="http://www.vividsydney.com/" target="_blank">cultural event ads</a>. One thing however Sydney appears to be adamant in doing is building that next icon on par with the Sydney Opera house - you only have to type "Barangaroo Sydney new icon" in google to come up with pieces such as this on <a href="http://designbuildsource.com.au/sydneys-new-icon-barangaroo" target="_blank">designbuildsource.com.au</a>.

<a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/they-may-as-well-be-in-dubai-architect-20130505-2j1cc" target="_blank">They're going to struggle to do so</a>.

Melbourne, obviously, is on a different path - one that focuses on real city life aspects of living, working and playing in cities because it's the sum of the whole that matters. Easily branded and packaged iconography and landmarks are great, but what does that tell us about the people who live there? You'd be forgiven for thinking everyone is materialistic, vein and siloed into a tribal culture where everyone fights over their patch of dirt for that view of the Harbour in Sydney.

Not everyone north of the Murray is like this - there are just as many passionate grass-roots ideas people who don't get sucked in to the marketing-speak nor fit into this stereotypical category, but it's hard not to fall for the stereotype: as many people in Sydney do actively embrace it as part of differentiating themselves - how many times have you heard political or business leaders or one-eyed fanboys proclaim at the top of their lungs that Sydney is "Australia's only global city"?

Holding Sydney back is the lack of development space to enlarge its core inner area and a policy of decentralisation of jobs over the decades into robust urban nodes such as Chatswood &amp; Parramatta will now challenge central Sydney's metropolitan dominance for knowledge jobs going forward. Will this be to the detriment of central Sydney in the long run? Time will tell.

Looking to other large global cities such as Paris, London and New York, you'll note despite those 3 cities dominating in various political, economic, cultural or a combination of all three spheres in their respective countries (we don't have a single dominant city in those spheres in Australia), they have incredibly substantial urban hearts - far larger than anything we have in Australia. Who knows much about Paris outside the Périphérique, the 20 Arrondissements &amp; La Défence? What about beyond the circle line &amp; Canary Wharf in London? Where's the first place you visit when travelling to New York? (Manhattan of course!). If we're looking at those 3 cities through a prism of what makes them great and where the attractions, knowledge jobs and cultural icons of these cities are, it's their urban hearts, not decentralised peripheries.

With the westward expansion of Melbourne's sprawlbelt beyond Sunshine &amp; Werribee, so too does the westward march of our urban heart go henceforth. The Napthine government &amp; in particular Planning Minister Matthew Guy have made it clear they want to build a state of cities, and are actively considering the concept of a 20 minute city - 20 minutes to everywhere from your place of residence.

Policy implementation issues aside, it's an admirable goal and we only have to look north to New South Wales to see how effective decentralisation can be, however above all of this, the Napthine state government like the previous government recognise that Melbourne must continue to grow from within its core as well.

This has just been backed up by a <a href="http://grattan.edu.au/publications/reports/post/productive-cities-opportunity-in-a-changing-economy/" target="_blank">Grattan Institute report</a> on creating spaces for people to live closer to their jobs, not mass-subsidising business to decentralise closer to its workforce.

And we are best placed to do it in Australia.

It all started with Southbank, progressed to Docklands and we have Fishermans Bend and E-Gate to come. Furthermore the current and previous state governments have been murmuring about the long-term viability of the Port of Melbourne in its present location.

Fishermans Bend will start enroaching Port of Melbourne, placing further pressure of the area to be redeveloped and policy discussion surrounding decentralising sea freight movements to Hastings and near Avalon appear to be all about creating, by my estimation, a century's worth of land, right in the inner core for mass-redevelopment should the entire port be moved elsewhere.

Using the following as a boundary of the urban core of Melbourne in 2100 once the Port of Melbourne has completely moved elsewhere...

<iframe frameborder="0" height="450" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msa=0&amp;msid=217188856257789802703.0004dc0a66f010077702b&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;ll=-37.8249,144.937821&amp;spn=0.048949,0.082225&amp;output=embed" width="100%"></iframe> <a href="https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msa=0&amp;msid=217188856257789802703.0004dc0a66f010077702b&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;ll=-37.8249,144.937821&amp;spn=0.048949,0.082225&amp;source=embed">View Melbourne 2100 in a larger map</a>.

...we're looking at a space about 75% of the size of central Paris (inside the <a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=Paris&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;sll=-37.834598,144.953442&amp;sspn=0.117273,0.264187&amp;hnear=Paris,+%C3%8Ele-de-France,+France&amp;t=m&amp;z=13" target="_blank">Périphérique</a> - the circular road around inner Paris). I'm not saying we should attempt to mimic cities like Paris (although some local academics think we should), London or New York in their entirety - we should forge our own look and feel with a diversity in building use - including building height , strong integration with the waterfronts downstream on the Yarra &amp; Maribyrnong rivers and an even stronger focus on building new public transport corridors to support high density growth in this area.

The combined Fishermans Bend, E-Gate &amp; remaining Port of Melbourne area represents an opportunity to expand Melbourne's core 3-4 times larger than what it currently is, and this is what's useful in the Melbourne versus Sydney debate: it's an enormous, real, threat to Sydney's current primacy. If Sydney doesn't step up to the plate and offer something similar, the powers that be on Macquarie Street will be sitting by for the next 50-100 years watching as central Melbourne grows larger, more diverse and attracts more <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/keep-knowledge-jobs-in-the-cbd-report-20130505-2j1b9" target="_blank">creative &amp; knowledge industry jobs</a> because that's where they're best located - in a dense central urban area where human interaction and knowledge transfer is at its greatest.

The stereotypical Melbourne versus Sydney debate is extremely useful, for the simple fact it drives both cities to compete for talent, grow bigger, grander and attract people not only from interstate, but overseas. Yes much of it is mundane and boring, however with Business lobbies reacting in the way they have in <a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/gws-event/barry-ofarrells-head-in-sand-on-second-airport/story-fni0ggqp-1226626206587" target="_blank">articles quoting NSW Premier Barry O'Farrel </a>where he said Avalon is no 2nd airport for Melbourne, it's Geelong's airport prove that the debate goes way beyond some of the immature and cringe-worthy one-liners that get thrown around most of the time.

New South Wales might have a Jeff Kennett moment soon - Kennett moment in the sense that boosterism from leadership spurs more of the populace to work together to project an image of how they want their city to be in future. It will be good for Sydney and good for Melbourne - as, like in the past 178 years of Melbourne's existence, it will generate a competitive response.

Our relationship with Sydney is more symbiotic than either city dominating the other, and it's not likely to change any time soon as Melbourne has just too many competitive advantages especially in the inner and outer land supply, a well rounded infrastructure pipeline and a national-leading population growth record.

How's the catch cry go? It won't happen overnight, but it will happen? Melbourne's icon is the city itself; our icons are our people who recognise differentiating ourselves drives more and more people to be a part of the equation. We have an enormous opportunity to build ourselves to be a large global city like Paris or London over the next century. Searching for that architect and development site to build our own picture-perfect narrow brand and image is the wrong choice for Melbourne - cities are organic, evolving beasts (just look at London building skyscrapers right in the heart of the ancient city), you should never set the bar so high it becomes near impossible to reach it again.
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