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Setting the tone or just plain tone deaf?An avalanche of insolvencies, escalating construction costs, crippling skilled labour shortage, worsening housing supply and affordability crisis, rising interest rates and stubbornly high inflation.It would seem all that’s missing in the challenged Queensland property industry are the haunting strains of composer Ferederic Chopin’s Funeral March.But according to industry players, the orchestra has started tuning up following the release of a raft of reforms proposed by the <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/queensland-developer-review-discussion-paper-released" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/queensland-developer-review-discussion-paper-released" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queensland government’s Developer Review Panel</a>.“How to worsen housing supply. How to crash the (expletive) market. How to increase homelessness. How to kill (expletive) everyone.”That was the blunt, nail-in-the-coffin assessment by one Brisbane property heavy-hitter, who added:&nbsp; “You know that’s what everyone wants to say but they’re not going to put their name to it—it’d be political suicide.”Another high-profile local industry figure contacted by The Urban Developer also declined to comment on the record on the panel's recommendations.“Look, I reckon I’ll just pass on it. There’s no upside in joining that debate. They’re going to do whatever they want to anyway, so there’s not much we can do about it.”According to peak body the Property Council of Australia, the reaction is symptomatic of a bruised and battered sector that is already “on its knees”.<div id="6HnIJC0MC9EhIs1PqLYz1h"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/71vu44JJa2RIGBf1GJEpRg/d1392213ce3af39435304179df0fffc0/2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/71vu44JJa2RIGBf1GJEpRg/d1392213ce3af39435304179df0fffc0/2.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Property Council Queensland executive director Jen Williams: The report is completely off-key. </div></div>Not surprisingly then, it has been quick to decry as completely off-key the panel’s long-awaited final report, Setting The Tone: The Role of Developers in Queensland’s Building and Construction Industry.The centrepiece of reforms contained in the report is the introduction of a new regulatory framework for accreditation, disclosure and registration of developers.Under the recommendation, a developer would be prevented from entering into a contract requiring a project trust account unless they obtained and maintained an accreditation.Minimum requirements for accreditation would include ensuring they were a fit and proper person of influence, they meet minimum educational requirements and comply with a code of conduct and legislative requirements. Accredited developers also would be required to register each development activity and under disclosure obligations affirm they have appropriate finance to complete a proposed contract.It is intended the new framework would be supported by a regulator—either a standalone organisation or incorporated into an existing statutory authority—with effective compliance and enforcement powers.“Could there be a worse time to propose such a heavy-handed burden on the industry?” Property Council Queensland executive director Jen Williams says.&nbsp;After weathering supply chain issues, labour shortages and escalating construction costs—and at a time when the industry was being called on to “step up” and solve the housing crisis—she says: “It seems implausible the Queensland government would choose now to pursue a new regulatory framework that adds further costs and administrative burden to developers”.“The past few years have been difficult for all participants in the property industry—builders, developers and consumers alike.<h2>No smooth sailing</h2> “And the outlook is certainly not one of smooth sailing ahead, with projects continuing to be placed on hold as consumer sentiment starts to crumble and feasibilities are placed under pressure.&nbsp;“Now is not the time to be adding additional barriers to investment, confidence and delivery.“A new regulatory framework will do nothing to boost or fast track housing supply—in fact, it will do quite the opposite.”Inner-city Brisbane developer Pikos Group’s newly appointed chief executive Michelle Wooldridge agrees.<div id="7xh5XDuHH2hq68gYUyBHay"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4CjUGLazDXarEYECPmZ0Ln/3b725c5e07530c50eeadbd9f507b6925/1.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4CjUGLazDXarEYECPmZ0Ln/3b725c5e07530c50eeadbd9f507b6925/1.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Pikos Group chief executive Michelle Wooldridge: Unprecedented headwinds. </div></div>“As an industry, we are facing unprecedented headwinds to unlock housing supply in Queensland,” says Wooldrige, who is also the Property Council’s Queensland vice president.“It’s disappointing that in a time when the public and private sector should be working together collectively and collaboratively, we are defending against increased regulation that will ultimately impact those suffering the most—Queenslanders in desperate need for housing.“We encourage the government to carefully consider the ramifications and how this will impact every day Queenslanders.”&nbsp;The Developer Review Panel was appointed in November 2021 under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 to conduct a review of the role of developers in the building and construction industry.<h2>A case for change</h2> It was established following industry feedback about the important role of developers, and the need to examine the impact of their financial and operational capacity, ethical behaviours and work practices.The review came off the back of industry feedback about the important role of developers, and the need to examine the impact of their financial and operational capacity, ethical behaviours and work practices.Its remit was to address security of payment in the sector and examine the impact developers have on the quality and safety of design, construction and certification of the built environment.In the panel's final report tabled in the Queensland parliament on June 8, Developer Review Panel chair Alison Quinn says the review had determined there was “sufficient qualitative evidence to warrant a case for change”.“Developers have a primary role in setting the tone of projects, and they influence security of payment, solvency and building quality and safety in several ways,” she says. “This influence can be both positive and negative.”Quinn says the panel's suite of recommendations sought to “resolve identified issues, minimise regulatory burden, and provide the Queensland government with additional data insights to inform future policy development”.“The panel has been conscious of current economic conditions, the impact this has on industry participants, and the impending increased level of construction to meet the state’s needs over coming years,” she notes.Five key recommendations have been made to lay the foundation of “a benchmark for a better standard for developers in Queensland”.“The panel stresses that the proposed reforms are not the ‘high-water mark’, but rather minimum standards on which to build the future of the role of developers in the building and construction industry,” Quinn says.<div id="h4zsP3cWJS6Rbz5HRGpv9"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3Ayve2A0N7FtxwIhJlu9b7/17554a8f08d2ace6170128df311e739c/3.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3Ayve2A0N7FtxwIhJlu9b7/17554a8f08d2ace6170128df311e739c/3.jpg"></picture><div>▲ &nbsp;Developer Review Panel chair Alison Quinn: The issues identified in this report are unlikely to recede. </div></div>As well as a new regulatory framework, the reforms include improved industry education, clarity of developer responsibilities in relation to non-conforming building products and fairness in contracting, and promotion of the uptake of digital tools for recording design and construction information.“Queensland is about to undergo an extensive period of development and growth,” Quinn says. “The issues identified in this report are unlikely to recede.“The panel encourages all parties—government, industry and consumers—to work together to consider the outcomes of this report promptly.”Queensland Minister for Public Works Mick de Brenni says the government has not yet committed to implementing the recommendations and the release of the report is the start of a consultation process.“The panel’s recommendations will need to be tested alongside feedback before the government forms a view,” de Brenni says.“Industry experts, those working within the industry, and members of the public will be invited to provide feedback.”<h2>Issue unclear</h2> The Property Council’s Jen Williams says there is no denying there is always room for improvement in any industry, and property is no different.“Throughout the review process, we expressed our support for improving education and business skills across the industry… rather than adding complex regulatory requirements.”But she says from its inception it had been unclear what “issue” the review of developers sought to address.“After more than 18 months of investigation, the panel has failed to find any significant or systemic wrongdoing by developers,” Williams says.“In the absence of any issue being able to be articulated or quantified, the panel has chosen to focus on the role developers play in setting the ‘tone’ of a project.“An extensive regulatory framework—requiring significant government investment in its establishment and administration—is now being proposed.“Surely, in the midst of a housing crisis and with government balance sheets under pressure, public sector resources could be allocated to better uses than setting up a framework to regulate ‘tone’?” <hr> You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans">Click here to learn more.</a><div id="2GhuueZl01Zwo2aFfjNVi2"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg" alt="TUD + Banner" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg"></picture></div>

