<p>Longstanding Gold Coast and Canberra developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/morris-property-group">Morris Property Group</a> is continuing to roll on with its Glitter Strip apartment pipeline, seeking to return to Mermaid Beach with a new 68-apartment development.</p>

<p>Morris, founded by Barry Morris in 1978 and one of the Gold Coast’s most prolific apartment developers over the past two decades, has filed plans for a 12-storey mixed-use building at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/36-seabeach-avenue-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">34-36 Seabeach Avenue</a>, on the prized eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway.</p>

<p>The 1,227 sqm site occupies a prominent corner position at Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway, opposite the Mermaid Plaza retail and office precinct and around 140 metres walking distance from the future Mermaid Beach South light rail station.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser &amp; Partners</a> has designed the project, which will comprise 68 apartments across a mix of 48 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom residences.</p>

<p>The building will rise 12 storeys, reaching a maximum height of 36 metres, with the apartments accounting for a total of 156 bedrooms. The development application also seeks approval for short-term accommodation across the 68 apartments, while two office tenancies are proposed at ground level.</p>

<p>The plans show 108 car spaces across the development, with parking accommodated at ground level and within a three-level basement accessed from Seabeach Avenue.</p>

<p><img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c2175c99-12fd-4a3c-9be1-89bbf258a90d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%202.59.41%E2%80%AFPM_0.png?VersionId=iNLzWcE6gaAE76rafhEXfHve.4g4Se0p" /></p>

<p>Resident amenity will be concentrated on level two, where Fraser &amp; Partners has designed a recreation deck with a swimming pool, 90 sqm pool terrace, outdoor barbecue area and gym.</p>

<p>The broader communal offering will also incorporate landscaped spaces, with the planning documents noting the amenity has been designed to provide areas for recreation, social interaction and outdoor living.</p>

<p>The proposal would continue the transformation of the Gold Coast Highway corridor through Mermaid Beach ahead of the arrival of the light rail.</p>

<p>The site is zoned Neighbourhood Centre and sits within the Mermaid Beach/Broadbeach Light Rail Corridor neighbourhood plan. While the prescribed building height is 24 metres, the site is identified within an Urban Neighbourhood context providing for a 50 per cent height uplift to 36 metres.</p>

<p>Planning documents describe the stretch of the Gold Coast Highway between Broadbeach and Nobby Beach as increasingly characterised by medium and high-rise development, with the proposed Morris tower joining projects including Ventura, The Alfred, Oceans and Otto.</p>

<p><img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="911f193f-e381-4a55-be08-58be87fcf978" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%202.59.48%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=oxVvLJaY.SOXEdXrIcogfyEXDfvCmmpM" /></p>

<p>The development would mark Morris Property Group's latest investment in Mermaid Beach, where it has already delivered two apartment projects.</p>

<p>Otto, at 1 Bondi Avenue on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway, comprises 70 apartments across nine storeys. The project was completed in 2019 and includes a residents' gym, recreation deck and swimming pool.</p>

<p>Morris also developed Oceans at 46 Ocean Street, a nine-storey, 70-apartment build-to-rent development completed in 2019. Oceans was the group's first build-to-rent project and incorporates commercial space at ground level.</p>

<p>The two existing Morris projects sit further north along the same Gold Coast Highway corridor as the proposed Seabeach Avenue development. Fraser &amp; Partners' planning analysis specifically identifies both Otto and Oceans among the established built-form precedents surrounding the site.</p>

<p><img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14925119-7b71-4812-8149-340317512c7c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%203.00.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=aEJqYuw_nTCjcin17BSD0piB1EFotTlj" /></p>

<p>Mermaid Beach represents only part of Morris' considerable Gold Coast footprint.</p>

<p>The family-owned developer has been particularly active in neighbouring Broadbeach, delivering projects including Sierra Grand, Eclipse, Synergy, Qube, Koko, Opus and Malo, while its current pipeline includes Maison and the two-tower Crest development.</p>

<p>Further south, Morris has also developed a string of projects in Burleigh Heads, including Element, Boardwalk and Sandbar, while Essentia expanded its footprint north into Surfers Paradise.</p>

<p>The Seabeach Avenue application has been lodged by PMM Broadbeach Pty Ltd and seeks a development permit for a Material Change of Use for multiple dwellings, short-term accommodation and office uses. Zone Planning Group prepared the planning application, with Fraser &amp; Partners commissioned as architect.</p>

<p>The project comes as the developer continues to expand its Gold Coast pipeline while retaining a significant presence in Canberra. Morris now has more than $2.5 billion of development in its national pipeline and has delivered more than 7,000 homes during its near five-decade history</p>


Joel Robinson

First look: Morris Property Group returns to Mermaid Beach with new Seabeach Avenue apartment development

<p><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3hvFB2uWTRfEyEcpTSnnK9" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis" target="_blank">Fortis</a>&nbsp;is continuing its stronghold on Sydn​ey’s eastern suburbs apartment market, launching&nbsp;in September&nbsp;its latest boutique&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/double-bay-nsw-2028&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0GI5S9-wNeiLUnM-d1uYkw" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/double-bay-nsw-2028" target="_blank">Double Bay</a>&nbsp;development,&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-william-double-bay-55-william-street-double-bay-nsw-2028&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2YNouJQcFjiTTgVHbgDLA-" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-william-double-bay-55-william-street-double-bay-nsw-2028" target="_blank">55 William</a>.</p>

<p>55 William presents&nbsp;just eight north-facing&nbsp;two-bedroom, three-bedroom and full-floor&nbsp;residences to the market, priced from $4.5 million.</p>

<p>The upcoming launch comes just weeks after Fortis secured approval for the $80 million development, its third eastern suburbs approval in two months. Construction is already underway, with completion targeted for 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376250]</p>

<p>55 William adds to a growing concentration of Fortis projects in and around Double Bay, a market the developer has become increasingly active in over recent years.</p>

<p>Fortis previously completed the nine-residence Marmont on New South Head Road, while it is currently developing a mixed-use residential and retail project at 12 Cross Street. Its wider Double Bay footprint also extends into commercial and retail development.</p>

<p>The developer's broader Sydney residential pipeline is particularly concentrated across the eastern suburbs, with projects spanning Doub​le Bay, Ro​se Bay, Wo​ollahra, Dar​ling Point, Poi​nt Piper and Eli​zabeth Bay.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376253]</p>

<p>At 55 William, Fortis has again turned to MHN Design Union, the architecture practice behind several of its eastern suburbs projects, while London-based 1508 London has been appointed to handle the interiors and Wyer &amp; Co the landscaping.</p>

<p>The six-level building will comprise a combination of two and three-bedroom apartments, including a garden residence, full-floor apartments, a sub-penthouse and penthouse. Each residence will have secure basement parking and private outdoor space.</p>

<p>A rooftop terrace for all residents, along with select apartments, enjoys views across Double Bay Harbour and toward the Sydney skyline.</p>

<p>Ceiling heights will reach up to three metres&nbsp;in select residences, while the kitchens will feature natural stone and integrated Gaggenau appliances.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The boutique nature of the project reflects the type of stock Fortis has increasingly targeted across Sydney's eastern suburbs, where larger apartments and smaller buildings are being pitched primarily toward local owner-occupiers and downsizers.</p>

<p>Fortis Group General Manager Ed Eve said the developer continues to see demand from buyers wanting to remain in the eastern suburbs but move into newer, lower-maintenance housing.</p>

<p>“We're seeing continued demand from local owner-occupiers and downsizers looking for high-quality homes that allow them to remain in the eastern suburbs, close to the lifestyle and community they know,” Eve said.</p>

<p>55 William is also one of the early projects to respond directly to the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms. Fortis had previously secured approval for just two townhouses on the 599 sqm site before revising the scheme to eight apartments following the planning changes.</p>

<p style="text-align:start">Situated one street back from Double Bay's water's edge, the project enjoys an enviable harbourside setting within walking distance of Double Bay Village and the ferry wharf.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376252]</p>

<p>Fortis has increasingly made the eastern suburbs a major focus of its Sydney pipeline. Beyond Double Bay, it recently completed the 14-residence Piper in Point Piper and has projects underway or planned across Rose Bay, Woollahra and Darling Point.</p>

<p>The developer recently secured approval for Verano in Rose Bay, a six-level development comprising 21 two, three and four-bedroom apartments, also designed by MHNDU.</p>

<p>55 William&nbsp;is soon to be release to the market with VIP appointments commencing early September,&nbsp;with residences priced from $4.5 million.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152579]</p>


Fortis continues eastern suburbs push with 55 William launch

<p>UAE-based developer Arada has unveiled plans for a $2 billion twin-tower apartment development in Broadbeach, marking its first move into Queensland as it continues its rapid expansion across Australia.</p>

<p>Arada will develop 952 apartments across two towers on a prominent site opposite the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the project targeted for completion ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.</p>

<p>The project represents Arada's largest commitment to the Australian market since arriving in the country in 2024 and significantly expands a local pipeline that has now grown to eight projects and more than 5,000 homes.</p>

<p>It will also be the first major Queensland project delivered by Roberts Co since the tier-one contractor was acquired by Arada Group in 2025.</p>

<p>Plus Studio has designed the Broadbeach development, which will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two towers connected by a landscaped podium.</p>

<p>A significant resident amenity offering will include lagoon and lap pools, a gym, sauna and steam room, alongside a mist room, infrared room and salt scrub facilities. Communal terraces, private dining areas, a library, residents' lounge and work-from-home spaces are also planned. Around 1,200 sqm of retail and hospitality space will occupy the ground floor.</p>

