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Adding more green space within a city is often a challenge but with the Greenline project’s contractor being announced, the Yarra River’s northern riverbank edge will soon be transformed.The City of Melbourne has announced the selection of Symal Infrastructure as the contractor for the first site in the Birrarung Marr precinct.Symal will be part of a joint venture according to Symal Infrastructure executive general manager, Matthew Gurney.&nbsp;“We're delighted to be building better together with the City of Melbourne on the Greenline Project and working in a joint venture with Aboriginal owned and operated civil contractor Wamarra on a culturally significant site such as Birrarung Marr,” Gurney said.&nbsp;It is one of five interconnected precincts within the $300-million Greenline project stretching from Birrarung Marr to the Bolte Bridge over a distance of four kilometres.Site 1 stretches from Batman Avenue to the eastern edge of Federation Square near ArtPlay.&nbsp;It will cover 450 metres of boardwalks, green space and viewpoints.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NvNrF-5N_5Q" width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NvNrF-5N_5Q"></iframe> There will be three contemporary spaces created in the first stage of the project.These include The River Edge, which is the entrance to the Greenline project with pathways, new wildlife habitats and play and recreation areas.&nbsp;A second space, The Lookout, will be a gathering space for Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung cultural activities and celebrations with seating, planting and a lookout along the river.The last space is the Fig Tree Boardwalk with a shaded space for art and storytelling, a suspended platform and new seating.&nbsp;<div id="carousel-root" data-reactroot=""><image-carousel-remove-button><div class="rm-carousel-wrapper"><button id="rm-carousel" class="rm-carousel-btn">Delete</button></div></image-carousel-remove-button><div class="slider-wrap"><image-carousel><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="01b_Entry_Render.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3AK7sHE04qOeM1vNxSR2z/0cc7be5d280413f646f5d1268ac1d1a8/01b_Entry_Render.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3AK7sHE04qOeM1vNxSR2z/0cc7be5d280413f646f5d1268ac1d1a8/01b_Entry_Render.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="02b_RiverEdge_Render.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7io1P0wQdb6NjjnUHlnx8T/b3633f1e216c3f9700d95de131d6baff/02b_RiverEdge_Render.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7io1P0wQdb6NjjnUHlnx8T/b3633f1e216c3f9700d95de131d6baff/02b_RiverEdge_Render.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="04b_Event_Render.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6flHAonhpyyQ0IKelKqky6/d2bbc7a28b384b9250fb56f4b6922c59/04b_Event_Render.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6flHAonhpyyQ0IKelKqky6/d2bbc7a28b384b9250fb56f4b6922c59/04b_Event_Render.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div></image-carousel></div></div> Design and early works for Site 1 will start in late 2023 with major construction scheduled for 2024.Later stages of the project will include two additional sites to complete the Birrarung Marr precinct.&nbsp;The site is also expected to contribute to the city’s economy according to City of Melbourne lord mayor Sally Capp.“Greenline is an unequivocally transformational project that is set to inject $1 billion into Melbourne’s economy,” Capp said.&nbsp;More than a million visitors are expected to use the area once it is completed according to City of Melbourne councillor Davydd Griffiths.“Revitalising the north bank of the Yarra River – Birrarung starts here, and in years to come we can expect more than a million more visitors will enjoy new connected parks, cultural activations and riverfront dining spaces,” Griffiths said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Designs for the first stage were developed through a precinct concept plan created in consultation with the community in 2022.&nbsp;The community was also consulted when <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/city-of-melbourne-greenline-project-designs" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/city-of-melbourne-greenline-project-designs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the draft master plan was released in August </a>this year.&nbsp;

The project to redevelop and green the northern riverbank of the Yarra River can now get under way after a head contractor was awarded the job...


