something else overlooked ? (just guessing!)

http://www.monash.edu.au/STRIP/index.html

About the Monash STRIP
A $300 million building development on the Monash Clayton campus plans to create jobs for thousands of Australians by developing world-class research into next-generation emerging industries.

Located just 20 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, the Monash Science Technology Research and Innovation Precinct (STRIP) will be developed in five stages over the next 10 years and bring together leading international researchers with those from industry.

A synergistic environment will provide a range of expertise to support the rapid development of new products and processes from pure and applied research through incubation to emerging industries.

The STRIP is designed to foster an interdisciplinary approach to research and development where business and industry can be part of Australia's largest aggregation of researchers. The expertise of a worldwide university is right on the doorstep.

A Cluster of Enterprise
The Monash STRIP will house a cluster of knowledge intensive enterprises within a region that has Australia's largest industrial concentration of IT&T, scientific, medical, advanced materials, plastics, transport and equipment manufacturing.

The Monash Institutes of Health, CSIRO and the site for the national synchrotron facility are all in close proximity and allow easy access to world-class researchers and state-of-the-art technologies.

Highly visible to investors, the STRIP is a one-stop-shop for private equity and provides the ideal environment for fostering business development. The concentration of enterprises generates value-added activity and the economic multipliers that create jobs.

The region has the advantage of well-coordinated infrastructure that can support strong networks of companies, organisations and people. It already has 80,000 jobs that fall into the category of symbolic analysts - the leading job category of the knowledge economy.

http://www.monash.edu.au/STRIP/img/map2.jpg

Construction pics:

May 2002
http://www.monash.edu.au/STRIP/img/1May.jpg

June 2002
http://www.monash.edu.au/STRIP/img/24May.jpg

July 2002
http://www.monash.edu.au/STRIP/img/8july.jpg

August 2002
http://www.monash.edu.au/STRIP/img/24July.jpg

September 2002
http://www.monash.edu.au/STRIP/img/4sep.jpg

October 2002
http://www.monash.edu.au/STRIP/img/7oct.jpg

tays

anyone got the pics of the $400 mil qut project?

Originally posted by katowice
anyone got the pics of the $400 mil qut project?

start a new thread and ask about it ?

tays

22nd November:

http://www.monash.edu.au/STRIP/img/221102.jpg

tays

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/22/1045638540862.html

Seeing the light at last - for $157 million
February 23 2003
The Sun-Herald


After 15 years of planning, Australia is set to build a machine which will revolutionise the way science is explored in this country - and the Victorian Government ispicking up the $157-million tab.

In the second half of this year work will begin opposite Monash University's Clayton Campus in Melbourne on our very own synchrotron.

"A synchrotron is a big tube in which electrons are run at almost the speed of light," says KeithNugent, a physicist from the University of Melbourne who is on thescientific advisorycommittee for the synchrotron.

"In the process of going around in a circle, they give off intense light across the spectrum, from infra-red to X-rays."

A synchrotron is a must of modern science. Very bright light is valuable stuff, particularly when itcomes to taking a really good look at something. For example: scientists designing new drugs have a tremendous advantage if they can see what they're aiming at, and this could be one protein on the surface ofa cell.

But synchrotrons are more than simply the brightest torch you've seen. They can perform complex chemical analyses, test the

load-bearing capacity of wood and concentrated X-rays can be used to etch surfaces.

Around the world there are 43 synchrotrons, with another 30 or so on the way. If Australian scientists want to use one, they have to put their name on a waiting list torent time on an overseas facility.

That's what Professor Nugent did. He's in Chicago, cramming as many experiments as he can into one week.

"It's not an easy way to do science," he says.

"Suitcase science" may be inconvenient, but it's not impossible. However, travelling poses extra problems if you want to study things such as the anthrax bacterium or ebola virus, because you can't simply pack up your samples and go. Potentially dangerous goods cannot easily be taken across international borders.

The big reason for building one of these devices here is because of what happens to the results of experiments.

"When we go overseas we have to comply with their intellectual property requirements," Professor Nugent says.

This means scientists have to sign an agreement that their discoveries must be shared with the owners of the synchrotron, which could range from a name on a patent to money from sales.

Professor Nugent says: "If we're going to get the commercial benefits we have to have it in our ownbackyard."

Due for completion in 2007, the synchrotron is expected to meet 95per cent of Australian scientists' needs and generate some $65million a year.

G'day, this is my first post in this forum. I've enjoyed browing through the threads for a while now and thought it was about time to put my 2 cents worth in.

I work in biotech industry and know how valuable a synchrotron will be for Australia, both for scienctific research and the economy. It's a big pain having to deal with intellectual property agreements between different countries.

Does anyone know how big this is going to be? The one in Chicago is several kilometers in diameter I think...

Apparently they have actually gone back and re-developed a larger design for the Synchotron!

The original design was for a ~60m diameter design, which was not massive by world standards but not the smallest either..

I was speaking to someone at one of the universitys who told me they are building a bigger design becuase for a few extra million they will get a lot more possible uses for it and therefore work on it..

Not sure about the size but I think about 100m or so..

Mondo Tower, Moonee Ponds, outer Melbourne's tallest at 55m. Approx 10km from CBD

>>from mid last year

Developer Salcorp has approval for a 17-storey, $30 million apartment tower in Moonee Ponds and has sold more than half its apartments since launching several weeks ago.

Salcorp has sold 48 one, two and three-bedroom apartments ranging in price from $300,000 to $750,000 and one penthouse for over $800,000, prices normally unheard of for suburban apartments. Salcorp spokesman Daniel Spencer said a majority of buyers were local and evenly split between investors and owner-occupiers.

>>to current

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/mondo_20030506.JPG

>> varoius images

http://www.oko.com.au/gallery/r045l.jpg

http://www.oko.com.au/gallery/r041l.jpg

http://www.oko.com.au/gallery/r042l.jpg

http://www.oko.com.au/gallery/r046m.jpg

http://www.oko.com.au/slides/mondm.jpg

Not a bad looker, good to see plenty of glass. The curved building behind is an ATO branch. Hopefully by the time Mondo tops out this will be renamed the Moonee Ponds thread with 3-4 similar sized towers currently planned in the area

its good to be a local :cool:

Excellent! Thanks for the pics and info silvermb! :)

I've been around the Moonee Ponds area quite a lot when I've been in Melbourne, and the ATO plus another tallish building have always stood out on the landscape - so imagine what a nifty little skyline Moonee Ponds will be with the addition of Mondo! Great to see Melbourne getting some suburban skylines, like this!

Hopefully Mondo will be the first of more 12+ storey towers to come!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by finn </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>

Hopefully Mondo will be the first of more 12+ storey towers to come!</td></tr>
</table>

from memory, silvermb / grollo have found at least another 2 12+ levelers for Moonee Ponds.... I think..!

silvermb: at long last [you finally started a thread on it :D]

tays

With a Megastar like Dame Edna promoting the location, how could they go wrong <g>:)

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Londoner </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>With a Megastar like Dame Edna promoting the location, how could they go wrong <g>:)</td></tr>
</table>

*groan* lol ;)

I'm just waiting for Bazz / Dame Edna to do a tour of Moonee Ponds when the Comm Games are on in '06............. and I also dread to think of how else Edna will be played upon during the games....eek!

tays

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/23/1058853136364.html

Synchrotron building set to go ahead
July 24 2003
By Larissa Dubecki




Construction of Australia's first synchrotron will begin soon, after final plans were unveiled yesterday at the Monash University home of the scientific project.

The $40 million contract for the building to house the synchrotron - a high-tech machine producing intense beams of light, used by science and industry - was awarded to construction company Thiess, Innovation Minister John Brumby announced.

The plans show a circular, three-storey building that will house the 67-metre-diameter synchrotron with capacity for more than 30 beamlines, along with laboratories and offices. The beamlines allow scientists to examine the basic structure of matter.

Construction at Monash University's Clayton campus is due for completion by the end of next year, and beamlines making the synchrotron fully operational will be installed from 2006-07.

The project, Victoria's largest investment in research and development infrastructure, will create up to 2500 jobs and contribute $65 million a year to the Victorian economy, Mr Brumby said. The project is expected to cost $206 million, of which $157 million has been promised by the State Government.

Mr Brumby said the additional $49 million for the beamlines would come from private industry, scientific institutions and universities.

But the State Opposition has criticised the funding for the project, claiming that only two beamlines were externally financed so far, meaning that taxpayers risked footing the additional bill.

"I get a bit nervous when I see a project of this importance where we're going to commence it before we've got funding in place," Opposition Leader Robert Doyle said. "Why would you start work on a project until you've got all your funding secured?"

Mr Brumby said he was confident that bodies including the CSIRO and universities would commit to financing their own beamlines, and the commitments to date, by Melbourne University and private company Minilab, were ahead of schedule.

"I don't think there is any doubt at all that the beamlines will be oversubscribed," he said.

The synchrotron will open with between nine and 12 beamlines and add more as demand increases. It can be applied to industries including aviation, manufacturing, medicine, and agriculture.

Eminent scientist Sir Gustav Nossal said it was a "grand Australian national project".

I still don't know what a Synchrotron is!

a big thing with laser beams - I said a freaking laser [/dr evil]

:)

that's all you need to know! lol :D

nah: a diagram on how it works (The Age)

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxMedia/urlmedia_id_1058853142412_24HOW_IT_WORKS.jpg

tays

Great to see the Bracks Government has the balls to get this thing going for the benefit of the nation and without any help from the Howard Govt - but whats new in that respect.

http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/b0222c68d27626e2ca256c8c001a3d2d/7cf3b868aa653581ca256d6c007e84af?OpenDocument
Here is the Vic Govt release with some good info.

THIESS WINS SYNCHROTRON BUILDING TENDER

Major Australian construction company Thiess has been selected to construct the building to house the Australian Synchrotron, Innovation Minister, John Brumby, announced today.

"Selecting Thiess is a major milestone for the project, and construction works at the Monash site will commence almost immediately," Mr Brumby said.

"The Australian Synchrotron, Victoria's biggest ever investment in R&D infrastructure, is on track to start working for Australian science and industry in 2007."

He said the establishment of a national synchrotron facility in Melbourne was the most exciting and significant science infrastructure investment in Australia for decades.

"The project will create up to 2500 direct and indirect jobs and contribute $65 million a year to the Victorian economy," Mr Brumby said.

"It will provide a massive boost to Victoria's position as a global leader of biotechnology and scientific research."

Mr Brumby made the comments while unveiling the final design for the building to an audience of Victoria's science leaders.

The Minister for Major Projects, Peter Batchelor, said the $39.4 million building would be purpose built to accommodate the synchrotron machine and its associated laboratories and technical facilities.

It will have a footprint of 10,600 square metres, with a roof span of 116 metres covering the 67 metre diameter synchrotron machine with capacity for 30 plus beamlines. The outer rim of the building will house two storeys of offices, sample preparation areas and control rooms.

"The synchrotron is part of the $10 billion of major projects currently being delivered across Victoria, providing significant job and investment opportunities to the private sector," Mr Batchelor said.

Earthworks at the site are expected to start shortly, with erection of the external shell of the building to follow. The target completion date for the building is December 2004.

The Australian Synchrotron is part of the Bracks Government's $900 million plus investment in innovation.

"Victoria has committed $157 million to the $206 million Australian Synchrotron because this State and the nation can no longer afford to be without crucial innovation infrastructure to support world class R&D that drives new businesses," Mr Brumby said.

Thiess General Manager (Vic/SA/Tas/NZ), Chris Forsterling, said the company was keen to start work.

"We look forward to making a major contribution to this exciting and challenging project, which is the only project of its kind in Australia," Mr Forsterling said.

"Thiess has a long and proud history of playing a pivotal role in the development of the nation's essential infrastructure, with projects ranging from the Snowy Scheme to the Collins Street extension."

SYNCHROTRON FACTS

What is a synchrotron?

A synchrotron is a large and complex machine that produces beams of very intense light. This synchrotron light can be used to:

· Probe the physical structure of materials down to the level of atoms and molecules;
· Analyse the chemical composition of materials;
· Produce detailed images for medical and other purposes; and
· Create tiny three-dimensional structures out of silicon and polymers.

What are synchrotrons used for?

Synchrotrons are essential tools for research and development in many industries, including:

· Biotechnology and drug design;
· Advanced manufacturing;
· Agricultural and environmental technology;
· Medical research and diagnosis;
· Materials engineering; and
· Mining and mineral processing.

What is the total cost of the Australian Synchrotron project?

$206 million.

How much is the State Government contributing?

$157 million for building and machine, with beamlines expected to be funded from other sources such as universities, industry and other governments.

How big is the synchrotron?

10,600 square metres with a roof span of 116 metres covering the 67-metre diameter synchrotron machine with capacity for 30 plus beamlines.

When will the Australian Synchrotron be open for business?

The target date is 2007.

Originally posted by Billy the Kid
Great to see the Bracks Government has the balls to get this thing going for the benefit of the nation and without any help from the Howard Govt - but whats new in that respect.

Let's all thank Bracksy........not !

The Synchotron is an awesome thing that any state would want- no doubt about it- but once again Bracksy has flip flopped his way along continuing to piss the $1.8 bn surplus he inherited against the wall !
The Vic Government missed out on a massive amount of Federal funding when it opted out of a three-way Govt advocated contest against Qld and NSW.
Bracksy and Brumbles lost their nerve and decided to go it alone, committing $100 million to the project, then costed at $157 million. The decision relieved the Federal Government of any need to contribute, pissed off the other states majorly and left Victoria with a big funding shortfall.
Bracksy then increased it to $157m, but in the meantime the cost had gone up to $206 million, maybe even a quarter of a billion, by the time its completed, and the Vic Govt has effectively underwritten it, apart from some relitively minor help from the Uni of Melbourne/private enterprise. Almost 2 years of seeking additional $ from private enterprise has not paid dividends.
So in summary, yes it's great for Victoria- don't get me wrong- but it has cost Victorian taxpayers a shitload of money all because Bracksy wanted the project for himself - so don't dare complain that you didn't get any Federal or interstate help Billy !

Originally posted by spazpecker
Let's all thank Bracksy........not !

The Synchotron is an awesome thing that any state would want- no doubt about it- but once again Bracksy has flip flopped his way along continuing to piss the $1.8 bn surplus he inherited against the wall !
The Vic Government missed out on a massive amount of Federal funding when it opted out of a three-way Govt advocated contest against Qld and NSW.
Bracksy and Brumbles lost their nerve and decided to go it alone, committing $100 million to the project, then costed at $157 million. The decision relieved the Federal Government of any need to contribute, pissed off the other states majorly and left Victoria with a big funding shortfall.
Bracksy then increased it to $157m, but in the meantime the cost had gone up to $206 million, maybe even a quarter of a billion, by the time its completed, and the Vic Govt has effectively underwritten it, apart from some relitively minor help from the Uni of Melbourne/private enterprise.
So in summary, yes it's great for Victoria, but it has cost a shitload of taxpayers money all because Bracksy wanted the project for himself - so don't dare complain that you didn't get any help Billy !

lol, I was going to say something similar to that.

Dont need to now, thanks spaz! :D

The age today
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/23/1058853136364.html
Synchrotron building set to go ahead
July 24 2003
By Larissa Dubecki




Construction of Australia's first synchrotron will begin soon, after final plans were unveiled yesterday at the Monash University home of the scientific project.

The $40 million contract for the building to house the synchrotron - a high-tech machine producing intense beams of light, used by science and industry - was awarded to construction company Thiess, Innovation Minister John Brumby announced.

The plans show a circular, three-storey building that will house the 67-metre-diameter synchrotron with capacity for more than 30 beamlines, along with laboratories and offices. The beamlines allow scientists to examine the basic structure of matter.

Construction at Monash University's Clayton campus is due for completion by the end of next year, and beamlines making the synchrotron fully operational will be installed from 2006-07.

The project, Victoria's largest investment in research and development infrastructure, will create up to 2500 jobs and contribute $65 million a year to the Victorian economy, Mr Brumby said. The project is expected to cost $206 million, of which $157 million has been promised by the State Government.