<p>The site puts Arada in one of the Gold Coast's most active apartment markets, directly opposite the convention centre and within walking distance of Pacific Fair, The Star Gold Coast and Broadbeach's dining and retail precinct.</p>

<p>It also has immediate access to the Gold Coast light rail network and sits just a few blocks from the beach.</p>

<p>Arada Group Chief Executive Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said Broadbeach represented an opportunity for the developer to expand beyond its initial NSW pipeline.</p>

<p>“Broadbeach is a world-class address that gives us the canvas to create a community of exceptional design and lifestyle quality that genuinely enriches the daily lives of the people who call it home,” Alkhoshaibi said.</p>

<p>“This is our first development outside New South Wales, and it reflects our growing ambition to grow in key urban markets around the country.”</p>

<p>Alkhoshaibi said bringing Roberts Co into the project would give Arada greater control over the development and construction process.</p>

<p>“Delivering this project through Roberts Co, our own tier-one construction business, means we can bring the quality, pace and accountability that our buyers expect.”</p>

<p>The move into Broadbeach comes as Arada accelerates its Australian expansion following its entry into the market two years ago. The developer has assembled a pipeline of eight projects comprising more than 5,000 homes, while the acquisition of Roberts Co last year gave the group its own Australian construction capability.</p>

<p>Globally, Arada has a development portfolio valued at $50 billion comprising more than 55,000 homes across the UAE, United Kingdom and Australia.</p>

<p>The Gold Coast is emerging as the next major market for the developer, with strong population growth and infrastructure spending ahead of the 2032 Games continuing to underpin significant apartment development across the coastal strip.</p>


Arada plots $2 billion Broadbeach towers in major Queensland move

<p>Sydney’s downsizer market is changing, with a growing cohort of buyers prioritising the right home over simply finding a smaller one.</p>

<p>Coronation Property Head of Sales Cam Porter says the traditional idea of downsizing does not necessarily reflect what many buyers are now looking for, particularly those moving from established family homes across Sydney.</p>

<p>Instead, he says they are increasingly becoming “right-sizers”, seeking lower-maintenance homes without sacrificing the space, amenity or quality they have become accustomed to.</p>

<p>“We are increasingly seeing buyers who are not motivated by the idea of simply moving into a smaller property,” Porter says.</p>

<p>“They are right-sizers. They want a home that is easier to manage and better connected, but they still expect generosity, quality and a floorplan that supports the way they live.”</p>

<p>It is a subtle but important distinction in a market where apartment developers are increasingly targeting established owner-occupiers.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377495]</p>

<p>For many of these buyers, moving from a house to an apartment is not driven by a desire to dramatically reduce their living space. Instead, the appeal is in removing some of the maintenance associated with a larger home while retaining generous living areas, storage and enough flexibility to accommodate family and friends.</p>

<p>Coronation’s sales team is seeing buyers place particular importance on natural light, practical storage and additional rooms that can be used as guest bedrooms, home offices or secondary living spaces.</p>

<p>Kitchens and dining areas are also playing an increasingly important role, particularly for buyers who regularly entertain or have children and grandchildren visit.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377494]</p>

<p>“These buyers still want their home to feel generous,” Porter says.</p>

<p>“They may want less maintenance, but they are not looking for less life.”</p>

<p>The challenge for the broader housing market is providing enough of the right stock to encourage that move.</p>

<p>While much of the discussion around Sydney’s housing shortage has centred on the number of homes being delivered, Porter says the diversity of those homes is equally important.</p>

<p>Older homeowners can remain in large family houses for longer when they cannot find an appropriate alternative in the neighbourhoods where they have built their lives.</p>

<p>“The decision is rarely as simple as wanting fewer bedrooms,” Porter says.</p>

<p>“People are weighing up their connection to a neighbourhood, the space they need for family, the quality of the home and whether it will continue to work for them over the long term.”</p>

<p>It also has implications beyond the downsizer market. Providing suitable apartments for smaller households can free up established houses for families who need the additional bedrooms and land, creating greater movement through the housing market.</p>

<h2>Lillian targets the next stage of apartment buyer</h2>

<p>It is a buyer Coronation is targeting at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lillian-erskineville-9-metters-street-erskineville-nsw-2043">Lillian</a>, its new collection of apartments, terraces and penthouses at Erskineville Village.</p>

<p>Designed by Silvester Fuller, Lillian has been shaped around larger living spaces, natural light and flexible floorplans, alongside landscaped areas, wellness amenity and communal spaces for residents.</p>

<p>The development will form part of Coronation’s broader Erskineville Village precinct, which will combine new homes with green space, retail, hospitality and new pedestrian connections.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377688]</p>

<p>McPherson Park will sit at the centre of the precinct, creating a significant new green space alongside the project’s retail and hospitality offering.</p>

<p>For Porter, the opportunity is to give buyers another housing option without forcing them to leave the part of Sydney they already know.</p>

<p>“People should be able to change the type of home they live in without having to change their entire life,” he says.</p>

<p>“For many buyers, Lillian offers the opportunity to remain connected to the Inner West and the city, while gaining access to a more convenient, walkable and considered way of living.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377687]</p>

<p>Coronation will explore the changing <a href="https://lillianresidences.com.au/news/lillian-x-space-x-downsizers-event-27-august/">right-sizer market at an event on August 27</a>, bringing together experts across property, design and lifestyle.</p>

<p>Held in partnership with SPACE, Poliform and Downsizer.com.au, the event will include a property market outlook from economist Michael Blythe alongside discussion around the considerations facing buyers planning their next move.</p>

<p>Attendees will also be able to learn more about the residences and amenity planned at Lillian Erskineville.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135149]</p>


From downsizing to right-sizing: What Sydney buyers want from their next home

<p>Family-owned builder and developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/omaya">Omaya</a> is bringing its 27-storey The Maybelle development to market, with the 229-apartment tower rising alongside Ismay Reserve near North Strathfield.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-maybelle-21-parramatta-road-homebush-nsw-2140">The Maybelle</a> will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with its height providing elevated outlooks towards the Sydney skyline and Harbour Bridge, while other residences will look across neighbouring Ismay Reserve.</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/squillace-architects">Squillace Architects</a>, the tower combines its parkside setting with proximity to the established retail, dining and transport amenity around North Strathfield.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376196]</p>

<p>Residences will feature open-plan living spaces and a choice of two interior schemes, while communal amenity is spread across two elevated levels of the building.</p>

<p>Level 8 will be home to the Garden Pavilion, a full-floor resident space incorporating communal entertaining and breakout areas, seating and recreation spaces. Further up the tower, a landscaped Sky Terrace on Level 14 will provide another communal area with panoramic views towards the Harbour Bridge and Sydney skyline.</p>

<p>At ground level, the development sits directly alongside Ismay Reserve, where lawns, walking paths, children's play areas, picnic spaces and recreational facilities extend the green space available immediately around the project.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376194]</p>

<p>The Maybelle is also within walking distance of North Strathfield and the Bakehouse Quarter, which provides a mix of cafés, restaurants, shops and everyday services.</p>

<p>Existing rail and bus services provide connections across Sydney, while the future North Strathfield Metro and access to the M4 will add to the transport options available around the precinct. Walking and cycling routes also extend via Powells Creek towards Sydney Olympic Park and its sporting, entertainment and parkland precincts.</p>

<p>Families are also well positioned for access to a broad selection of established schools and education options across Strathfield and the surrounding Inner West.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376181]</p>

<p>Omaya has operated in Sydney for more than 35 years, managing projects from acquisition and design through to construction and delivery. The family-owned company is both developer and builder of The Maybelle.</p>

<p>Apartments start from $560,000, with the development protected by 10-year Latent Defects Insurance.</p>

<p>Construction is well underway, with completion expected by the end of 2026 and move-in anticipated from Q1 2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134873]</p>


The Maybelle brings 27-storey parkside tower to market near North Strathfield

Trams

<html><body>
<p>Mark's <a href="/news/traditional-residential-developers-cash-in-on-yarras-300000sqm-commercial-boom">Friday article</a> on the commercial development pipeline for the City of Yarra is both impressive and worrying.  Impressive because 300,000 square metres of space, should it all be built and occupied, would represent around 20,000 new jobs contained within the municipality and worrying thanks to a lack of public transport priority, especially along the streets with tram routes.</p>

<p>Throw in the residential development pipeline - half of which is under construction and likely provide new homes for approximately 7000-8000 people - you have to wonder what the breaking point will be.</p>

<p>As Apartments.com.au user johnproctor <a href="/news/traditional-residential-developers-cash-in-on-yarras-300000sqm-commercial-boom#comment-33643">commented on Friday</a>, the 20,000 new employees/jobs figure comes from assuming that 1 employee takes up 15 square metres of total commercial space,</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Pretty amazing. that's roughly 20,000 workers coming to City of Yarra if it's all realised.</p>

<p>Will hopefully drive counter peak tram movements in the area (that are already quite strong) and should also drive high capacity on the 246 bus route linking people from the north to bigger office precinct south (Hurstbridge/Doncaster/Mernda PT users to Cremorne) and south to north (Richmond PT users to Collingwood/Abbotsford)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The increased patronage and movements on the tram network are the most worrying because Victoria Street, for instance, does not have counter-peak clearways. </p>

<p>At the city end there is a good quality interchange (where the emphasis is on frequency of multiple services) at Parliament station and the Macarthur Street tram stop. </p>