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Sitting on internet servers somewhere are about 1400 planning permit applications for multi-unit housing that councils have not been able to assess for more than six months.Around 550 of those applications have been waiting for more than a year and among them are 78 projects costing more than $10 million each.&nbsp;That equates to 4900 new homes in Victoria yet to be considered let alone delivered.It’s the reason Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says the state needs new housing policies and planning systems.&nbsp;“Building, buying, renovating, renting—it just shouldn’t be this hard,” Andrews said.“We need to build more homes, with the best design standards, where people want to live.&nbsp;“And that means going up and out—not just out.”<div id="7zkUydgbcka7UqiVVlCGkM"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3j3FSFZB8XHbnZ6dkA1GSM/38124fd7a90a3dd6ccd0c6bd98f38db6/Mid_article_resizes__36_.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3j3FSFZB8XHbnZ6dkA1GSM/38124fd7a90a3dd6ccd0c6bd98f38db6/Mid_article_resizes__36_.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has announced new planning reforms. </div></div><a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/victoria-housing-statement-supply-planning-home-crisis" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/victoria-housing-statement-supply-planning-home-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">With a large list of changes announced earlier this week</a>, the Victorian government has now revealed exactly what it means by planning system reform and has used the backlog of applications at local government level as proof it is on the right track.&nbsp;Across the last year, according to the Victorian government, the number of approved homes in the state fell by 26.1 per cent.&nbsp;Much of the data is damning—for instance, Yarra council progressed just 38 per cent of applications within the required timeframe. That council’s average processing time is 188 days.&nbsp;The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal regularly handles applications that fall under the Stonnington City Council rmeit, a council that rejects almost one in five applications, citing ‘neighbourhood character’ as a key concern.&nbsp;Andrews has now promised a dedicated team to work with developers, councils and referral agencies to identify and resolve issues so that matters don’t need to go to VCAT.&nbsp;That team will be in place by November and based within the Department of Transport and Planning. It will review multi-unit projects costing more than $10 million.&nbsp;Planning minister Sonya Kilkenny will then be able to call in projects as they are reviewed.&nbsp;“Victorians deserve a planning system that works with them, not against them,” Kilkenny said.&nbsp;“It should be a clear, transparent and accountable system because Victorians deserve to know who is planning our city and state.” <div id="6ENrt1jalZ7B2p0OgvoNLq"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3rsX8P8jWncQ3bMeLG215n/4c02aa7ccc8164e8accd8447ac58780c/city_of_stonnington_planning_overlay_edm_hero.jpg" alt="The City of Stonnington has received approval for an amendment to its planning scheme that introduces a development contributions overlay." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3rsX8P8jWncQ3bMeLG215n/4c02aa7ccc8164e8accd8447ac58780c/city_of_stonnington_planning_overlay_edm_hero.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The City of Stonnington was mentioned by the state government as having refused a myriad of applications due to neighbourhood character concerns. </div></div>A special government gazette was released right after the announcement that Amendment VC242 had been approved.&nbsp;The amendment made changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes by adding two new pathways for significant residential and office development to be submitted, assessed and approved.&nbsp;It means expanding the Development Facilitation Program so that Kilkenny as minister becomes the decision-maker for significant residential developments that include affordable housing.These will be medium to high-density developments that cost at least $50 million in Melbourne or $15 million in regional Victoria with at least 10 per cent set aside for affordable housing.&nbsp;Build-to-rent projects will be included under this.Kilkenny will still be able to approve projects that don’t meet this criteria provided the affordable housing criterion is met or if it demonstrates best practice design and environmental standards.&nbsp;Around 13,200 homes are expected to be delivered that would otherwise be delayed without these changes, the government believes.&nbsp;It is also expected that application timeframes for these projects will be cut from more than a year to just four months.&nbsp;There will be new Deemed to Comply residential standards for different types of homes with 14 of the current standards codified, such as north-facing windows, overshadowing open space and street setback.Another 39 standards will be reviewed and finalised by September, 2024. All Deemed to Comply matters will not be heard by VCAT.It will allow planners to approve permits faster for houses with assessment only needed for what doesn’t comply.<div id="7InUBELLLX45OWHHp7FUhd"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5hG6qJqwI9TiqwiAztKWnX/05ab84d67a7500f3c3c7ed5b46534462/frankston_view_mid_article_image.jpg" alt="Activity centres like Frankston will now have certain planning decisions made by the Victorian planning minister." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5hG6qJqwI9TiqwiAztKWnX/05ab84d67a7500f3c3c7ed5b46534462/frankston_view_mid_article_image.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Activity centres such Frankston will now have some planning decisions made by the Victorian planning minister. </div></div>The Future Homes program will also be expanded with more designs that developers can purchase and adapt to opt for a streamlined planning process.These Future Homes plans are only available in the City of Maribyrnong but there are plans to extend it to all general residential zones where development is occurring within 800m of an activity centre or train station.&nbsp;The types of homes that need planning permits will be changed as will getting approval for granny flats.Victoria’s design standards for apartments will also be strengthened.Activity centres will also be a focus with 60,000 homes around 10 centres being an objective for the government for the end of 2024.&nbsp;The 10 centres will be Broadmeadows, Camberwell Junction, Chadstone, Epping, Frankston, Moorabbin, Niddrie, North Essendon, Preston and Ringwood.&nbsp;<div id="7InUBELLLX45OWHHp7FUhd"></div>Legislation including the Planning and Environmental Act 1987 will be overhauled as well.&nbsp;A timeline for this change will be announced in the next few months.The department will also bring on 90 new planners over the next few months to help make the changes happen.

The Victorian government has detailed its revamps of the planning system as it works to speed up approvals and solve the housing crisis…

