ASX-listed developer Cedar Woods is progressing its plans for its Southbank arts precinct site.&nbsp;

The developer has filed plans, which are now with the&nbsp;Department of Transport and Planning, for a new 20-level tower at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/141-151-sturt-street-southbank-vic-3006">141–151 Sturt Street</a>, a 2,718 sqm block opposite the Habitat Filter sculpture.

The proposal seeks to demolish the two-level&nbsp;commercial building, including a small supermarket and medical tenancies, and create a new building with 180 apartments and a focus on an&nbsp;active public realm and arts integration.

&nbsp;

<img alt="Southbank site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="76a72db6-91ef-43ae-827d-a9cfa72893d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Site.png?VersionId=DZgtB4K6BswVh0QtCs3iLjXaLp0CbcEb" />

&nbsp;

There will be a full mix of apartment configurations, including 28 studio apartments, 16 one-bedroom, 104 two-bedroom, and 32 three-bedroom units.

Retail, creative arts, and residential amenity functions are integrated across the lower levels. A food and drink tenancy is planned to front Dodds Street, while a retail tenancy fronting Sturt Street will be accessed via an elevated walkway. The first floor includes a substantial 734 sqm creative arts space, envisioned to support Melbourne’s growing cultural and digital industries.

Architecture firm <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has put together the plans. In their&nbsp;Urban Design Report they highlighted the project’s ambition to embed itself within Southbank’s evolving cultural fabric.

A central feature of the design is a through-block link connecting Sturt and Dodds Streets, landscaped with native plantings and embedded with universal access ramps.

“The ramp has been thoughtfully integrated as the primary access point, ensuring universal accessibility for all users,” the report noted, with the link offering “a direct response to the urban planning scheme of creating more green spaces within our communities”.

<img alt="Southbank podium" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4d24b1b2-d69c-4a11-a11d-ec6df432221c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium.png?VersionId=geWoJyZDmPSLODZ_.PNJ0LvpOmyyCdpo" />

The building’s podium form responds to the mandatory height limits along Dodds Street and maintains a fine-grain interface to adjoining developments. Above the podium, the tower is articulated with recessed balconies and a focus on views toward the CBD and surrounding arts institutions. A communal rooftop recreation deck and indoor lounge are positioned on level four, adjoining seven apartments and providing over 900 sqm of resident amenity space.

Vehicle access and loading will be provided via Dodds Street, with 155 resident car spaces located across two basement levels and the first three above-ground floors. Bicycle storage is more generous, with 226 spaces distributed across resident, staff and visitor needs.

Rothelowman describes the architecture as “humanist,” with ground-level interfaces designed to encourage social interaction and provide a dignified entry for both residents and passers-by. “All street interfaces are crafted to invite and nurture human connections,” the design report states. “The façade transitions to a human scale, providing an approachable and engaging streetscape”.

Cedar Woods, while well-known for its large communities it develops outside of Australia's capital cities, they have recently developed in Melbourne's inner-ring before. They are approaching completion at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/88-leveson-north-melbourne-88-leveson-street-north-melbourne-vic-3051">88 Leveson</a>, just 15 townhouses in the heart of North Melbourne.

Joel Robinson

Cedar Woods progresses with new apartment plans in Southbank arts precinct

Brisbane developers Core Property Partners and Vector Property Australia has teamed up for Brisbane's newest apartment development.

The duo identified <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/east-brisbane-qld-4169">East Brisbane</a> as their preferred suburb, on the fringe of the Gabba Precinct, where they've just revealed BANKSII, 72 apartments opposite Raymond Park.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5481]

The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments will sit in a glass-wrapped building that will also feature a rooftop with an&nbsp;infinity-edge pool, a BBQ area and alfresco dining spaces, sun lounges, and a sauna, as well as a resident-only gym and a ground-floor cafe.

Rhett Williams, Director of Vector Property Australia, said the project will lift the quality of the East Brisbane community and set a new benchmark.

"In Brisbane’s current property landscape, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/banksii-east-brisbane-169-wellington-road-east-brisbane-qld-4169">BANKSII</a> stands out through its emphasis on lifestyle-oriented living, connectivity and sophisticated design," Williams says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5479]

The 10-level building has been designed by MAS Architecture. Their designs were inspired by the native Banksia flower, with the architecture and interiors reflecting the organic symmetry of its namesake flora. MAS has interpreted this throughout the building’s curved form, façade detailing and interior palette.&nbsp;

The building’s flowing geometry and natural tones are complemented by large balconies and floor-to-ceiling glazing, maximising cross-breezes, daylight and views over the city, parklands and river.