<p>At St. Vincent's interchange and right down to Hoddle Street there is minimal priority given to trams at cross roads - especially at Hoddle Street but the worst part of the journey is beyond North Richmond Station to Victoria Gardens.</p>

<p>I've timed it multiple times, in both directions and at the extreme end, it's possible the journey between Victoria Gardens and Parliament station will take 20 minutes. That's a 2 kilometre trip - jogging pace.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">By the way, this is in school holidays <a href="https://t.co/nqKe5BamlQ">https://t.co/nqKe5BamlQ</a></p>
— Alastair Taylor (@tayser82) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/tayser82/status/1017674123982434304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2018</a>
</blockquote>

<p>And while I deserve a slap over the wrist for being in a car at the time of taking that image above - I was the traffic - quite often I'm not and I'm one of the people travelling on one of those trams you can see attempting to crawl down Victoria Street.  In the evening peak clearways are in operation heading out of the city but the road is choked with parked cars in the counter-peak direction.</p>

<p>Victoria Street is only one of the major tram routes through Yarra and as Mark's article points out, the commercial development is occurring in Cremorne, Collingwood/Fitzroy - even on Hoddle Street - but what transport policies are in place to give public transport more priority in the area?</p>

<p>Yarra is served by the rail network from all major directions but trams and buses fighting for space on the road network are how most people get around the municipality.</p>

<p>Cremorne has a distinct advantage because much of the area is within a comfortable 10-minute walk of Richmond Station or East Richmond Station - and if they opened a northern entry to South Yarra station and improved pedestrian links across the river alongside the railway lines  - South Yarra would help in serving the tech &amp; marketing favoured area's employment growth.</p>

<p>Collingwood is serviced by the inner stations along the Hurstbridge/South Morang-Mernda railway lines but has Hoddle Street - a very pedestrian-unfriendly barrier - between the bulk of the suburb and the stations.  Like Fitzroy, Collingwood's public transport depends heavily on the radial tram routes and the cross-town smart bus routes on Johnson Street.</p>

<p>Tram services on Victoria Street, Brunswick Street, Smith Street, Bridge Road, Swan Street all, to varying degrees, have the misfortunate of being located within a narrow road corridor where the 'fight' over space, depicted in the tweeted image, is daily practice.</p>

<p>How many new office and residential buildings does it take before we see action on public transport priority on the City of Yarra's streets?</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">City of Yarra Residential Development Pipeline Status</th>
			<th scope="col">Dwellings</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Planning Assessment</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">2030</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Approved</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">2664</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Registration &amp; Sales</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">887</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Under Construction</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">5359</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>TOTAL</strong></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><strong>10,940</strong></td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span style="font-size:10px;">Lead image credit: </span><span style="font-size:10px;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Critical_Mass_Melbourne_-_Brunswick_St.JPG">wikipedia</a></span></p>
</body></html>

Alastair Taylor

Is it time to rethink on-street parking on tram routes in the City of Yarra?

<html><body>
<p>Spring Street has announced a new wave of tram stop upgrades which will see $19 million spent on upgrading stops in both the north and south of the city's network.</p>

<p>6 stops between Victoria Parade and Kerr Street along Nicholson Street in Carlton/Fitzroy will be upgraded with centre island platforms.  The #96 East Brunswick - St Kilda Beach route is now 100% operated by low-floor E-class trams.</p>

<p>Special attention will be given to the tram stop opposite Melbourne Museum and the Royal Exhibition building to enable all passengers between the stop and the Carlton Gardens safely and easily.</p>

<p>The Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said that Melbourne had a fleet of 163 low floor trams and "more than 420 raised stops on the network and we will continue to introduce new trams and stops to make our network more accessible ."  Work on the northern section of the #96 route will begin later in the year.</p>

<p>From mid-2019 onwards works to improve interchange between trains at Flagstaff station and William / La Trobe street trams will kick off and the William Street stops at the corner of Bourke &amp; William Street will be upgrade to match the accessible stops in Bourke Street.</p>

<p>The #58 West Coburg - Toorak route runs past the Royal Children's, Royal Women's and Royal Melbourne Hospitals and began seeing D-class low-floor trams operate some services in 2017.  The older Z-Class and B-Class non-low floor trams, also operate on the #58.</p>

<p>Balaclava station will also see new accessible stops created on Carlisle Street to improve accessibility at the interchange with the #3 tram and Sandringham line trains and the Bundoora RMIT stop on the #86 will also be upgraded.</p>

<p>According to a Spring Street media release, 63 next generation low-floor E-Class trams are now operating on the network with another 17 to be manufactured at Bombardier's facility in Dandenong.</p>

<p>The State Government has also announced the free tram zone's geographic reach will be extended temporarily to help with moving people to major events while various construction blitzs are underway.</p>

<p>On the weekends from the 2nd of June to the 17th of June, while the construction blitz previously announced for the Dandenong line is underway, the free tram zone will be extended to the various stops on Wellington Parade adjacent to the MCG.</p>

<p>Buses will be replacing trains between Caulfield and Westall as works on the level crossing removal projects in the area are finalised. Caulfield junction will see major signalling work completed during the shutdown period.</p>

<p>The entire Gippsland V/Line train service will be replaced with Coaches.</p>

<p>The temporary extension will be in operation for the NRL State of Origin match to be played on Wednesday 6th of June and the Queen's birthday match of Collingwood and Melbourne at the MCG.</p>

<p>The State Government has rolled out a new website where users can enter their postcode and be provided with a map &amp; summary of all transport network disruptions. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>See <a href="https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au">bigbuild.vic.gov.au</a> for more information.</p>
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Number of accessible trams stops to rise across Melbourne's tram network 

<html><body>
<p>The Victorian Government has announced the winning bidders in the tender to power Melbourne's tram network by renewable energy.</p>

<p>At the same time, the Victorian Government has announced plans to legislate the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) ensuring that by 2020, 25% of Victoria's energy will come from renewable sources and the target rises to 40% by 2025.</p>

<p>The winning tenders to power Melbourne's tram network with renewable energy were the Bannerton Solar Park located near Robinvale in the state's north-west and the <a href="http://numurkahsolarfarm.com.au/">Numurkah Solar Farm</a> directly north of Melbourne.</p>

<p>The Bannerton solar farm is expected to provide 100MW and the Numurkah solar farm is expected to produce 38MW for the Yarra Trams network.</p>

<p>The Victorian Government also announced it will commence the first VRET auction of up to 650MW of new solar and wind renewable energy capacity.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>The renewable energy sector will now have the confidence to invest in renewable energy projects and the jobs that are crucial to Victoria’s future.</p>
<cite>Lily D'Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change</cite>
</blockquote>

<p>State and territory governments are big energy consumers. Think of the schools they own, the state or territory government ultimately pays the electricity bills for them, ditto hospitals, public transport networks and all other state and territory government services.</p>

<p>The reverse auctions are a way for those governments to use their market power to ignite a new wave of electricity generation by offering contracts to buy the output from the new generators.</p>

<p>A good example of this was the ACT government auctions, the first in Australia, which saw the ACT government ultimately sign a deal to buy the electricity output from the <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/plunging-cost-of-renewables-act-wind-auction-goes-at-81-50mwh-98344/">Ararat and Coonooer Bridge wind farms</a> in Victoria.</p>

<p>The South Australian Government just last week <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-14/solar-thermal-power-plant-announcement-for-port-augusta/8804628">announced</a> it will buy the electricity output from the first SolarReserve project - a solar thermal generator that has on-site energy storage that can be used when the sun is not shinging or at night - to be located just north of Port Augusta.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Premier Andrews and Minister D'Ambrosio sign contracts for Victoria's first big solar farms. Solar trams here we come! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpringSt?src=hash">#SpringSt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VRET?src=hash">#VRET</a> <a href="https://t.co/WrKmdmyOsy">pic.twitter.com/WrKmdmyOsy</a></p>
— Leigh Ewbank (@TheRealEwbank) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/TheRealEwbank/status/900127240037347329">August 22, 2017</a>
</blockquote>

<p>Like transport networks, energy generation and transmission networks in Victoria are changing in response to sector-specific particulars, all in the context of very strong population growth in Victoria.</p>

<p>In the energy sector, Victorians are witnessing year on year price rises in the electricity and gas bills and in the electricity sector specifically, consumers who live in detached houses are seeing an increased amount of choice to control their bills through solar panel and battery kits.</p>

<p>For those who live in attached dwellings - which as well know is increasing - the same control over electricity generation and storage is not available to them.</p>

<p>Therefore new grid-connected generation will be key to both increasing price competition as well as help the state meet its emissions reduction targets.</p>

<p>As <a href="/news/its-not-just-melbourne-developing-westward-our-electricity-network-is-too">published in late July</a>, there's plenty planning work underway in Victoria's energy transmission network and AEMO has now embedded a summary of its work into the <a href="http://www.aemo.com.au/aemo/apps/visualisations/map">interactive map</a>. It's worth a look (in the layers/filter options, select 'Victorian Annual Planning Report (WAPR), Network Development and then Current Network Opportunities, click on the green overlay in Western Victoria).</p>

<p><span style="font-size:10px;">Lead image credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-class_Melbourne_tram">Wikipedia</a>.</span></p>
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Winners of tender to power Melbourne's tram network with renewable energy announced

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<p>Yesterday's budget contained a not-so-insignificant amount allocated to the procurement of more rail vehicles for both the tram network and the regional V/Line network.</p>