Developers say the timing could not be worse to put more restrictive governance on an already-stressed industry...

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Gold Coast developer S&amp;S Projects has filed plans for its fourth project&nbsp; Rainbow Bay on Queensland’s Gold Coast.The developer is proposing a 33-apartment, 13-storey tower in the&nbsp; development application it has lodged with the City of Gold Coast for a 1335sq m site at 271 Boundary Street.The site, on the corner with Petrie Street, is next door to S&amp;S Projects’ $48-million Awaken tower, which is under constructuion, near the Point Danger lookout.&nbsp;The developers other projects on the southern Gold Coastare the completed $90-million Flow residences and the under construction $140-million Esprit residential apartments.Awaken is sold out with its penthouse selling for $9 million and completion scheduled for later this year while Espirit is currently under construction.The site is near a north facing beach overlooking Snapper Rocks, Carlin Family Rock, Duranbah Beach, Cook Island and Tweed River.&nbsp;Plans for the new $140-million tower designed by Cottee Parker Architects include a swimming pool, outdoor dining and barbecue area, communal private dining, kitchen and wine tasting rooms, a business centre meeting room, and a wellness centre and gym.The tower comprises eight two-bedroom apartments, 17 three-bedroom apartments, four three-bedroom penthouses and four sub-penthouses on the upper levels.It is a short walk to Rainbow Bay, Greenmount Beach and Coolangatta Beach.<div id="2aJSyRLhUSu1wd2LauIsTW"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/F9BYUn5GuO0PZy1LHbQaI/b54f3eac0b875b14513c4adf8e20938c/rainbow_bay_project_fourth_one_mid_article_image.jpg" alt="This will be S and S Project's fourth project in the Rainbow Bay precinct." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/F9BYUn5GuO0PZy1LHbQaI/b54f3eac0b875b14513c4adf8e20938c/rainbow_bay_project_fourth_one_mid_article_image.jpg"></picture><div>▲ This will be S&amp;S Project's fourth development in the Rainbow Bay area. </div></div>Pezet Matheson’s Jayde Pezet marketed the first three projects and said that the market for luxury residential was strong in the precinct.&nbsp;“We’ve had interested parties who were not able to get into [the] first three projects who are waiting for more new, quality product to enter the market,” Pezet said.Pending council approval the developer anticipates launching the project by the end of the year.

A developer is keen to complement its earlier projects, filing plans for a fourth one right next door in the same precinct…


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There Is A Lot Going On.As the six-word title slide of his keynote presentation flashed on to the screen, Urbis director Paul Riga could feel the collective thought bubble popping up in the room.It was quite an understatement, to say the least.To be fair, however, and as Riga quickly pointed out, emphasis was given to the third and fourth words.“I've underlined the ‘a lot’ bit because there is a fair bit happening right now and that’s probably an understatement in itself,” he said.The irony of the title’s succinctness and simplicity also was not lost on the gathering of 300 industry players at The Urban Developer Brisbane Residential Developer Summit.Things have got somewhat chaotic and complicated in the Queensland capital’s development sector of late.The city’s to-do list—with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics the cherry on top—is enviable but somewhat of a blessing and a curse in the current challenging and uncertain environment.“There’s all these things happening and it is a lot going through people’s minds,” Riga said. “But I guess sometimes it’s easy to forget that the fundamentals for pure residential property demand are still relatively strong.”State government forecasts for population growth indicate at least 190,000 new residents will be coming into the Brisbane LGA by 2036.“That’s a lot of people that we’re needing to house,” Riga said. “And depending on how you cut that figure in terms of persons per household, it could be anywhere between 70,000 and 100,000 homes required over that period. That’s 7000 to 7500 homes we need to deliver per annum.“Then there’s other factors that are coming in and—while again we look at these and say ‘fantastic’ from the perspective of investment, creating opportunity, creating jobs and therefore pulling people into our region—they do perhaps provide some challenges in construction and delivery of our residential homes.”Specifically, he cited a combined $24.7-billion-plus, resource-sucking pipeline—focused largely in the state’s south-east—including healthcare-hospital and transport infrastructure as well as the delivery race to get the city match fit to stage the XXXV Olympiad.Overlaying all of that is a worsening housing supply and affordability “emergency”, as Riga described it, compounded by ongoing escalation in building costs and a demand-driven crunch that has maxed-out the city’s construction capacity due to a critical shortage of skilled labour.According to Riga, overall unemployment was low but construction unemployment was “even tighter”—with estimates currently sitting at about 2 per cent.Quantity surveyor and Mitchell Brandtman partner Caitlin Shields told the summit that construction cost escalation—by its estimates, forecast to rise on average a further 7.5 per cent over the next 12 months across south-east Queensland—was “all about the labour now”.“We’ve got to figure out this labour problem … and opening up migration internationally should help a little bit.“There’s a famous quote that says ‘build it and they will come’ but maybe we should be saying ‘they will come and they need to build it’.“So, hopefully we’ll end up with some more skilled labour because we’re lacking in that regard.”Shields said with the additional pressure of rising inflation and interest rates, the industry was “at a turning point where sales are cooling off a bit and the feasibilities are starting to get challenged”.The trend, according to Riga, was reinforced by the lastest data—particularly in the last quarter—that showed “supply is starting to drop off”.&nbsp;“And it’s not looking like it’s going to come back in the next 12 months to figures where we probably need them to be,” he said.Nevertheless, both he and Shields agreed there were opportunities to be had for developers going forward.Riga said the medium-term outlook for Brisbane and Queensland’s south-east was a “tale of two markets”—the rising build-to-rent sector and the premium boutique-scale apartment market.“We know from clients there’s significant [build-to-rent] interest here in SEQ, given the complete lack of supply that we’ve got going in the market.“That product typology in itself has the ability to supply markets relatively quickly … not necessarily within the next 12 months, which is potentially when we need some of that supply, but it will come on and supply the market in time.“And over the next 10 years there’s a potential depth of market just within inner-Brisbane of 25,000 to 30,000 new renters ... so there’s quite a market there.”Meanwhile, activity was expected to continue in the top end of the boutique multi-residential market because “from a price point, there’s a bit more tolerance from a buyer perspective, less reliance on interest rate movements and affordability caps to enter that market”.Nevertheless, Riga said, innovation, collaboration and partnerships would be needed across the board to deliver projects in the next 12 months and beyond.“We’re already seeing that happening and, ultimately, for us to be able to potentially move from the emergency we’re in from a housing supply perspective a lot more of that will be required.“It’s certainly going to be a bit of a challenge ... but where there’s a will there’s a way.“And there are definitely opportunities out there. But it’s getting on top of some of those constraints that is going to be key.”Yes, as Riga's opening slide concisely articulated, there is a lot going on in the Brisbane market and—judging from Shields’ final words of advice to the summit delegates—clearly much more to come.“Hold on for the ride,” she said “There’s a lot of excitement, there’s a lot of activity and there’s a lot of challenges out there.” <hr> You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans">Click here to learn more.</a><div id="2GhuueZl01Zwo2aFfjNVi2"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg" alt="TUD + Banner" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg"></picture></div>