“Having a strong narrative for a building helps us architecturally,” MAS noted. "We can choose colours that come off that species of flowers. The trunk and the trees and the flower elements all are now visible in our joinery on the inside and in our architectural finishes on the outside."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5485]

Apartments will feature timber floors, soft porcelain tiles, brushed bronze fittings, and stone benchtops with warm veining.&nbsp;

Kitchens feature premium SMEG appliances and generous storage, while bathrooms have been designed as calming retreats with curved cabinetry and twin sinks in the master ensuites.

The building will feature a suite of rooftop and wellness amenities. Residents will have access to an infinity-edge pool, BBQ and alfresco dining areas, sun lounges and a rooftop sauna.&nbsp;

A residents-only gym will be located on the podium level, while a ground-floor café and landscaped laneway will further activate the site and improve neighbourhood connectivity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5488]

BANKSII will rise from a prime Wellington Road site, with the building oriented to overlook the adjacent Raymond Park and take in extensive city views. It is also on the doorstep of key&nbsp;lifestyle infrastructure, including the future Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, The Gabba stadium, and the planned Brisbane Live arena.&nbsp;

Public transport options, including ferry, bus and rail - including the future Cross River Rail Woolloongabba station - are all nearby, supporting a car-optional lifestyle just minutes from the CBD.

Williams said the team spent over a year searching for the ideal site before securing this location.

"We were attracted to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/east-brisbane-qld-4169">East Brisbane</a> as it is a vibrant and growing community that offers a perfect balance of urban convenience and natural beauty with the parklands and river on our doorstep.”

The project is part of the broader Woolloongabba Games precinct, which is undergoing significant investment in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. This urban renewal, coupled with infrastructure upgrades, is expected to enhance long-term liveability and capital growth in the area.

Given the wide max of configurations, BANKSII is expected to suit everyone from first home buyers and investors to families and downsizers.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136432]

BANKSII sales launch in booming East Brisbane apartment market

The Minns Labor Government will deliver Sydney’s first new heavy rail station in more than a decade – enabling up to 10,000 new homes by rezoning land around Woollahra and Edgecliff stations, right next to the CBD, to tackle the housing crisis and rebalance growth across the city.

Recent reports by the NSW Productivity Commission have warned that Sydney is losing twice as many young people as it is gaining, while also finding that Woollahra is the most feasible Local Government Area (LGA) in New South Wales to build new housing.

Despite this, housing approvals in Woollahra consistently lag well behind other LGAs, and the population has declined by 11 per cent over the past 50 years while Greater Sydney as a whole has grown by 74 per cent.

The new station that will be an eight-minute trip from Sydney CBD, will be located on the Eastern Suburbs train line in Woollahra, where a station build was started in the 1970s but never completed.

To enable the delivery of new homes the NSW Government will lead a rezoning of Woollahra and Edgecliff stations similar to other state led rezonings to allow additional homes to be built around the stations.

Affordable housing will also make up a proportion of development on the site with the final amount of affordable housing required, to be determined as part of the rezoning process.

The area surrounding the new station is within walking distance of major green and recreational space including Cooper, Trumper, Rushcutters Bay and Centennial Parks.

The Eastern Suburbs train line between Bondi Junction and Sydney CBD also has the lowest passenger usage rates during the AM peak of any line on the Sydney network, with only 43 per cent of operating capacity during the AM peak currently being utilised by passengers.

Sydney Water and Infrastructure NSW have confirmed there is capacity in the water and wastewater systems to accommodate the proposed 10,000 dwellings without major upgrades.

The rezoning is expected to take around two years and will further support the Government’s housing targets that rebalance the delivery of new homes around existing infrastructure.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Next stop Woollahra train station - delivering up to 10,000 new homes in the heart of Sydney

<section data-element_type="section" data-id="b086848">
Fresh off completing its mixed-use Malvern project Malvern Collective, Kokoda Property Group has acquired a prime site on Richmond's Bridge Road.

They are planning a mid-rise residential development with&nbsp;integrated wellness amenities and a vibrant ground-floor retail and dining offering.

The site, at&nbsp;487–495 Bridge Road, spans&nbsp;1,650 sqm with 50 metres of dual frontage across Bridge Road and Palmer Street. It is currently leased to Adairs, and has a large retail building and 20 onsite car parks.
</section>

<section data-element_type="section" data-id="534a164">
Kokoda Property Group’s acquisition forms part of a broader phase of growth in Melbourne, building on momentum from the completion of Malvern Collective and the recent purchase of a Burnley Street site for the developer’s first commercial project.&nbsp;

Mark Stevens, Kokoda Property Group’s Founder and Managing Director, said that the company’s Bridge Road site acquisition signals confidence in a city that is re-accelerating.