<p>$218.1 million has been set aside to order 10 more E-class trams on top of the 20 that were announced and ordered in last year's budget.</p>

<p>The tranche of 50 E-class trams that were from the original order have now all been delivered and Bombardier are now working on the next tranche of 20.</p>

<p>Introducing the E-class trams has seen both the Southbank and Preston depots upgraded and expanded to house the larger vehicles. Budget documents released yesterday mention that the money allocated will also be used to further upgrade existing network infrastructure.</p>

<p>Foreshadowed through the planning and tendering process for the level crossing removal projects, a price tag for the new stabling facility at Kananook has surfaced: $187.4 million.</p>

<p>As part of the Carrum level crossing removal project, which is set to have a new elevated viaduct and station built, the existing train stabling yards have to be removed and will be relocated to Kananook.</p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TB-noYwwlP0" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>On the regional rail network, Bombardier is set to receive another order for more VLocity train sets as the Victorian Government has allocated $311.1 million for 39 new carriages.</p>

<p>First introduced for the regional fast rail project over a decade ago, VLocity trains have evolved over time from being two-carriage trains at the beginning, to now where all new train sets are configured with two power cars and a trailer car.</p>

<p>Each new VLocity train (three carriages) have 220 seats and the 39 new carriages will translate into 13 new train sets, on top of the nine train sets that were funded and ordered in last year's budget.</p>

<p>At present, V/Line trains to Albury operate over the interstate standard gauge network and yesterday's budget has allocated funds to plan for the introduction of new rolling stock for this specific line. No doubt this will be a sub-fleet of VLocity trains, configured for the standard gauge network.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/vlo_wong_sx_1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="A VLocity train at Southern Cross. Image Marcus Wong"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/vlo_wong_sx_1.png?itok=jpDM7qDP" title="A VLocity train at Southern Cross. Image Marcus Wong" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A VLocity train at Southern Cross. Image <a href="https://railgallery.wongm.com/vline-southern-cross/F107_0229.jpg">Marcus Wong</a></figcaption></figure><p>Planning for the upgrade to the Hurstbridge line beyond the works already announced and budgeted for (tunnel duplication between Heidelberg and Rosanna as well as the Lower Plenty Road level crossing removal) was also allocated $5 million in yesterday's budget. This second upgrade is likely to plan for the works involved in duplicating the rail line beyond Greensborough toward Eltham.</p>

<p>To view more of the initiatives announced yesterday as part of the Treasurer's speech, see the <a href="https://www.budget.vic.gov.au/">budget.vic.gov.au website</a>.</p>

<p><span style="font-size:10px;">Lead image credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-class_Melbourne_tram">Wikipedia</a></span></p>
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Victorian budget 2017: more new trams and trains on the way

<html><body>
<p>Continuing on our journey of taking a look at Melbourne's development along each tram line, we're kicking off 2017 with the 48 - the first of the "south of the river" routes, and the 75 - both of these routes leave/enter the city on the same corridor: Wellington Parade / Bridge Road.</p>

<p>As a reminder, I'm not including projects from the City of Melbourne or City of Port Phillip in any of these individual route analyses, for the simple reason that as the network "bunches" its routes the closer to the city, the more irrelevant an individual line becomes.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, such is the nature of the tram network in the east, that routes interact with each other on a grander scale compared to Melbourne's north (use the navigation section below to view routes in the north already covered) where the network is just like our heavy rail: mainly radial. The 48 &amp; 75 could be described quite easily as radial as well however the routes link up with others in the inner suburbs, particularly in Richmond, Kew, Hawthorn and Camberwell.</p>

<p>The 48 uses the relatively new Collins Street to Spring Street southbound junction and then continues along Wellington Parade and is one of the two main routes on Bridge Road. Crossing the river the 48 turns north to Kew and then continues in a north-easterly direction to its terminus at North Balwyn.</p>

<p>The 75 begins outside Edithad Stadium and runs down to Flinders Street and shares the same track as the 48 along Wellington Parade and Bridge Route.</p>

<p>Where the 48 turns northward once crossing the river, the 75 heads through Hawthorn, turns south on Power Street then heads east along Riversdale Road - sharing the tracks with route 70 in the process - then at Camberwell junction heads south east to Toorak Road and then all the way out to Vermont South on the Burwood Highway.</p>

<h2>The numbers</h2>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Aspect</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of projects</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of dwellings</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Planning Assessment</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">21</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">1174</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Approved</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">13</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">1071</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Registration and Sales</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">20</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">983</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Under Construction</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">19</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">1013</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>TOTAL</strong></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><b>75</b></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><b>4241</b></td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="https://static.ptv.vic.gov.au/siteassets/Maps/Routes/PDFs/2903_Tram48.pdf">Linear route 48 map</a></p>

<p><a href="https://static.ptv.vic.gov.au/siteassets/Maps/Routes/PDFs/958_Tram75.pdf">Linear route 75 map</a></p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Tram routes 48 &amp; 75</th>
			<th scope="col">Further information</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekday peak frequency</td>
			<td>48: 5-6 minutes (11-12 trams per hour) 75: 9-10 minutes (6-7 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekday off-peak frequency</td>
			<td>48: 10 minutes (6 trams per hour); 75: 10 minutes (6 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekend daytime frequency</td>
			<td>Both routes: 12-15 minutes (4-5 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled night-time frequency</td>
			<td>48: 20 minutes (3 trams per hour); 75: 30 minutes (2 trams per hour) - 30 minutes (24/7 operation Friday/Saturday nights)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raised-platform stops?</td>
			<td>
			<p>Not uniform limited to inner city Melbourne, Richmond, some scattered at the outer edges of route 75.</p>
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Where do the trams go to sleep?</td>
			<td>48: <a href="http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&amp;depot=kew">Kew Depot</a>, 75: <a href="http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&amp;depot=camberwell">Camberwell Depot</a>
</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Primary tram class that operates on the route.</td>
			<td>B2 (high-floor, articulated).</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Richmond</h2>

<p>It should come as no surprise that within Richmond, the section of Bridge Road between Punt Road and Church street has a very high concentration of projects - 12 in total.  Further down the hill toward the river, 5 projects are located either side of the tram corridor.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image9_8_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="10 Bromham Place, Richmond"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="336" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9_8_0.jpg?itok=0ChjPMDK" title="10 Bromham Place, Richmond" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/10-bromham-place-richmond">10 Bromham Place, Richmond</a></figcaption></figure><h2>Hawthorn</h2>

<p>Both 48 and 75 routes diverge as Bridge Road crosses the Yarra River and both routes within the suburb of Hawthorn (and Hawthorn East) have a smattering of projects, although not on the same scale as Richmond</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/render007_exterior_c.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Maple, Hawthorn"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="413" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/render007_exterior_c.jpg?itok=QuHPWgt5" title="Maple, Hawthorn" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/maple-121-power-street-hawthorn">Maple, Hawthorn</a></figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<h2>Kew &amp; Balwyn (route 48)</h2>

<p>Kew junction features 5 projects with a further 3 located not far from the tram corridor. As route 48 climbs up the hill, the project density becomes sparse however there is one notable project located - depicted below - not far from the terminus.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image59_1_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="76-78 Doncaster road, Balwyn North"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="318" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image59_1_0.jpg?itok=lsvcggsb" title="76-78 Doncaster road, Balwyn North" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>76-78 Doncaster road, Balwyn North</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<h2>Camberwell, Burwood &amp; Vermont South (route 75)</h2>

<p>The 75 is one of the longest routes in the city and transitions through a wide variety of streetscapes.  In particular, as the route leaves Burwood-proper, the wider Burwood Highway sees the tram route run in its own right of way.  Interestingly, in this section, near Middleborough Road, a cluster of pipeline projects exists.  Ditto near Deakin University and Burwood East - clusters of 2 and 3 projects exist.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image24_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Poplars, Burwood"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="344" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image24_5.jpg?itok=aSRX0rTp" title="The Poplars, Burwood" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Poplars, Burwood</figcaption></figure><p>​​​​​​​</p>

<h2>Navigation</h2>

<p><a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-86">Anti-clockwise: the 86 - Bundoora RMIT to Waterfront City Docklands</a></p>
</body></html>

Melbourne's development by tram: the 48 & 75

<html><body>
<p>Melbourne’s tram network may hold the key to providing the dense network of high frequency rapid transport that would provide world class connectivity in the inner-city and CBD.</p>

<p>Melbourne and New York are very different cities. Drawing too close a parallel between any two cities can be a folly; however New York and Melbourne share some near similarities where it counts. One of the key similarities is that both cities share a principal dense inner central business district which is served by primarily radial public transport. Around this CBD are some relatively dense inner suburbs, and further out are large expanses of suburban sprawl.</p>

<p>This post will look at some comparisons between New York and Melbourne’s public transport and it will make the case for the continued consolidation and success of Melbourne’s CBD and inner areas -championing a kind of ‘Melbhattan’ with upgraded tram routes functioning as its rapid transport system.</p>

<h2>Density</h2>

<p>As you’d expect New York is way denser than inner Melbourne. Melbourne and New York’s four densest suburbs are shown in the table below. Melbourne’s CBD is almost a <em>fifth</em> less dense than Yorkville, New York’s most dense neighbourhood. In fact, all of the top densest suburbs in Melbourne are pretty close to <em>one fifth</em> less dense than their New York counterparts.</p>

<p>Not listed is the Manhattan average population density which is around 28,000 residents per km<sup>2</sup>, which is a slightly fairer comparison to Melbourne’s CBD, although Manhattan is around 10 times the size as the CBD of Melbourne.</p>