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Sustainability is on the development agenda for several ports in Victoria as infrastructure projects ramp up in the state.The Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal is planned for the Port of Hastings at Western Port—$27 million has been set aside for it in the state budget.The terminal will help build large-scale offshore wind infrastructure, such as foundations, towers and turbines.&nbsp;They are earmarked for Victoria’s first offshore wind farm, which aims to achieve offshore wind targets of at least 2GW by 2032, 4GW by 2035 and 9GW by 2040 to move towards net zero by 2045.&nbsp;Australia currently does not have another port suitable for large scale offshore wind construction.&nbsp;Offshore Wind Energy Victoria, a division of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, has been established to help industry and developers be a part of offshore wind projects.&nbsp;The Port of Hastings was chosen thanks to its large areas of zone land, proximity to existing port precincts, deep water channels and proximity to offshore wind projects on the Gippsland coast.&nbsp;A 15,000sq km area of Bass Strait off Gippsland in waters between Lakes Entrance and Wilsons Promontory has been declared&nbsp; Australia’s first offshore wind zone by the Federal government.&nbsp;Another offshore wind zone, this one in the Southern Ocean off the coast of Portland, has also been proposed—a 60-day public consultation recently closed.&nbsp;The renewable energy Terminal would be built at the Old Tyabb Reclamation Area within the existing port and industrial zone.It would be be set up as a multi-user facility with new berths, heavy-duty pavements and other major supporting infrastructure.&nbsp;More reliable power for the state, jobs and billions in investment is expected to be generated by the project, according to minister for ports and freight Melissa Horne.&nbsp;“This project will give industry further confidence to kick-start renewable energy projects and deliver thousands of ongoing job opportunities for Victorians in our renewable energy future,’’ Horne said.&nbsp;<div id="1Q5GG7bPhqQSgPYwszIE8J"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4G9DyScuuCF5NZqAFPmmeB/0b8d579d6c97b0c04c23f6ff300539e7/MSC-Antonella-2048x1363.jpg" alt="The Port of Melbourne has recently received a loan to help achieve sustainability targets." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4G9DyScuuCF5NZqAFPmmeB/0b8d579d6c97b0c04c23f6ff300539e7/MSC-Antonella-2048x1363.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The Port of Melbourne has recently received a loan to help achieve sustainability targets. </div></div>Meanwhile, a syndicate of 10 banks has funded a loan for the Port of Melbourne to work towards the port becoming more sustainable.The $475-million loan will go towards two indicators for scope 1 and 2 emissions reductions, a mental health first aid workplace certification and a gateway target for scope 3 emissions reduction tied to engagement with port stakeholders.Port of Melbourne chief executive Saul Cannon said it was a key part of the port’s decarbonisation strategy, which included joining the C40 Green Ports Forum.&nbsp;“As Australia’s largest general cargo and container port, we are committed to facilitating the decarbonisation of the port’s supply chain, minimising the port’s impact on our land, air and waters and building strong stakeholder relationships,” Cannon said.“In addition, we’ve committed to engaging with our tenants, shipping lines and other port users on emissions reduction measurement and opportunities.” Decarbonisation efforts are being considered for<a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/national-intermodal-beveridge-industrial-freight" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/national-intermodal-beveridge-industrial-freight" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> other key infrastructure projects including the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal</a>.

 The facility for large-scale offshore wind infrastructure slated for Melbourne’s south-east is tipped to deliver energy sector opportunity…

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The City of Port Phillip says the Victorian planning department is snubbing it over Fishermans Bend.The council has told the community the state department has repeatedly not responded to requests for meetings and consultation over developments in the sector.It is now asking for support for a campaign to get the state government to open up lines of communication over the development hotspot.Fishermans Bend has five precincts across two local government areas—the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip.&nbsp;With current zoning conditions in place, it has become an attractive spot for development as a key part of the city fringe.&nbsp;Australia’s largest urban renewal project of 480ha, by 2050 it is expected to be home to 80,000 people and with employment for up to 80,000.&nbsp;Planning and development for the area is handled by the Fishermans Bend Development Board with support from the state planning department’s Fishermans Bend Taskforce.&nbsp;The department’s website said that $15 million has been invested to push planning forward for long-term transport links with another $179.4 million already invested to develop the former General Motors Holden site into an innovation hub.&nbsp;A masterplan, the Fishermans Bend Framework 2018, was created through collaboration among the City of Port Phillip, the Victorian government, community, key developers and other stakeholders.It was meant to deliver open space, transport and infrastructure but council states that neither the open space nor infrastructure projects including Light Rail, Metro Rail and the Fishermans Bend community hospital have been delivered.&nbsp;“Despite the framework being released five years ago, there has been minimal progress achieved on any of the key initiatives,” City of Port Phillip’s acting mayor Andrew Bond said.“Any planned changes to the framework should involve consultation with the same partners who developed it.“This is crucial as there are limited opportunities to provide open space in Fishermans Bend due to a scarcity of suitable land and North Port Oval is already bursting at the seams.”Both Bond and Port Phillip mayor Heather Consulo said that much of the promised infrastructure is needed now as more people move into the area.A spokesperson for the Victorian government said there were plans to continue engaging with the council and other stakeholders.“As Australia’s largest urban renewal precinct, Fishermans Bend is targeted to accommodate 80,000 residents, 80,000 jobs and deliver 37,000 homes by 2050 and we’re working with the community and industry to activate the precinct,” the spokesperson said.“We will be opening a new primary school in Fishermans Bend in 2026 - building on our existing investments to deliver great local services for the growing population in the Fishermans Bend precinct.“We are continuing to work closely with stakeholders including the City of Port Phillip as we refine plans for Fishermans Bend, including infrastructure, to ensure we can meet the needs of the community for decades to come.”Commitments to open space and community hub infrastructure were to be achieved by 2025.&nbsp;The Victorian planning department did not respond to The Urban Developer’s question on the issue of it failing to respond to the council requests.Recent development in the area includes <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/fishermans-bend-planning-scheme-port-melbourne-amendment-project-approved" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/fishermans-bend-planning-scheme-port-melbourne-amendment-project-approved" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a planning scheme amendment being approved to allow FR Investments Group’s tower project</a> on Ingles Street to go ahead.&nbsp;

