City of Monash

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26 February 2018

Monash Council is putting builders, developers and residents on notice that it is taking action on illegal tree removals.

Mayor Shane McCluskey said enforcement action such as fines and, in particular, court action sent a strong message that there were consequences to acting contrary to planning permits.

“We value our trees and vegetation in Monash and we want people to know that you cannot remove a tree without the proper permit and expect that we will not act on it,” Cr McCluskey said.

“Our community has expectations around the City of Monash’s garden character and the protection and retention of trees and vegetation.” 

Council recently prosecuted a developer and builder who were forced to pay more than $41,000 in fines and costs for clearing trees on a residential site in Mount Waverley.

Council officers were made aware that vegetation at 27 Miller Crescent, Mount Waverley was cleared, which was in contravention of the planning permit for the site that clearly identified the trees that were to be retained and the ones to be removed.

The builder appeared at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court in late 2018 and was fined $12,000 without conviction.

The Company (owner of the site) was charged $11,000 plus $2,522.05 costs. One of the directors of the company was fined $7,000 plus $2,522.05 costs and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond.

The demolition company engaged for the site was fined $1,500 plus $4,900 costs.

Council is also currently investigating illegal tree removals in Glen Waverley by unqualified tree loppers after a complaint by a resident who saw the works taking place.

Council’s Planning Compliance Officers were able to respond to the complaints and visit the site to stop works as they were occuring.

Cr McCluskey said the community’s help was important and he encouraged anyone with concerns about trees or developers who may be removing vegetation without a required permit to contact Council.

Council’s <a href="https://www.monash.vic.gov.au/Building-Planning/Strategic-Planning/Urban-Landscape-and-Canopy-Vegetation-Strategy">Urban Landscape and Canopy Vegetation Strategy</a> was adopted in October 2018 and highlights the importance of green space and nature to the community and environment incuding heath and wellbeing, environmental benefits and civic pride.

Anyone with concerns about illegal tree removals can contact Council’s Planning Investigations Team on 9518 3555. 
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Media Release: Illegal tree removals in Monash a focus for enforcement 

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Two firms with a history of development within the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster (MNEC) are angling for bigger projects.

Both Salta Properties and Cedar Woods are pushing plans which are larger than their previous respective developments within Monash. Salta is all but assured of the right to build a substantial office complex as an extension of its Nexus Corporate precinct whilst Cedar Woods is pushing for hundreds of new dwellings within its Jackson Green development.

At either end of the MNEC, both intended developments speak to the increasing scale of development expectations in the area. These expectations would only be enhanced by the State Government's proposed Melbourne orbital rail proposal which has two stations in the heart of MNEC.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image70_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: Gray Puksand"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="287" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image70_11.jpg?itok=QGVFLamR" title="Image: Gray Puksand" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: Gray Puksand</figcaption></figure>Salta last week received backing for its proposed office complex at 633-647 Springvale Road, after nabbing the corner site for a reported $11 million during 2015.

Adjacent to Salta's existing Nexus Corporate precinct and spanning 2.4 hectares, the first phase of the Springvale Road development site found favour with Monash City Council and encompasses 21,226 square metres of net leasable area. That space is configured over two separate buildings with Gray Puksand undertaking the design.

Existing campus-style buildings within Nexus Corporate have traditionally been smaller in stature to date; the freshly completed Nexus 10 building holds in excess of 6,000 square metres of net leasable area. 

The upsizing of expectations for 633-647 Springvale Road also includes a very substantial 785 basement vehicle spaces, end of trip facilities and provision for 197 bicycle bays.

Two additional future buildings are slated for the balance of 633-647 Springvale Road, whilst Salta also has an eye toward delivering a high-rise hotel at <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/12-nexus-court-mulgrave">12 Nexus Court</a> which sits within the initial Nexus Corporate precinct.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image74_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cedar Woods' latest alongside Gardenia Apartments progress during late August. Image: DKO Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="205" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image74_2.jpg?itok=xH7zTD8G" title="Cedar Woods' latest alongside Gardenia Apartments progress during late August. Image: DKO Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cedar Woods' latest alongside Gardenia Apartments progress during late August. Image: DKO Architecture</figcaption></figure>Cedar Woods too is after more within their Jackson Green estate in Clayton South.