<table cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<caption align="bottom">Sources: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_city_districts_by_population_density">New York</a>, <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02012-13?OpenDocument">Melbourne</a>.</caption>
	<colgroup>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<thead><tr>
<th height="5">New York</th>
			<th>Residents per km<sup>2</sup>
</th>
			<th>Melbourne</th>
			<th>Residents per km<sup>2</sup>
</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td height="6">Yorkville (Manhattan)</td>
			<td align="center">60,349</td>
			<td>Melbourne</td>
			<td>12,379</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="6">Manhattan Community Board 8</td>
			<td align="center">42,312</td>
			<td>Carlton</td>
			<td>8,973</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="6">Manhattan Community Board 7</td>
			<td align="center">37,970</td>
			<td>Fitzroy</td>
			<td>7,859</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td height="5">Manhattan Community Board 3</td>
			<td align="center">36,054</td>
			<td>St Kilda East</td>
			<td>7,024</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>When we compare job density between Manhattan - which accounts for around two thirds of all jobs in New York City - and job density in Melbourne’s CBD (assumed to be SA2 areas: Melbourne, Docklands, and Southbank), <em>Melbourne is denser</em> with around 31,000 jobs km<sup>2</sup> compared to Manhattan’s 26,500. This is an interesting result. Higher job density in Melbourne’s CBD might explain its lower resident population as commercial space competes with and crowds out residential land uses. Traditionally this has been the norm. Melbourne’s CBD has historically been a centre of business with low populations up until changes in policy around the late 1980s.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/ny_from_midtown.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Manhattan is super-dense and super-sized compared to Melbourne's CBD. Image: James Ramsey"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="351" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ny_from_midtown.png?itok=lF7Ra_hO" title="Manhattan is super-dense and super-sized compared to Melbourne's CBD. Image: James Ramsey" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Manhattan is super-dense and super-sized compared to Melbourne's CBD. Image: James Ramsey</figcaption></figure><h2>Heavy rail compared</h2>

<p>Melbourne compares relatively strongly with New York when you compare built rail infrastructure. Manhattan has 17 subway lines connecting the island to the rest of New York City. It has a further six regional rail lines connecting it to New Jersey, Long Island, and beyond. In comparison, Melbourne’s CBD has a converging network of 10 metropolitan rail lines and five regional V/line routes. Whilst currently lower capacity than the subway in New York, Melbourne’s metropolitan rail network has the potential to benefit significantly with the rollout of high capacity signalling, permitting subway-like frequencies.</p>

<p>Melbourne’s rail network is not a ‘subway style’ network. Manhattan’s subway is a rapid transit system, facilitating high capacity transport not only into Manhattan, but within the island. Melbourne’s metropolitan train network does not function this way. Melbourne’s rail network is a radial suburban rail network. The Melbourne Metro tunnel (once completed), the City Loop underground stations, and future changes to the operational function of the network will make the metropolitan rail network more like a ‘metro’ in the CBD area, but its function outside of the CBD will not change significantly.</p>

<h2>Melbourne’s trams could be its own version of rapid transit</h2>

<p>Melbourne’s tram network could function like the subway does in New York. Unlike New York (anymore), Melbourne has trams. Currently Melbourne’s tram network operates almost exclusively as a streetcar network. In other words, trams share road space with other vehicles on the street, i.e. private cars. The tram route 96 is being upgraded to light-rail standard and will be the first end to end light rail in Melbourne. Upgrading Melbourne’s trams to light rail provides an opportunity to provide a high frequency light rail based ‘metro’, in the same way Manhattan’s subway provides a high level of connectivity through high frequencies, and segregated right-of-way. This network would be characterised by faster trams, higher frequencies, and fewer stops (stops could instead be mini ‘stations’, like the subway). The key to achieving this network is in providing the priority to trams on the road and at stop lights. That means, fully segregated tram rights-of-way and full call-ahead traffic light green waves.  </p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mel_nyc_tram_subway.png" rel="gallery-all" title="New York's subway &amp; Melbourne's tram networks side-by-side. Source: Google Maps"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="222" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/mel_nyc_tram_subway.png?itok=EdI7fMKW" title="New York's subway &amp; Melbourne's tram networks side-by-side. Source: Google Maps" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>New York's subway &amp; Melbourne's tram networks side-by-side. Source: Google Maps</figcaption></figure><p>Should all of Melbourne’s tram routes be upgraded to function this way? Having a fully light-rail based network would provide a significant boost to the capacity and connectivity of the tram network. It would transform its operation from a slow, streetcar system to something approaching a rapid transit network. But not all routes would necessarily need to be upgraded. If only a subset of routes were fully upgraded, say, routes 11, 16, 19, 55, 57, 75, 96, and 109 – a sub-network of high frequency routes would be created – facilitating a kind of separate, ‘mini-metro’. Working out the sharing of sections of route with slower trams would however be a challenge and may require shifting some routes to other streets.</p>

<p>There is a case for keeping some tram routes as streetcars. Trams are great street activators, activating retail and hospitality precincts through providing the density of passenger traffic and slowing car traffic down to make a street more walkable. Unlike underground rail, trams can activate an entire strip, rather than just a station precinct. In areas where this is a priority – say, strip shopping streets like Bridge Road in Richmond – a ‘metro’ style tram route could be made to run at slower speeds, with more traditional stopping patterns. But outside of these areas where activation opportunities are lower, faster speeds and more station-style stops would be essential to ensure the speed and reliability of service of a ‘metro’ style light rail.</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Go on a journey/read more</strong>: <a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-59">Melbourne's development by tram</a>.</span></p>

<p>The kind of connectivity that could result from a light-rail based ‘metro’ would be like the connectivity of Manhattan’s subway network. Manhattan’s subway is one of the reasons that the New York is a successful, vibrant, and dynamic place. Only with the subway are the densities of jobs and population possible in Manhattan that have allowed this success. Melbourne’s CBD and inner suburbs are successful in spite of relatively poorer connectivity – but its success is undoubtedly due to what connectivity it does have via the rail and tram networks.</p>

<h2>A future Melbhattan</h2>

<p>This article is really only talking about inner Melbourne. Melbourne is a sprawling metropolis. The middle and outer suburbs have a different problem that cannot be addressed the same way. In fact, the car-dependent middle and outer suburbs will never be the domain of high public transport usage – except where fast reliable bus services enable connectivity to the rail network for trips to the inner suburbs.</p>

<p>Melbourne should look at its current advantages, that being it has a strong inner core which is extremely well connected via public transport – like Manhattan – which will define its success in the 21<sup>st</sup> century much more than its suburbs will. Consolidation of densities in the CBD and the inner and middle rings of the city is vital to improving accessibility to jobs and services.</p>

<p>The polycentric city concept followed by places like Sydney is a folly. Australian cities developed outwards, and Sydney’s CBD is better connected to the rest of the city via public transport than anywhere else. Artificially creating mini CBDs in the suburbs which are meant to compete with the main CBD is a mistake. Sydney’s CBD still commands the best real estate, holds the best location, and offers the best agglomeration benefits than the satellite CBDs of North Sydney and Chatswood. Parramatta could be different, as it effectively is the CBD of another city altogether – western Sydney.</p>

<p>Melbourne shouldn’t be afraid of a future Melbhattan. It should celebrate its success, and look to places like New York to build the city that that New York built around this time last century. </p>

<p><em><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-ramsey-8ab58649">James Ramsey</a> is a transport planning consultant based in Melbourne at global engineering and professional services consultancy <a href="http://www.jacobs.com">Jacobs</a>   Stay tuned for more on 'Melbhattan', a look at the cycling infrastructure in New York is up next.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10px;">Lead image credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fearless_craig/3454448873/in/photolist-6gfXik-gxWWZE-p5sn4C-8KqUJf-67zdYb-2KV1-p4Kp53-68AWHZ-q1EZq5-cht7nf-pZ9WA7-q1n4xD-qeJEiM-pJa7xH-c5BgL7-fyfbk-p4MDx6-2KVa-NSzre-5qpJGU-7S4q7X-2KUL-99aaa3-oG2LEu-93LLjs-hGtfcF-8QEinp-di53Be-q2VDHr-prxghL-fgcV24-d1VoMA-6roqdF-9MxUd5-jQkWUK-4s51xe-EyNys-q2f66a-9egWiE-89es27-3omfu3-dz5Az6-di52W9-5VL85Y-di59km-hvt25A-pJUvTN-pm69xK-EyN6Z-7fict3">flickr</a></span></p>
</body></html>

jramsey

Melbhattan: How Melbourne’s tram network could be its version of New York’s subway network

<html><body>
<p>Tram route 86 is the last of the routes in Northern Melbourne and it also happens to be the route with the largest development pipeline thus far in this series.</p>

<p>By virtue of the route passing through Fitzroy and Collingwood, Northcote and Thornbury, the emerging Preston cluster and then right out into the middle-to-outer north eastern suburbs, the route covers a lot of ground and therefore passes by a large population. The 86 is the 2nd busiest in Melbourne with 15.5 million trips recorded annually according to the publically available data on Yarra Trams' website.</p>

<p>The municipalities of Yarra, Darebin and Whittlesea are serviced by the 86 with all but 1 project on the Apartments.com.au Project Database positioned near this tram corridor in Yarra and Darebin.</p>