Australia’s largest urban renewal project is now the focus of a City of Port Phillip campaign to be consulted by the state planning department…


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Housing, planning and infrastructure were always going to be key features of NSW premier Chris Minns’ first Budget—and while it has been welcomed in some quarters, others say it has not gone far enough.&nbsp;During the past few years, the planning process and issues with trunk infrastructure has prompted policies and reforms to streamline processes. This Budget aims to do the same.And while NSW treasurer Daniel Mookhey may have delivered a Budget with some hard choices in it, it is now up to planning minister Paul Scully and the Labor goverment to push through those reforms.The Urban Developer breaks down what the funding and policy decisions will mean for developers working in the state that is often named as the most expensive in Australia to call home. &nbsp;<hr><h2> Housing</h2> The first piece of big news is the $224 million set aside for a Government Essential Housing Package.This will include $70 million in debt financing for homes in regional NSW and $35.3 million for housing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people via Services Our Way.There will be $35 million put aside for critical and necessary social housing maintenance and $20 million within Restart NSW set aside for dedicated mental health housing.The NSW Housing fund will get $15 million for urgent priority and homelessness housing with $11.3 million to extend the Together Home program.&nbsp;Temporary housing and accommodation will also get a boost with $10.5 million allocated to the Community Housing Leasing Program and $10 million for Modular Housing Trial, while &nbsp;$5.9 million will be provided for urgent specialist homelessness services.&nbsp;But Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest sees a problem.“There is no new incentive in this Budget for the private sector to increase housing supply,” Forrest said.“The private sector delivers over 95 per cent of the new housing (both rental and homes for sale).“The disproportionate focus on social and affordable housing is a symptom of the government throwing Band-Aids on the housing supply crisis rather than taking bold steps to solve the problem.”There will also be a new NSW Rental Commissioner and a portable rental bond scheme introduced while a commitment to working on protecting tenants from eviction and allowing pets was also announced.&nbsp;Where the money will come from for these measures is a key concern for developers who will need to now provide $1.5 billion through changes to infrastructure contributions.&nbsp;“The $2.2-billion housing and infrastructure plan is largely funded from a tax on the supply of new homes,” Forrest said.“[The] $1.5 billion of the revenue to support this package comes from the new Housing Productivity Contribution.”Meanwhile, property investors will now need a 25 per cent stake in a property before they can claim land tax exemptions for a property as their primary place of residence. There are also tax changes for private unit trusts to prevent them being used for tax minimisation.<div id="1gIUIlbcBWs3iHgn0j3FiO"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/lNIk0SayEM51NX5kUSZyh/4b73390ea11b02912e1ec2e21a6ba3ed/5.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/lNIk0SayEM51NX5kUSZyh/4b73390ea11b02912e1ec2e21a6ba3ed/5.jpg"></picture><div>▲ This Budget is the first under Chris Minns as NSW premier. </div></div><h2>Planning</h2> Planning reform has long been on NSW Labor’s agenda and it featured heavily in the run-up to the election.A Faster Planning Program with $38.7 million in funding was announced with $24 million set aside for a NSW Building Commission, which will be tasked with protecting buyers and ensuring housing quality.In a bid to free up more land for housing, $9.1 million has been allocated to assessing new opportunities for housing on government-owned land.AI or artificial intelligence also got a mention with a proposal to use it to help speed up the planning system as well as more efficient.&nbsp;The Budget has allocated $5.6 million to this policy, which was a recent request in the Property Council’s Housing Outcomes report, according to NSW executive director Katie Stevenson.“Increased funding for social and affordable housing and investigating the use of artificial intelligence to make the planning system more efficient were key reform asks from our recent Housing Outcomes report, so we particularly welcome their inclusion as part of the government’s first Budget,” Stevenson said.But she highlighted a key issue that has dogged the state’s planning system consistently—<a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydney-nsw-housing-target-affordability-shortfall" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydney-nsw-housing-target-affordability-shortfall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trunk infrastructure, particularly in greenfield and regional areas</a>.“There is an enormous difference between land that is simply rezoned and land that is ‘development ready’—the missing ingredient is enabling infrastructure such as water, roads and transport,” Stevenson said.Stevenson also wanted to see more done within the CBD.“While the focus on housing and infrastructure is welcomed, industry will be disappointed that the NSW government has not delivered a funding boost for CBD activation in this Budget,” she said.&nbsp;“Our cities are the major economic engines of our state and while the $26-million investment in expanding the work of the Office of the 24 Hour Economy Commissioner is welcome, a large-scale funded program to turbocharge CBD revitalisation is needed.”Other reforms announced included redirecting resources from the Greater Cities Commission and the Western Parkland City Authority.<a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/new-south-wales-nsw-chris-minns-election-2023-property-development" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/new-south-wales-nsw-chris-minns-election-2023-property-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener">It does not deliver on all election promises </a>with development rules around train stations and new housing targets for local councils and Sydney regions still yet to be announced.&nbsp;“The Budget’s commitment to an overhaul of the Greater Cities Commission and the Western Parkland City Authority, with a focus on redirecting resources to deliver housing approvals, is welcome,” Forrest said.