Mr Brumby said the additional $49 million for the beamlines would come from private industry, scientific institutions and universities.

But the State Opposition has criticised the funding for the project, claiming that only two beamlines were externally financed so far, meaning that taxpayers risked footing the additional bill.

"I get a bit nervous when I see a project of this importance where we're going to commence it before we've got funding in place," Opposition Leader Robert Doyle said. "Why would you start work on a project until you've got all your funding secured?"

Mr Brumby said he was confident that bodies including the CSIRO and universities would commit to financing their own beamlines, and the commitments to date, by Melbourne University and private company Minilab, were ahead of schedule.

"I don't think there is any doubt at all that the beamlines will be oversubscribed," he said.

The synchrotron will open with between nine and 12 beamlines and add more as demand increases. It can be applied to industries including aviation, manufacturing, medicine, and agriculture.

Eminent scientist Sir Gustav Nossal said it was a "grand Australian national project".

Better they are spending our money on something worthwhile and for the betterment of mankind for once and not pissing it against the wall on useless weaponry to kill people!:speech:

Opps i didn't relise this was here! I posted it in the projects thread! At least it is going ahead!

Yeah I was actually at the Industry Day for the Synch (due to work involvements) and they had the whole schedule laid out - Brumby and Bachelor were talking their usual crap.

The building itself is a definate goer as you've found out today with the tender award. Then there are various contracts yet to be awarded to build the beam facility and other bits..

The facility will be open for business in 2007, but the exterior will be finished well before that.

There are only some final parts at the end (the Beam analysis stations) which are still subject to getting external funding, but that will only determine how flexible the facility is for end users.

The Synch itself is a goer and will be awesome!

The building will be 116m in diameter (from memory)

The internal beam will be 67m in diameter.

It will be as powerful and leading edge as any similar facility around the world - without being completely ground-breaking in design or technology.

Flyaround (avi): http://www.oko.com.au/Mondo.avi (same place as those pic above) all is good though ;)

Good to see that Melbourne is getting some highrise out of the main CBD! I would like to see some satellite cities spring up around melbourne, like has happened in Sydney.

Originally posted by SydneyDude
Good to see that Melbourne is getting some highrise out of the main CBD! I would like to see some satellite cities spring up around melbourne, like has happened in Sydney.
Ditto. There are a number of satellite cities aready in Melbourne that could boom if the government push a little harder
Dandenong
Frankston
Footscray
South Yarra
Moorabbin
Ringwood
Box Hill
Doncaster etc.

Synchotron sounds like one of the Transformers!

the coles-myer site proposal has been approved and work will start soon according to the local rag, three 15-level towers from memory

mondo's progress
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483mondo_20030826.jpg

only a few core rises and you'll be able to walk outside and snap away at this one eh mb ? ;)

you planning on going to Moonee Valley CC to get the coles-myer site plans ? or ?

cheers

A very nice looking tower. Sharp, but not over-stated.

Ive not heard of this new triple tower proposal. sounds like quite a big development, any details available???

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

ahhh, deano im pretty sure there's two residentials and the other is a serviced apartment/hotel tower. 12790 sqm site will include retail and office. towers around the perimiter with a big piazza/square in the middle and a grand arcade leading to Puckle St.

the local papers will have something more substantial on it soon tays, if i can get the scanner going ill get the showgrounds towers in this thread as well

Originally posted by silvermb
ahhh, deano im pretty sure there's two residentials and the other is a serviced apartment/hotel tower. 12790 sqm site will include retail and office. towers around the perimiter with a big piazza/square in the middle and a grand arcade leading to Puckle St.

the local papers will have something more substantial on it soon tays, if i can get the scanner going ill get the showgrounds towers in this thread as well

Thanks silver!

Showgrounds??? is there a proposal, already, for that? i know they were planning a theme park etc.. what u got?

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

love the rendings hope it turns out like that!

http://www.synchrotron.vic.gov.au/images/photos/external_night_view_text.jpg

it'd be very cool if it will glow like that ;)

Big crane is now onsite. With nothing else tall in the area, it can be seen from a very long way away.

Maybe in the next few weeks silver could manage some pictures?

no problem clem

you can gague the height of the tower off the height of the crane

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/mondo_20031013.JPG

What's this big mofo of a crane's presence like from your place silvermb? significant? or?

Beleive it or not but they are actually building apartment buildings in the heartland of the new urban sprawl, Caroline Springs!

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6481/101126481ml1067084479.jpg

Will be interesting to see if they actually sell. Caroline Springs is in the far western suburbs and has no public transport and only limited services, although they are building a new town centre. But why would you want to live in an apartment all the way out there?

But why would you want to live in an apartment all the way out there?

very good question ;)

as they say in the ads

lifestyle community ...... lake side living...umm

beats me why anyone would

There are also a number of highrise apartments buildings being built in Flemington. There is one thats completed and even 12 stories high!!!!

AS you sound suprised about Flemington. Its only five minutes drive from the CBD...ain't exactly the sticks a la Caroline Springs Vue is the 12 storey tower across the road from the racecourse and on the banks of the Marb. river, the ideal location.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483vue.jpg

Renamed thread to "little stuff" might as well chuck everything, 12 floors and under here.

M1URBAN - Preston, 4 levels.

http://www.m1urban.com.au/images/index_1.jpg
http://www.m1urban.com.au/images/index_2.gif

www.m1urban.com.au

RICHMOND HILL APARTMENTS - Richmond, 4 levels.

http://www.richmondhillapartments.com.au/images/top_img.jpg

http://www.richmondhillapartments.com.au/images/content/map_large.gif

www.richmondhillapartments.com.au

INCA APARTMENTS - St. Kilda 5 Levels

http://www.apartmentguide.com.au/inca/

Kingsley Apartments - Whitehorse Road, Mont Albert / Box Hill

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/5117/1945117ml1060838382.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/4764/101014764ml1062653375.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3436/1613436bl1066117454.jpg

"Footscray's first Residential / Retail Complex"

Leeds Street Foot-a-scray

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/8280/101128280ml1067236063.jpg

"Highpoint Tower" - Maribynong (did we miss this one silvermb? :))

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0178/101020178ml1065482387.jpg

MPMetro Apartments - Moonee Ponds

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9888/1909888ml1058400711.jpg

tays tays tays

i dont miss a thing, or rather i miss what i want to miss big man

they are Horizon Apartments, with Edgewater nearby they provide the best views of the Melbourne skyline from any point ive seen around Melbourne...better than Lily St park Tays (one on top of the hill)

Horizon's views better this...Edgewater. Incidentally Vue Apartments are visible under QV's BHP-Billiton, not qiute sticksville.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483edgewater.jpg

I knew I should never have doubted you :cool:

Off topic, but those hills to the North West (Moonee Ponds / Maribynong) or the East (Doncaster), I still think, are PRIME for a 50 - 100m observation tower(s) - you'd only need just a little bit more elevation (50m) and you'd have awesome views for miles.

Katz - Little Lonsdale:

pic c/o SteveMelb

http://www.urbanmelbourne.com/gallery/galleries/Tour_2003-10-29/image026.jpg

These sammler developments are going up everywhere you look at the moment! Here are two more:

Lygon Crest, 408 Lygon Street, Brunswick East:

http://www.bensonsproperty.com.au/current/pic/lygoneaa.jpg

Hawthorn East:

http://www.bensonsproperty.com.au/current/pic/cominhaa.jpg

Originally posted by silvermb
tays tays tays

i dont miss a thing, or rather i miss what i want to miss big man

they are Horizon Apartments, with Edgewater nearby they provide the best views of the Melbourne skyline from any point ive seen around Melbourne...better than Lily St park Tays (one on top of the hill)

Horizon's views better this...Edgewater. Incidentally Vue Apartments are visible under QV's BHP-Billiton, not qiute sticksville.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483edgewater.jpg

WOW!! Looking at this photo you'd almost say Melbourne CBD is the size of the big apple. I refer to New York of course :D One can only imagine how different this angle will look in 2005!:guns1:

This is a great thread Grollo!

As much as I love skyscrapers, it's the smaller scale, urban-infill developments which really mould the character and atmosphere of an area. Heaps of these smaller scale projects are great, in terms of bold, funky designs - they almost seem more inner city than middle-suburban!

Here's another one from Moonee Ponds:

Lex Apartments

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1991/101161991ml1068608174.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0595/1560595ml1044938718.jpg

I think I might have to make one of these "smaller stuff" official threads for Sydney! ;)

Projects like these are no doubt the 'foundation stones' of the 2030 plan.
There was an interesting article in today's Saturday Age about the relevance of the 2030 plan in general 'suburbia' i.e Ringwood where hi-rise living is going to be a very tough sell.
However I don't think Melbourne is going to have any problem in adding another 50 x 12+ storey apartment blocks over the next 10-15 years.

This one's been staring me in the face for a long time now, just havent bothered posting lol

"Express Apartments" Richmond - warehouse conversion, right next to Richmond Station (already it looks as though its steel frame has reached its full height)

multiple others here too : http://www.baracon.com.au/baracon.html

Construction of the apartment tower on Burwood Road, Hawthor has commenced, so again, more highrise in activity centres is a good thing!

Only noticed this project on friday where an enormous tower crane literally appeared overnight!

http://www.monash.edu.au/campuses/caulfield/Bulletins/Bulletin1.html

Caulfield Stage One Project
Academic Building
Construction of a new academic office building and multi deck car park will commence in late July 2003. The Academic building is 20,000 sq metres in area and will accommodate postgraduate functions, teaching spaces and Monash University companies. 5,000 sq metres of space have already been allocated to the faculty of Business and Economics (Accounting and Finance, and Economics) The car park has a capacity of 762 cars. Both buildings will be complete by mid 2005.

The site for the new project is north of the Central common adjacent to Dandenong road.

Some early works to relocate existing underground services will commence in late April this year.

The construction of new premises for Community Services and the Childcare Centre is already underway. Both will be relocated to their new premises in late June. The Childcare centre will cater for 50 children and be located in Derby road. The new Community Services will be located in building “B”.

http://www.monash.edu.au/campuses/caulfield/Bulletins/buildingMap.jpg

http://www.monash.edu.au/campuses/caulfield/Bulletins/Construction1.jpg

http://metropolis.tayser.net/misc/monashcaulfield1.jpg

http://metropolis.tayser.net/misc/monashcaulfield2.jpg

http://metropolis.tayser.net/misc/monashcaulfield3.jpg

http://metropolis.tayser.net/misc/monashcaulfield4.jpg

___________

not much space for anything else though, say a residential, unless they build on the various carparks (WHAT WE WANT! :D)

Jolimont Square in Jolimont.
Nothing too exciting about this.
A waste of a good opportunity to build something more substantial and interesting.
http://www.jolimontsquare.com.au/






____________________________
I collect therefore I am :bleep:

Lowrise is all that is needed in East Melbourne and Jolimont. We do not need highrise in ALL areas of Melbourne. Some pickets like EM & J need to be left alone!

^^ I like the idea of adding a few more 10 - 15 levelers along Clarendon Street in East Melbourne though, but elsewhere, yes I agree, low-rise it is!

Mirvac Announcement (slightly old)

http://www.mirvac.com.au/Content/securityholders/announcements/attach/20030430.cfm

Media & ASX Announcement

30th April 2003


Mirvac Group acquires Moonee Ponds Central, Melbourne


The Mirvac Group today announced that it has exchanged contracts to acquire Moonee Ponds Central, a convenience based supermarket shopping centre in the north western Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds, for $24.021 million.

The Centre comprises 6,269 square metres of retail space and decked carparking on a 1 hectare site. The major tenant is a Coles Supermarket with 22 specialty shops. The property is strategically located adjacent to two significant vacant development sites.

Mirvac Investments Chief Executive Officer Barry Neil said the acquisition will provide an initial yield of 7.75 percent (which includes a guarantee of vacancy) on the purchase price with Coles secured to May 2012. The Centre is very well located in the established and affluent suburb of Moonee Ponds which also benefits from the popular Puckle Street Shopping strip.

With the recent acquisitions of Waverley Gardens for $51 million, The Village Centre, St Marys for $32.415 million, the Moonee Ponds Central acquisition adds to Mirvac’s growing retail investment portfolio.

ENDS

Further information
Peter Kermode
Group Manager Corporate Affairs
(02) 9080 8474

Originally posted by Aussie Steve
Lowrise is all that is needed in East Melbourne and Jolimont. We do not need highrise in ALL areas of Melbourne. Some pickets like EM & J need to be left alone!

Ouch........ my first scalding! To think I posted my first message only 2 days ago. Surely you must agree that there are many sites in streets around East Melbourne which could accomodate mid-rise developments, Victoria Parade, Wellington Parade, Clarendon street and Albert Street all come to mind. I especially want to see the fugly Catholic Development Fund building at 96 Wellington Parade replaced.

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxMedia/urlmedia_id_1071336829101_/media/2003/12/15/Variables.type/MEDIA_DEVELOPMENT.jpg

2 things:

#1 - Whitehorse Road, Box Hill / Surrey Hills:

great stuff, the Tram 109 extension has really kicked off development along that stretch, mainly 4 - 6 level stuff, but there's little setbacks, and it looks really really street-focused, likewise, I like the look of the curbside tram stops too!

#2 - Barrett Apartments, Hawthorn

dunno if it's been said on here already, but there's now a crane base on the Swinburne side of the side (the Telstra Exchange is on the other side), can't see anything above ground though.

riviera Apartments Richmond. Designed to reflect the areas industrial heritage these apartments are situated on the Yarra River with awesome city skyline views...

http://listings.colliersresidential.sitesuite.com.au/images/listing_photos/436_site%20inc%20blg%20image%20dropped%20in.jpg

I want to live there :eek2:

There are a number of areas of Richmond that could be redeveloped into highrise apartments and this is one of them.

The area bounded by Swan, Burnley & Victoria Sts and the Yarra River is an area full of large industrial sites that could go up up and away.

The area bounded by Punt Rd, Swan St, the Richmond to South Yarra railway line and the Monash Freeway is another area that could go up!

Aussie Steve, you are absolutely correct about the potential for Richmond to accommodate highrise apartments.
I'm a longtime resident of Richmond and the area I've constantly visualised since I was a mere boy as one day being a well serviced mini-city with highrises is the Richmond Station and the industrial blocks surrounding it. I still imagine it now... Trains entering at the base of a 30 storey apartment block with smaller apartments stepping back all the way from the station to Lennox Street and a large podium with shops and offices all along Swan Street and Punt Road.
I know a lot of the factories have been converted into apartments already, but Richmond Station, one of the gateways into the city still remains stuck in 1956. We need a visionary here to kickstart it.
There are many other areas in Richmond with potential as well, but we also have the dead hand of the SOS stormtroopers active here to dampen all activity and sometimes stop it altogether:rant:

_______________________________
I collect threfore I am:cool:

^^ lol, I like "SOS Stormtroopers", such a fitting description ;)

The baracon development of an old warehouse (4 levels from the looks of it + 3 more levels on top) looks to be progressing well, it's right on the station, northern side, and what's with all the those holes in the ground on the southern edge, and along the southern footpath of swan st? aieee it's horrible to look at [even though I love the working class look of richmond, REAL holes in the ground just look completely depressing!]

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1073877974972_2004/01/15/faraday_1601,0.jpg
An artist's impression of the student apartments from Faraday Street.

The Age (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/15/1073877971826.html)

Developer Becton has completed new plans for a controversial $150 million student housing project in Carlton opposite Melbourne University.

Yesterday the company lodged a new design for College Square on Swanston - also known as the Eastern Precinct - with the State Government.

Planning Minister Mary Delahunty approved an earlier scheme in December 2002, sparking a campaign of opposition from the Melbourne City Council, Carlton residents and businesses, the National Trust and academics.

In October, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal rejected the plan, describing it as "monolithic" and likening it to a 1960s Housing Commission estate.

The tribunal ordered a new design, saying the plans could not be salvaged by amend-ments.

Becton managing director Hamish McDonald said yesterday the new plan was a com-plete reworking of the project, which would cover most of the block bordered by Swanston, Faraday, Cardigan and Elgin streets.