Labour shortages, a “resource-sucking” infrastructure pipeline, housing shortfalls—Brisbane is facing challenges, but opportunities remain, a summit in the capital has been told…

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Private developer Orchard Piper has filed plans for 43 luxury apartments in an eight-storey mixed-use development in one of Melbourne’s more affluent neighbourhoods.The Melbourne-based firm, led by directors Luke McKie and Rick Gronow, has asked Stonnington City Council to be able to develop the 3589sq-m site at 7-11A and 17-19 Carters Avenue, Toorak—currently home to the ritzy suburb’s Mercedes-Benz dealership.The $400-million project includes&nbsp;14 two-bedroom apartments, 26 three-bedroom, a single four-bedroom and two penthouses, all on top of basement parking for 160 vehicles.The Kerry Hill Architects (KHA) design will incorporate 13 office tenancies of 100 to 500sq m, five retail tenancies on the ground floor as well as a 180-seat restaurant. The developers are seeking a liquor licence as part of their application.Orchard Piper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/orchard-piper-mercedes-benz-site-carters-avenue-toorak-development" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/orchard-piper-mercedes-benz-site-carters-avenue-toorak-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener">snapped up the prized location&nbsp;</a>on the doorstep of Toorak’s main shopping and dining strip for $67 million last year. The site had earlier been put up for sale by Karl Hagen and the family of his late business partner, John Worrell—whose father purchased the holding in 1932.It has consolidated frontages of 65.2m to Carters Avenue and 46.3m to Ross Street.It will be the third collaboration for Orchard Piper and award-winning KHA—best known for their hotel and resort portfolio that boasts several Aman Resorts destinations, including properties in New Delhi, Tokyo, Kyoto and Shanghai.<div id="dJiM6eWMMeUHfEeOeSZLH"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5tAq43APmwxSRmhKMQfPtm/b583836f373a97cfbac46c956013af56/Orchard_Piper_2_Mid.jpg" alt="An artist's impression showing the The Kerry Hill Architects design including the 180-seat restaurant on the ground floor. " data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5tAq43APmwxSRmhKMQfPtm/b583836f373a97cfbac46c956013af56/Orchard_Piper_2_Mid.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The Kerry Hill Architects design will include five retail tenancies on the ground floor as well as a 180-seat restaurant.</div><div> </div></div>KHA has also designed Toorak Village—<a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/orchard-piper-files-toorak-mixed-use-tower-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/orchard-piper-files-toorak-mixed-use-tower-plans">another mixed-used building&nbsp;</a>but with just nine luxury apartments, each with private lobbies—at 109 Mathoura Road, just a block from the developer’s latest project application.The two projects bring to about 5000sq m the amount of land Orchard Piper has under development within one of Stonnington’s key growth areas.Director Luke McKie told The Urban Developer he expected demolition to begin on the $120-million Mathoura Road development next month.“I can tell you we have already sold over 50 per cent of the project,” McKie said. “That’s in excess of $60 million in sales in a matter of weeks.”KHA’s Patrick Kosky said: “It was important for us to put forward a scheme that would pay respect to Toorak Village’s rich and charming heritage.“The designs emphasise local materiality and hope to encourage an activated ground level which reflects the historic community village character of the area.”Toorak remains&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/toorak-melbourne-most-expensive-suburb-corelogic-best-of-best" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/toorak-melbourne-most-expensive-suburb-corelogic-best-of-best" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Melbourne’s priciest suburb</a> with CoreLogic’s Best of the Best report revealing 138 houses were sold in Toorak last year, with an average property value of $4,955,630.

Private developer Orchard Piper has filed plans for 43 luxury apartments in an eight-storey mixed-use development in one of Melbourne’s more affluent neighbourhoods.

