<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

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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