He said Becton and architect Daryl Jackson had carried out extensive consultation to "better understand and address the concerns of stakeholders", including residents and the council.

Mr Jackson said the new design was more "sculptural".

"We have unreservedly responded to VCAT's critique and have been able to create a better scale relationship with other buildings in the precinct," he said.

The new design has 544 student apartments, 100 fewer than the original plan.

Building heights for the project now range from 11 storeys along Swanston Street to three storeys on Cardigan Street.

Carlton Residents Association spokeswoman Sue Chambers did not want to comment until she had seen detailed plans.

Council planning committee chairwoman Catherine Ng said the council had yet to study the plan, but she hoped it satisfied the concerns of the community, the council and the tribunal.

Originally posted by Aussie Steve
There are a number of areas of Richmond that could be redeveloped into highrise apartments and this is one of them.

The area bounded by Swan, Burnley & Victoria Sts and the Yarra River is an area full of large industrial sites that could go up up and away.

The area bounded by Punt Rd, Swan St, the Richmond to South Yarra railway line and the Monash Freeway is another area that could go up!

I disagree on this one. The problem with allowing high rise in such big areas that are currently low-rise and have such a good atmosphere is that you create development which is a complete mess like what you have throughout the inner to middle Sydney suburbs. You get situations where you have a street that has nothing higher than 2 to 4 storeys and then something 25 storeys which is completely out of scale with the rest of the suburb. It looks rediculous. As the area you are talking about is so big it would take decades to transform it into a high rise precinct. Also, I think these are the best areas of Melbourne, because the smaller buildings create a really interesting mix and it is still dense enough to have an urban feel. Also, once you introduce high rise you have to have podiums and the like which would ruin the street level feel. Compare wandering around suburbs like Richmond, Carlton, StKilda to Southbank south of city rd (and that's not just because CE build such crap). Looks good from a distance but no atmosphere at street level because the first 5 storeys are all carpark, and in winter they become empty and shady wind tunnels.

For me there are plenty of former industrial areas of inner Melbourne that are right for highrise - Southbank, the eastern side of Kings Way, docklands of course, some of the rail yards to the north of docklands, part of port Melbourne and fishermans bend, and eventually I could imagine a fantastic high rise waterfront from Footscray to spotswood once all the oil terminals become redundant, with a great focus around the West Gate Bridge, which is quite a beautiful structure.

As for the rest, I think that only medium rise should be allowed around important transport nodes etc, similar to what's happened around the top end of Chapel st in South Yarra. This helps to ensure that the street level character and the mix of buildings can be maintained.

That's my opinion anyway.

http://www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=mediaRelease&id=PrSynchroton

Australian Innovation at the Speed of Light
CSIRO announced today its commitment of $5M to the Australian Synchrotron facility (AS) heralding its participation in the $206M facility as a Foundation Partner.

CSIRO's Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Garrett, said that, "CSIRO is delighted to contribute to the development of the Australian Synchrotron facility, which will be of national significance.

When completed the Australian Synchrotron will be the size of a football field and produce extremely high intensity light which scientists will use to "see" inside molecules - which are a billion times smaller than the head of a pin.

Molecules are the building blocks of all matter so the Synchrotron will enable Australian science and industry to explore and develop a whole new world of science.

"The Synchrotron will have unique characteristics that can be used for a wide range of experiments across all major scientific disciplines," Geoff Garrett said.

"It will be particularly relevant to CSIRO's core research in biotechnology and nanotechnology, and it will have a significant impact on critical aspects of several of CSIRO's Flagship Programs".

"It will be a crucial tool, for decades to come, in making the scientific breakthroughs we need to keep Australia's economy growing.

"It is a 'must-have' facility, and will greatly assist the Australian research community and industry to deliver on the Federal Government's National Research Priorities."

The announcement of the first three Foundation Partners (CSIRO, Melbourne University, and Monash University) was made today by Acting Victorian Premier Mr. John Brumby on the facility's construction site next to Monash University in Clayton, Victoria.

Mr Brumby congratulated the partners on their foresight and said, " These three institutions have shown great leadership in contributing towards the most significant investment in Australia's scientific infrastructure for decades."

In response, Dr Rod Hill, Chair of the CSIRO Sustainable Minerals and Energy Group, congratulated the Victorian Government on taking the lead with this national science facility, by providing three quarters of the capital funding.

"Premier Bracks and Minister Brumby have taken a keen personal interest in this project, seeing this new national facility as essential in driving innovation and keeping our cleverest scientists here in Australia," he said.

Dr Hill said that CSIRO's contribution reflects the Federal Government's strong commitment to Australia's science future. "CSIRO is proud to be the first Commonwealth investor in this project."

CSIRO is already using synchrotrons in a wide range of areas, including groundbreaking research aimed at creating new materials and new drugs, solving environmental problems, increasing agricultural output and boosting mineral industry productivity.

"But our scientists have to go overseas to get synchrotron time - and they have to book between 6 and 12 months ahead just to get on one beam line".

"And that time is precious - you can't waste a second. Our mineral sands research team worked 18 consecutive 8-hour shifts last year at the European Synchrotron in France". The researchers were studying how impurities were locked within ilmenite, a key mineral found in great abundance in the Murray Basin and used in environmentally friendly sunscreens, paints and pigments.

"This new facility will be very busy - and we expect our investment to be a very productive one for Australia".

Dr Hill encouraged other organisations to invest in the Australian Synchrotron.

http://www.csiro.au/images/mediaReleases/SYNCbuildingLGE.jpg

http://www.csiro.au/images/mediaReleases/SYNCHentranceLGE.jpg

http://www.csiro.au/images/mediaReleases/SYNCaerialLGE.jpg

i was working for the catering company when the goverment was launching it quite a few big companys there all wanting a piece of the pie $$$

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1075853941483_2004/02/04/04TOWERS.jpg
An image of the proposed multi-storey towers at Northcote Plaza.

Minister to rule on controversial towers (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/04/1075853937222.html)
By Martin Boulton
5 February 2004

Planning Minister Mary Delahunty will decide whether two multi-storey residential towers in her electorate are built after the matter was called in by acting planning minister John Brumby.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal is due to begin hearing an appeal from developer JLR Property Group on Monday, after Darebin Council rejected plans for the eight and 10-storey buildings at Northcote Plaza.

Darebin urban planning manager Paul Dickie said the council wanted to have the matter adjourned, but it wasn't until Mr Brumby stepped in last Friday, in Ms Delahunty's absence, that the matter was referred to a government-appointed panel.

Plans for the 116-unit development, on the north side of Separation Street, have been handed to the panel assessing Amendment C47 - an overhaul of Darebin Council's planning scheme designed to improve the viability of local shops, enhance public amenity and protect views.

A key aspect of the amendment is the "high street urban design framework", which aims to manage pressure from multi-level development, increasing traffic and the deterioration of buildings within the precinct.

Martin Curtis, a spokesman for Ms Delahunty, said plans for the towers had been called in not for determination, but for referral to the panel, which will then report back to the minister.

"It's a matter of saying 'let's try to get the context right and look at the overall plan'," Mr Curtis said. "The panel effectively becomes an advisory committee on the Northcote Plaza (and) will look at the plaza as part of the overall precinct."

Anna Sublet, a spokeswoman for Darebin Appropriate Development Association, said the "high street urban design framework" was also designed to protect Northcote's hilltop All Nations Park.

"There's a section (in C47) to protect the new park and maintain it's 360-degree panoramic view... it's an unusual, special landmark and we don't want it destroyed," she said.

"Anything above three or four storeys built in the plaza will... intrude into the skyline."

JLR Property Group director Jack Silver declined to comment.

____________________________________

Let's hope this gets the green light. We need more highrise around our shopping strips in inner/middle ring suburbs.

THere was an article in the age last week with a nice picture of the current under construction status...

From the looks of it they were well into constuction with the walls taking shape! I found the article but I have to pay. $1.65.

Here is another proposed development for Sturt Street, Southbank, but i don't know if it ever got approved!

http://www.gtimages.com.au/images/portfolio/big_sturt_street_02.jpg

http://www.gtimages.com.au/images/portfolio/big_sturt_street.jpg

And this one is great, as its on the southeast corner of Victoria St & Hoddle St, Richmond. A great site for a highrise like this.

http://www.gtimages.com.au/images/portfolio/big_hoddle_street.jpg

Does anyone know about this little one?

http://www.burgessrawson.com.au/propimages/Larissa%20Avenue%20Photo.jpg

4 - 10 Larissa Avenue, Ringwood
Permits just approved for 46 apartments, residential, administration centre and cafe

Originally posted by OSJ
I disagree on this one. The problem with allowing high rise in such big areas that are currently low-rise and have such a good atmosphere is that you create development which is a complete mess like what you have throughout the inner to middle Sydney suburbs. You get situations where you have a street that has nothing higher than 2 to 4 storeys and then something 25 storeys which is completely out of scale with the rest of the suburb. It looks rediculous. As the area you are talking about is so big it would take decades to transform it into a high rise precinct. Also, I think these are the best areas of Melbourne, because the smaller buildings create a really interesting mix and it is still dense enough to have an urban feel. Also, once you introduce high rise you have to have podiums and the like which would ruin the street level feel. Compare wandering around suburbs like Richmond, Carlton, StKilda to Southbank south of city rd (and that's not just because CE build such crap). Looks good from a distance but no atmosphere at street level because the first 5 storeys are all carpark, and in winter they become empty and shady wind tunnels.

For me there are plenty of former industrial areas of inner Melbourne that are right for highrise - Southbank, the eastern side of Kings Way, docklands of course, some of the rail yards to the north of docklands, part of port Melbourne and fishermans bend, and eventually I could imagine a fantastic high rise waterfront from Footscray to spotswood once all the oil terminals become redundant, with a great focus around the West Gate Bridge, which is quite a beautiful structure.

As for the rest, I think that only medium rise should be allowed around important transport nodes etc, similar to what's happened around the top end of Chapel st in South Yarra. This helps to ensure that the street level character and the mix of buildings can be maintained.

That's my opinion anyway.
I pretty much agree with all that you've said. In fact, I'd rather build up West Melbourne than Richmond, which is already statistically one of the densest populated suburbs in Australia. Whilst Richmond is being gentrified, there is still a lot of high rise low cost (Housing Commission) housing in the area. I'd rather focus on getting people out of those an into new low cost medium density housing in Richmond than building new luxury ones, ending up like the mess that the Sydney suburbs are. I agree that the transport nodes should only take medium density and if there's going to be any high rise development, I hope that it spreads out from the existing central high rise cluster - CBD, Southbank, Docklands, St Kilda Rd, etc. - even if it means mixing medium and low cost high rise housing with the existing high rise housing in those central areas, which are mostly luxury or cost that much even though they are crap (read: CE).

Re Richmond station - I totally agree and everyone on this forum knows that I want it to be the platform (pun intended) for a showcase Hoddle St gateway to Melbourne - an architectural masterpiece suspended in the air! But I never saw it as being the spot for major highrise towers, since the whole area is relatively low rise. Medium density is OK, but I wouldn't want to see towers in the Swan St end of Richmond.

i think these rivera appartments are done by toscano architects :guns1:

the riveriva apartaments are 3 months into construction and are expected to be completed in 2 years by ABI group

i thinks theres a whooping 261 apartments:master:

documentation has taken 2 years whoa....

mondo's starting to come good now thats its over the podium. its all happening around the Ponds, dont know what the other crane is for. Quest is supposedly going to build a serviced apartments building on one of the carparks around Moonee Valley racecourse?

still another four or so 15-level towers to hit the market

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483mondo.jpg

great shots!

thanks for the update mark.

Have you been able to get a look at the plans for said towers @ Moonee Valley?

Abito. A boutique development at 69 Victoria Street, Fitzroy, just off Brunswick Street.
Architects: Jackson Clements Burrows
35 apartments over 7 storeys and rather impressive with what appears to be a rusted steel exterior. :)

http://www.abito-fitzroy.com/


_______________________________
I collect, therefore I am:cool:

i should be posting some shots of riveria tommorow night if u can wait!!! most of which im sure u have never have seen

Originally posted by Blabbyboy
Whilst Richmond is being gentrified, there is still a lot of high rise low cost (Housing Commission) housing in the area. I'd rather focus on getting people out of those an into new low cost medium density housing in Richmond than building new luxury ones, ending up like the mess that the Sydney suburbs are.

Yet, in mentioning Melbourne's high-rise housing commission in Richmond (among many other areas) you've just described a planning blunder that is at least, if not more, as insensitive and out of scale/character to the neighbourhood context as some of Sydney's suburbs.

Yes, many of Sydney's suburbs display the un-cordinated and inconsiderate results of poor planning, but don't act as though you fear suffering the same fate, when certain areas of Melbourne have already been painted by the same brush!

:baaa:

Planning applications for three 5-6 storey apartment buildings in Mornington have recently been submitted. The shit is really going to hit the fan when the locals hear about these :-) before Melbourne 2030 nobody would of dreamed of 6 storey buildings in Mornington!

Originally posted by Grollo
Planning applications for three 5-6 storey apartment buildings in Mornington have recently been submitted. The shit is really going to hit the fan when the locals hear about these :-) before Melbourne 2030 nobody would of dreamed of 6 storey buildings in Mornington!

um this is a joke... 2030 has nothing to do with those kind of buildings in mornighton if they go ahead i can only wonder why they even bothered with 2030 its a joke i know frankston has got stuff planned ontop of the station got plans for it but mornighton seriously i smell corruption....:bleep:

Originally posted by Grollo
Planning applications for three 5-6 storey apartment buildings in Mornington have recently been submitted. The shit is really going to hit the fan when the locals hear about these :-) before Melbourne 2030 nobody would of dreamed of 6 storey buildings in Mornington!

um this is a joke... 2030 has nothing to do with those kind of buildings in mornighton if they go ahead i can only wonder why they even bothered with 2030 its a joke i know frankston has got stuff planned ontop of the station got plans for it but mornighton seriously i smell corruption....:bleep:

Not a very good pic but was onsite visiting nextdoor today and snapped this quick pick.

http://users.bigpond.net.au/speckled10/DSC00741.jpg

As you can see, the Synchotron is well and truly underway!

i worked when they where getting investors ect a few months ago looks good...

B64 / 69-73 River Street
Richmond, Melbourne

http://members.optusnet.com.au/wadad//mypic30.jpg


should be able to kept you updated on this one its huge....

2 cranes and one massive site :nocrook:

had a bit of a look around the area, this will be the first of many similar sized projects in the area. there's an abundance of old factories looking like they're about to collapse in the area, cherry ripe for developers

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/rva.JPG

great shots silvermb! when where they taken?

thursday, blue sky = good pics

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/27/1082831566692.html

Battle stations
April 28, 2004

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/04/27/camberwell,0.jpg

Traders and residents opposed to the development, with Geoffrey Rush (front) and Mary Drost (back row, right).
Picture:Simon Schluter

Camberwell residents say it will destroy their suburb. The State Government says it is a modest proposal. Either way, the dispute over plans to redevelop Camberwell station is proving a major test of the Government's resolve to reshape Melbourne. James Button reports.

Nearly 25 years spent fighting to keep Camberwell the way she likes it has taught Mary Drost a thing or two about political activism. A little red ribbon or red crepe paper stapled to the outside of a leaflet really gets noticed, she says. It was this splash of colour, amid a deluge of mail that he hadn't planned to open, that caught the eye of actor Geoffrey Rush one day last December.

Rush unfolded the leaflet to read: "Are State Government and developers in cahoots? Our quality of life is under threat. Help save Camberwell railway station." It warned of 10-storey buildings rising above the station, destroying views, bringing traffic and creating "another Box Hill (station) or worse". It urged residents to write to councillors at once.

Rush, who lives around the corner from the station and is a train traveller not a car driver, was alarmed. "I fired off a generic letter expressing my aesthetic regret," he says. "Suddenly I became the pin-up poster boy for the campaign."