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Introducing Urbanity 23—Australia’s premier conference for the property industry, brought to you by&nbsp;The Urban Developer. Returning for its fifth year, we are thrilled to unveil our largest initial release of speakers to date, featuring more than 25 of the most brilliant and influential minds in the industry, with many more to be added in the lead-up to the event. Join more than 700 property professionals over three days at The Star on the Gold Coast as we present unmissable presentations and interactive events to help you get ahead of the game. Early bird tickets are now available—secure your tickets now as these tickets are strictly limited.<div><a data-mce-href="https://cvent.me/kBxrnO?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ&amp;RefId=General+Admission+%7C+Editorial" href="https://cvent.me/kBxrnO?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ&amp;RefId=General+Admission+%7C+Editorial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Save up to 30 per cent with early bird tickets—click here.</a> <hr>&nbsp; PROGRAM OVERVIEW: URBANITY 23<hr></div> <h2>DAY 1 | TUESDAY 29 AUGUST</h2> Site Tours Hop on the Urbanity bus for our guided project site tours to see the transformative developments shaping the Gold Coast. Registration for the site tours will open in July.Opening Night Boat Party As the day turns into night, get ready to set sail and celebrate at our Welcome Boat Party. Cruise scenic waters, mingle with fellow attendees, and embrace the lively atmosphere that will set&nbsp;the tone for an incredible event.<div id="4vEoQ8LiHrrzfcGPva2OWN"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1vRWFABtYzJLDiZFfZhJc7/be4fbff6d77b27c9da15b52b9fe881cf/3.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1vRWFABtYzJLDiZFfZhJc7/be4fbff6d77b27c9da15b52b9fe881cf/3.jpg"></picture><div> </div></div><hr><h2> DAY 2 | WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST</h2> Conference Day 1 Prepare for a full day of inspiration and knowledge as our esteemed speakers take the stage for captivating keynotes. Engage in thought-provoking panel discussions that delve deep into the most pressing issues and trends in the industry.Networking Drinks Take advantage of dedicated networking sessions designed to expand our attendees’ professional network.The Urban Developer Awards for Industry Excellence Gala In the evening, our main stage will transform to host our sixth annual Awards for Industry Excellence. Tickets will be released for purchase separately to finalists in July 2023.<div id="3hn6PajSBrH5ElPq0WPh54"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/R7zua85Q9sbD5lb8UdW71/f51681148edee1eb9942239dc3ff8c2b/2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/R7zua85Q9sbD5lb8UdW71/f51681148edee1eb9942239dc3ff8c2b/2.jpg"></picture><div> </div></div><hr><h2> DAY 3 | THURSDAY 31 AUGUST</h2> Conference Day 2 The excitement continues as our lineup of influential speakers again deliver powerful and insightful presentations that will leave a lasting impact.Urbanity After PartyAs the jam-packed conference draws to a close, get ready to celebrate at our unforgettable Urbanity after party.<div id="3ileO8ckChICBKtjCJ244M"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6RUqXS5PK5fvhKHHZc234e/0f8ca3368f338d612cb38fcc5712afcb/4.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6RUqXS5PK5fvhKHHZc234e/0f8ca3368f338d612cb38fcc5712afcb/4.jpg"></picture><div> </div></div><div><hr></div><h2> SPEAKER RELEASE 1</h2> We’re excited to announce our initial release of speakers, the largest such release we’ve made.<hr><a href="https://cvent.me/kBxrnO?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ&amp;RefId=General+Admission+%7C+Editorial" data-mce-href="https://cvent.me/kBxrnO?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ&amp;RefId=General+Admission+%7C+Editorial">View the full program</a><hr> Speakers include:Rethinking Real Estate: Navigating Technology’s Impact on the Future of Urban DevelopmentDror Poleg (New York City, US), award-winning author of Future of WorkJoin us for an insightful keynote presentation on day 3 based on Dror Poleg’s book, Rethinking Real Estate. Explore the profound influence of technology on the world's largest asset class and gain a roadmap to navigate the evolving landscape of urban development.The Evolution of the Nightingale ModelDan McKenna, chief executive officer, Nightingale HousingExplore the transformative journey of the Nightingale model in urban development, showcasing its influence on sustainability, affordability, and community-focused housing.Dan is a seasoned professional in the field of urban development with a wealth of experience and a strong passion for sustainable housing.As an integral member of Nightingale Housing since its inception, Dan has witnessed the company’s growth and overcome numerous challenges along the way.<div id="5kOKq1b2FDCfdiHKAMtVmj"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/52HrLEQDs9tRScynI8fAo6/9e56bec0106d9af869074e51f2d2b676/Mid_article_resizes__10_.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/52HrLEQDs9tRScynI8fAo6/9e56bec0106d9af869074e51f2d2b676/Mid_article_resizes__10_.jpg"></picture><div>▲ First speakers include: Nerida Connisbee, Dror Poleg, Kate Meyrick and Dan McKenna. </div></div>Big Demographia: The Next Decade in Residential Real EstateNerida Conisbee, chief economist, Ray WhiteNerida Conisbee explores the demographic drivers shaping a bigger Australia and its likely impact on residential housing demand.Nerida, the chief economist at Ray White and a renowned property expert in Australia, is a distinguished speaker at Urbanity 23.With a wealth of experience after more than 20 years in property research throughout Asia Pacific, Nerida’s insights are highly sought after by major media, including digital, print, television, and radio.She is known for her market commentary and regular contributions to Ray White publications, including Ray White Now.Urban Equity: The Business Case for Fair and Equitable CitiesKate Meyrick, director, UrbisJoin Kate and she explores the business case for fairer cities. As a housing crisis and cost of living pressures run riot globally, Kate will present exclusive Urbanity research that benchmarks the competitiveness of global and APAC cities through the lens of urban equity.<a href="https://cvent.me/kBxrnO?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ&amp;RefId=General+Admission+%7C+Editorial" data-mce-href="https://cvent.me/kBxrnO?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ&amp;RefId=General+Admission+%7C+Editorial">View our initial speaker release</a>Other speakers include:Tim Price - Time &amp; Place, Co-Founder &amp; DirectorSarah Slattery - Slattery, Chief ExecutiveDaniel Kernaghan - JLL, Chief Executive, Australia and New ZealandShane Smollen- Central Element, DirectorCarolyn Viney - Super Housing Partnerships, Chief ExecutiveBen Martin-Henry- MSCI, head of Real Assets Research, PacificMonique Woodward - Wowowa Architecture, Co-FounderRichard Seddon - Mirvac, Chief Executive, InvestmentsMaria Lucrezia De Marco (Italy) - Stefano Boeri Architetti, ArchitectAndrew Deveson - Kapitol Group, Co-Founder &amp; DirectorAndrew Welsh - Wel.Co, Founder &amp; Managing DirectorTamika Smith - My Bella Casa, FounderRory Martin - Frasers Property, Vice President, Group SustainabilityTodd Pepper - Alceon Qld, Rino Recycling, Executive DirectorSarah Buckeridge - Hayball, Co-Managing PrincipalVivek Subramanian - SRL, Managing DirectorVictoria Reeves - Kennedy Nolan, Director of ArchitectureToby Lewis - Marquette Properties, Managing DirectorDr Michael Fotheringham - Australian Housing &amp; Urban Research Institute (Ahuri), Managing DirectorRafael Contreras - Contreras Earl Architecture (CEA), DirectorCaitlin Shields - Mitchell Brandtman, Partner &amp; 5D Quantity SurveyorChris Brown - QIC Real Estate, Cross River Rail Precincts DirectorGeorgina Harvey - Riverlee, Development ManagerTim Johnson - The Boundary, Chief Technology OfficerOwen Craven - UAP (Urban Art Projects), Managing Principal<a data-mce-href="https://cvent.me/kBxrnO?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ&amp;RefId=General+Admission+%7C+Editorial" href="https://cvent.me/kBxrnO?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ&amp;RefId=General+Admission+%7C+Editorial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp; Click here and save up to 30 per cent with early bird tickets.</a>

Join us on the Gold Coast for unmissable presentations and interactive events to help you get ahead of the game—early-bird tickets available now…