“Melbourne is regaining momentum,"&nbsp;Stevens said.

"After a cautious period post-COVID, we’re seeing buyer sentiment stabilise and capital leaning back into well-located, quality projects. Victoria now benefits from deep builder capacity and competitive delivery pricing, creating a rare opportunity to bring design-led inner-city developments to market without compromising on craftsmanship.

“Richmond ticks all the boxes for us – connectivity, culture and everyday amenity – making Bridge Road the perfect address for an amenity-rich, multi-use development."

<img alt="Kokoda" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9a8de51d-8092-480a-8b7e-e081816692c2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-08-29%20at%208.54.27%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VRHpV5.6beOu2cieKHWrw3ErMPuVOAuj" />

Envisioned as an “urban lantern” the building will bring a distinctive new presence to Bridge Road with a sculptural retail frontage, designed to honour the street’s heritage character while contributing to its renewal.

Stevens said the acquisition reflects the developer’s commitment to design-led addresses in Melbourne’s inner city.

“Drawing on Richmond’s rich heritage and dynamic character, we’ve envisioned a contemporary building that respects the past while elevating the way people live today. With dual frontages, curated ground-floor spaces, and a focus on wellness, this project will contribute to the neighbourhood’s evolution, appealing to both downsizers and a new generation of professionals.”

Kokoda Property will now progress concept design ahead of a future planning process.
</section>

Mark Stevens, Kokoda Property Group’s Founder and Managing Director, said that the company’s Bridge Road site acquisition signals confidence in a city that is re-accelerating

First look: Kokoda secures Richmond site for new apartment development

Gold Coast developer Drew Group is fast approaching sell-out at its Main Beach apartment development, Lagoon Main Beach.

In the last nine months, Drew Group and sales partner Pezet Matheson have secured 31 sales totalling over $75 million, as the two-tower development advances towards completion under the expert eye of Hutchinson Builders.

“Today's buyers are more discerning than ever," Drew Group Managing Director Jon Drew says.

"It's essential to provide something truly unique that sets a development apart, and we believe Lagoon has achieved just that."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=193023]

Just over 50 per cent of recent&nbsp;sales have been to local buyers, reflecting the deep trust and connection within the Gold Coast community that Drew Group has developed over the years.

Demand has been particularly robust at the top end, with two of the three exclusive penthouses already sold, alongside five sub-penthouses. Only seven apartments remain in Lagoon's Signature Series — one&nbsp;penthouse and six sub-penthouses.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=284864]

Drew Group has also removed the much-maligned sunset clause from all contracts at Lagoon. The sunset clause — although rarely invoked, yet on occasion known to have been — allows developers to take back contracts on apartments should the building not be completed within the timeframe specified in the contract.

Pezet Matheson Co-Director Jayde Pezet says the fact Lagoon is&nbsp;within a year of completion, and has no sunset clause in contracts, provides certainty to buyers.

"This is paramount in the current market," Pezet says.

Drew Group has committed to providing the highest level of security inclusions — none more impressive than the Ubiquity Access Control System, a cutting-edge facial recognition technology that is one of the most state-of-the-art keyless entry systems on the market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=190743]

One of the biggest drawcards to Lagoon has been the size of the apartments.

"It is unlikely that any future new development in Main Beach will be able to offer such spacious living at this price point," Drew says.

"Today's buyers are more discerning than ever, carefully evaluating amenities like gyms, spas, workspaces, and beach lockers, along with quality finishes. It's essential to provide something truly unique that sets a development apart, and we believe Lagoon has achieved just that."

Lagoon is set to complete construction in mid-2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108747]

Lagoon Main Beach approaches sell-out as local buyers drive $75m in sales

UDIA

Some of South East Queensland&#39;s best developers scooped a number of prizes at the annual UDIA QLD awards last weekend.

The national ASX-listed developer Mirvac took out the best development in Queensland, with their Gainsborough Greens project winning the Project of the Year Award.

Gainsborough Greens, which also&nbsp;took home the Environmental Excellence award, is a masterplanned community&nbsp;in the Gold Coast&#39;s Pimpama area.

&quot;The project is a benchmark example of environmental rehabilitation, creating an outstanding backdrop for a master planned community,&quot; the judges noted.

Gainsborough Greens has created a new habitat for koalas and an array of native fauna and birdlife species within 170 hectares of conservation area.

Aria Property Group, whose focus is sustainable developments in Brisbane, won five awards on the night, spread across their residential and commercial efforts in the Fish Lane Town Square precinct.

The Standard by Aria, their flagship development with 260 apartments, Tesla vehicles for residents, and 2,000 sqm of resident amenity, won the awards for Construction Excellence, Design Excellence, and the best High Density Development.