“But this is just the start and much more is needed to restore private sector confidence and for housing supply to begin to rise.”&nbsp;<div id="3B0AcNqgYN5EUiRthPixoN"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6H4tYqX05AWQD3t1H82rfB/566fbc899246347a0a27c2ba2e8951c5/Mid_article_resizes__4_.jpg" alt="Incoming NSW planning minister Paul Scully." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6H4tYqX05AWQD3t1H82rfB/566fbc899246347a0a27c2ba2e8951c5/Mid_article_resizes__4_.jpg"></picture><div>▲ NSW planning minister Paul Scully will now be responsible for delivering several promised reforms to make the state planning system more efficient. </div></div><h2>Infrastructure</h2> The state government’s aim is to move population growth around key infrastructure and to get more high density closer to central Sydney.But the NSW Fast Rail has been one of the key infrastructure projects that has been nipped in the bud in the interest of saving $2.5 billion.&nbsp;This means that there will be no work done on fast-rail connections, including no Great Western Highway duplication, no new Dungowan Dam or pipeline augmentation and no wall raising for the Wyangala Dam.What it then does provide is part of the combined $2.2 billion for housing and infrastructure in the 2023-2024 state budget.Landcom will get $300 million of that for building 4700 new homes, of which 30 per cent have to be affordable housing in addition to the $60 million it has to develop build-to-rent projects along the northern and southern coasts.&nbsp;Restart NSW will get $400 million for a new Housing Infrastructure Fund while the remaining $1.5 billion will be spent on building roads, parks, hospitals and schools to support new homes being built in Sydney, the Lower Hunter, Central Coast and the IllawarraWyangala Dam—all key growth areas.A new regional rail fleet will cost $1.4 billion while $390 million will be allocated to the Regional Economy Road Repair Fund.The Regional Roads Fund will get $334 million to build new roads, the Fixing Country Bridges Program $333.9 million and the Fixing Country Rail Program $95.9 million—all key to supporting people wanting to live in regional areas and the developers wanting to build there.Transitioning to zero emission buses will cost $29.4 million, the Transport Connect Bus Program $20.2 million and improving heavy vehicle rest stops $10 million.<div id="3rYRtdgyPquXWjFfyNS4BU"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/8YPsXg43j33vwHmUXRPLV/ef82c4a74dadaa136fae918ca2a54b19/pyrmont_mid.jpeg" alt="An image of a train platform with glass doors separating the platform from the track: a render of one of the platforms at the proposed Pyrmont Station on the Sydney West Metro line. " data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/8YPsXg43j33vwHmUXRPLV/ef82c4a74dadaa136fae918ca2a54b19/pyrmont_mid.jpeg"></picture><div>▲ A render of a platform at the proposed Pyrmont Station on the Sydney West Metro line. </div></div>Despite the Fast Rail cut, rail has had wins in the Budget with $72.3 billion allocated over four years to transport.That includes $1 billion to bring the <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydney-metro-west-contract-awarded-john-holland" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydney-metro-west-contract-awarded-john-holland" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sydney Metro City and Southwest project</a> back on track and $7.9 billion over four years for the Sydney Metro to Western Sydney Airport line.This line will have six new stations and connect to <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/western-sydney-aerotropolis-everything-you-need-to-know" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/western-sydney-aerotropolis-everything-you-need-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aerotropolis and the new Western Sydney International Airport, </a>which is expecting its first flight in 2026.The metro line projects have been beleaguered by many delays with worker strikes, bad weather and Covid blamed for cost blowouts.&nbsp;Only the Northwest line has been delivered on time and below budget.A rapid bus network to connect Penrith, Liverpool and Campbelltown to the new international airport will cost $302.7 million and another $300 million will fund upgrading train station carparks and improving accessibility.&nbsp;<div id="Xt4iGwpSce5Dou0Er05zX"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7MX3nKneVXmNAVZjFQcovH/541ba0932b02b914614189c7f8d37a1c/Western_Sydney_Aerotropolis_MID.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7MX3nKneVXmNAVZjFQcovH/541ba0932b02b914614189c7f8d37a1c/Western_Sydney_Aerotropolis_MID.jpg"></picture><div>▲ A render of part of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis project. </div></div>The Property Council’s Western Sydney director Ross Grove said more could have been done for the region <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/go-west-developers-chase-western-sydney-upside" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/go-west-developers-chase-western-sydney-upside" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which is the focus of much developer interest</a>.“Our industry needs a plan from the government to get roads and water infrastructure moving in Mamre Road and the Aerotropolis,” Grove said.“Our members are ready and able to provide new warehouses, industries and jobs—but they simply can’t get the road capacity to make it happen.“These areas are a goldmine when it comes to future jobs and productivity and as taxpayers we simply can’t afford to spend $13 billion on building an international airport without also delivering the employment generating activities that are required to make the most of this investment.”The second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail will also proceed with $200 million allocated to it as will Freshwater Class ferries returning to the Circular Quay to Manly route costing $71.1 million.There will also be seven new Parramatta River Class ferries costing $43 million.A new system to inform users of public transport schedules will cost $15.8 million and councils will have access to $60 million for active transport infrastructure such as bike lanes.&nbsp;<a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/healthcare-investment-australia-on-rises" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/healthcare-investment-australia-on-rises" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For developers focusing on alternative assets</a>, the Budget allocated $13.8 billion to deliver health facilities across the state including new hospitals.