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The Malaysian developer behind a planned 51-storey Surfers Paradise tower says it is shopping for a builder and will break ground on the $300-million project early next year.MRCB International said it had secured funding from Malaysian financial institution MBSB Bank for the project, 26 Vista.The plans for the tower were filed with the Gold Coast City Council in May of last year.The DBI-designed slender tower is planned for a 3100sq m vacant block at 26 Vista Street, formerly home to a putt-putt golf course.The tower is to rise to 172.4m and comprise 280 apartments plus six three-storey terrace houses fronting Northcliffe Light Rail Station.&nbsp;The developer reportedly paid $17 million for the site in 2021.The residential mix includes 56 one-bedroom apartments, 154 two-bedroom, 62 three-bedroom and eight four-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;<div id="2iUaNZw8A8J6fjBYzIOVYa"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/39z10SgMoWQsgMl9Z6WB3P/5678042e0f878bec3f936ea3fee2ae90/Copy_of_E01_Exterior_Hero_copy.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/39z10SgMoWQsgMl9Z6WB3P/5678042e0f878bec3f936ea3fee2ae90/Copy_of_E01_Exterior_Hero_copy.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The developer of 26 Vista at Surfers Paradise is pushing ahead with the 51-storey tower. </div></div>Level 4 is a dedicated communal recreation space with a gym, outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, ice shower and pool lounge. There will also be rooftop gardens and a kitchen and dining room.MRCB International chief executive Ravi Krishnan said the tower was the developer’s first on the Gold Coast.“We are determined to succeed and follow through with our plans to introduce one of the most sophisticated projects ever seen in Surfers Paradise,” he said.“It is a precarious time for the construction industry and builders are needing to be savvy and highly selective when it comes to tendering for new projects.“The financing from MBSB Bank has bolstered our ability to secure a builder with the knowledge that our financial status is secure and we will be able to deliver this project.”Vista 26 is scheduled for completion in 2026.<div id="1cwz1AtfhND8xCIipnieUc"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7f7N4CC1nHNGaF12mlQuWK/bf08e70f996a3536fa29603a5fcc8a21/Copy_of_A03_Lobby_Foyer.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7f7N4CC1nHNGaF12mlQuWK/bf08e70f996a3536fa29603a5fcc8a21/Copy_of_A03_Lobby_Foyer.jpg"></picture><div>▲ A render of the lobby of Vista 26.</div></div>

The Malaysian developer behind a 51-storey tower in Surfers Paradise says it’s secured funding and is set to break ground early next year…

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A developer has filed plans for a mixed-use project in a suburb “on the edge of a gentrifying Melbourne”.Plans for rhe five-storey tower, proposed for a 2612.4sq m site at 590-596 Barkly Street, West Footscray, have been filed with the City of Maribyrnong council.The developer is Birchmore and managing director Andrew Peters said the project made sense as it was planned for a growth area.“We see West Footscray as an exciting area on the edge of a gentrifying Melbourne with a lot of growth,” Peters told The Urban Developer.Supermarket retail giant Woolworths recently submitted an application for the same area, the Barkly Street Village, which has been this year defined by a new structure plan, the West Footscray Neighbourhood Plan.Genton Architects designed the plans for Birchmore’s project, which comprise a five-storey building with parking in the basement and on the ground floor.There would be two retail tenancies, and a communal space and lobby on the ground floor as well as a communal space on the fourth floor.The four upper floor are all given over to apartments with 56 planned—14 one, 34 two and eight three-bedroom apartments.There would be 73 car parking spaces across the lower and upper car parking levels in the basement and the ground floor, and 71 bicycle storage spaces with two hoops and 69 racks.The total gross floor area for the project is 10,542sq m with 4008sq m of net saleable area and 274sq m of net lettable area.Four lots were consolidated to create the site and Birchmore confirmed it bought the site for $7 million.The site is in the West Footscray Neighbourhood Activity Centre and has two existing single-storey buildings and two buildings of one to two storeys each. All existing buildings will be demolished as part of the plans.Birchmore is planning a community consultation session later this month in conjunction with one of the existing shops on the site, the West Footscray Traders Association's opportunity shop which raises funds for community projects.“We are running a community workshop with all the neighbors or the direct interface neighbors because we actually got on the front foot and dropped off a copy of all the plans to neighboring interfaces,” Birchmore development director Edward Cramer said.“We understand that this will be probably the first application as part of this new structure plan.“We are also mindful that it’s going to cause a bit of a lot of questions.”Peters said that they wanted to work with the community.“This will really be to both educate the residents and community, and to take on their feedback,” Peters said.“We want to work with the community to educate them on the new plan but also seek their feedback on how we can improve.” <div id="1CRRXdUtc5NfRR1JuJRdrl"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/380s5dacSS9pgMYLqW1jvn/ca952f4630f66a78938265ee49875629/Birchmore_kinglake_village_render_mid_article_image.jpg" alt="A render of one of Birchmore's other projects - a town centre for the Kinglake Village in Victoria's Yarra Valley." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/380s5dacSS9pgMYLqW1jvn/ca952f4630f66a78938265ee49875629/Birchmore_kinglake_village_render_mid_article_image.jpg"></picture><div>▲ A render of one of Birchmore's other projects—a town centre for the Kinglake Village in the Yarra Valley. </div></div>There are bus and tram services on Barkly and Essex streets while the West Footscray and Tottenham railway stations are within a kilometre&nbsp; of the site.The site is 7km north-west of the Melbourne CBD.Birchmore has residential projects in Victoria and New South Wales, and is currently finishing up a land development project in Waurn Ponds, a suburb of Geelong.&nbsp; The developer also has other projects in the works including the Kinglake Village in the Yarra Valley and the East Sunbury Village.&nbsp;

A five-storey mid-market residential project with retail tenancies has been proposed for one of West Footscray’s main streets…