<h2>The numbers</h2>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Aspect</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of projects</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of dwellings</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Planning Assessment</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">15</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">844</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Approved</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">17</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">1544</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Registration and Sales</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">13</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">851</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Under Construction</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">16</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">1175</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>TOTAL</strong></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><b>61</b></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><b>4414</b></td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>​</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1881_tram86.gif" rel="gallery-all" title="Linear route 86 map - Yarra Trams"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="3118" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1881_tram86.gif?itok=xT80xX-D" title="Linear route 86 map - Yarra Trams" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Linear route 86 map - Yarra Trams</figcaption></figure><p>​</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Tram route 86</th>
			<th scope="col">Further information</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekday peak frequency</td>
			<td>5-6 minutes (10-11 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekday off-peak frequency</td>
			<td>7-8 minutes (8 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekend daytime frequency</td>
			<td>10-12 minutes (5-6 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled night-time frequency</td>
			<td>20-30 minutes (2-3 trams per hour); 30 minutes/2 trams per hour (Sunday nights) 24/7 operation Friday/Saturday nights</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raised-platform stops?</td>
			<td>
			<p>Not uniform but several scattered up and down the route both in the inner-city and middle/outer suburbs.</p>
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Where do the trams go to sleep?</td>
			<td>
<a href="http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&amp;depot=preston">Preston Depot</a> (Miller Street, Preston)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Primary tram class that operates on the route.</td>
			<td>B2 (high-floor, articulated), <a href="http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media-centre/news/articles/2016/route-86-will-be-next-to-run-e-class!/">recently announced</a> that E-Class trams will begin rolling out on to this route.</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Annual patronage and rank</td>
			<td>15,500,000 trips annually (2nd busiest route in Melbourne). <a href="http://www.yarratrams.com.au/about-us/who-we-are/facts-figures/">Source</a>
</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Fitzroy, Collingwood and Clifton Hill</h2>

<p>Similar to the <a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-11">11</a> and <a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-96">96</a>, as the 86 passes through Fitzroy/Collingwood it passes properties with development-friendly zones - C1Z and MUZ.</p>

<p>Similarly as the 86 crosses Alexandra parade, Smith Street and Queens Parade have a liberal amount of C1Z as well as C2Z and some small parcels of GRZ2 and MUZ. A portion of Queens Parade near the intersection of Smith street is zoned Neighbourhood Residential.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/otterst.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="1-3 Otter Street, Collingwood"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="362" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/otterst.jpg?itok=ODLsvvka" title="1-3 Otter Street, Collingwood" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/otter-place-by-milieu">1-3 Otter Street, Collingwood</a></figcaption></figure><p>Many of the projects on the database are clustered on the eastern side of Smith Street in Collingwood, in particular the Smith/Gertrude Street intersection has 11 projects within a 300-400m radius.</p>

<p>There are another 15 projects located between the aforementioned "South" Fitzroy/Collingwood cluster and Alexandra Parade. Clifton Hill only has four projects located within the scope of the tram corridor.</p>

<h2>Northcote and Thornbury</h2>

<p>As the 86 tram crosses the Merri Creek into the City of Darebin, Northcote and Thornbury have 11 projects between them.</p>

<p>Excluding the properties located to the west of High Street just after crossing Merri Creek and a small section of Northcote hill, the properties directly facing High Street throughout the corridor all the way to Preston Junction are zoned C1Z.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image1pace.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pace of Northcote"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="343" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1pace.jpg?itok=6omSTA6e" title="Pace of Northcote" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/pace-of-northcote-5-beavers-road-northcote">Pace of Northcote</a></figcaption></figure><p>Darebin has also seen it fit to graduate the zones just behind the properties which face High Street as well with liberal application of the GRZ2 to both the east and west of High Street throughout Northcote and Thornbury.</p>

<h2>Preston and Bundoora</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image29_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="67-69 High Street, Preston"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="302" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image29_8.jpg?itok=wbbxJXW0" title="67-69 High Street, Preston" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/oak-on-high-67-69-high-street-preston">67-69 High Street, Preston</a></figcaption></figure><p>Preston is synonymous with its market but a curious thing is happening in the suburb. It's a large suburb with the name and postcode present on both sides of Bell Street and three mini-clusters of new development within the same suburb are apparent.</p>

<p>Preston and Bell Stations (both out of the scope of this article) have various projects at different stages popping up next to them. And the High Street/Plenty Road intersection (Preston Junction) has its own mini-cluster - all of which are within the scope of this article.</p>

<p>The properties between Preston Junction and Bell Street are covered by a C1Z and GRZ2 combination and to the north of Bell Street along Plenty Road there's a mish-mash of C1Z, GRZ2 and Industrial Zones according to the most recently published <a href="http://planning-schemes.delwp.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/178373/darebin11zn.pdf">Darebin planning maps</a>.</p>

<p>Beyond Reservoir, Plenty Road's zones become predominantly GRZ2 with the odd exception - there are three projects in Bundoora.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image111_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Botanic at Parc Vue"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="347" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image111_2.jpg?itok=QWq9O1u-" title="Botanic at Parc Vue" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/botanic-at-parc-vue-1091-plenty-road-bundoora">Botanic at Parc Vue</a></figcaption></figure><h2>Navigation</h2>

<p><a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-11">Anti-clockwise: the 11 West Preston - Victoria Harbour Docklands.</a></p>

<p><a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-48-75">Clockwise: 48 North Balwyn &amp; 75 Vermont South</a></p>
</body></html>

Melbourne's development by tram: the 86

<html><body>
<p>The route 11 tram not so long ago used to be known as the route 112 which ran from West Preston to St Kilda. The old 112 route was split in two (routes 11 and 12) and route 11 now runs from West Preston and terminates at Victoria Harbour in Docklands.</p>

<p>Route 11 is the primary public transport mode on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy and along St Georges Road through Fitzroy North, Northcote, Thornbury and Preston; this is the region we're looking at in this article.</p>

<p>Similar to <a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-96">the 96</a>, route 11 traverses more than one council outside central Melbourne - the Cities of Yarra and Darebin respectively - and has a large, but inconsistently placed, amount of development-friendly zones along the tram corridor.</p>

<h2>The numbers</h2>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Aspect</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of projects</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of dwellings</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Planning Assessment</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">7</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">667</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Approved</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">6</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">337</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Under Construction</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">5</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">127</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>TOTAL</strong></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><b>18</b></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><b>1,131</b></td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/3343_tram11.gif" rel="gallery-all" title="Linear route 11 map. Yarra Trams"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="2284" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/3343_tram11.gif?itok=wUvWWgB8" title="Linear route 11 map. Yarra Trams" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Linear route 11 map. Yarra Trams</figcaption></figure><p>​</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Tram route 11</th>
			<th scope="col">Further information</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekday peak frequency</td>
			<td>6 minutes (10 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekday off-peak frequency</td>
			<td>10-12 minutes (5-6 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekend daytime frequency</td>
			<td>10 minutes (6 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled night-time frequency</td>
			<td>20 minutes (3 trams per hour); 30 minutes/2 trams per hour (Sunday nights) 24/7 operation Friday/Saturday nights</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raised-platform stops?</td>
			<td>
			<p>Mainly in the City of Melbourne. Many on St Georges Road corridor in City of Darebin, elsewhere limited.</p>
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Where do the trams go to sleep?</td>
			<td>
<a href="http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&amp;depot=preston">Preston Depot</a> (Miller Street, Preston)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Primary tram class that operates on the route.</td>
			<td>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://vicsig.net/trams/class/E/1">E</a> (low-floor, 3 section, Bombardiér Flexity)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Annual patronage and rank</td>
			<td>12,300,000 trips annually (4th busiest). <a href="http://www.yarratrams.com.au/about-us/who-we-are/facts-figures/">Source</a>***</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span style="font-size:10px;">*** Routes 11 and 12 are the former route 112.</span></p>

<h2>Brunswick St / St Georges Road (City of Yarra)</h2>

<p>Of all the northern parts of City of Yarra, Brunswick St, the road most synonymous with the new town of Fitzroy, is the most cherished and it also the strip which has the largest, consistent, application of the development-friendly C1Z. Crossing over Alexandra parade, the zoning becomes more consistent with development restrictions, save for an enclave of commercial zoning near Scotchmer Street.</p>

<p>Unlike on route 96 - where most of the development pipeline is located out of the city of Yarra - on route 11, most of the projects (11) are located south of Alexandra Avenue.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/2656queens.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="26-56 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="329" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/2656queens.jpg?itok=KeCPeiST" title="26-56 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/new-apartments/26-56-queens-parade-fitzroy-north">26-56 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North</a></figcaption></figure><p>While located north of Alexandra Parade, the project shown above has the largest amount of dwellings, weighing in at a whopping 476 dwellings compared to an average of 39 dwellings per project in the rest of the route 11 corridor.</p>

<h2>St Georges Road (City of Darebin)</h2>

<p>As the route 11 tram cross into the City of Darebin, not only does the road corridor become far more tram friendly (the tracks are separated from the car lanes) but so does the zoning compared to the northern extremes of the City of Yarra which is dominated by Neighbourhood Residentail Zone.</p>

<p>St Georges Road through Northcote, Thornbury and Preston have had RGZ and C1Z liberally applied as well as a large amount of GRZ is present to either side of the tram corridor in Thornbury.</p>

<p>This section of the route, from the Merri Creek boundary with the City of Yarra to the Preston depot and workshops, route 11 is one of three very closely spaced radial lines. To the east lie the South Morang train line and the easternmost of Melbourne's northerly tram routes, the 86.</p>