Housing, planning and infrastructure featured heavily in the NSW Budget announcement. The Urban Developer breaks down what it all means for the sector…


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The City of Melbourne's Future Melbourne Committee has provided its support for an application for the third and final stage of a significant mixed-use project in a blue-ribbon Melbourne suburb.A vote to inform the minister of the Future Melbourne Committee's support for the project was carried unanimously at the recent committee meeting.&nbsp;Victorian planning minister Sonya Kilkenny will now decide the future of the stage of the Younghusband project led by Ivanhoé Cambridge, Irongate, and Built.Woods Bagot designed the plans for the project including this stage, which comprises a six-storey building on the 3961sq m site of the Younghusband Wool Store at 1-7 Elizabeth Street and 2-12 Barrett Street in Kensington.The third stage would have office space above retail tenancies on the ground floor and lower ground floor, plus two levels of basement parkingThere will be a new publicly accessible private plaza as part of the development.“I particularly like the thoughfulness throughout the project that has gone into the open spaces and the urban realm that is available to the public,” City of Melbourne lord mayor Sally Capp said at the Future Melbourne Committee meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is expected to cost $70 million to develop, according to council records.Irongate FM No 1 Pty Ltd is listed in the council records as the owner of the site.&nbsp;Impact Investment Group bought the 15,754sq m site in late 2016 for $30.25 million.<a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/younghusband-kensington-victoria-work-begins" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/younghusband-kensington-victoria-work-begins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The first for the site is under construction </a>while the second involves conservation works for the significant heritage Wool Stores buildings, and new contemporary buildings and extensions near the rear of the Tallow Store. <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/iig-enters-next-stage-of-younghusband-woolstore-project" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/iig-enters-next-stage-of-younghusband-woolstore-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The second stage</a> is expected to cost $87 million.<div id="2iQzHCEEj5HuR3i8OJNcdP"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3bdO1sFrLKEVzE3v6e5FGV/74e2122ca66ba7e3559cb209008aa93a/mid_article_image_younghusband_story.jpg" alt="Woods Bagot's design for the entire Younghusband Wool Stores site." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3bdO1sFrLKEVzE3v6e5FGV/74e2122ca66ba7e3559cb209008aa93a/mid_article_image_younghusband_story.jpg"></picture><div>▲ A render of the Woods Bagot design for the Younghusband Wool Stores site. </div></div>The council voted to notify the minister that it had no objections to the plans, provided certain conditions were adhered to.These were that disability access compliant pathways were created for the plaza and a high-quality facade system was used. Councillor Rohan Leppert noted that it was a high-quality application.“It is exactly the kind of urban infill development that we want to see in the area,” Leppert said.&nbsp;

The minister will have the final say on the stage 3 application for the Younghusband project now that the City of Melbourne council supports it…


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Fortis has won approval for stand-alone residential project, its first, in a popular Sydney beachside suburb.&nbsp;The development, to be called the Bronte Collection, will comprise nine four-bedroom homes with a communal basement.&nbsp;Each house will have views over Bronte Beach, a four-minute walk away, and feature large living, outdoor and entertaining spaces.There will be private dual garages with provisions for electric vehicle charging, private pools, outdoor showers and individual lifts.&nbsp;Some residences will have private gyms and saunas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Waverley Council this week gave the green light to Fortis for its plans for the 2472sq m site at 122-128 Hewlett Street, Bronte, about 7km east of the Sydney CBD.Work on the on the $134-million residential development is due to begin early nest year.The plans were designed by MHN Design Union with Alexander and Co and Lawless and Meyerson as interior architects.&nbsp;<div id="KMmnAJxJvtl9rWf7fFFaf"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5OTAGcV2tBW4BP7i3WC867/4787193c7cae0c90a92ff1253db76e51/fortis.jpeg" alt="Part of the design for the nine standalone luxury houses that Fortis plans to build in Bronte east of the Sydney CBD." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5OTAGcV2tBW4BP7i3WC867/4787193c7cae0c90a92ff1253db76e51/fortis.jpeg"></picture><div>▲ A render of four of the nine stand-alone luxury houses approved for Bronte. </div><div> </div></div>It is a change of direction for Fortis to undertake stand-alone housing, according to associate director Patrick Baldock.“This site marks the start of a chapter for Fortis as we enter a new sector of housing, designing standalone homes that strike a balance between contemporary and classical interiors,” Baldock said.PPD Real Estate principal Alexander Phillips said downsizers were keen on the area.“We anticipate strong demand for this high-quality product as the downsizer market continues to strengthen, principally in tightly held Eastern Suburbs coastal locations,” Phillips said.&nbsp;Last year, <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/bronte-surf-club-da-lodged-sydney" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/bronte-surf-club-da-lodged-sydney" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plans were filed for redeveloping Bronte’s Surf Club</a> to cater to the changing market.&nbsp;Fortis is the development arm of Pallas Group, which also is the parent company of real estate financier and investment manager Pallas Capital and was formed in 2016. by Patrick Keenan, Dan Gallen and Charles Mellick.The Fortis portfolio includes more than $500 million in completed residential and commercial projects, with a further $224 million to be completed by the end of the year.