The Fish Lane Town Square took out the awards for Urban Renewal and Retail and Commercial Excellence.

Aria recently launched their latest sustainable project, Trellis, in South Bris​bane, which will no doubt more than hold its own at the awards following its completion in mid-2023.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108278 project_image_fid=173599]

Mosaic Property Group, the&nbsp;popular Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast developer, won two awards for two of its Sunshine Coast developments.

Drift by Mosaic, Coolum Beach&rsquo;s first new apartment development in 13 years, won the&nbsp;Medium Density Development award. Mosaic engaged extensively with the local community to deliver a responsive design, taking advantage of the sloping 4,161 sqm site.

Their $104 million, Avalon by Mosaic apartment project, built on a historic pocket of land on the Maroochy River, won the&nbsp;High Density &ndash; 10 storeys or less award. Mosaic are soon to announce&nbsp;something special to the market on the same strip soon.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13241 project_image_fid=179142]

&quot;We are incredibly proud and humbled to have been recognised by our esteemed industry peers at this year&rsquo;s&nbsp;UDIA Queensland&nbsp;Awards,&quot; Mosaic said.

&quot;Everyone at Mosaic, at every level of our business, works extremely hard to deliver benchmark luxury residential projects, coupled with exceptional service and experience for our customers. We are grateful to be acknowledged once again amongst the industry&#39;s very best.&quot;

An unsurprising win was Marquee Development Partners, who won the&nbsp;Marketing Excellence Award for their&nbsp;Cannes&nbsp;project. It&nbsp;became the number one selling project in the first half of 2020, with 94 of the 96 apartments sold prior to construction commencing.

The development was also a finalist for Project of the Year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24781 project_image_fid=71219]

The national ASX-listed developer Mirvac took out the best development in Queensland, with their Gainsborough Greens project winning the Project of the Year Award.

Queensland's biggest apartment developers take out UDIA QLD awards

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The Commonwealth Government’s $25,000 Homebuilder stimulus package for the housing and construction sector will help promote jobs, wages and activity as Australia recovers from the economic effects of COVID-19, according to the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA).
The Government has today unveiled its housing stimulus plan to encourage homebuyers back into the market, start construction on new housing stock and generate jobs.
Housing and construction is a central pillar of the economy – generating 7.5 percent of the nation’s growth and supporting 750,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The economic recovery will be swifter and stronger for having a housing and construction industry that is robust, so the Government’s focus on stimulating activity is the right one.
Right now, the industry is facing a slowdown in pricing, rents, sales volumes, approvals, construction and forward work pipelines.
The package will help pull forward activity that meets the challenges of the ‘economic and jobs cliff’ facing the industry in the second half of 2020.
It was critical the federal government acted and now we need the states to play their part by applying targeted incentives into the ‘gaps’ in the Homebuilder scheme (such as townhouses and off-the-plan apartments), as well as fixing planning and state taxation barriers to new housing.
“States sit at the coalface of housing markets, and are the custodians of approval systems, state taxes and charges and local government processes. This is their once-in-a-generation opportunity to drive real reform right through the whole housing supply chain.
The federal package represents an important shift from the stabilisation phase of the Government’s response to COVID-19 to one that addresses the need to kickstart activity across the economy.
The Government’s Homebuilder package is modelled around the First Home Owners Deposit Gap Scheme it launched in January this year with the same income caps for singles and couples but applied to all homebuyers.
We encourage the Government to keep an open mind on the income and price thresholds that apply to the Homebuilder package, given the difference between major capital cities and regions. A $750,000 pricing cap, especially in Sydney and Melbourne for house and land, will be restrictive in many areas.
UDIA is also conscious the package will primarily have an effect in greenfield markets, and there is limited benefit to middle ring or apartment development also crucial for creating needed supply and employment.
UDIA believes that a broader spectrum of income caps may be needed to generate the shortfall in demand which we estimate to be up to 50,000 new homes over the near term and we urge the Government to continually review this so the vital objective of stimulating demand in the short term is achieved.
UDIA’s “Bounce Back” plan also promoted deeper and broader demand initiatives that UDIA wants to work with governments to enable the industry by advancing: 
Investment in infrastructure in partnership with the states that unlocks the essential trunk infrastructure needed over the next 12 months to service new residential construction and create a double dividend of future supply and jobs.
More efficient planning and environmental approvals, including guaranteed assessment timelines for major projects currently stuck in the system related to the Environmental Biodiversity and Conservation Act.
A pathway to re-establish immigration levels that support economic growth, consistent with health protocols.
SIMON BASHEER is the UDIA National President.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