Since then, the global actor turned local activist has lobbied traders and trade unionists, had coffee with Planning Minister Mary Delahunty and talked tactics with residents' groups in other suburbs. On Sunday, he and actor Barry Humphries will address a protest march (though, "in Camberwell, we don't march, we walk", says Drost).

Humphries, who will fly down from Sydney to speak, has promised to lie across the railway tracks if the station is developed. "Camberwell is my spiritual resting place," Rush says Humphries exclaimed when Rush asked him to speak at the rally. "I need to be there."

Rush and his red-ribboned comrades are objecting to a new concept in city planning. The Government's owner of rail property, VicTrack, wants to sell the land and air rights near railway stations and tracks. The plan has led to a new shopping centre at Sunbury station, housing at Elsternwick and an aged-care facility at East Camberwell. Developments in Windsor, Richmond and Thornbury are also being considered.

At Camberwell, the developer, Tenterfield, wants to put up a three-storey building that would stretch across the railway tracks, create shops and offices on the east side of the Burke Road bridge and cover a car park that stands to the station's south.

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/04/27/geoffrey_rush,0.jpg

Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush at Camberwell station.
Picture:Ken Irwin

Delahunty calls it a "modest proposal". Certainly, it doesn't live up to some of the locals' wilder fears. There will be no 10- storey tower and the station will not be built over. It will be smaller than the Box Hill station development, which is widely seen as a failure, and, at this stage, it will have no housing. Yet the Boroondara Residents' Group (BRAG) has been formed to stop it and the battle is on.

Rush admits to being on "a steep learning curve" about planning issues. Yet he feels he has learnt enough to question the whole direction of Government policy as outlined in the Melbourne 2030 strategy. He feels that the strategy, which seeks to manage the city's growth as it gains up to a million new residents by 2030, is "a little driven by the crassness of developers' ideas" and "will fundamentally alter the tone and character of Melbourne in a way that I don't believe people are quite aware of". He fears the death of "that hidden, quiet, beautiful city aesthetic".

It is hard to hear Rush's words without having a sense of deja vu. In February, 500 people packed a town hall protest meeting to hear the Oscar-winning actor say that high-rise living was not "Melbourne's tone" and "not very Camberwell". A man in a gorilla suit fused two planning ministers into one with a placard that said, "Maclellahunty: don’t monkey around with Camberwell."

It felt like the 1990s, when resident groups led by Save Our Suburbs fought furious battles against the perceived pro-development stance of the Kennett government and its planning minister, Rob Maclellan. By contrast, the Bracks Government came to power promising to protect suburban streets by concentrating new business and housing in more than 100 already built-up areas, or activity centres. The Melbourne 2030 strategy was widely applauded when it was announced in October 2002. The devil was always going to be in the detail.

Rush concluded his speech by wondering how the 2030 plan to allow highrise development could not help but destroy the city's uniqueness. "I suspect," he said, "that Miles might help us with a few answers."

Historian Miles Lewis is a hero of Save Our Suburbs, the author of Suburban Backlash, the definitive text on the movement. But when he rose to speak, Lewis didn't give the answers the crowd wanted.

Instead, he urged the residents not to reject the station plan outright but rather to fight for a better result. The idea of activity centres, of concentrating development away from suburban areas, was basically sound, he said. What's more, here was a chance to improve the badly designed station and lift the quality of retail along Burke Road. "If you oppose this, would you not oppose development at every railway station in Melbourne? That's madness," Lewis says.

The crowd, though civil, was most unimpressed, one activist said later. But suburban politics have shifted since the roaring '90s. All the same, the Bracks Government is facing a huge test of its resolve to reshape the city. And this test is happening in the quietest, leafiest, most militant suburb in Melbourne.

"Save Our Suburbs? I call them Sell Out Our Suburbs," says Drost. She thinks that SOS has missed the new wave of suburban activism on planning issues that is rising against the Bracks Government. But it's not political, she says. "We couldn't stand Maclellan’s policies. He was the most unpopular man in Melbourne."

As it happens, Maclellan agrees with the opposition to developing the station: he thinks it will be too expensive and the junction is the wrong place for it. But asked for his views of Boroondara's activists, he says after a pause: "Energetic." Then he pauses again: "I was looking for a word that wasn't on the Ratsak packet."

It is hard for outsiders to grasp the anger development generates in Camberwell. For decades residents have fought brothels, bars and big shopping projects. They have stared down Grollo, National Mutual and Podgor, the company of the late developer, Floyd Podgornik. All tried to build in the junction, all failed.

For more than 10 years, until the early '90s, residents opposed a plan to build a mini-Chadstone centre behind the junction. They had friends in high places — a former judge, a UN diplomat and John Landy, now Victorian Governor — but they also had a kind of paramilitary wing. Placard-wielding protesters marched on the Camberwell home of a National Mutual director. One mayor felt compelled to request police protection after 400 residents tried to storm a council podium.

And residents learnt that no-compromise, direct-action works, says Nigel Flannigan, a senior lecturer in planning at Melbourne University. Although the council had to pay Podgor nearly $25 million after it rescinded its decision to approve the shopping centre, the junction remained, in the words of long-time activist, Michael Hellstrom, "one of the best shopping strips in Australia".

Boroondara Council no doubt had history in mind when it joined the station battle last year. In 1999, the rail authorities told the council they wanted to sell land and air rights at the station. But the current mayor, Judith Voce, says the council heard no more about it until last year, when it learnt that VicTrack had chosen a preferred developer for the site. Voce says that's when alarm bells started to ring at the council.

Melbourne 2030 stresses the need to improve public transport and increase housing in activity centres (such as Camberwell Junction). But here was a plan, says Voce, that did not mention housing or enhancing Camberwell as a transport hub by linking local buses and trams to the trains. And the Government had chosen a developer before any consultation with the community — another key promise of 2030.

In other words, says Voce, the Government had "failed to consider some of its own guiding principles". The council asked VicTrack and Delahunty to halt the process while it established a working group to consider options for the site. Both agreed to do so, but the damage had been done.

Hellstrom accepts that some residents' concerns are "gossip" and that some have drawn wrong conclusions. "But that's because they (developers and Government) don't tell us what they want to do. Everything is done in secrecy. That draws a lot of anger. We don't trust the Government, we don't trust the council and we certainly don't trust the bureaucracy."

VicTrack chief executive John Sutton acknowledges the residents' point about consultation. He says that while VicTrack followed the planning process, "there was a breakdown, a flaw, in that process . . . People in Camberwell and elsewhere are telling us, 'We want something far more open'. We don't have a problem with that. We will be right upfront. We will be talking to councils and to communities."

Sutton thinks the development will benefit the local community. He says that more than half the money VicTrack makes from the sale will be spent on the station, on better access for the disabled, security, lighting and so on. But while he thinks the proposal matches the principles of Melbourne 2030, there is no plan for housing because "it didn't stack up from a commercial point of view".

Since more housing in activity centres is vital to the 2030 strategy, it revives the question asked by Boroondara: how does this project fit with Melbourne 2030? A council working group, made up of council, community and Government representatives, will consider housing among a range of options for the site.

Other possibilities include new community facilities, such as a library or a public plaza. But many of these options won't meet VicTrack's requirement that the development fund itself. The group will also consider the option the residents want: no development at all.

The council is likely to vote on the matter by around the middle of the year, but that may not end the dispute. Residents fear that if the council rules against development, Delahunty will override the decision — an outcome Voce says Boroondara would "strongly resist".

Rush says that when he had coffee with Delahunty, "she did tell me, 'I think the no-development option is not going to happen'."

Delahunty believes she would have spoken more generally: that change is happening in Camberwell and Melbourne and it has to be well-managed. She points out that developing the adjacent car park have long been part of the Boroondara planning scheme. But she also says "nothing will be imposed" on the community. "This will be a co-operative solution."

Is that possible? The proposal, while offensive to the Camberwell activists, is small compared to other proposed developments across Melbourne. The Government is already looking at ways to speed up projects in some parts of the city: if Camberwell falls over, what chance does the Government have of making its activity centres plan work?

Drost foreshadows a long battle. "We'll be on the picket lines, we'll go to the Supreme Court," she says. "There are enough people around here who are totally determined. It is not going to happen."

If it were anywhere else, this might be dismissed as activist bravado but not, says Flannigan, in Camberwell. In the 1980s, Flannigan worked with residents' groups to oppose the proposed shopping centre. This time, however, he thinks there could be a development at the station, though not necessarily the one proposed by VicTrack.

He can imagine two-storey shop-top buildings on the bridge, some elderly people's housing at the car park, and thinks it could lead to a better station. But, like Drost, he thinks it won't happen.

"I never cease to be amazed at the power of these people," says Flannigan of the residents. "They are tenacious. They'll have the State Government running for cover. They have won before and I tell you now, I'd be betting on them again."

http://www.theage.com.au/ffxmedia/2004/04/27/plans_graphic.jpg

one positive note from those plans is a 4th platform / track (look closely at middle elevation)
__________________________

fierce N.I.M.B.Y.ism at its best.

yech :(

This is an excellent response to a great site. Its low scale to fit in with the surrounding area and responds well to all streets in terms of scale and set back. Now all we need is the rubber stamp from the minister!

Yes I agree, but read what the local NIMBY brigade is threatening.

Why don't they concentrate these kind of developments on shitty stations, ones from Box Hill out to Ringwood. Those stations are shite and have no reason why this kind of development shouldn't be moved.

But Camberwell IS a shitty station!

Just look at the access issues alone!

The NIMBY'S have won and there will be no tower development and they are still complaining? Save our ugly wasteland, what a joke! This development will retain and improve access to the station, fill in a an ugly hole in the Bourke Road streetscape and strengthen the Camberwell shopping precinct.

Save our suburbs = save our property values. Apartments mean more renters and a lower class of people being let into our elite suburbs and hanging around our shopping centres.

Do these people want the go back to the 80's when these suburbs were losing population and these shopping precincts were doing it tough? If all development is stopped then this is exactly what will happen the population of these areas will slowly diminish until they cannot support vibrant shopping strips.

There are two choices to save the shopping strips: inappropriate unit developments in residential streets or apartments in activity centres, I know which I would prefer.

There are two choices to save the shopping strips: inappropriate unit developments in residential streets or apartments in activity centres, I know which I would prefer.

I couldn't agree with you more Grollo! :mad2:

________________________________________________________________
I collect, therefore I am. :cool:

that is a shit design...


i have no problem with good design...

I'm sure that is just a concept design to show the massing and layout of the building. I presume that a final architectural design would follow.

And what a damn jolly bunch they seem - pushing Mr Rush to the front as a figurehead for the shot too. "You'll carry some clout for us Mr Rush, won't you?" (I'd be curious to know what other properties around the world outside Camberwell Mr Rush owns and what "type" they are. A few pads in some high-risers perhaps? Elsewhere of course - N.I.M.B.Y.dom at its ultimate)

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/04/27/camberwell,0.jpg

Geoffrey Rush in the consumate stage-actors pose. He thinks he's in a Shakespearean play!! Pose for the camera...(not even a change of outfit?)

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/04/27/geoffrey_rush,0.jpg

Dame Edna to march in protest
PERFORMER Barry Humphries has labelled State Government plans to develop Camberwell railway station clandestine and vulgar.

"What they want to do is make money," Humphries said yesterday. "It is vulgar, isn't it? We don't need vulgarity in Camberwell."
Humphries will fly into Melbourne as a high-profile addition to a community march against the proposed development.

"I feel I am an honorary resident because I lived there in my formative years," he said.

Camberwell resident and fellow actor Geoffrey Rush will also march.

Rail land authority VicTrack wants to sell the right to develop the space above the station; preferred developer Tenterfield wants to build a three-storey building.

Sunday's march will begin at Camberwell Junction at 2pm.
http://heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,9426105%255E2862,00.html
:bash:

i think these type of developments are ok, when done properly and dont ruin the heritage landscapes or what ever camberwell is know for.

Anyhow back to the station.

It's begging for a massive overhaul: look how close Burke Road is to the middle platforms!

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=3465098&outx=980&oq=0

these NIMBY fools are just that, FOOLS to oppose any development that makes it 10 x more accessible than it is right now. A Superstop on Burke Road where that Z class is now (of which buses can run into) and voila, you've got a transport interchange 20 x better than what is there at current.

FOOOOOLLLSSSSS!!!!!

This lot are actually posing on the set of Australia's newest reality show NIMBY SURVIVOR DOWNUNDER .

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/04/27/camberwell,0.jpg

So who is up for a pro-development abush of the march? :bash: SOSS: Stop Outer Suburban Sprawl :-)

It looks almost exacly the same today as in 1984 except where the cars are parked there is a small rail yard and on the left there is a three (or four?) storey office building.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3091640-v

Worth saving isn't it? In general the buildings along the Bourke Road strip are pretty ordinary, only a couple have any heritage significance. It gets it character from the fact that it is a vibrant shopping strip with trams, not from the buildings. This development will only improve that character by filling in a big gap in the street frontage.

Isn't the Victorian era Palace Hotel, which is diagonally across the road three storeys with a tower? If it is then its height must be out of character with the area and should be torn down :-)

^^ :rofl:

It hasn't changed much eh, that pathetic bridge is even still there.

MrPC actually made a good point on railpage about the rail infrastructure: the platforms should organised (in any new development if it occurs) so as there are two island platforms with express and stopper services using one each (i.e if you look at the NIMBY pic above you'd have: | Track 1_IslandPlatform_Track2, Track 3_IslandPlatform_Track 4 | with maybe a 5th platform for Alamein shuttle services to run into etc)

Would there be anything politically motivated stopping the Government to force a superstop / tram stop out the front of a Burke Road entry?

i don't think there's any room on burke for a superstop, although it's a great idea. any superstop there would be like a bottleneck - ala whitehorse road, box hill tram line extension (superstops taking up the only lane).

as for the development - i agree that it would be great to fill the hole in the facade - perhaps even give the station a new entrance. BUT i'd worry about parking issues. If they can solve that, then I'd be for it. And yes - that bridge is shit.

Humphries should butt out of this fight - it isn't his. he doesn't have a stake anymore. Geoffrey Rush, on the other hand, fair enough. I wonder if we'd see the Kylie sisters if Canterbury were being redeveloped?! Or perhaps Cate Blanchett protesting to save Mt Waverley?! Do we see Hugh Jackman or Guy Pearce joining Save Albert Park?!

these NIMBY fools are just that, FOOLS to oppose any development that makes it 10 x more accessible than it is right now. A Superstop on Burke Road where that Z class is now (of which buses can run into) and voila, you've got a transport interchange 20 x better than what is there at current.

FOOOOOLLLSSSSS!!!!!


They're the ones who have to live with the externalities of the development.
To be honest, I have no major issues with any development there, provided there was NO carparking, and the station had 4 platforms and was user friendly.

Redesign it so the entrances are off Burke Road (YET also keep the middle access there, as it provides a direct link to buses near Safeway.

I think the stabling yards HAVE to go. They can go to Ashburton.
I dont like the look of this development - a bit of a waste of space when there could be larger development.

agree. stabling yards have to go, and station must have burke rd entrance. Melbcity is funny - "I dont like the look of this development - a bit of a waste of space when there could be LARGER development." hahahaha!

btw, WTF does "NIMBY" stand for?

btw, WTF does "NIMBY" stand for?


Not a big SC4 player eh....

NIMBY = Not in my back yard....
YIMBY = Yes " "

Its these kind of situations that reveal a difference between Sydney & Melbourne. In Sydney no-one would give a toss over anything like this, even in a heritage area LOL. Sydney's just more pro-development, while suburban NIMBY-ism seems to run out of control in Melbourne ..........

yeah and look at the shit that goes up in sydneytown :tongue2:

yeah and look at the shit that goes up in sydneytown :tongue2:

........ such as?

we have some beautiful stations we just need some design compititons.... :wallbash:

The second crane is building the new Foxtel call centre on land that Foxtel purchased from either Moonee Valley Council or Moonee Valley Racecourse. It's about 3 levels now.

Mondo is really taking off - up to about 8 stories now. Wish I had some photos...