Fortis is developing a $134 million project with a collection of luxury residential homes in one of Sydney's beachside eastern suburbs...

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After several years and 11 bidders that included some of the largest names in property, Mirvac has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the Treasury Square project in the City of Melbourne.While CBUS and Mirvac were both selected as the two preferred bidders to buy and develop the land in May 2020, Mirvac has now been chosen for the $3-billion project.The 1.4ha site is near the corner of Spring and Flinders Streets at the eastern edge of the Melbourne CBD and is owned by VicTrack.&nbsp;&nbsp;The land that runs alongside Flinders Street railyards to the southern edges of Wellington Street was subdivided by the City of Melbourne as land zoned for Capital City building.&nbsp;Eleven bidders competed for the site with the original shortlist of four in January 2020 also including Brookfield and a Dexus-John Holland partnership alongside CBUS and Mirvac.In November 2021, City of Melbourne councillor Rohan Leppert raised the concern that it was one of the few sites in the city with no urban design controls under the planning scheme and that the-then planning minister Richard Wynne should address the matter.&nbsp;The design put forward in 2020 was for three glass-clad towers on the site, each about 20 storeys high with a mix of high-end apartments and commercial office space.&nbsp;It may now take 12 months to finalise a design for the site and 10 years to deliver. The project needs a deck over the railyards, transport lines and other infrastructure before any towers can be built.&nbsp;“As the development is proposed to take place above a busy rail corridor, there are a range of complex technical issues being resolved as part of the design process,” a VicTrack spokesperson told&nbsp;The Urban Developer.&nbsp;“We continue to work with the preferred bidder and our transport partners to develop this prime site into a new commercial and residential precinct.”Any final design will need to be approved by the relevant planning authorities who will consider planning controls to protect the Yarra River and Birrarung Marr from overshadowing.Mirvac declined to comment.&nbsp;<a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/mirvac-brisbane-city-towers-six-star-green-star" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/mirvac-brisbane-city-towers-six-star-green-star" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The developer’s Heritage Lanes project in Brisbane CBD</a> was recently recognised as the first in Australia to receive the new 6-Star Green Star Buildings rating.

After a long period of deliberation, developer Mirvac has emerged as the preferred bidder on Melbourne’s Treasury Square project…

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Shovels have hit the dirt for the first of five projects in Melbourne to increase affordable housing in the city.The build-to-rent project at Kensington is being developed by Assemble and Super Housing Partnerships.They have partnered with the $74-billion industry superannuation fund HESTA, which mainly covers the health and community services industries, along with specialist affordable housing fund manager Super Housing Partnerships for the project at 402 Macaulay Road.HESTA has invested more than $100 million in the project.The City of <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/assemble-kensington-build-to-rent-melbourne" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/assemble-kensington-build-to-rent-melbourne" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Melbourne supported the proposal</a> for five buildings on the site comprising 362 apartments in October, 2022.&nbsp;It is the first project in specialist affordable housing fund manager Super Housing Partnerships’ pipeline through the High Impact Fund I, which is worth $750 million.&nbsp;The Kensington project will comprise 362 mixed-tenure homes including affordable, social, market-rate and specialist disability housing, and the site at Kensington, 4km north-west of the CBD, is near public transport and major hospitals.“HESTA has more than a million members primarily working in the care economy,” HESTA chief executive Debby Blakey said.&nbsp;“More than 80 per cent of members are women—they will be statistically over-represented in every one of the dire housing affordability statistics.”Super Housing Partnerships has also pledged to achieve net-zero operational carbon emissions on all its projects.&nbsp;HESTA&nbsp; previously indicated it expects to invest $240 million into several of Super Housing Partnerships’ build-to-rent projects.<div id="29NbiieYhhWrnT3IpNw29j"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/60ojEBlhHbqthT7JAZwM01/c095902bd314c5695baea724e4e97978/Carolyn_Viney_EDM.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/60ojEBlhHbqthT7JAZwM01/c095902bd314c5695baea724e4e97978/Carolyn_Viney_EDM.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Carolyn Viney during the Urbanity 23 panel. </div></div>Super Housing Partnerships <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/super-ramps-up-affordable-housing-investment" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/super-ramps-up-affordable-housing-investment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chief executive Carolyn Viney said </a>at The Urban Developer’s&nbsp;Urbanity 23 there was a lot of investor appetite and capital for affordable housing.&nbsp;“I’d seen some [capital] was there, I was hoping more of it was there and in my first six months, what I have come to understand is there’s a lot of it there,” Viney said.“We just need to work super quickly with how we get that money deployed and into homes that are actually being built.”Other projects in the pipeline include a four-building, 446-apartment project at 30 St Georges Road, 32-36 Oakover Road and 17-49 Showers Street in Preston with office tenancies, a supermarket and retail outlets.&nbsp;There is also a nine-storey building with 180 apartments at 512A Sydney Road in Coburg which will be integrated with the existing Kevin Heinz Grow community garden and heritage buildings.&nbsp;A five-building, 332-apartment project at 209-211 Carinish Road in Clayton and a 325-apartment project at 240-246 East Boundary Road in East Bentleigh are the other two projects in the pipeline.&nbsp;