New Homebuilder Grant is a crucial move to counteract coronavirus: UDIA's Simon Basheer

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EXPERT OBSERVER
An Infrastructure Accord is needed to drive the next wave of investment needed to keep pace with a growing list of national priority projects, according to the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA).
UDIA National – the nation’s peak organisation for the urban development industry - has welcomed release of Infrastructure Australia’s latest Infrastructure Priority List. The expanded list of projects shows there is clear demand for investment in road, water, energy, educational and social infrastructure.
What’s clear is that Australia is already investing heavily in infrastructure but will need to accelerate that as our cities and population continue to grow.
There is a compelling case for bringing more discipline to the way we plan, fund and deliver the next generation of infrastructure projects across our cities and regions.
We need to go further and lift infrastructure above the political fray and ensure the durability of decisions to give comfort to investors – both in infrastructure, but also the land use and housing supply that follows.
A bi-partisan Infrastructure Accord would help insulate the identification, funding and delivery of major projects from politics and see the Priority List as the baseline for decisions on prioritisation.
It could be extended to ensure all projects include analysis of the associated land use and housing opportunities to maximise the dividend from investments made by government and the private sector.
If governments want to step outside the Priority List, they can do so – but they first need to submit the projects to Infrastructure Australia for full business case assessment.
UDIA National also urges governments to properly scrutinise the trunk infrastructure needs of housing development opportunities that emerge from the list, particularly transport projects.
This would ensure we can create a more robust pipeline of new and diversified housing stock to keep pace with population growth and demographic demands.
CONNIE KIRK is the UDIA National Executive Director
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Infrastructure accord needed to drive investment: UDIA's Connie Kirk

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EXPERT OBSERVER
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Australian cities and regions will be able to better plan for the economic and social dividend of growth with the launch of a new National Population Plan.
The Commonwealth Government has today announced details of its National Population Plan, building on the recent creation of a new Centre for Population Growth and changes to the migration program. 
Immigration and population growth have been an essential ingredient of the modern Australian story, adding to the nation’s collective prosperity.
Our population will keep growing so we need to stay ahead of the task of understanding its implications. 
A clear national plan that includes rolling short and long-term forecasts, maps settlement patterns and informs land use, housing, infrastructure and service delivery is crucial. 
We can also use the opportunity to open a stronger dialogue with the community around the trajectory and consequences of change that can create stronger, more prosperous cities and regions. 
A major plus of the plan is it leans on the states to help inform settlement patterns and then structures the migration and visa program to meet workforce needs. 
This should means the states are better placed to deliver on the land use, infrastructure and housing needed to sustain known rates of growth. 
Migrants have always brought skills, workforce capability, wages, tax revenue, diversity and improved productivity to the table. 
The new National Population Plan shows a willingness to harness these assets and tie them to a population policy framework that enhances the national economy.”
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CONNIE KIRK is the UDIA National Executive Director.
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National Population Plan a critical new policy tool: UDIA

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EXPERT OBSERVER
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The introduction of legislation giving effect to the Commonwealth Government’s deposit gap scheme is the first step in easing the pathway to home ownership.
The scheme – promised on the eve of the federal election – helps reduce barriers to home ownership by closing deposit savings requirement and effectively reducing mortgage insurance costs. 
We welcome introduction of the legislation and said the next critical step was getting design features right. 
UDIA has been actively engaging with the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC), which has carriage of the scheme’s design, implementation and ongoing management. 
The scheme rightly recognises that saving for a deposit is arguably the biggest hurdle most homebuyers face in trying to enter the market. 
The rapid escalation in house prices in the past decade has widened the deposit gap, so the Commonwealth’s decision to effectively go guarantor on a portion of the loan makes sense. 
It sits well alongside other initiatives to improve housing affordability – like retention of negative gearing and capital gains tax arrangements, and improved loan serviceability assessment rules. 
The next challenge is to ensure the design principles of the scheme reflect the reality of house prices in different markets. 
The draft legislation proposes variable price caps for different capital cities and regions, which is a perfectly logical step. 
We would also urge however that the same flexibility apply to income thresholds, particularly in the most expensive capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne. 
Our research shows that singles in particular on the proposed income threshold of $125,000 would not be able to access housing in large tracts of Sydney and Melbourne. 
The other recommendation we would make is to limit access to the scheme to newly-constructed properties, which has the benefit of spurring construction activity at a time the economy needs a boost.
We also welcome provisions in the legislation to expand the mandate of NHFIC to examine housing supply, demand and affordability. 
The renewed research capacity will give the Government deeper insights into the policy barriers to improved housing production and better affordability. 
UDIA National looks forward to working further with Government on the precise design of the new mandate for NHFIC. 
CONNIE KIRK is the UDIA National Executive Director.
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Deposit gap scheme opens the door to home ownership: UDIA's Connie Kirk