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A masterplanned Castle Hill community has received approval and is being touted as the largest and greenest development in the suburb west of Sydney.&nbsp;The Carrington Place development is a 3.2ha site at 36 Carrington Road and comprises 771 apartments across five towers of up to 12 storeys.&nbsp;The Tony Owen Partners and Stanisic Architects-designed towers will be nestled alongside the Cattai Creek on the western border of the development.&nbsp;Carrington Place project director Joseph Chiha said the project would be a multi-staged urban village with a strong connection to nature and a 20,000sq m landscaped recreation space, which made it one of the greenest developments in Castle Hill.<div id="76gZSCFgxuZ6EiAz5w8lq3"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3AeUZmg22MhcpBfgI70U7Z/6350da4ea8fc4fcf3b8758ae4f478f7c/Carrington_MID1.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3AeUZmg22MhcpBfgI70U7Z/6350da4ea8fc4fcf3b8758ae4f478f7c/Carrington_MID1.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The Carrington Place development maintains a strong connection to the creek flowing along its western border and the green belt alongside it. </div></div> “The project seamlessly blends with the surrounding nature and aims to become one of Sydney’s most sustainable urban communities,” Chiha said.Ellipse Property founder Sam El Rihani said the approval and start of Carrington Place would be a significant milestone for the company.“We believe in creating more than just buildings; we strive to develop thriving communities,” El Rihani said.“With Carrington Place, our goal is to foster a sense of belonging and connection among residents. We envision a place where neighbours become friends, where families create lasting memories, and where the community flourishes together.”The first stage of the development, Atrium, will comprise 151 apartments across an eight-storey tower with rooftop recreation facilities.&nbsp; Each tower within the development will achieve a minimum 6-star NATHERS rating.<div id="2fOniX7O5qc7J4z1gAI0Uf"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1NUCVpmtBxDb0DySshCS3k/0f90445007f18e1a1ccb0fb3f026132b/Carrington_MID2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1NUCVpmtBxDb0DySshCS3k/0f90445007f18e1a1ccb0fb3f026132b/Carrington_MID2.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The masterplanned community centres on a landscaped 20,000sq m recreational space connecting the village. </div></div> Construction is planned to begin in Q3-2023 with the first stage due for completion in Q3 2025. The entire five-stage precinct is due for completion in 2032.It follows a slew of approvals for the western Sydney suburb in the past month.&nbsp;Msquared Capital <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/macquarie-capital-castle-hill-apartment-project" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/macquarie-capital-castle-hill-apartment-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently won approval for its five-tower development planned for Castle Hill</a> after its Land and Environment Court appeal was upheld.&nbsp;It now has the green light for stages one and two of the Cadman Crescent development—comprising 242 apartments across five buildings around a central courtyard.Developer <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/castle-hill-dual-tower-kassis-approved" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/castle-hill-dual-tower-kassis-approved" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kassis’s plans to swap out one and three-bedroom apartments for four-bedroom units</a> in the dual-tower project Grand Reve were also approved.&nbsp;While building A in the project planned for 6-12 and 6-20 Garthowen Crescent, Castle Hill, was unchanged, the amendments for building B approved by The Hills Shire Council cut the total number of apartments to 185 from 192 in the Giles Tribe Architects-designed development.

A masterplanned Castle Hill community has received approval for more than 700 apartments could be the greenest development in the suburb west of Sydney...