The first in a pipeline of such projects, an apartment project in Melbourne’s Kensington has now started construction…


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A 5000-person live music venue has been proposed next door to one of Melbourne’s most recognisable theatres.The City of Port Phillip Council has put forward the proposal for the venue, which would be part of the St Kilda Triangle Precinct.Proposed as part of the 2016 St Kilda Triangle Masterplan, developing the precinct was put on hold when the Victorian government decided not to locate the NGV Contemporary gallery at the site.MGS Architects have now created a design feasibility report for the site next to the Palais Theatre.&nbsp;Other consultants on the project include Waters Consultancy, GLAS Landscape Architects, Movement &amp; Place Consulting, HIP V. HYPE and WT Partnership.The venue would be the main building of the precinct and would be next to the Palais.This would allow a pedestrian link from Luna Park to the plaza on the foreshore side of Jacka Boulevard.<div id="7yqlvbBrGf7cVyavQc5IMx"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/XkLBGpXbzuPxLpbnebG3D/f3cb980e1f998ff697725f58f70adff6/palais_theatre.jpg" alt="The new live music venue will sit next to the Palais Theatre in St Kilda." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/XkLBGpXbzuPxLpbnebG3D/f3cb980e1f998ff697725f58f70adff6/palais_theatre.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The new live music venue would sit next to the Palais Theatre at St Kilda. </div></div>It would then continue on to connect to Acland and Fitzroy streets.Heights for all buildings on the site have been considered to conserve existing balcony views from the Esplanade hotel and views of Luna Park and the Palais Theatre, according to the council.No works would occur within the Palais Theatre site and integration of the development with the Palais was excluded from the feasibility study’s scope. It may be reintroduced as an option if deemed viable in future stages.Public open space and carparking has also been a focus of the plan.The main live music and performance venue would be over two levels.The upper level would accommodate 1000 people with a multi-purpose space for 350 people that could be used independently plus an outdoor terrace with views of the Esplanade and Port Phillip Bay.&nbsp;Loading and unloading facilities would be at the rear of the venue next to the existing back-of-house facilities for the Palais.<div id="1GFSZhrTaqyr1o6UHuGdoP"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2WM2JbwPNvSVX3TVPXWE8Z/0b1105aeecf983e56cdf250af740b374/2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2WM2JbwPNvSVX3TVPXWE8Z/0b1105aeecf983e56cdf250af740b374/2.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Live music mecca: Baker Boy onstage at the Hotel Esplanade, St Kilda. </div></div>Cavell Street would be used as a service entrance so that main vehicular access would be provided off Jacka Boulevard.There is also space set out for additional tenancies and 200 carparking spaces in a semi-basement level within the venue.The site is now a carpark. In 1972 it was home to the Palais de Danse III, also known as the Palace Entertainment Centre, which was destroyed by fire in 2007.&nbsp;In September 2022, the council commissioned the feasibility study for a live performance venue at the site—St Kilda was declared Victoria’s first live music precinct in July 2023.&nbsp;The council has now opened the initial design idea to the community for comment and feedback until October 19.A report will then be presented to the council in December when it will decide on the next steps. St Kilda has long been a hub of live music venues including <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/st-kilda-prince-of-wales-hotel-melbourne-for-sale" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/st-kilda-prince-of-wales-hotel-melbourne-for-sale" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the recently listed Prince of Wales Hotel</a>.&nbsp;<div id="1HQqDGt4NLc09j46idrA3k"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7JBwvmg4CkZZ050hL0IO5N/c30b925f5e3f66649283e536aede771a/map_20230823.png" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7JBwvmg4CkZZ050hL0IO5N/c30b925f5e3f66649283e536aede771a/map_20230823.png"></picture><div>▲ The site of the proposed precinct, next door to the Palais Theatre, St Kilda. Image: Nearmap</div></div>

 Located next door to the Palais Theatre, the new venue will have a capacity of 5000 people…