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Swift action by the Commonwealth Government on a suite of policy initiatives can position Australia’s cities, economy and housing markets for sustained prosperity.
Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) has released a post-election action plan entitled Building A Better Australia that outlines six policy priorities across population, cities, infrastructure, housing, tax and regulation.
The plan presents a blueprint for policy priorities that can enhance the global competitiveness of Australian cities.
There is clear goodwill towards a government re-elected through the prism of its pro-growth and aspirational agenda.
The optimism they are generating is giving hope to everyone interested in a robust economy and recovery in housing construction, which are directly linked.
We are also witnessing improved access to housing finance, courtesy of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s (APRA) intention to ease interest rate loan assessment levels for Banks and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and policies like the promised scheme to close the deposit gap.
There is now a real window in which we can seize the momentum and press on with policies that will boost the productivity, liveability and affordability of our cities.
The six-point plan promotes six ideas to cement the benefits of reform:
<ol>
<li>Entrench the emerging new policy framework to get population settings right</li>
<li>Create a Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Accord to deliver long term certainty in planning and delivery</li>
<li>Audit the current infrastructure pipeline to assess opportunities for better alignment of infrastructure planning and land release</li>
<li>Properly design and fund the new mandate on housing supply, demand and affordability</li>
<li>Identify short, medium and long-term steps to reform and strip back taxes on new housing</li>
<li>Commence a review of environmental planning practices.</li>
</ol>
UDIA National will be moving quickly to engage with the re-elected Government, as well as the Opposition, to promote the policy platform.
UDIA National has already commenced initial briefings with the Government – having already met the Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, The Hon Alan Tudge MP, last week.
The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) is the peak body representing the property development industry throughout Australia.
The Institute is a not-for-profit industry body dedicated to the representation of Australia's development industry.
Our members cover a wide range of specialist and industry fields, including: developers, valuers, planners, engineers, architects, marketers, researchers, project managers, surveyors, landscape architects, consultants, lawyers, financial institutions, state and local government authorities, and product suppliers.
The priorities we’re promoting have a dual benefit – giving a kickstart to housing construction in the short-term, as well as entrenching ideas that have a long-term, linked and lasting dividend.
Population policy and analysis can inform the choices we make about the design and infrastructure of our cities, as well as long-term land use strategies to deliver housing supply and diversity.
We also need to recognise that reforms to the taxation and regulatory burdens placed on housing construction take time to entrench, so triggering the start of changes now makes sense.
A full copy of UDIA's Building A Better Australia is available via the <a href="http://www.udia.com.au/news/national-policy-priorities" target="_blank">UDIA website</a>.
CONNIE KIRK is the UDIA National Executive Director
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UDIA shares six point plan for the Australian Government: Connie Kirk

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The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) has provided a response to Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s <a href="/news/alp-unveil-planning-related-policies-including-banning-embedded-networks-in-new-apartment-developments">announcement late last week</a> that a re-elected Andrews Labor Government would introduce new reforms to the Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria.

<blockquote>
The UDIA Victoria welcomes Minister Wynne’s announcement this morning that the Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria will be reviewed if an Andrews Government is re-elected.

Victoria continues to experience unprecedented population growth, and apartments are a preferred form of housing for a broadening range of households. We simply must be able to increase the housing stock across our city. Prescriptive design requirements minimise product diversity and stifle innovation.

It is essential that any review has a clearer focus on good design outcomes, allowing space for innovative product, rather than prescriptive structural outcomes that create an unnecessary burden on permit applicants in what is an already tight market.

UDIA will consult with our members, and put forward a detailed submission to the Victorian Government on behalf of the industry.

-  Danni Addison, UDIA CEO for Victoria
</blockquote>

According to the UDIA's residential index report:

<ul>
<li>The residential development sector is a significant driver of the Victorian economy. In FY16/17 the construction of new dwellings made a contribution to the Victorian economy of more than $20 billion. This contribution is expected to increase to over $22.9 billion in FY17/18.</li>
	<li>The residential development sector sustained over 162,000 jobs in Victoria in FY16/17. This figure includes jobs sustained directly in the sector as well as in support industries such as property and business services, financial services, transport and distribution, manufacturing and other sectors. This is expected to increase to almost 185,000 full time, part time and casual jobs across the Victorian economy in FY17/18.</li>
</ul>
The Andrews Government has outlined the following reforms, should it be re-elected next month:

<ul>
<li>Increased apartment setbacks from neighbouring properties to improve privacy, natural light, airflow and to stop streets being turned into cold, dark wind tunnels</li>
	<li>Introduce minimum green space standards</li>
	<li>Ensure apartment exteriors are made from natural, durable and safe materials, such as brick, timber, concrete, metal, stone or non-combustible cladding</li>
	<li>Put in place mandatory construction management plans to put an end to residents being disturbed by noise from construction workers or rubbish removalists outside reasonable hours</li>
</ul>
The Andrews Government had previously introduced blanket bans on certain materials in Victoria, in addition to forming a taskforce to oversee the removal of dangerous cladding from buildings. $4 million will also be invested towards enabling Victoria’s architects to collaborate with the Office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA) to produce better apartment layouts and developments which demonstrate global leadership in design, sustainability and liveability. 

The Victorian State Election will be held on Saturday 24th November. The electoral roll closes on November 6th at 8pm.  If you are in Victoria and need to update your enrolment, see <a href="https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/elections/2018StateElection">vec.vic.gov.au</a>

<ul></ul>
Lead image: Escala Apartments NewQuay Docklands
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Laurence Dragomir

UDIA responds to Andrews Government's proposed reforms to the Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria

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Perth’s Elizabeth Quay development has been awarded Australia’s best urban renewal project by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), Australia’s peak body for the urban development industry.

The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority's (MRA) Elizabeth Quay project has changed the face of Perth's CBD, transforming 10ha of largely under-utilised land along the Swan River into a waterfront destination, providing a new backdrop for major events, tourism promotions and news broadcasts.

Designed by Melbourne-based <a href="/architects/arm-architecture">ARM Architecture</a>, Elizabeth Quay’s Master Plan allows for others to develop the sites it establishes. It identifies the locations and types of built form desired, areas for pedestrians, pedestrian and vehicle routes, and sight lines to and from other parts of Perth.

ARM developed a design motif dubbed the “ripple-wave pattern” which informed the geometry of the built edges for paving and terraces, building and planting interfaces, furniture locations, trees, stairs and water features.

This motif was inspired by the Wagyl, or rainbow serpent, egg of the Noongar mythology. The pattern is embedded within the paving colours, responding to elements in the landscape such as trees and buildings, and providing the Elizabeth Quay precinct with a cohesive and structured theme.

<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/fairground-1200x720.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="First Contact artwork by indigenous artist Laurel Nannup. Image: MRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="348" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fairground-1200x720.jpg?itok=PFvwJ7OO" title="First Contact artwork by indigenous artist Laurel Nannup. Image: MRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>First Contact artwork by indigenous artist Laurel Nannup. Image: MRA</figcaption></figure>Since opening in 2016, Elizabeth Quay has attracted over 12 million visitors and hosted more than 150 events, including Perth’s first Diner en Blanc and the Gran Fondo World Championships in cycling.

Planning and construction of Elizabeth Quay was a major undertaking and a logistical challenge for the city but one that continues to return great results for the people of Perth, claims MRA. 

<blockquote>
Elizabeth Quay has restored a valuable physical and cultural connection between Perth’s city centre and the Swan River; a connection that had previously been cut by roads and decades of development.

The $440million invested by the State Government in this development was massively ambitious. City roads were realigned, valuable heritage items were relocated and iconic new attractions have been created to transform Perth’s riverfront.

The MRA literally shifted Perth city’s riverline to be closer to the CBD and encourage people to engage with the Swan River. In just under four years, a man-made inlet and 7,000sqm island were built, along with a stunning pedestrian bridge, playground, waterpark, public art, ferry terminal, boat moorings and new places to eat and drink.

While still in its infancy, Elizabeth Quay has proven itself to be a popular meeting place for the community, a must-see tourist attraction and a place that the people of Perth can celebrate with pride.

With more than $2billion in private development still to come – for new hotels, apartments, tourist, student and office accommodation – Elizabeth Quay will continue to be an exciting place to live, work and visit and will generate essential economic activity for many years to come.

- Sean Henriques, MRA Chief Executive Officer
</blockquote>

According to MRA, Elizabeth Quay is drawing local, interstate and international visitors resulting in significant economic benefits for Western Australia, with local businesses experiencing record trading days.

The relocation of the city’s public ferry terminal into the inlet has also resulted in doubled ferry patronage.