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The days of paving paradise and putting up a parking lot may be all but dead.However, car-centric planning regulations with minimum parking requirements that have been standard practice since the 1950s continue to shape our cities.&nbsp;Behind the hoardings in the excavated depths of high-rise development sites, the number of carparking spaces is still on the rise in Australia.And no matter what side of the street of the urban planning debate you look, there are warning signs in both directions.With every shiny shovel sod-turning for a new tower project it is predicted our cities are moving ever closer to what has been dubbed “Carmageddon”.On one side, it is deemed that if planning regulations continue to be based on private car ownership—and the need for increased parking—our urban landscapes will quickly run out of space as well as face worsening traffic congestion and pollution.On the flipside, however, it is argued that—with car ownership continuing to edge up in Australia—if off-street parking requirements for developments are removed or even reduced, the increased demand for on-street parking will lead to many areas becoming parking basketcases.Carparking provisions in proposed developments are already the focus of hundreds of planning appeals each year.And if you ask most drivers they will tell you in no uncertain terms how difficult it has become to find a park in our cities.<div id="HLUOnC4DKKULYUbDtuTUG"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3Y5V1Vjt8aSnRLs0ErEj8n/035eb345c906ba14402b596e32d498c2/3.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3Y5V1Vjt8aSnRLs0ErEj8n/035eb345c906ba14402b596e32d498c2/3.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Carparking remains a thorny issue for developers, government authorities and motorists. </div></div>However, research indicates that perception does not necessarily meet reality, particularly when it comes to off-street carparking left unused.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nonetheless, the vexing question remains—how much carparking space is enough?Feeding the debate are two significant and prevailing challenges—escalating construction costs and a worsening housing affordability crisis.Five years ago, it was estimated a carparking space added $50,000 to the cost of an apartment but that has since doubled to between $100,000 and $110,000, exacerbating the affordability issues.With each carparking space occupying between 12sq m and 35sq m—bigger than most bedrooms—it is a sizeable and expensive trade-off for other land uses such as much-needed housing. The average one-bedroom apartment in Australia is about 50 square metres.In the City of Melbourne municipality alone, it is estimated total floor space dedicated to parking is the equivalent of 225 MCG sporting stadiums, much of it residential and up to 40 per cent of the spaces unused on most days.But along with its northern rival Sydney, the Victorian capital is among a growing cohort of cities around the world rethinking their approach to carparking policy.Minimum parking requirements mandate a certain amount of parking spaces that must be allocated to new homes, based on the number of bedrooms. They have been driving up housing costs since they were first implemented during the post-war boom in car ownership.In many countries—including the US, where the car-centric culture has created enough parking spaces to pave the entire state of Connecticut—these rigid ratios are now being scaled back or eliminated to enable more affordable homes to be brought to market.<div id="3545fPfFXYJOZeMuX2oGl"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6NSO6z29WxTuoArRkeFNEI/a5c23921f12e3c2838b0001ffb93b14b/2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6NSO6z29WxTuoArRkeFNEI/a5c23921f12e3c2838b0001ffb93b14b/2.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Dr Chris De Gruyter from RMIT University’s Centre for Urban Research. </div></div>“We’re quite behind in Australia,” Dr Chris De Gruyter from RMIT University’s Centre for Urban Research tells The Urban Developer. “It’s barely changed from the 1950s, we’ve still got these minimum carparking requirements … and they are resulting in an oversupply of carparking.”From the data of a recent survey undertaken by RMIT of more than 1300 apartment residents across Melbourne, Sydney and Perth it was concluded more than 100,000 carparking spaces were sitting unused in the three cities.And staggeringly, its calculations estimated the price of those empty parking spots was costing residents more than $6 billion.“That’s actually a very conservative figure,” De Gruyter says. “It’s probably likely to be more than that.”He says the study showed the oversupply was not just an inefficient use of space but was exacerbating housing affordability issues.“It shows there’s a need to introduce policies that facilitate unbundling of carparking from the purchase price or the rental cost of apartment housing, so that people can purchase or rent the number of parking spaces they actually need or want.“That way the cost of their housing would be cheaper because they’re not having to pay for a parking space they won’t use.”De Gruyter says although uncommon in Australia, the concept of unbundled carparking did have broad support from the property sector, including for new office and residential developments in North Melbourne’s Ardern precinct.<div id="1Zt88e9LZwvbhbJLRHiHLs"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/26tB17815LGoFtgJqlATSn/279d7fa5776717b9b3590f2aa706e96d/1.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/26tB17815LGoFtgJqlATSn/279d7fa5776717b9b3590f2aa706e96d/1.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Brisbane-based town planner and Wolter Consulting Group executive director Natalie Rayment. </div></div>The RMIT study found that 20 per cent of households had too much allocated parking while 14 per cent did not have enough.It also showed that 13.4 per cent of households did not own a car but were still allocated a parking space.Brisbane-based town planner and Wolter Consulting Group executive director Natalie Rayment agrees, but says it will take more than more than the unbundling of carparking to resolve the parking issues in the Queensland capital.&nbsp;While its southern counterparts and other major cities around the world have moved to “rightsize” their carparking requirements, Brisbane has put its foot to the floor in the opposite direction.Under controversial city plan amendments, minimum carparking requirements were increased in the Queensland capital for all multiple home developments outside the CBD and inner-city frame in 2020.“And this was at a time that in many developed nations around the world, they were starting to do the exact opposite,” Rayment says.The move, she says, went hand-in-hand with a ban on townhouse developments in low-density residential areas “responding to that NIMBY mindset to protect the suburbs from an intrusion of new development”.Significantly, carparking requirement reductions for development within 400m of major public transport facilities such as suburban train, ferry and busway stations were also removed.“I think that’s where Brisbane really fell down and set itself aside from what’s happening in other cities,” Rayment says.&nbsp;“On average the carparking requirements went up by 40 per cent, depending on the home size, and that has contributed to a lot of those projects just being unviable to deliver now.”<div id="1KlUOBap5VPUrZn0vqfAGw"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6xKUvqIPHOnUPY3cARake3/af7298b4a3098664c577e521f5555f2f/4.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6xKUvqIPHOnUPY3cARake3/af7298b4a3098664c577e521f5555f2f/4.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Carparking requirements in the Queensland capital are reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver housing, according to Fortis’s Daniel Bowman. </div></div>Sydney-based developer Fortis is still forging ahead with its Queensland expansion but associate director Daniel Boman says increased carparking requirements had “greatly reduced the capacity for the development industry to deliver new apartments in the middle-ring suburbs of Brisbane”.“And where sites are 1 to 2km from retail amenity or frequent public transport such as buses, trains and CityCats it just makes sense that less carparks could be allowed.”Rayment says for the high-end product and in the more expensive suburbs “it doesn’t seem to be a problem to meet the carparking requirements”.“However, it’s definitely affecting the supply of more affordable housing product and contributing to that cycle of the housing crisis we’re now in.”But she adds:&nbsp; “It’s not just that were moving into an era of housing affordability. We’ve got new mobility methods. We’ve got Uber, we’ve got electric scooters, we’ve got better bike paths and all these green bridges going in.“Every other policy that the council talks about is all about green and active transport, except for the carparking rules.“Basically, if you build it they will come. If you give people more carparking, then it encourages them to have more cars and to drive everywhere. And so it’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy.”Meanwhile, in Melbourne, proposed changes to the city’s planning scheme to foster sustainable development in the CBD includes a progressive clause for “the retention of carparking spaces as common spaces”.Architecture studio Fender Katsalidis associate director Shem Kelder says the amendment will make it easier to repurpose carparks in a future where autonomous cars inevitably limit the need for parking spaces.“MCC are actively pursuing a future for Melbourne’s CBD with fewer cars, and there is so much potential to be unlocked in the adaptive reuse of parking spaces beyond the conventional solutions like office space or apartments—such as urban farming, aquaponics, co-working spaces and grey kitchens for food production.“We are genuinely excited about what these spaces have the potential to be and do for Melburnians.”<div id="1oQBnglqxV6UAjhn0nVZpv"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/79YqlvPyFmno8kjm0FBXaZ/592f2d9ce8a00d66a5668c718b7cc74b/extra_carpark_mid.jpg" alt="Unlocking the potential for the adaptive reuse of parking spaces beyond the conventional solutions like office space or apartments is already being explored." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/79YqlvPyFmno8kjm0FBXaZ/592f2d9ce8a00d66a5668c718b7cc74b/extra_carpark_mid.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Unlocking the potential for the adaptive reuse of parking spaces beyond the conventional solutions such as office space or apartments is already being explored. </div></div>“We are in interesting times where society is changing, community attitudes are changing and the way people move about is changing,” air taxi infrastructure company Skyportz founder and chief executive Clem Newton-Brown says.“Air taxis will be part of that mix … and with the sharing economy and the gig economy I think we’re already seeing a changing dynamic and potentially a reduction in terms of carparking requirements.“Kids these days are less likely to own a car. They’re happy to have transport as a service rather than owning a car and, generationally, that is the biggest factor which is going to dictate requirements for parking.”But according to Gold Coast-based Zone Planning Group director David Ransom, in the current uncertain and challenging times it is not millenials, Gen Zs, developers, town planners, urban futurists or even local councils who will be determining how much carparking is enough.“Any town planner would say if you have a city that requires less use of vehicles … is weaning people off cars and concentrating them in areas that have good public transport, that’s a good thing and a reason to provide less carparks.“But at the moment, the right answer is whatever ensures the viability of your project.“So it really depends on the attitude of the banks and the valuers.“If you try to sell a unit that doesn’t have its own exclusive carpark, then the valuers will write it down and the banks will lend you less. So that’s a reason people don’t do it.“I don’t know whether there’s a difference between the way the banks and valuers deal with Queensland as opposed to say Sydney and Melbourne but that’s pretty much the way it works up here.“It’s not to do with any planning philosophy or anything like that. It’s to do with whether the market is going to accept what you’re doing and are you going to sell the units. And if you’re not, then it’s the wrong answer.“The right answer is whatever the market says the right answer is.“And at the end of the day, it’s to do with the banks and the valuers. They’ll decide.” <hr> You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans">Click here to learn more.</a><div id="2GhuueZl01Zwo2aFfjNVi2"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg" alt="TUD + Banner" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg"></picture></div>

Necessary evil or waste of money and space? The Urban Developer discovers there’s a fork in the road looming for car parking… 