<p>Route 86 - High Street - is most definitely the <em>hotspot du jour</em> when it comes to the numbers, but St Georges Road and route 11 shouldn't be written off because when it comes to individual project scale, there's a lot consistency.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/02_page-images-02.png" rel="gallery-all" title="The Hutton, Thornbury"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="334" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/02_page-images-02.png?itok=S9FiupX5" title="The Hutton, Thornbury" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Hutton, Thornbury</figcaption></figure><p>Route 11 eventually turns west off St Georges Road and then northward once more onto Gilbert Road however no projects are registering in this area at this time. There are two projects just north of the St Georges Road and Miller Street intersection and they are present in the project list below.</p>

<h2>Future directions</h2>

<p>At the recent Federal election, this tram route made it into the news thanks to the local ALP member, David Feeney, finding himself in a spot of bother with a property in the area and out of the blue there was a juicy loin of pork put on the electorate's table by way of a promise to extend the 11 tram somewhat uselessly about 500 metres down Gilbert Road.</p>

<p>Never let simple principles like connecting modes (eg. extending the tram to Reservoir Station) get in the way of good old fashioned pork barrelling!</p>

<p>Given the proximity to Nicholson Street through Fitzroy/Fitzroy North, much of what I wrote in the <a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-96">route 96 piece</a> stands for route 11: Metro 2 - when (if) it happens and wherever the Fitzroy station is located - will have a significant impact on route 11.</p>

<p>Trips from this inner north region to the western end of the CBD would greatly have their travel times reduced on the train, thus opening up more capacity to all existing tram routes which connect with a future Metro 2 cross-town rail line.</p>

<h2>Navigation</h2>

<ul>
<li><a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-96">Anti-clockwise: the 96 East Brunswick to St Kilda Beach</a></li>
	<li><a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-86">Clockwise: the 86 Bundoora RMIT to Waterfront City Docklands</a></li>
</ul>
</body></html>

Melbourne's development by tram: the 11

<html><body>
<p>The 96 is the third busiest tram corridor in Melbourne with the most recent data published by Yarra Trams having the route clock up 15.4million annual trips.</p>

<p>Much of this patronage is likely due to the route being the fastest route to St Kilda from the CBD at the southern end of the line, but in keeping with the rest of the series, we're not looking at the development numbers in the City of Melbourne or City of Port Phillip.</p>

<p>Route 96 is one of the major Bourke Street trams - the first in this series that started with the 59 to have its CBD routing run east-west - and upon leaving the CBD, the route follows Nicholson Street (which forms the boundary of the City of Yara and City of Melbourne between Victoria Parade and Alexandra Parade).</p>

<p>As the route passes through Fitzroy and Fitzroy North you might expect the bulk of the new development to be in this area of the tram route, but it turns out that only 20% of new development in the pipeline is present in the City of Yarra (Fitzroy/Fitzroy North).</p>

<h2>The numbers</h2>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Aspect</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of projects</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of dwellings</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Planning Assessment</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">5</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">194</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Approved</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">4</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">780</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Registration and Sales</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">6</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">252</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Under Construction</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">4</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">141</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>TOTAL</strong></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><b>19</b></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><b>1367</b></td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1041_tram96.gif" rel="gallery-all" title="Linear route 96 map. Yarra Trams"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="2027" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1041_tram96.gif?itok=3zeyqWER" title="Linear route 96 map. Yarra Trams" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Linear route 96 map. Yarra Trams</figcaption></figure><table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Tram routes 96</th>
			<th scope="col">Further information</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekday peak frequency</td>
			<td>5-6 minutes (10-11 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekday off-peak frequency</td>
			<td>7-8 minutes (8 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekend daytime frequency</td>
			<td>10-12 minutes (5-6 trams per hour)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled night-time frequency</td>
			<td>20 minutes (3 trams per hour); 30 minutes/2 trams per hour (Sunday nights) 24/7 operation Friday/Saturday nights</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raised-platform stops?</td>
			<td>
			<p>Mainly in the City of Melbourne. Ongoing <a href="https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/trams/route-96-project/">project</a> to transform all stops to raised-platform.</p>
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Where do the trams go to sleep?</td>
			<td>
<a href="http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&amp;depot=southbank">Southbank Depot</a> (Normanby Road), <a href="http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&amp;depot=preston">Preston Depot</a> (Miller Street, Preston)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Primary tram class that operates on the route.</td>
			<td>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://vicsig.net/trams/class/E/1">E</a> (low-floor, 3 section, Bombardiér Flexity), <a href="http://vicsig.net/trams/class/C2">C2</a> (low-floor, 5 section, Alstom Citadus)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Annual patronage and rank</td>
			<td>15,400,000 trips annually (3rd busiest). <a href="http://www.yarratrams.com.au/about-us/who-we-are/facts-figures/">Source</a>
</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Nicholson Street (City of Yarra)</h2>

<p>Unlike <a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-1-8">routes 1 and 8</a> which run on Lygon Street, approximately 1km to the west, Nicholson Street within the City of Yarra has a bigger range and larger scope of more development-friendly zones over properties facing the tram route corridor.</p>

<p>City of Yarra has liberally applied the Neighbourhood Residential Zone, characterised by much of the Nicholson Street corridor abruptly stepping down from either C1Z, MUZ or GRZ2 with little graduation the further properties are located away from Nicholson Street.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/111_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Nicholson &amp; Reid, Fitzroy North"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/111_0.jpg?itok=LobCy1yb" title="Nicholson &amp; Reid, Fitzroy North" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/nicholson-reid-582-nicholson-street-fitzroy-north">Nicholson &amp; Reid, Fitzroy North</a></figcaption></figure><p>There are seven projects with 239 dwellings between them located within the Nicholson Street corridor in the City of Yarra.</p>

<h2>Nicholson Street (City of Moreland)</h2>

<p>Crossing over Park Street into Brunswick proper, Brunswick East is easily classified as a hotspot for development. The route 96 tram terminates at Blyth Street but this short section of road has 80% of the dwellings as recorded on the Urban Melborune Project Database for the purposes of this case study.</p>

<p>Like in the City of Yarra, Nicholson Street in the City of Moreland has a mish-mash of zones directly fronting the tram corridor, however the more development-friendly zones: C1Z, MUZ, RGZ1 and to an extent GRZ1 are far more liberally applied both up and down the street as well as to the east and west of the tram route.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1250-ebv-g4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="East Brunswick Village"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1250-ebv-g4.jpg?itok=ze1zgmkh" title="East Brunswick Village" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/east-brunswick-village-3-bluestone-way-brunswick-east">East Brunswick Village</a></figcaption></figure><p>A short section of Nicholson Street beyond Park Street also forms the boundary of City of Moreland and the City of Yarra, let it be said that within the City of Yarra's section of the road, there are far less development-friendly zones applied.</p>

<h2>Future directions</h2>

<p>The <a href="https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/trams/route-96-project/">route 96 upgrade</a> project aims to transform the tram route into a fully-fledged light rail service from north-to-south through the city with raised platforms at each stop. Along with the deployment of new E-Class trams - the largest we seen on the network - the route 96 upgrade project has the ability to increase passenger carrying capacity to quite a large extent.</p>

<p>Much of the route between Southbank and St. Kilda, within the City of Port Phillip, is contained within the old St. Kilda Railway line corridor with many of these areas locked away with Neighbourhood Residential Zones. St Kilda itself and Brunswick (to a lesser extend Fitzroy/Fitzroy/North) are likely to remain the focus areas for new development within this tram corridor.</p>

<p>One major new public transport project that is often talked about on Apartments.com.au and elsewhere which is more likely to have a more profound impact on travel patterns in the inner-north is 'Metro 2': a new rail tunnel from Clifton Hill to Newport via the CBD and Fishermans Bend, connecting the Mernda (South Morang) and Werribee Lines.</p>

<p>Infrastructure Victoria recently released a value capture options policy which took a hypothetical look at the value capture opportunities around Metro 2. It made the following route assumption (see map, bottom right) and has a station near the intersection of Nicholson Street and Alexandra Parade.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/iv_val_cap_metro2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Route of Metro 2 from Infrastructure Victoria's value capture options case study"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="509" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/iv_val_cap_metro2.png?itok=SRu1vM1Q" title="Route of Metro 2 from Infrastructure Victoria's value capture options case study" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Route of Metro 2 from <a href="http://yoursay.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/30-year-strategy/application/files/8214/7630/8983/IV18_Value_Capture_Options_Final_web.pdf">Infrastructure Victoria's value capture options case study</a></figcaption></figure><p>When the Victorian Government decides to invest the money to explore this project in more detail (as Infrastructure Victoria have advised them to do with their draft 30-year strategy), this route may change.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, should Metro 2 be built in this fashion, with the stations placed where they are on the map above, the inner-north will see a significant boost to public transport capacity, and perhaps most importantly, there will be a significant time saving for trips made from the inner-north to the western end of the CBD, and into Fishermans Bend.</p>

<p>In a way this Metro 2 route, such as it is in Infrastructure Victoria's case study, will mirror the general route of the 96 tram with a loose relationship between the first, CBD-end, station in Fishermans Bend and the Whiteman Street stop (where both 109 and 96 trams diverge) and Montague Street light rail stop. But it will be much faster and have far larger carrying capacity with the existing tram routes in the north feeding into the new cross-town rail line.</p>