What does the Foxtel call centre look like??? How tall is it going to be??

ahhh, thats the Foxtel Centre, i thought i was a multi-level carpark for the racecource...a nice office complex is good. podium + 5 levels. also i've been told the adjoining site will take a Quest serviced apartments complex?

northerly, the glass does it....
another 2-3 levels before the floorplate taperes in toward level 17

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/uploads/483/mdo.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/uploads/483/mdo1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/uploads/483/mdo2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/uploads/483/mdo4.jpg

News from Mitcham in the City of Whitehorse is that the 14 storey apartment proposal has been dumped in favour of....

2 towers - 1 16stories and another of 10.
Two cuvillinear towers are proposed and that matter has been referred to VTAC.
199 apartments are proposed, up from the original 192. The proposed site is in Colombo Street.

Council will consider plans in June.

Here's hoping for something worthy in Mitcham. Whitehorse has excellent opportunity for high rise - Box Hill in particular.

Lol, if that doesn't get the nimby's sooking I don't know what will.

Well Mitcham is a dump so... who knows. I dont know why of all places to build a high rise Mitcham, but I guess stranger things have happened.

Lets see some 15-20 built at Chaddy though!

ERA Richmond cr, Balmain and Cremorne, 11 levels

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/era richmond.JPG

opposite nylex/silos which are in dire need of demolition. the whole area consists of factories, should become a hive of 10-15 level towers down the track

Everyone has a NIMBY side to them, luckily my NIMBY side isn't as bad as some other residents living the Burnley corridor,

IMO, the only "high-rise" zones in the Burnley corridor should be Ringwood and Box Hill. the rest max height limit of 6 levels or something.

Box Hill is space restricted right now - it's ideal for true high-rise development (commercial AND residential) and Ringwood's the hub of the East, at a major rail junction and it'd be a great choice to shake it out of that suburban hell syndrome that Dandenong has before it tips the scales anymore.

There's some really cool subtle apartment projects on the Caulfield Corridor happening atm, visible from Hughesdale Station: all those old shopfronts are getting another level (in some places like Murrumbeena and Carnegie, another 2 levels) added on top and the length (from street to back of property) is basically getting subdivided - I counted 4 apartments on this project that's visible from Hughesdale Station.

This is what I'd envision for the whole Burnley and Caulfield (Dandenong and Frankston) corridors, except for the high-rise zones, Mitcham included - they've got tonnes of the same type shopfront with unused space above!

height limits IMO:

Burnley corridor:
- Richmond 10 - 20 levels
-- Glen Iris 6 - 10 levels
-- Holmesglen 6 - 10 levels
-- Mount Waverley 6 - 10 levels
-- Glen Waverley 10 - 20 levels
- Glenferrie 6 - 10 levels
- Camberwell 6 - 10 levels
- Box Hill 30 levels
- Blackburn 6 -10 levels
- Mitcham 6 - 10 levels
- Ringwood 20 levels
- Upper Gully / Knox 6 - 10 (U-FTG) - 15 (Knox) levels

Caulfield Corridor:
- South Yarra 30 levels
- Caulfield 20 levels [Monash alone will push that soon enough!]
-- Moorabbin / Southland 20 levels
-- Mordialloc 6 - 10 levels
-- Carrum 6 - 10 levels
-- Frankston 30 levels
- Oakleigh 6 - 10 levels
- Clayton 6 - 10 levels
- Springvale 6 - 10 levels
- Dandenong 30 levels

Nylex goes alright - but yeah a few things flanking it might be even better, maybe get rid of the REALLY fugly silos on the right in this pic [and leave Nylex alone]?

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6222/1766222cl1084860012.jpg

No, this is not a 3rd world country:

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9220/401039220ml1084536540.jpg

interesting design though!

i think those silos rock and should not be touched im suprised they wernt heritage listed before the permit went in would have put a spanner in the works if i had the chance : (

I would've thought Nunawading would've been a good place for development, however there is enough congestion already around Springvale road and Maroondah highway when a train comes without a development. I'm no planner but it just seems like logic that before they are to develop this area the should construct some form of bridge or tunnel for the tracks.

Apparently the first one to get something like that will be Laburnum. Sinking the lines under Middleborough Road and surfacing on the UP [city] side of Blackburn - that still leaves Blackburn Road with a level crossing though.

There's about 10 spots where that could be done.

Middleborough Road grade separation project

The State Government has announced a project to eliminate the railway crossing at Middleborough Road, Box Hill, to reduce traffic delays and to improve safety.

VicRoads is currently undertaking a detailed investigation of options and associated issues to finalise the scope of the project.

As part of the investigation, VicRoads is consulting with stakeholders, including residents, local businesses, the Department of Infrastructure, VicTrack and Connex (rail operators), Box Hill Public Cemetery, Box Hill High School and the City of Whitehorse. This consultation will identify any potential issues or concerns that need to be taken into consideration during the assessment of options.

Total estimated cost $45 million.

Project status

The 2003 State Budget allocated $1 million for planning and investigation works to enable the project scope to be resolved in the 2003-04 financial year.

This is great news, eventually all major rail crossings in Melbourne should be grade seperated improving traffic flows for road and rail and providing lots of excellent development opportunities. A much better investment than new feeways.

Hopefully they will work eastwards from Box Hill:

Blackburn Road
Springvale Road
Mitcham Road
Mountain Highway
Scoresby Road

These all should have been done years ago.

^^ absolutely,

I'd also like to see:
The stations between Oakleigh and Caulfield placed underground (and have tracks go under the current level corssings) and built on top of, likewise Clayton and Springvale Stations underground.

Only Middleborough will go under. They have no plan to do Blackburn road - not intended as an arterial road (that section). They wont do Springvale because their hoping it'll get less congested once the motorway gets built.

The silos are now on the Victorian Heritage Register, but that does not mean that they can't be demolished (Members Stand at the MCG was on the Victorian Heritage Register and it was demolished).

The silos are now on the Victorian Heritage Register, but that does not mean that they can't be demolished (Members Stand at the MCG was on the Victorian Heritage Register and it was demolished).

:wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash:

those silos should be saved at all costs!!!! the view coming down punt road rocks

the members stand i can understand cause its mostly wooden and would be very diffecult to maintain and you would have to replace it anyway...

the members stand i can understand cause its mostly wooden and would be very diffecult to maintain and you would have to replace it anyway...
The members stand was mostly brick and would have been easy to maintain, but that does not mean I didn't want it demolished.

www.heritage.vic.gov.au

NYLEX SIGN
GOUGH STREET RICHMOND and HARCOURT PARADE RICHMOND

http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/hvolr.nsf/LUDL/H2049/$file/1_nylex_sign_01_mz_jun03.jpg

What is significant?
Erected in 1961 on top of the No2 Silos of the Richmond Maltings, Gough St, Richmond, the Nylex Sign is a double sided sky-sign mounted on a cross braced frame of steel L-section angle, approximately 15m high. The sign itself consists of the words NYLEX PLASTICS and is crowned by an LED thermometer display/clock. The word NYLEX is formed by metal trough sans serif letters illuminated by single rows of light bulbs. The word PLASTIC is formed by metal shallow trough serif letters outlined in Neon tubing. The word Plastics is overlayed with Neon tube lettering, without backing, spelling EVERY TIME.

How is it significant?
The Nylex sign is of social and historical significance to the State of Victoria

Why is it significant?
The Nylex sky-sign is of historical significance as one of a collection of signs marking Victoria's industrial heritage in Richmond. Richmond has the greatest concentration of surviving sky-signs in the state. Of all the signs, which include the Skipping Girl, Victoria Bitter, Slade Knitwear and the Pelaco signs, the Nylex sign is the most prominent. These large sky-signs which used to be a prominent feature of the Melbourne skyline are increasing in rarity with the demolition of such notable signs such as Allen's at Southbank and Atlantic Ethyl and Shell Petroleum's rolling dice at St Kilda Junction. The Nylex sign is of further rarity as it the only major sky sign in Melbourne that uses such a range of lighting media.These signs have strong associations with the industrial base of the former City of Richmond, important in the economy of Melbourne but which also contributed to the well being of the national economy. Nylex, the largest plastics manufacturer in Australia, and the first to be established (1927), grew from premises below the sign in Cremorne Street.
The Nylex sign is of social significance for its landmark qualities. The sign dominates the view along the major thoroughfares of Punt Road and Hoddle Streets and because of its location at the entrance to the South Eastern Freeway the Nylex sign is considered the unofficial gateway into Melbourne. The clock and temperature display is a constant point of reference for residents and motorists.
This recognition factor has entered the sign as a part of popular culture and has given the sign an iconic quality. Its mention in the Paul Kelly song Leaps and Bounds has given the sign an identity that extends beyond Melbourne.

RICHMOND MALTINGS
GOUGH STREET RICHMOND and CREMORNE STREET and HARCOURT PARADE RICHMOND

http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/hvolr.nsf/LUDL/H2050/$file/1_richmond_maltings_view_along_gough_st_ro_jun03.jpg

What is significant?
The Barrett Burston Richmond Maltings site was initially developed as a brewing and malting site in the 1850s-60s. By 1879 brewing had entirely given way to malting which continues on the site today.

Malt is an artificially germinated grain, usually barley, with germination arrested at a critical point by kilning. By this process the starch stored up in barley is converted into sugar, one of the principal constituents after fermentation of beer. The complex consists of malt houses, stores, silos (including the illuminated Nylex sky sign and clock) and offices. The earliest surviving malt house on the site is the Temperley, Edwards &amp; Badger designed building of 1880 which formerly housed a process based on the French Galland pneumatic system, one of the earliest uses of this malting technology in Australia. This malt house was extended in 1912 and 1918, and following a fire in December 1950 a modern Saladin box system was installed replacing the Galland process. In 1903, a new malt house designed on the older, floor malting process, was constructed. Another two substantial floor malt houses were constructed in 1920 and 1928, and an office building in 1922. By the late 1930s the 1860s former brewery malt house was replaced with a new pneumatic malt house and in 1939 a new store constructed. In 1942 a second pneumatic malt house was constructed on the north side of Gough Street but this was converted to offices in the 1980s and is currently leased by Barrett Burston as its Australian headquarters. In 1952 a building was constructed to house six pneumatic malting drums imported from the United Kingdom, the first of this type of system to be installed in a maltings in Victoria. The landmark 11 concrete silo barley store was erected in 1952. In the 1950s and 1960s a continuing process of mechanisation of the site took place, and further malting and storage capacity added, with a new Saladin box malt house fronting Gough Street (1956) on the site of the 1860's malt house, and more large concrete barley silos fronting Harcourt Parade (1960-62).

The important malting companies operating on the site have been Smith, Winn &amp; Fielding, maltsters, which operated until 1901, when it became Smith, Winn &amp; Co. In 1906, Smith McDonald &amp; Co, took over the 1880 malt house, and Barrett Bros, a substantial sale (as opposed to brewing) maltster company, took over the balance of the site until 1926, and also operated a 1860s malt house adjoining until 1936. In 1912, the company Smith, Mitchell &amp; Co was formed to take over the 1880 malt house. In 1926 it acquired the balance of the site. In 1941 Smith, Mitchell &amp; Co Pty Ltd, became a public company and further expanded the site. In 1972 it was taken over by Barrett Bros &amp; Burston Co Pty Ltd, one of the two largest malting companies in Australia. Barrett Burston currently operates the site.

How is it significant?
The site is historically, scientifically (technologically), aesthetically, socially and archaeologically significant to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?
The Barrett Burston Richmond Maltings site is historically significant as the oldest surviving independent sale (as opposed to brewing) maltster site in Australia. It has been continuously associated with the brewing and malting industry since 1852. It is the earliest and most intact of the four remaining nineteenth century sale maltster sites still operating in Victoria, the others being the former James Hood &amp; Co site, Islington Street, Collingwood (1878), the Barrett Burston Gibdon Street site, Burnley (1892), and Joe White Maltings, Gregory Street site, Ballarat (1898). The site is historically important for its strong associations with significant malting companies such as Smith, Mitchell &amp; Co, which developed and operated the site between 1912 and 1972, and Barrett Burston, one of the largest malting companies in Australia. The site is of historical interest for its association with Charles Smith, who was involved in the site until his death in 1903. Smith, one of the earliest sale maltsters in Victoria, was Mayor of Richmond 1873-74 and Lord Mayor for Melbourne 1883-84, and was a member of the Legislative Assembly.The Barrett Burston Richmond Maltings site is scientifically (technologically) significant for its pivotal role in understanding the industrial production of malt both by the pneumatic and the floor processes. The 1880 malt house is the only nineteenth century pneumatic malt house surviving in Australia, and is of outstanding technological significance as one of the earliest pneumatic malt houses in the world. While the building was substantially re-modelled following fires in 1950 and again in 1965, the existing mechanised Saladin box process with two parallel germinating boxes and perforated floors is very similar to the original Galland box process described in the opening of the malt house in 1880.The 1920 malt house, with its low floor to ceiling height of 9 feet, a large open concrete floor, with open store room above, and timber louvred windows set opposite each other in the side walls to control air flow, is scientifically (technologically) important for its demonstration of many of the essential characteristics of a traditional floor maltings. While once relatively common in Victoria, with many having been demolished and others adapted to pneumatic malting systems from the 1930s onwards, or adapted to alternative uses, it now represents a very rare surviving example of its type.The 1952 pneumatic drum malting building, originally built with six drums imported from the United Kingdom, later replaced by drums constructed in Victoria by Vickers Ruwolt Pty Ltd, demonstrates the earliest use of this malting technology on a sale maltster site in Victoria. The 1939-40building for storing barley was supplemented in 1952 by 11 concreted silos, whichrepresent an early surviving example of this form of barley storage system on a sale maltster site in Victoria with only the 1937 silos in Abinger Street Richmond (now converted to residential use) being older.The Barrett Burston Richmond Maltings site is aesthetically and socially significant as a substantial Melbourne landmark. This collection of four brick malt houses dating from 1880, 1920, late 1939s and 1942 together with the 1952 and 1960s concrete silos present a distinctive industrial aesthetic, which has formed a significant part of the townscape of Richmond, the adjoining River Yarra and South Yarra, for many years. Three of the malt houses retain distinctive external evidence of malt kilns, a feature found on only two other remaining malt houses in Victoria. The 1952 and 1960s concrete silos by reason of their height scale and bulk visually dominate the immediate townscape, and are also viewed over a wide distance in eastern Melbourne. Together with the Nylex sign, which sits atop the silos, they have become a significant cultural iconic feature in the Melbourne landscape and psyche and even feature in the song Leaps and Bounds by musician Paul Kelly.The Barrett Burston Richmond Maltings site is archaeologically significant not only for its visible remnants of the malt houses constructed in 1903 and 1928 but also for the potential archaeological remains of the brewing buildings of the 1852 Cremorne Brewery and 1860s malt house.

It should only be significant if it's attractive...

It should only be significant if it's attractive...
That is a very narrow and subjective view.

I have no issues with this development. Its a modern addition to what is a vibrant historic shopping strip. We need more of these development to replace crappy buildings in heritage streetscapes, and this is what this project is going to do, if it gets approved!

High-rise draws a record 1500 objections (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/24/1085389333748.html)
The Age (www.theage.com.au)
By Martin Boulton
25 May 2004

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/05/24/25SMITH_ST,0.jpg
An impression of the development.

A proposed nine-storey residential and retail development in Smith Street, Collingwood, has attracted a flood of objections from residents and traders. They claim the character of one of Melbourne's oldest retail strips is under threat.

The proposed development, between Peel and Stanley streets, has attracted 1500 objections - reportedly the most ever lodged with the Yarra Council against a single application.

The state Labor MP for Richmond, Richard Wynne, said the number of objections indicated the development was "manifestly too high" and that Melbourne 2030 - the Government's strategy to build a more compact city - should include greater protection for inner suburban streetscapes.

Mr Wynne said that if a compromise could not be reached, he would ask Planning Minister Mary Delahunty to review the case.

Mario Lo Giudice, director of development company Banco, said the objections would be addressed in due course. He said the development, which includes a 24-hour supermarket, 250 apartments, offices and a three-level car park, had been in the planning stages long before Melbourne 2030 and would help meet the demand for high-density living in Melbourne.