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As the cost of living crisis continues, the focus on affordable living in Sydney has prompted a wave of co-living development plans with the latest in Granville.&nbsp;Plans for the six-storey co-living building has been filed for 31-33 Enid Avenue, Granville, which is 18km west of the CBD.Texco Designs prepared the plans for developer St Enid Holdings Pty Ltd, which is owned by private New South Wales developer Chi Tung Li.&nbsp;The developer applied to Cumberland City Council for consent for the residential project, which comprises 49 co-living rooms plus basement parking.Under the plans, there would be four common rooms, landscaped communal open space at ground level and a rooftop communal open space.Two single-storey brick houses would be demolished to make way for the development.The site is within a high-density residential zone and is close to Granville and Clyde train stations, as well as parks, a bowling club and swimming centre.&nbsp;The proposed development will make “a positive contribution to the streetscape and desired future character” of the area, according to the developers.The Granville area is changing as lots of single-detached homes are amalgamated and redeveloped into residential buildings of up to six storeys, according to the development application.Additionally, after the introduction of <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/nsw-housing-policy-shakes-up-affordable-seniors-living" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/nsw-housing-policy-shakes-up-affordable-seniors-living" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021</a>, which included two new housing types, there has been an increase in co-living developments planned for NSW.Recently, Good Housing launched <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/good-housing-15-storey-newcastle-co-living-tower" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/good-housing-15-storey-newcastle-co-living-tower" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plans for a Newcastle co-living development</a>, as have rich listers George and Wendy Inatey <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/camperdown-co-living-project-plans-filed" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/camperdown-co-living-project-plans-filed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">for a Camperdown project</a>, while developers Charbel Hazzouri and Anthony El-Hazouri have been attributed with <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/revelop-co-living-development-profile" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/revelop-co-living-development-profile" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aiding a revolution</a> in the sector.

A focus on affordable living in Sydney has prompted a wave of co-living developments, including the latest project lodged for Granville....

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Prolific Gold Coast apartment developer Raptis wants to slash 17 storeys from its proposed Broadbeach tower, blaming rising building costs and supply constraints.In an application before Gold Coast City Council, the developer is asking to cut 55 apartments from the already approved, Koichi Takada-designed project.It is the second time Raptis has tried to steer the changes through the municipality.The developer originally&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/raptis-george-street-development-gold-coast" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/raptis-george-street-development-gold-coast">won approval for 138 apartments&nbsp;</a>in a 40-storey high-rise on the 1548sq m site at 6-8 George Avenue in December, 2021.Then in February this year, Raptis lodged a “minor change submission” to the 155.5m tower, telling the council it was no longer feasible to build to original plans due to “substantial” changes in building costs and the supply of materials.However, Gold Coast deemed the reduction to 23 floors to be a “substantially different development,” and late last month the developer lodged another change application.<div id="3E1TpS3gx7aNeBKECM4UCN"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2SnLJdRlBquWzyHLXY4BdT/cccce184791db13c488a67beb9729836/raptis_broadie_before_after_mid.jpg" alt="A composite image of the original design for the residential tower (left) and the latest plans, which cut the building to 23 levels." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2SnLJdRlBquWzyHLXY4BdT/cccce184791db13c488a67beb9729836/raptis_broadie_before_after_mid.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The original design for the residential tower (left) and the latest plans, which cut the building to 23 levels.</div><div> </div></div>The plans seek to decrease the number of apartments by 55 to 83. Forty of those, according to documents lodged by Zone Planning Group, will be two-bedroom, with another 42 of three bedrooms. A single four-bedroom apartment remains.With the original design’s upper levels gone, so too have sub-penthouse and penthouse apartments. A third basement level has disappeared, leading to 70 fewer carparking spaces.The amended proposal also includes a revised internal tower floor plate, revised external tower facade and revised tower cap feature. The tower’s footprint and position within the rectangular site remain largely unchanged.The long-time south-east Queensland developer was founded by 76-year-old Jim Raptis—a designer and architect—who arrived in Australia as a young boy with his Greek family in 1954. He began developing property in Sydney in 1967, before moving to the Gold Coast.Today, he is joint managing director of Raptis with son Evan.

Prolific Gold Coast apartment developer Raptis is seeking to chop 17 storeys from its proposed Broadbeach residential tower project.

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The opening of The Star’s Queen’s Wharf in Brisbane has again been pushed back.The landmark riverside development was slated to open at Christmas; however, it is now scheduled to open the doors in April next year, The Star’s Group chief executive and managing director Robbie Cooke said.“The revised opening date follows careful consideration of current progress by our builder,” Cooke said in a statement to the ASX.“Queen’s Wharf has not been immune from the types of pressures that other major infrastructure projects across Australia have encountered.&nbsp;“We are disappointed, but this transformational development for Brisbane has been eight years in the making already, and it will be well worth the wait.“Queen’s Wharf will be a game-changer for a city that continues to attract the eyes of the world as we charge towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”The multi-billion-dollar Queen’s Wharf development, on either side of&nbsp;William Street&nbsp;in Brisbane’s CBD, is the largest development undertaken in Queensland and the largest casino resort in Australia.This is far from the first time the opening date has been revised—in July, 2022 The Star advised that the cost of materials, the pandemic and substantial rain had delayed the project by six months and added 10 per cent to its cost.In February of this year, chief operating officer Kelvin Dodt said it would open by year’s end.However, it was not all bad news for the Destination Brisbane Consortium, the privately owned and operated joint venture between The Star and its partners Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium.<div id="77CCv4kl18c1USxTBN7FKZ"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/bcLiDUwaky5R9A89pqPFD/30867f7703654210dab06c3fbd47ba2c/Mid_article_resizes__8_.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/bcLiDUwaky5R9A89pqPFD/30867f7703654210dab06c3fbd47ba2c/Mid_article_resizes__8_.jpg"></picture><div>▲ A render of Queen’s Wharf from William Street looking south. </div></div>In the statement it said it had “received the keys” to several dining, entertainment and gaming areas on Levels 5 and 6 of the resort, representing the first handover of control for an area within the construction precinct, from<a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/multiplex-wins-out-on-36bn-queens-wharf-" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/multiplex-wins-out-on-36bn-queens-wharf-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> building contractor Multiplex</a>.&nbsp;“This milestone provides The Star, as the operator, the opportunity to commence bump-in of the respective areas. The handover occurred on June 2, 2023.”On the same day, the third and final Sky Deck bridge section was moved into place, ahead of the Sky Deck lift and connection to take place in the coming weeks.“The completed Sky Deck will connect all four towers of the Queen’s Wharf development and signify a further milestone in the project’s progression,” the statement said.&nbsp;“The Sky Deck will showcase a 250m open-air rooftop runway of bars and restaurants, provide panoramic views from 100m above the Brisbane River and have capacity for up to 1500 people.”

Brisbane now won’t be getting The Star’s multi-billion-dollar mega-project before the end of the year…

PLANNING