<p>While the 96 upgrade project is very much welcome, the Metro 2 project will have the most dramatic effect on development in the inner-north (a more liberal approach to zoning the tram routes in the City of Yarra would also be welcome) as well as Fishermans Bend and should be a top priority project given the vision for Fishermans Bend and Infrastructure Victoria's top recommendation to encourage new development in existing areas.</p>

<h2>NAVIGATION</h2>

<ul>
<li><a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-1-8">Anti-clockwise: the 1 &amp; 8 (Lygon Street)</a></li>
	<li><a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-11">Clockwise: the 11 West Preston - Victoria Harbour Docklands</a></li>
</ul>
</body></html>

Melbourne's development by tram: the 96

<html><body>
<p>Tram routes 1 and 8 run in a combined tram corridor from Brunswick East through to the Arts Centre stop on St Kilda Road. They both originate in different places: the 1 at Bell Street and Nicholson Street, the 8 at the intersection of Moreland Road and Sydney Road and terminate in different places as well, South Melbourne Beach and Toorak Road respectively.</p>

<p>To keep things simple, the scope of this article is just the north-of-the-city section of both routes. Proposals are afoot to reconfigure and renumber these two tram routes but suffice it to say, despite the reorganisation, Lygon Street - which is our focus today - will not fundamentally change, it will still have 2 tram routes running up and down the street.</p>

<p>Like other parts of Brunswick and Coburg, development is highly correlated with the tram corridors with Lygon Street south of Moreland Road where all current projects on the Apartments.com.au project database are located. The most recent planning maps for Moreland show the development-friendly C1Z running up both sides of Lygon Street from the City of Melbourne boundary to Moreland Road and beyond that to the end of route 1 on Bell Street, the General Residential Zone becomes dominant.</p>

<p>On paper, the section of both routes where they are combined provide quite possibly the best tram services in Melbourne with a tram every 10 minutes at night (generally after 9pm), at all other times, a very high frequency service is offered. These two routes pass through a small section of the City of Yarra in the north, however the properties facing and surrounding the tram corridor are overwhelmingly the restrictive Neighbourhood Residential Zone with two small C1Z and 1 MUZ exceptions around the intersection of Pigdon Street and Lygon Street.</p>

<h2>The numbers</h2>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Aspect</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of projects</th>
			<th scope="col">Number of dwellings</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Planning Assessment</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">2</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">26</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Approved</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">8</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">305</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Registration and Sales</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">3</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">229</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Residential projects: Under Construction</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">5</td>
			<td class="rtecenter">369</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>TOTAL</strong></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><b>18</b></td>
			<td class="rtecenter"><b>929</b></td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span style="font-size:10px;">* Residential projects includes mixed-use projects.</span></p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/721_tram1.gif" rel="gallery-all" title="Linear route 1 map. Yarra Trams"><img alt="" class="image-article-half-width-290px" height="1117" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_half_width_290px/public/pictures/article-images/721_tram1.gif?itok=S0jYAa6e" title="Linear route 1 map. Yarra Trams" width="290"></a>

<figcaption>Linear route 1 map. Yarra Trams</figcaption></figure><p>​</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/991_tram8.gif" rel="gallery-all" title="Linear route 8 map. Yarra Trams"><img alt="" class="image-article-half-width-290px" height="1196" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_half_width_290px/public/pictures/article-images/991_tram8.gif?itok=td0jkY2x" title="Linear route 8 map. Yarra Trams" width="290"></a>

<figcaption>Linear route 8 map. Yarra Trams</figcaption></figure><p> </p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%;">
<thead><tr>
<th scope="col">Tram routes 1 and 8 (combined statistics)</th>
			<th scope="col">Further information</th>
		</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekday peak frequency</td>
			<td>3-4 minutes (18 trams per hour)*</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekday off-peak frequency</td>
			<td>6 minutes (10 trams per hour)*</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled weekend daytime frequency</td>
			<td>6 minutes (10 trams per hour)*</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Timetabled night-time frequency</td>
			<td>10 minutes (6 trams per hour); 15 minutes/4 trams per hour (Sunday nights)*</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raised-platform stops?</td>
			<td>
			<p>Mainly in the City of Melbourne. Limited northside. Some southside.</p>
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Where do the trams go to sleep?</td>
			<td>
<a href="http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&amp;depot=brunswick">Brunswick Depot</a> (Sydney Road, Brunswick), <a href="http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&amp;depot=malvern">Malvern Depot</a> (Coldblo Road, Armadale) route 1: Brunswick, route 8: Brunswick and Malvern.</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Primary tram class that operates on the route.</td>
			<td>
<a href="http://vicsig.net/trams/class/B2">B2</a> (high-floor, articulated), <a href="http://vicsig.net/trams/class/D1">D1</a> (3-section, low-floor, articulated), <a href="http://vicsig.net/trams/class/Z3">Z3</a> (high-floor)</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>Annual patronage and rank</td>
			<td>Route 8: 9,100,000 trips annually (8th busiest), Route 1: 7,800,000trips annually (10th busiest). <a href="http://www.yarratrams.com.au/about-us/who-we-are/facts-figures/">Source</a>
</td>
		</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span style="font-size:10px;">* The frequency statistics represent the section of both routes where they are combined: Moreland Road to Arts Centre.</span></p>

<h2>Lygon Street</h2>

<p>Lygon Street and Brunswick Road is an area on the combined section of routes 1 and 8 that is of particular interest: on three of the four corners of the intersection there are projects present. One is under construction, one approved and another at sales with another project currently being assessed by Moreland a little further up the street.</p>

<p>The highest concentration of projects on Lygon Street lie between Glenlyon Road and Blyth Street: three under construction, four approved and one at sales.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image40_3_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rima - 22 Lygon Street, Brunswick East"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="368" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image40_3_0.jpg?itok=i5JuRaV8" title="Rima - 22 Lygon Street, Brunswick East" width="580"></a>

<figcaption><a href="/buildings/rima-22-lygon-street-brunswick-east">Rima - 22 Lygon Street, Brunswick East</a></figcaption></figure><p>Between Blyth and Albion Streets a further five projects exist: one under construction, one at sales, one being assessed and two approved.</p>

<p>At present we don't register any projects north of Albion Street however this area has not been bereft of any new high-density development - the street changes name to Holmes Street north of Albion and then becomes Nicholson Street north of Moreland Road - and it's this intersection where the route 1 and 8 tram routes split that buildings like <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/QsdrofXFqv62">The Nicholson</a>, one of the largest modular construction projects in recent times, exist.</p>

<h2>Future directions</h2>

<p>As mentioned in the <a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-19">route 19 article</a>, Moreland Road is playing an interesting role if you look at the 'helicopter' perspective on Moreland's published planning maps. At Melville and Moreland (route 55), Sydney and Moreland (route 19/route 8) and Lygon and Moreland (routes 1 and 8), the more development-friendly zones bulge around each intersection which points to the possibility that smaller-scale activity centres will be created over time.</p>

<p>Perhaps this is an opportunity for Moreland to encourage more commercial/employment uses in these areas rather than allow residential development to make a foothold?</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/moreland_rd_zones.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Moreland Road as it stands: a stitch of current published City of Moreland zone maps"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="103" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/moreland_rd_zones.png?itok=Yu3rqqNz" title="Moreland Road as it stands: a stitch of current published City of Moreland zone maps" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Moreland Road as it stands: a stitch of current published City of Moreland zone maps</figcaption></figure><p>This east-west corridor is currently served by the 510 bus from Essendon Station via Fletcher Street/Buckley Street - Pascoe Vale Road - Moreland Road - Normanby Avenue and onwards to Ivanhoe (20 minute frequencies at best, however). The route 8 tram duplicates this route between Sydney Road and Holmes Street/Nicholson Street (the extension of Lygon Street).</p>

<p>The Victorian Government's level crossing removal programme will see grade separation at Moreland Road and the Upfield train line - right next to the Brunswick depot (and terminus of the route 8) - is it time to study the creation of a proper cross-town tram route on Moreland Road?</p>

<p>As <a href="/news/the-northern-light-rail-link">I've written previously</a>, the distance from Moreland Station (Coburg) to Essendon is approximately 4km and from the Nicholson Street/Holmes Street and Moreland Road intersection to St. Georges Road intersection is approximately 1.5 km. Approximately 5.5km of new track track in the Moreland Road corridor would link all the tram routes in Melbourne's north.</p>

<p>In assessing the merits of this east-west route (memo: Infrastructure Victoria/Public Transport Victoria/Yarra Trams and all those who would leap to "a bus will suffice"), it would be wise to take a serious look at the operational benefits in relation to the depots.</p>

<p>Laying this new tram track in Pascoe Vale Road/Moreland Road/Normanby Ave would then allow new cross-town services to operate, linking all the radial tram lines (along with three rail lines) and providing incentives to intensify commercial/office/employment development in the corridor but also provide increased operational flexibility for Yarra Trams when it comes to making good use of its existing depot facilities in the north.</p>

<p>Essendon is constrained for space, Brunswick and Preston depots less so to varying degrees. Moreland Road tram tracks would allow Yarra trams to increase the tram storage capacity at Brunswick and Preston depots to cater for a larger (and individual longer) tram fleet and use those depots for routes that currently operate out of space-constrained Essendon.</p>

<h2>Navigation</h2>

<ul>
<li><a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-19">Anti-clockwise: the 19 North Coburg - Flinders Street Station, City (Elizabeth Street)</a></li>
	<li><a href="/news/melbournes-development-by-tram-the-96">Clockwise: the 96 East Brunswick - St Kilda Beach</a></li>
</ul>
</body></html>

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