"There's been enormous gentrification in Fitzroy, Collingwood and even Brunswick... we wouldn't try this (development) unless we knew it was going to work - and I'm very confident it will work," he said.

But Collingwood Action Group spokesman Dominik Kucera said the objections sent a clear message to Yarra Council and the Government - the scale of the development was too big for Smith Street.

Yarra Council's planning chairwoman Judy Morton said the plan had significance in other activity centres beyond Smith Street, making it "very important we get it right".

the silos are attractive im in wuv!

Prime site for some little development, don't you think?

Address: 15 Beach Road, HAMPTON, MELBOURNE

Tenders close: 07 July 2004, 2.00pm, Philips Fox, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne

Prime Bayside Residential Development site (STCA)
Formerly the Hampton Rehabilitaion Hospital.
The site comprises a total area of 11,250 sqm (approx) with street frontage of 165.8 metres which will provide views over the bay
This is the last significant development opportunity of its kind in this cosmopolitan location. And its worth it, for the view alone.
http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/JLL/JLL_42/300/JLL_42_30291_18195.jpg

Prime site for some little development, don't you think?

Address: 15 Beach Road, HAMPTON, MELBOURNE

Tenders close: 07 July 2004, 2.00pm, Philips Fox, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne

Prime Bayside Residential Development site (STCA)
Formerly the Hampton Rehabilitaion Hospital.
The site comprises a total area of 11,250 sqm (approx) with street frontage of 165.8 metres which will provide views over the bay
This is the last significant development opportunity of its kind in this cosmopolitan location. And its worth it, for the view alone.
http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/JLL/JLL_42/300/JLL_42_30291_18195.jpg

how u find all this stuff!!!

Probably just stating the obvious here, but it definatley looks like the next construction wave in Melbourne will be in the suburbs. Our office is currently planning two medium rise 12-15 storey high density developments in areas that you would never expect, with more to come.

It's a great thing, I really believe that Aussie cities are going through a pretty fundamental change....

Probably just stating the obvious here, but it definatley looks like the next construction wave in Melbourne will be in the suburbs. Our office is currently planning two medium rise 12-15 storey high density developments in areas that you would never expect, with more to come.

It's a great thing, I really believe that Aussie cities are going through a pretty fundamental change....

Please, don't say Pakenham ;)

Fountainhead, could you give us a hint as to the suburb you are working on?

I know at present the "Malvern Green" Development on Malvern Rd (near the corner of Elizabeth St), Malvern is heading for VCAt and the Minister with well over 200 apartments in 5 - 6 buildings ranging from 4 - 6 stories high.

PS: plotstyle, if you can get a hold of a hard copy of The Age on Wednesday, have alook through the business section and you will see plenty of development sites on show. :D

the old thread on Doncaster Hill was deleted but things are brewing up there

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/uploads/483/doncaster.jpg

1 - Montage Apartments, 200-odd apartments. nearing the pre-sales target, hopefully not too long a wait before we see a couple of tower cranes. very long, almost three beacon cove towers side by side
http://www.designpost.com.au/montage/home_pop.jpg

2 - Pinnacle/Ultra 819, on hold, Audi are currently using the site
http://www.doncasterhill.com/Images/Graphics/Developments/PinnacleDEVELOP3.gif

3 - South Point, nearing completion
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/uploads/483/spo.jpg

4 - The Atrium, 10 + levels, approved

5 - 18-20 Tower st, plans submitted. probably the hills best site for height/shadow, a failure if its not 15 levels +

6 - Shoppingtown have announced a $300 million dollar expansion. $300 is big money (a cbd office tower) so probably a mix of more office/residentail and retail expansion, wait and see

7 - about to go u/c, a 10-odd level building opposite Shoppingtown

but the one of most interest, this 25 level residental on the doncaster hill webpage?
http://www.doncasterhill.com/Images/Graphics/H_DoncasterHill.gif


and a couple of concept images
http://www.doncasterhill.com/Images/Graphics/Precincts/PrecTEXTIMAGE5.jpg

http://www.doncasterhill.com/images/graphics/city.gif

Is it even based in Doncaster? or just some concept?

I'm pissed that the old thread has been canned, I'm usually on the ball in bumping old threads up argh :(

I we really want to see Doncaster take off: build a frikking rail line!

Has any word been said on the DART proposal (heavy, light or hybrid rail solution) ?

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7656/Doncaster.JPG

Glad to hear that Montage is still going ahead - it looks schmickeroonies!

I am not sure where to place this because I can't find the bayside thread.

However today while I was 'studying' I went to the beach and noticed a crane on the horizen next to beacon cove. This is the northern tower which had piling machines on it a few months ago.

This is another crane to add to the Melbourne skyline.

A Favco 1500 sitting on 10 towers. For another 12ish level appt complex like next door.

hey plotstyle, do you have any recent pics of your baby Riviera? second tower crane is going and its a purple Advanced Precast unit - something different

anyway from last month
Epworth Eastern
http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/epworth.JPG

Austin & Repat
http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/austin.JPG

now Tays, Building 2005 pics?

Advanced Precast bought the crane from Baulderstone. The crane was on the airport side of Bio 21. It is a Favco 1500, same as the other one there but with only one winch, so only one hook. (which is the norm anyway)
The two cranes at the Austin will be coming down shortly, One came down about 4 weekends ago.

yeah i do close ups mainly but things are flying ill go put on a vest and helmet on saturday :)

Building 2005:

they're up to level 3, they were working through the rain last week - either they've got some sturdy aggreement with Monash or the unions dont have much control over this site (bloody typical at a friggin university... pft) lol.

another render from within the campus, current tallest, S Block, on left

http://members.iinet.net.au/~tayser/building2005caufleildaaa.jpg

The 25 storey tower is just a picture of a residential tower somewhere else. The maximum roof height on Doncaster Hill will be 40 metres or 13 residential floors.

Check out this tower proposed for the Corner of Doncaster Road and Tram Road:

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~naharrison/doncaster road.jpg

?? Montage nearing its presales target???

I work for the firm that designed it. As far as I am aware, the developer went bust....there are no plans to proceed with the development, which is a great pity - hopefully it may be resurrected by another developer at some stage

fair enough

last time i checked it had about 120 of the 150 necessary pre-sales

do you know when they folded?

NEXUS
A nice looking proposal for the corner of Burnley and Palmer Streets in Richmond.
Architecture: Omiros One
Interiors: John Coote
Landscape: Paul Bangay

The website:
http://www.nexusapartments.com.au/

http://www.nexusapartments.com.au/

If you wonder why CE have done so well at shifting units, this is one reason - IMHO of course. Loads of expensive Flash graphics but next to no hard info or prices. I know that their real aim is just to get you to talk to the agents but for myself if I don't know whether something is in the price bracket I am interested in then I go no further. Of course these units may be for Rolls Royce customers: "if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it"

rendering looks no where near what it will look like when built nothing special i can see

Jacksons St Toorak.
Probuild Constructions.
I sort of noticed some towers being erected here today, Tues, behind the Toorak Rd shops and they also looked to be bringing in other components of a crane that sort of looked like an A Frame and counterweights of a Std 1000 that came down from Freshwater 3 weeks ago, which all probably means that tomorrow there will be a crane going up here and there is an open carpark next door that would make it easy to get photos, but you would have to stand back a bit. Hint. Wednesday.

Hint taken ;)

Back at Monash Caulfield: they've started to put up the glass for the new building, south east corder has two panels of glass.

on Probuild Constructions, they've picked up a contract valued at $70 million to build something called X_Change @ Swinburne, Hawthorn campus. dont know what it is but at $70 million it should kick up a tower crane or two

X_Change @ Swinburne looks to be about 8 levels high and consists of:
371 beds of student accommodation
7,974 sqm of office accommodation on large open plan floor plates that will deliver flexible and adaptable work spaces
1,077 sqm of retail/student related services
163 underground car spaces
124 secure bike spaces

There is a rendering here:
http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/ovp_resources/newsletter/feature3.htm

Got mondo?

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/projects/updates/metro/mooneeponds/mondo2406041.jpg

Renamed thread, go nuts silvermb ;)

Coles-Myer redevelopment, Buchan Architects

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/cms.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/cms3.JPG

tower 1 - 54m/17L - office/hotel/serviced apartments
tower 2 - 48m/14L - apartments
tower 3 - 34m/10L - apartments

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/cms1.JPG

the reading site next door is even larger and will have taller towers, no plans yet

26-28 Gladstone st, 14 levels, shitty pic

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/gst.JPG

Quest have submitted a proposal for serviced apartments near the race course and there's about five more sites slated for 15-20 level towers.

The showgrounds redevelopment is between three groups, should spit out a few residential towers
*Baulderstone Hornibrook - Bruce Henderson Architetcs
*Bovis LL - ABN
*Multiplex - Daryl Jackson Architects

the best thing about all these developments in Moonee P is that they're building directly over shit ugly car parks - however, there's still an alarming amount of car parking in the developments: being in a high-frequency public transport corridor, MVCC should allow less car parking in exchange for more units / floorspace & directly encourage PT usage.

the area's definitely going to be a Melb2030 Showcase in the next 5 years!

Merged Little Stuff, Monash & Synchrotron and Doncaster hill threads

That readings site is an absolutely prime site for some big skyscrapers, a gaint vacant block surrounded by land in the business zone and set back from Mount Alexnder Road, hopfully we will see a couple of 30 storey residential towers on that site.

ban car parking :)

its scary we look like we have another chady that will just keep getting bigger

This is great. I know this Coles Myer development was approved by the Moonee Valley City Council, but will it go ahead? Any news from anyone?

PS Pardon my ignorance, but where is the reading site?

look closely at the 3rd image A. Steve.

Excellent job finding that information Silvermb!
Go 'Melbourne 2030', hopefully no NIMBYs here!
By the way the new name for NIMBYs is BANANAs
Build Almost Nothing Anywhere Near Anything. :)

Howdy, does anyone have any word on what is going on with the site in Chapel Street adjoining Como complex. It appears that some sought of showroom has been erected recently. I know there was talk of apartments but i cant seem to find any info on them. Was the developer Australand?

Any info would be good.

nick

Albert Road South Melbourne - down King St end - is beginning to develop a
bit of a profile and might bear watching on this thread. Apartment building there opp. Lakeside Drive llok abt 9 levels: no name on hoardings. cheers

Howdy, does anyone have any word on what is going on with the site in Chapel Street adjoining Como complex. It appears that some sought of showroom has been erected recently. I know there was talk of apartments but i cant seem to find any info on them. Was the developer Australand?

Any info would be good.

nick

The site next to the Como Complex is being developed by Australand and will have three residential towers, the tallest being 16 storeys and 50m high. They should be released pretty soon.

The site is in the foreground of this pic I took a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~naharrison/como web.jpg

Now that Mirvac have completed their development, its now up to Australand to continue it. There is also an approved apartment tower on the north-west corner of River & Malcom Sts still be erected let alone the Fun Factory site!

And yes, Albert Road is changing ever week. Other then the current developments, I don't think there are any sites left. I guess they need to start working on both the east and west sides of Kings Way between the West ate Freeway and Albert Rd.

week old go the blade walls :love:

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~wadad/mypic106.jpg

eh?

what project is that?

C'mon Tayser, thats an easy one. It's Riveria in Richmond, One white and one purple 1500. Too easy.

eh?

what project is that?

how could you miss two cranes like this!

you missed 260 apartments not like u! :P

http://www.rivierarichmond.com.au/

Saturday Age (3/7) Capital Gain
Hugh Martin

Twin-tower proposal has an unlikely setting

As buyer turned developer Spiros Kalotihos rekindles flames of Q2, the CBD apartment market burnout, the project's originator, Tony Sgro, has been seen emerging from the ashes of his failed development company Lewimont.
The one-time city apartment market player has returned with a twin-tower proposal, which is seen by the industry as an attempt to regain losses after Q2's demise.
Launched in 2000, Q2 was supposed to be the last development of its kind as the property boom went through its final throws. To be build on the site fo the former Fox and Hounds Hotel at the intersection of Queen and Flinders Street. It was to triumph where others had failed by upholding the virtues of quality instead of luring investors with rental guarantees.
Despite a marketting campaign hyped on sexy posters and testimonials from a City of Melbourne councillor, it was brought undone by souring market conditions and risking building costs.
Kalotihos, who had bought a Q2 apartment off the plan, eventually bought the site and now hopes to build a mixed-use development where the apartment tower was to have stood.
But before CBD propety prophets gasp in horror at the mere mention of yet another city apartment project, Sgro, it seems, has lost his postcode 3000 footing as is expecting to land with his twin-tower concept in postcode 3046.
Yes, Glenroy in Melbourne's mid-north is where Sgro's phoenix is tipped to rise but some of the locals, it seems, are not happy (LOL!!!)
Sgro's plan is for two apartment towers of 17 and 14 levels, complete with shops, offices and 194 apartments. All of this is to take place on the former Glenroy Market site, at the corner of Blenheim Street and Glenroy Road
Objections to Sgro's phoenix number in the hundreds, according to Moreland City Council. It has organised a "special urban planning committee meeting" for Tuesday, where it will consider submissions.
According to Cr Robert Larocca, there has been a mixed response to the towers, with the local traders supporting any potential economic benefit and residents outraged that such a development could rise from the Glenroy streetscape of brick-veneers and weatherboards.

http://www.street-directory.com.au/aus_new/genmap.cgi?sizex=600&sizey=600&x=144.91845396825&y=-37.7053922063491&level=6&star=&circle=&xyfile=

The towers are actually 12 and 17 levels (37.6m & 52.6m high).

Not bad for Glenroy!
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~naharrison/glenroy 1.jpg

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~naharrison/glenroy 2.jpg

The planning report that is to go to council on Tuesday night reccomends approval :-)

Do you have a height for 26-28 Gladstone, Silvermb?

This Glenroy proposal is great.

If they put the station underground and removed that level crossing, there would be room for more towers ontop of the new station.


I also notoiced yesterday that you can see the new skyline of Moonee Ponds from the Tulla Freeway in West Melbourne. Now all we need is more of the same!

can't be sure Grollo but 43.5m sounds familiar. 9L residential + 5L carpark which will be used by Safeway customers.

the approved Pentridge Tower
http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/pentower.JPG

I just remembered that I got the height for 26-28 Gladstone last year and put it on ss.com :-)

The pentridge tower looks to be 20 storeys high, that should make it the tallest suburban skyscraper approved so far 60m+?

*BUMP*

rumour mill:

Peddle Thorpe are designing a 26 level apartment tower (geared at international students - Box Hill Institute) on the Box Hill Bowl site on Whitehorse Road (at least from memory that's on Whitehorse Road or just off?)

can anyone confirm / anyone know of anything relating to this rumour?

oh grollo! ;)

Interesting article:

FROM THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING

DATE: Saturday, June 12, 2004

DELAHUNTY URGES COMMON SENSE ON MITCHAM HOUSING PROJECT

The Minister for Planning, Mary Delahunty, today urged the developer and Whitehorse Council to work with the Department of Sustainability and Environment to reach a compromise on the proposed twin tower apartment complex in Mitcham.

Ms Delahunty said the Colombo Street site was suitable for new housing as it was near to the railway station, a school and local shops. But she said 16 storeys was too high and was clearly inappropriate for the area.

Under the Melbourne 2030 strategic plan, Columbo St is a Neighbourhood Centre, meaning it is designated for appropriate growth.

"Mitcham needs more housing but not 16 storeys in a neighbourhood centre," Ms Delahunty said.

"Mitcham is a great place, with well regarded schools and transport - it's no surprise people are attracted to it as a choice location to live and raise their children. To do that, they need a range of housing options."

"The scale of this proposal is not in keeping with the objectives of Melbourne 2030, the Government's long term plan to protect Melbourne's liveability now and into the future," Ms Delahunty said.

This matter is due for hearing at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on July 13.

"I hope that commonsense will prevail and all parties will get around the table before then and agree on a design that gives Mitcham people housing options that are in sympathy with local neighbourhood character," Ms Delahunty said.