<h2>Meanwhile...</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/elizabeth_quay_prop.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Future development at Elizabeth Quay and construction progress at The Towers. Photo: SkyscraperCity member Szik"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="191" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/elizabeth_quay_prop.jpg?itok=_9U3eqyp" title="Future development at Elizabeth Quay and construction progress at The Towers. Photo: SkyscraperCity member Szik" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Future development at Elizabeth Quay and construction progress at The Towers. Photo: SkyscraperCity member Szik</figcaption></figure>Construction of <a href="/buildings/the-towers-at-elizabeth-quay-11-barrack-square-perth">The Towers</a> at Elizabeth Quay continues with <a href="/builders/probuild">Probuild</a> at the helm of the twin-tower development. Designed by <a href="/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a> for <a href="/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a>, the development includes a Ritz Carlton hotel tower in addition to a separate residential tower that shares a common podium and basement car parking.

Development rights for the remaining development parcels have also all been awarded as per the following:

<ul>
<li>Lots 7 and 8 - Chevron Australia purchased the lots for $64 million for their Australian headquarters back in 2015 with a planning application deadline of December 2018 in place.</li>
	<li>Lots 5 and 6 - Brookfield Multiplex has approval for dual towers of 54-storeys and 19-storeys respectively designed by New York based REX. The mixed-use development known as Perth+ will include office space, apartments and hotel rooms.</li>
	<li>Lots 2 and 3 - CA &amp; Associates' two towers, with a hotel, 313 apartments, 171 serviced apartments, dining and retail. With approval in hand, the Kerry Hill-designed development is expected to commence construction this year.</li>
	<li>Lot 4 - The final of the development parcels to be awarded, CA &amp; Associates are seeking to develop a mixed-use project comprising commercial, retail and residential uses in addition to a post-graduate education facility and student accommodation. </li>
</ul>
Lead image: Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority

 
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Perth's Elizabeth Quay named UDIA's best for urban renewal

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<div>
Sydney has the nation's most evenly distributed new apartment market which puts it at less risk of inner city oversupply, the 2018 UDIA State of the Land Report suggests. 
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<div>
<div>
Sydney accounted for 28% of total market supply in 2017 with 37,740 lots/multi-units completions, which reflected a similar production output to 2016 but a 48% uplift on 2014 
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</div>
</div>
Just over a fifth of new Sydney unit completions (apartments, townhouses and terraces) were within five kilometres of the city centre in 2017.
It compared to almost half of all Melbourne unit completions.
In Adelaide and Brisbane almost two-thirds of new unit completions were within their respective five kilometre inner rings.
<div title="Page 4">
<div>
<div>
Population growth, or lack of it, is the primary driver of demand for new dwellings, the report noted.
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The UDIA said a third of new Sydney units were within 5 to 10 kilometres of the CBD, 28 per cent of completions were 10 to 20 kilometres out and 18 per cent of completions were as far as 50 kilometres from the centre of town, according to data compiled for the report by CoreLogic.
</div>
<div>
<div id="article-inline-ad">The UDIA report also found that new multi-unit completion (10 units or more) hit a record 77,365 in 2017, up 8 per cent on 2016 and 64 per cent higher than three years ago.</div>
</div>
<div>
Most of this growth was due to a 25 per cent rise in Melbourne unit completion which reached 25,900 last year, just below the 28,300 units completed in Sydney.
It noted the heighted levels of new residential supply being delivered had been led by Melbourne which recorded a total production of almost 49,000 lots/multi-units in 2017, which was up 96% on 2014.
<div title="Page 4">
<div>
<div>
Melbourne’s total market output accounted for 37% of the combined capital city lots/multi-unit production in 2017. 
</div>
</div>
</div>
Brisbane's unit market fell 3 per cent over the year to 11,900 completions while Perth slumped 38 per cent to just under 5000 completions.
Among the smaller unit markets, Adelaide completed 2130 units, up 39 per cent, with Canberra's new unit market doubling to 4100 units last year.
<div title="Page 4">
<div>
<div>
Residential supply from Perth has retracted sharply over the last three years, with the 2017 output of 11,900 lots/multi-units representing 9% of national capital city supply, down from the 16% national market share with 17,900 lots/multi-units in 2015. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/3/23/UDIA%203.jpg" alt="">
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UDIA says spread of Sydney apartment construction would reduce oversupply risks

<html><body><div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
The Urban Development Institute of Australia has elected Darren Cooper to replace the outgoing Michael Corcoran as its next national president after his two year term.
The UDIA, which has more than 2000 member companies, champions issues of housing affordability, supply and infrastructure policy.
Cooper has more than 30 years of experience in the development industry.
He currently serves on a variety of boards in the development industry, not-for-profit organisations and private companies.
Cooper is a strategic adviser to national developer AMEX Corporation.
He is a Life Member of UDIA WA and a former senior executive at Mirvac, Blackburne Property Group and PEET Limited.
"Our industry delivers 10 percent of Australia's GDP and employs 10 percent of Australia's workforce. UDIA is here to ensure that our industry's voice is heard given this massive contribution."
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