"As our population changes with increasing numbers of smaller families and local people wanting to 'downsize' their houses as they age, and with adult children of existing residents leaving the family home, demand is increasing for new housing options."

Ms Delahunty said she had requested her department to continue to discuss the issue with the developer and Whitehorse Council over coming weeks.

The only problem I have with this is what happens if VCAT approves the tower which the minister has said is inappropriate?

If she thinks it is so out of character then why doesn't she call in the appeal and make the decision herself?

What exactly would be in character for Mitcham, some more surface car parks for the shopping centre, a 1960's style six pack block of flats or maybe another Bunnings, JB Hi-Fi and a car dealership?

*BUMP*

rumour mill:

Peddle Thorpe are designing a 26 level apartment tower (geared at international students - Box Hill Institute) on the Box Hill Bowl site on Whitehorse Road (at least from memory that's on Whitehorse Road or just off?)

can anyone confirm / anyone know of anything relating to this rumour?

oh grollo! ;)

i heard this aswell its just a game... if i wanted to build a 5 storey tower i would design a 10 story tower and then the planners get to say oh we chopped of 5 levels bo ho same goes for this they will only end up with about half they asked for but thats probably what they want to get it in a different arena but in planning there are no certanies

Allegro Apartemnts, Footscray

http://www.aldy.com.au/frames/current/allegro/Allegro-B.jpg

WOW

Even Footscray is geeting a few high rise proposals. That is great!

The Saturday Age reports the 5 floor 25 Claremont Street (www.25claremonth.com.au) in SY is U/C

reminds me of that thing which sits on top of that multi-level car park on the cnr of Little Bourke and Russell Street!

Mr T, your talking about the Total Car Park in Russell St. Now that is a great piece of melbourne Architecture that needs restoration (removal of all the crappy signs)

Its a pitty that 25 Claremont St is so small. I wish it was a hell of a lot taller!

Duo takes a punt on Burnley (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/13/1089694354077.html)
By Susannah Petty
14 July 2004
The Age (www.theage.com.au)

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/07/14/burnley.jpg
Botanicca Corporate Park in Burnley, a nine-building complex eventually housing up to 4000 workers.

Nine buildings of up to seven storeys will be built next to Burnley Gardens from spring as part of a new $200 million commercial development.

The controversial Botanicca Corporate Park project, an equal joint venture between Macquarie Bank and R. Corporation, will include major transport facilities and eventually house up to 4000 workers.

The detailed plans are the first to come to light since Macquarie and R. Corporation, through their new vehicle RMAC Australia, won State Government planning approval for the five-hectare Swan Street site in February.

The bulk of the 70,000 square metres of floor space is committed to sitting tenants currently in existing buildings on the site, GE Consumer Finance and biotech outfit Amrad Corporation.

GE will lease three buildings while Amrad, the previous site owner, will lease back one building. The largest of these buildings will have 14,000 sq m of floor space.

RMAC paid $47.5 million for the parcel last year. The cost of the construction project remains undisclosed.

Two other commercial buildings of 6000 sq m and 8000 sq m, plus 1000 sq m of retail space across three buildings are yet to be leased.

RMAC hopes to attract operators for a cafe, restaurant, gym and creche as well as banking and convenience shopping.

The development is unusual both for its speculative nature and its size in a suburban area.

R. Corporation chief executive Andrew Rettig and Macquarie property director Guy Nelson believed demand for commercial space was now higher in the suburbs than the city.

"To have an office park in a location that is three minutes from Toorak, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Kew and to be surrounded by parkland and have a tram super-stop out the front and pedestrian links means it's got a lot of attributes and a number of unique points of difference," Mr Rettig said.

"We're confident that finding tenants won't be a problem."

Leighton Properties is another recently to dive into speculative suburban development with plans for four office buildings in Mulgrave. Indications point to a general rise in suburban rents.

Community groups and former Yarra City Council mayor Greg Barber initially opposed the RMAC scheme because of its proximity to parklands and the Yarra River.

But Mr Rettig said elements of the original proposal had been redesigned to "ensure minimal impact on neighbours".

"I think it's very important to hear those people," Mr Rettig said. "We've designed the buildings so they have limited impact on the gardens.

"Once people see the final design and layout I think the original anxieties about what is going on there will be put to rest."

Botanicca's offices are designed with large, flexible floor plates and will be connected by glass-enclosed air bridges.

The offices have been designed around a central courtyard, set back behind the three retail buildings at the site entrance.

The site will also feature bike paths, a tram "super-stop" on Swan Street, a pedestrian link to Heyington station and 1650 car spaces, including 1290 underground.

The project is the first joint venture for R. Corporation and Macquarie. Mr Rettig and Mr Nelson signalled they would consider further joint ventures.

Total construction is expected to take 15 months.

Flats project a test for city blueprint (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/13/1089694357241.html?oneclick=true)
By Martin Boulton
14 July 2004
The Age (www.theage.com.au)

The State Government's planning blueprint, Melbourne 2030, faces its first big suburban test this week when a tribunal considers whether to give the go-ahead to a controversial development by former Carlton footballer Fraser Brown.

The Victorian and Civil and Administrative Tribunal yesterday began a hearing on the twin-tower, 199-apartment project earmarked for a site next to the Mitcham railway station. The Whitehorse Council and more than 600 residents oppose the plan, arguing it is out of character with the low-rise Mitcham area. Last month, residents and members of St John's Catholic Church and primary school staged a protest rally at the site.

The council's senior counsel, Ian Pitt, told the tribunal yesterday that the 10 and 16-level towers were "entirely out of scale with anything else in the neighbourhood".

He said the project could not be justified at such a size even though Mitcham had been identified as a neighbourhood "activity centre" as part of Melbourne 2030.

Under 2030, the Government wants to concentrate residential development in activity centres - often existing shopping hubs - well serviced by transport.

Project architect Roger Poole of Bates Smart told the tribunal Mitcham was "an important site in the metropolitan transit system" and the revised "softer" building design would complement the precinct's predominantly two-level building height.

But the hearing comes less than a month after Planning Minister Mary Delahunty said the building was "too high," even for an activity centre under 2030.

Ms Delahunty said she had hoped Mr Brown and the council would agree on a design more sympathetic with the local neighbourhood character, but no such agreement has been struck. "Mitcham is a great place (and) it's no surprise people are attracted to it as a choice location to live and raise their children. To do that, they need a range of housing options," she said.

Tony Hogg is one of five objectors due to speak today at the tribunal on behalf of all the objectors.

"We'll be putting forward an argument, based on our own concept plan, that it should only be a four-storey development on that site," Mr Hogg said.

It is believed VCAT regards the project as an important test case for 2030. The outcome is expected to be a landmark on whether the low-rise character of a suburb like Mitcham is grounds for refusing a high-rise project.

The case will also test how much Melbourne 2030 can be used to justify large-scale development next to railway stations.

The hearing continues today.

It looks like a lot of stuff's being done right next to the existing GE Cons. Fin. buildings in this render:

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/07/14/burnley.jpg

the road which intersects with Swan St (where trams are) looks like a suburban shopping centre car park at present - looks like they're densifying that also.

AFR:
$200m office park for inner-city Melbourne
Jul 14
Karina Barrymore

Melbourne's R.Corporation and Macquarie Bank have received Victorian government planning permission for a new $200 million office park in inner-city Melbourne.

The 70,000 square-metre development is to be built on the former Amrad site in Burnley, which the development partners bought last year from the listed biotech company for $47.5 million. It is the first major office development for R.Corporation and the first in Melbourne for the Sydney-based Macquarie Bank.

R.Corporation chief executive Andrew Rettig said yesterday the development had already been substantially pre-leased with only two of the proposed nine office buildings uncommitted.

Amrad, the former owner and occupier of part of the site, has pre-leased 4000 square metres. The other major tenant is international finance company GE which is expected to occupy the bulk of the remaining space which could be up to 50,000sqm of the development.
There will also be about 1000sqm of retail space within the park made up of restaurant, cafe, creche and service retail.

The project has an end value of $200million and is expected to have a construction value of about $125million. It will include nine low-rise buildings, up to seven storeys high, in a campus-style office park next to the Burnley Horticultural College in Swan Street.



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Asking rents in the project rival A-grade CBD office buildings at between $250 and $280 a square metre with outgoings of a further $80 a square metre.

However, with the precommitments already in place only a further 14,000sqm remain unleased. The retail space is expected to earn about $500 a square metre net.

The inner-city suburban office market has been a stronghold for property owners in Melbourne with very few vacancies and steadily rising rents during the past few years.

The joint-venture development company for the Burnley project, RMAC, has chosen large floor plates for each building. The smallest is 1500sqm, increasing to 2500sqm a floor. Mr Rettig said the Swan Street site, to be called Botanicca Corporate Park, had been rezoned Business 2, which allows a wide range of uses including residential.

The planning approval and rezoning follows a controversial move by the Victorian government after it took control of the site away from the Yarra Council and approved the project itself, bypassing the usual local government process.

In addition to the site they bought from Amrad, the developers are also buying a small parcel of land from the state government and will contribute to a new transport strategy for the area.

This is to include bike paths, a tram stop, a pedestrian link to the railway station and an overhaul of the Swan Street intersection leading to the park to cater for the 4000 staff expected to visit the site each day.

=============
I think it's crazy given that 70,000 sq m can easily give us a new 50 level tower!!!

I was at VCAT today so I popped into the hearing for the Mitcham towers. There must have been at least 20 suits there with a team of solicitors and planners, traffic engineers, urban designers and architects. It's obvious that both sides are throwing everything they have at this one.

I didn't get to see all the plans but from what I saw these would be two stunning towers, they are designed by Bates Smart to a standard which is well above what you usually see for suburban towers.

The two towers are oval shaped with a glass facade, the tallest is 16 levels and 57m high to the top of the LMR and the smaller tower is 10 levels and 38m high. So if approved the taller tower will be the tallest building outside inner Melbourne.

in the local box hill paper they said they had been rejected forever?

Hey Blabbyboy, RCorporation are tied up with Tribeca on Albert St somehow cause there name is plastered all over one of the cranes (Victoria St side)

I happen to work at GE in Burnley. Funny enough the above photos don't look familiar. But I hope that whatever they're building on that site (we're pretty much kept in the dark) that they include a mighty big multi-storey carpark. Frankly the parking there is horrendous and we are getting protests from residents asking GE and its corporate neighbours to go away. I don't blame them because employees park their cars along their river boulevard stretching all 4km's of it!!

Telling a huge employer like GE Finance to go away frankly hurts and is a little short-sighted given the competition for multinationals between the cities. Whoever wrote that disgusting banner hanging on the bridge over the boulevard is better off telling us to fix our parking problems than telling us to go away. Because when jobs go, they go.

It's a nice banner too. I wonder how much that costs them? :bleh:

Maybe there should be parking restrictions along The Boulevard and less parking proposed for the redevelopment so that more poeple use the excellent public transport system surrounding the site! Trams on Swan St & Power St and a train station only a 10 minute walk away!

http://afr.com/premium/articles/2004/07/14/1089694418249.html [Premium]

Cashed-up Trinity buys Foxtel call centre

Brisbane's Trinity Funds Management has struck a deal to buy Foxtel's national customer call centre in Melbourne for between $25 million and $28 million.

The 7136 square metre complex being developed at Moonee Ponds is due for completion in December and is being sold on an initial yield of about 8 per cent.

The acquisition of the call centre is part of a $53.53 million buying spree being undertaken by Trinity.

The Moonee Ponds deal involves a precommitment from a wholly owned Foxtel subsidiary to lease the complex for 12 years with fixed annual rental increases of 3 per cent.

The development was one of the projects being undertaken by Colonial First State Property's opportunity fund, CPOP, which was scaled back at the start of this year follow the unexpected exit of five senior executives.

It is understood Trinity was introduced to the deal by FPDSavills managing director David Harrison.

Trinity managing director Peter Lewis declined to comment on the Foxtel deal.

But he said the fund was in strong acquisitive mode, having sourced more than $25 million from its $50 million raising.

Mr Lewis attributed the strong response from wholesale investors to the latest raising, launched in March, to the group's performance over its lifetime.

"Since it was founded five years ago, Trinity has performed some 17.1 per cent ahead of the Mercer Unlisted Fund Index, which is the benchmark of all unlisted funds," he said yesterday.

barrett apartments on one side of glenferrie station; its taken 8 months to build that podium, first residential floor up and running. on the other x_change@swinburne is u/c. should have three cranes on glenferrie station soon, if only they cleaned up the station proper.

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/brt200407.jpg

any refurbishment of Glenferrie should include refurbing Hawthorn and Auburn with an extra track to Camberwell ;) (and that might happen sooner rather than later)

fan-fucking-tastic they're covering up a wall of the Hawthorn Exchange.

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/dump/melbwallpaper.jpg

nice view havent been to hawthorn room or cheers for ages...

Sorry Mr T but Hawthorn is on the Victorian Heritage register and is the only station of its kind in Victoria so there is no way it will be redeveloped.

sorry for what? I said Refurb - not demolish.

Thats an awesome shot tays.
Phooaar

yer - thank Dean for finding it ;)

Yeah Dan. thank moi, thank moi.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

the walls of blade walls building b!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~wadad/mypic132.jpg

Abi, River St, Richmond!

Yeah Dan. thank moi, thank moi.

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

Lol, THANKS.

OK, this isn't a tall building by any means, but wasn't sure if it's been posted here.

New apartments near Auburn Station have a web site.

Carrington Apartments (http://www.carringtonapartments.com.au/)

Just around the corner from where I live actually. Demolition of the site happened many months ago, since then there's been no activity.

Cheers.

Boundaries: The Tullamarine FWY in the West, The Yarra in the East and Brunswick Road in the south.

Notable projects thus far: Coburg, Glenroy & Heidelberg.

The Austin Hospital redevelopment two weeks ago:

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/tours/random060704/5.jpg

I didn't get any close ups (although I sat on the station facing it for 10 minutes, go figure ;))

better website than eureka and the project is 1/10 the size check out theres a few very small construction photos
http://www.rivierarichmond.com.au/progress.html

all suburban stuff in the same thread now.

Monash Caulfield is progressing:
http://members.optusnet.com.au/haksoz/Images/Caulfield/P7301465.JPG
http://members.optusnet.com.au/haksoz/Images/Caulfield/P7301467.JPG
http://members.optusnet.com.au/haksoz/Images/Caulfield/P7301472.JPG

An update on Moonee Ponds
http://img39.exs.cx/img39/7684/MooneePonds.jpg

WOW!

If you haven't been down Lygon Street, Brunswick for a while, it has changed!

It looks very much like a small scale Swanston St, Carlton!

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/1299/Lygon1.jpg

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/5770/Lygon2.jpg

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/29/Lygon3.jpg

http://img36.exs.cx/img36/1029/Lygon4.jpg

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/9892/Lygon5.jpg

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/1118/Lygon6.jpg

The same goes for Burnley St, Richmond. It too is going up in the world!

(Sorry, no pics)

something to watch in Caulfield: when coles close their doors (permanently or temporarily).

there's increasing talk of imminent development plans for the 80s caulfield plaza and car park infront of the station around Monash.

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/dump/caulfield.png

^^ red area is the most logical development that Monash could undertake in future - dunno bout the other side of Derby street (setback from the shop fronts obviously). Then probably on the other side of the station, directly south west (that wedge between Normanby Road and Station street on left of image) - although that had better incorporate a new station!

..go the Ponds! :D

Lygon St is doing ok for itself but most of those apartments aren't of the quality of your Port Melbourneses etc and are gonna look dated pretty quick - partly for no other reason than cheap balcony design allowing for bad rain-staining (the easiest way to make a building look old very quickly) .

The 3rd building in the pics is not bad though ..

tays if you wanna do the tour simply catch the 1 East Coburg or 22 Moreland from Swanston St and that takes you up Swanston St Carlton (Student row which your familiar with), then past Melbourne Uni section with the great Asia Centre & Hopsital redevelopment, then turns onto Elgin past a couple of nice developments there, then on up Lygon St (past Commission House Row and the redeveloped old VicRoad's buildings) and on into Brunswick where these photos are taken ..

Go get a nice Kebab while your up there as well ! Or go visit the very original (and best) La Porchetta's a few blocks off Lygon on Rathdowne St parallel to the midpoint of the Melbourne Cemetary ..

Stockland and Coles eye Tooronga site
August 2, 2004 - 9:39AM

Property group Stockland and retailer Coles Myer announced they had entered into an agreement for Stockland to purchase and redevelop a Coles Myer precinct at Tooronga in Victoria.

Stockland said it intended to begin a master planning and rezoning process for a mixed use redevelopment expected to be in excess of $400 million.

The redevelopment would turn the Tooronga Village Shopping Centre and old brickworks site into a new Coles supermarket, Coles Myer liquor store, specialty stores, as well as a residential area of houses, townhouses and apartments and extensive parkland.

The redevelopment is subject to planning approval from the local Boroondara Council.

Stockland managing director Matthew Quinn said there would be an extensive public consultation period before the detailed development proposal would be handed down in early 2005.

"Stockland will work closely with the Boroondara Council, the local community and the state government to ensure the project meets the appropriate planning requirements and delivers the best possible outcome for this significant site," Mr Quinn said.

Coles Myer Ltd chief executive John Fletcher said he was confident the Stockland plan would ensure the site would be developed appropriately.

© 2004 AAP

If only Australand coudl clean up the old gas site in Toorak Rd, then that whole area would be a great little hub!

Last crane at the Austin came down on the weekend, and it's going to Adelaide:(

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/02/1091432111834.html

Tooronga Village plan puts shops underground
By Royce Millar
City Reporter
August 3, 2004

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/08/02/3n_coles,0.jpg

Tooronga Village shops would be rebuilt underground according to one proposal.
Picture:Craig Abraham

Tooronga Village shopping centre in Melbourne's east will be demolished and rebuilt underground as part of a $400 million scheme announced yesterday.

Developer Stockland wants to use most of the 11-hectare Tooronga site above ground for about 600 dwellings and parkland. It will buy the property from Coles Myer, for a price believed to be about $30 million, if it wins planning approval from Boroondara Council.

The largely subterranean shopping centre will include a new Coles supermarket, a liquor store, about 13 specialty stores, a chemist, bank and gym.

The existing black glass building that houses Coles Myer's national office - and which is widely known as Darth Vader or Battleship Galactica - will not be affected by the redevelopment. - DAMN YOU, DAMN YOU CML TO HELL! :D

Controversy has surrounded the Tooronga site, including the former Tooronga drive-in and an old brickworks, for many years. A rezoning is now required for a change of use to retail and residential.

Stockland is keen to minimise local angst, and yesterday stressed that its scheme would be developed in consultation with the council and community. An application for rezoning would not be lodged until 2005.

Victorian general manager Cameron Alderson said his company believed that residents in the area were "very passionate" about local amenity. "What we were trying to show is that this is not a fait accompli," he said.

Mr Alderson said putting the shopping centre underground would give his company a "new blank canvas" to work on.

Housing would be generally low-rise and likely to include detached houses, two-level terraces, and some apartments.

He said the plan was in keeping with the State Government's vision of a more compact city as outlined in the planning blueprint Melbourne 2030. However, Tooronga is not one of the 100-plus designated activity centres in 2030.

Boroondara Council city planning director Phil Storer said the council had not seen detailed plans but welcomed the idea of residential development at Tooronga. He urged Stockland to ensure its plans conformed with an existing urban design framework that set out development parameters for the site.

"If they (Stockland) go beyond that framework they can expect strong opposition from both the council and the surrounding community," he said.

Stockland plans to commission five or six of Melbourne's leading architects to work on the project. "It (the development) has got to embrace the diversity of the culture of Melbourne," Mr Alderson said.

______________________

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/02/1091432111213.html

Stockland to redevelop Tooronga Village
By Fleur Leyden
August 3, 2004

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/08/02/tooronga_village,0.jpg

Stockland is believed to have paid about $30 million for the Coles Myer-owned site, next to the retailer's headquarters.
Picture:Craig Abraham

Sydney-based property group Stockland yesterday displayed its appetite for "high-profile" Victorian expansion with the purchase of its first Melbourne suburban shopping centre.

Stockland, Australia's third-largest real estate investment trust, said it would redevelop Tooronga Village shopping centre for mixed-use. The centre would then be worth more than $400 million.

Stockland is believed to have paid about $30 million for the Cole Myer-owned site, next to the retailer's headquarters.

Stockland Victorian general manager Cameron Alderson said the deal would boost the group's retail development portfolio.

"Stockland's move into the inner suburbs of Melbourne is quite significant and probably does highlight to the market what we've quietly been doing all over Melbourne in the last three years," Mr Alderson said.

Stockland is developing 12 projects in Melbourne and owns shopping centres in Traralgon and Wendouree. The Tooronga redevelopment will include a Coles supermarket, Coles Myer liquor store, specialty stores, houses, townhouses, apartments and parkland.

Mr Alderson said it was difficult to say in the early stages how much would be spent on the project, but the shopping centre, seven kilometres from Melbourne's CBD, met Stockland's strict criteria for suburban retail acquisitions.

Coles Myer chief executive John Fletcher said the Tooronga site was a "significant opportunity that had stood unrealised over many years".

"We are confident Stockland's plans will see it developed appropriately," he said.

The redevelopment is subject to Boroondara Council planning approval, with a proposal expected to be tabled in early 2005.

Stockland owns 38 sub-regional shopping centres on the east coast and in Perth, worth about $2.5 billion, and property in Australia and New Zealand worth more than $5.7 billion.

Stockland's full-year results are due on August 10. Investment banks such as UBS and Goldman Sachs JBWere said the reporting season was likely to show strong growth in retail property and a moderate upturn in office property.

"We expect another weak result from office assets and suspect that a further rebound in retail sales growth will maintain healthy support for real estate investment trusts with shopping centre exposure," said a Goldman Sachs JBWere research note.

Stockland shares rose 7¢ to $5.59 yesterday. Coles Myer firmed 2¢ to $8.91.

__________________

Grollo: you put "Doncaster Hill plan in trouble" as the subject and posted a Tooronga article...lol? ;)

whoops I was going to do a post about Doncaster Hill but it's too depressing :-(

lemme guess: there needs to be a rail line before any real activity centre can fully flourish? :happy:

This Tooronga site....

http://img37.exs.cx/img37/7872/Tooronga.jpg

.....can accomodate highrise without having a major (if any) impact on any existing residential areas. I would love to see this area go up to 5 - 10 stories. Its close to Tooronga Train Station adn there is a bus line along Tooronga Rd and of course there is the Monash Freeway just down the road!

lemme guess: there needs to be a rail line before any real activity centre can fully flourish? :happy:

Exactly :-)

Word is that not one of the major apartment proposals on the hill are going to get built (except for the 8 storey building already U/C).

Also the developer of the proposed 9 storey Ulra 819 tower has put in an application to use the site as a Audi car yard because sales for the tower (and every other tower that has been proposed) were so bad.

Council have refused the proposal as not in keeping with the Doncaster Hill Strategy, will make for an interesting VCAT appeal.

Meanwhile the Manningham council is still spending large amounts of money and resources trying to convince the state government to build the Mitcham-Frankston freeway ASAP with no tolls, while spending no time or money on trying to convince the government to build fixed public transport to Doncaster Hill :-(

Also Westfield have been told to go back to the drawing board yet again for Doncaster Shoppingtown as the latest proposal to double the size of the centre (about the fifth over 8 years) still doesn't adress the street at ground level although it still looks pretty cool (very similar to Westfield Bondi Junction).

Exactly :-)
while spending no time or money on trying to convince the government to build fixed public transport to Doncaster Hill :-(

:weird:

good update!

Seems extreme that such a big crane is needed for little old Barret

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9302/101469302cl1085112257.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/4546/101704546ml1089334813.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/4546/101704546al1089334813.jpg

realestate.com.au

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/5573/101595573ml1091672290.jpg

The CML towers will just be to left of that high-rise no?

edit: just answered my own question.

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1473/101521473al1083574772.jpg

look at all those car parks screaming for towers! :)

Hey Fountainhead: that suburb where you working on suburban towers wasn't Westall / Clayton South was it? ;)

www.thevillage111.com.au by AustCorp.

I just noticed today on the train going to uni that the site just to the south of Westall station has big billboards advertising that website above.

At first glance it looks like a medium-density Beacon cove-like development. It'd be a wasted oppurtunity if they didn't get some high-density dwellings in there - big site, and the Westall station side of the site is setback a fair way from the low-density 'burban homes that scatter the area.

http://www.thevillage111.com.au/images/p_map.jpg

Could be interesting to see how the make the site interact with Westall station - and maybe a new Westall station wouldn't go astray (one of the most disgusting stations to look at on the Dandenong mainline!)

Final designs are due out late 2004 according to website.

_______________________

Media Release

3 August 2004


AUSTCORP LAUNCHES $120 MILLION VILLAGE IN CLAYTON SOUTH


National property developer Austcorp Group Limited today announced a further expansion into the Victorian market with plans for a $120 million residential development that will set new lifestyle trends in Clayton South.

Minister for Planning, Mary Delahunty, attended to help launch The Village, a new residential community of up to 330 contemporary townhouses and apartments.

David Thiessen, Austcorp’s General Manager Victoria, said The Village represented a significant commitment in the Melbourne market by Austcorp, developer of the highly successful $90 million Rolling Meadows estate at Sunbury.

The Village is the latest addition to Austcorp’s $2.4 billion national portfolio.

“The Village offers Austcorp an exciting opportunity to take advantage of the existing transport and community infrastructure to redevelop the area into a vibrant and accessible residential precinct,” Mr Thiessen said.

The site is well served by public transport and arterial roads and is close to Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton Road and Springvale Shopping Centre.

The Village will appeal to owner-occupiers and investors who already live in the area but are looking for a low-maintenance, prestige townhouse or apartment.

“This is a perfect site for an urban redevelopment project creating a new lifestyle community. The Village will change the face of Clayton South, and in the process, lift the quality and value of the entire suburb.

“Austcorp is known for delivering quality lifestyles. The Village provides a great opportunity for Austcorp to showcase its urban renewal expertise to the Victorian market.



*fingers crossed*

MEDIA RELEASE

RELEASED: 25 June 2004

Austcorp Puts The Peak on Top of Melbourne East

Leading national property group Austcorp Group Limited today unveiled plans for an $85 million apartment building that will transform one of Melbourne’s highest topographical points.

“The Peak”, designed by renowned architects Hassell and Peckvonhartel, provides a signature residential development on Wheelers Hill with spectacular views to the city, Port Phillip Bay and Dandenong Ranges.

On the corner of Jells Road and Ferntree Gully Road in Wheelers Hill, the development is within 200m of the Wheelers Hill Shopping Centre and across the road from the Monash Art Gallery & Cafe, fitness centre and Wheelers Hill Hotel.

“Austcorp has a reputation of raising the bar for residential living and adding value to communities where we are involved. The Peak is a high quality apartment and garden terrace development that replaces a service station and improves the overall presentation and amenity of the entire neighbourhood,” David Thiessen, Austcorp’s General Manager Victoria, said.

Mr Thiessen said the site is ideal to introduce medium rise housing that offers choice for local residents looking for quality, low maintenance living in a location that is convenient and one that they know well.

The site is well served by public transport and is fronted by two main roads.
It is also close to the shopping centre and the park.

The Peak’s architectural design takes advantage of the high vantage point and incorporates the existing tree canopy, making it an outstanding and appealing landmark.

“The Peak makes a real difference to Wheelers Hill and it will be a significant addition to Melbourne as well as to Austcorp’s $2.4 billion national portfolio,” Mr Thiessen said.

The proposed nine-storey building comprises 111 apartments, five two-storey garden terrace units, two levels of secured basement parking, a five star energy rating, attractively landscaped open space and an indoor swimming pool and gymnasium.

Mr Thiessen said there would be a thorough community consultation program before the council made a decision on the application.

“We look forward to working with the council and residents throughout the planning process to achieve an outcome that enhances the Wheelers Hill community for both local residents and business operators.”

He explained that the design and careful siting of the development ensures that the amenity of the area is maintained without loss of privacy or sunlight to neighbouring properties. The substantial setbacks and extensive landscaping are designed to reinforce and enhance the Garden City Character of the City of Monash.

“We want to deliver the best apartment building in Melbourne at one of Melbourne’s best locations. We aim to be at the leading edge, delivering excellence and the latest in apartment design and living in the suburbs,” Mr Thiessen said.

“This project is all about the future of Melbourne. It reflects lifestyle changes in the way community residents aspire to live and be accommodated,” he said.

“Our sensitive design approach delivers on the strong emphasis of urban renewal, consolidation and higher density close to established activity centres in State government planning policies, including Melbourne 2030. It is also consistent with the City of Monash Municipal Strategic Statement.”

Austcorp Group Limited is a national property developer and investor active in greenfield, residential, industrial and commercial developments in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Northern Territory. The group is developing over 1800 residential apartments and townhouses and 5000 lots of land.


>ends<
For Further Information
Scott Thompson
CPR Communications & Public Relations
Ph: (03) 9654 4799
Mob: 0403 241 128.

Wheeler's Hill Public Transport? what... a bus every 1/2 hour?

:dunno:

still though - they'd have an absolute corker view of the Dandenongs from there.

Tays, I was talking about wheelers hill;)

It's a pretty good proposal for a medium rise development....got a very "Melbourne" look!

The other development I was referring to I can't say too much about, but it is on the Nepean Highway involving a train station

*punches the air*

Is it a certain node which is at the boundary of Glen Eira, Kingston and Bayside councils? :cool:

Moorabbin station?
should be good to see this finished. need more metro feeling suburbs.

X_Change @ Swinburne, last week

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/xc200408.jpg

Austcorp can go get stuffed with their 9 storey tower on Wheelers Hill opposite the pub. I've seen the renderings at the local residents meeting and they are flawed. They show a 9 storey building being of equal height to the row of large pine trees that have been up on the hill since the suburb was first started many many many years ago.

Plus the council say the only other 9 storey structure in Monash is the Novotel and it's no where near Wheelers Hill, so they cant claim, neighbouring 'bulk'

I would love to see Moorabbin go up in the world. It could become the St Leonards or Chatswood of the south!

Hi guys. I only got this camera the other day and haven't been taking pics for long so be nice :)

So below I have the latest pics of the construction of the new academic building and carpark at Monash Caulfield, took them today while I was up there (am a Business student there). I have a few pics each of the building and the carpark, I'll put one pic of each in the post, click the links underneath for any more I have linked. All of the pics are resized for bandwidth reasons (sorry) but other than that are not retouched (as you will be able to tell).

Firstly, the Academic building, This is from the Walkway inside the University:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/skortum/academic2.jpg

Now the Carpark, taken in Princes Avenue across from the entry to Coles carpark, I'm loving the reflective Glass they're using :). Distance shot:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/skortum/carpark.jpg

Lastly, I thought I would add a picture of the crane, I thought the clouds behind this made it quite an impressive scene.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/skortum/crane.jpg

I appreciate any tips on my photography too as I'm only just starting out.
Thanks all, hope they're enjoyed :)
stu

LOL! nice

PM me sakor: I'm a BIS student at Caulfield. Bus Faculty's on L9 of S yeah? we need to get up there and take some panos of the city ;)

mondo, 2-3 levels left, looks good

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mdo 200408.jpg

How much more on the Foxtel office silvermb?

check this out, the original Como SY proposal, a canal from the Yarra running south, note Phase #1 was only completed and Mrivac's SY21 has taken most of the land up apart from the Australand site between Como and SY21, posted by Collector on WalkingMelb.

http://www.thecollectormm.com/private/ComoProject1.jpg

looks cool, so that will be how it turns out or not?

EDIT: or original idea. heh it looks good, it could of worked.

How much more on the Foxtel office silvermb?

Special interest for Silver and the Ponds, crane at foxtel is done and dusted and should be gone this weekend.