Midway between Westall and Huntingdale stations, the residential development has to date seen townhouse and small scale apartment stages built onsite. The gradual upswing in development size now sees the DKO Architecture-designed Gardenia Apartments under construction; it includes 74 dwellings over six levels.

Cedar Woods are now seeking approval for two additional residential buildings housing a combined 165 apartments. Also designed by DKO Architecture, the taller of the duo reaches 9 levels.

The intended apartment split for the project at planning which is sited over 1408-1418 Centre Road sees 20 single, 131 double and 12 triple bedroom apartments.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/img_6168.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A small section of the M-City site"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_6168.jpg?itok=Ah9uT4MP" title="A small section of the M-City site" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A small section of the M-City site</figcaption></figure>Whilst the above duo seek bigger development outcomes they are minuscule relative to the largest current development within the MNEC, which also happens to be the largest mixed-use development being delivered outside of Melbourne's CBD. Clayton's M-City is now at full construction with Multiplex overseeing works for the $1 billion project over a 35,000 square metre site.

Backed by Saraceno Group and Schiavello Group, M-City includes 643 apartments and serviced apartments, a 4.5 star Mantra hotel, up to 60 specialty retail spaces, 17,330 square metres of office space and 1,905 car parks supporting a projected population of about 4,000 residents, workers and shoppers.
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silvermb

Salta and Cedar Woods upsize their Monash intentions

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Today I'm looking at a planning application within my former stomping ground of Oakleigh, which has seen a crop of apartment buildings begin to emerge in the suburb.

Developer Alpha Property 14 - which also has projects in the works in Hampton, Brunswick and Collingwood - has lodged an application to develop an eight storey residential building at 102-108 Drummond Street, Oakleigh.

The Plus Architecture-designed building is located on the corner of Dalgety and Drummond Streets, in close proximity to Dandenong Road and within walking distance of Chadstone Shopping Centre.

The area is undergoing gradual, yet significant transformation with multi-residential development adding to the mix of office and commercial buildings along Dandenong Road and federation style homes nestled within the tree-lined back streets.

102-108 Drummond Street notwithstanding, Urban.com.au is currently tracking seven projects within Oakleigh, three of which are in close proximity of the site; Oros, 8 Degrees and 16-18 Dalgety Street.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/oakleigh_future_development.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Future Development in the area. Planning Image: Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="376" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/oakleigh_future_development.jpg?itok=zVpi85K8" title="Future Development in the area. Planning Image: Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Future Development in the area. Planning Image: Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure>102 -108 Drummond Street will add a further 109 residential apartments, comprising 41 x 1 bedroom apartments and 68 x 2 bedroom apartments into the area, with the primary pedestrian entry located off Drummond Street.

Additionally, the application seeks to provide 114 basement car parking spaces, including 5 visitor car spaces accessed via Southern Laneway.

Plus Architecture's design response is based on five key elements;

<ul>
<li>
Mass Breakup which articulates form</li>
	<li>
Horizontal Breakup which articulates scale</li>
	<li>
Vertical Rhythm which generates systematic arrangement</li>
	<li>
Opening Density which plays on light and shadow</li>
	<li>
Lightness and Mass as a means of form stratification from the ground upward</li>
</ul>
The design seeks to reduce the mass via the introduction of vertical rebates across its street frontages, while a gradation between solid and light is employed across the facade, as the building rises from the ground upwards, shifting from a solid robust base opening up to a recessed glazed upper volume on top.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/plans-102-108-drummond-st-oakleigh_hero.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="102-108 Drummond Street hero shot. Planning Image: Plus Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="303" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/plans-102-108-drummond-st-oakleigh_hero.jpg?itok=fFX6fW2T" title="102-108 Drummond Street hero shot. Planning Image: Plus Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>102-108 Drummond Street hero shot. Planning Image: Plus Architecture</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The building responds to the juxtaposition of its unique location in many ways. The form is first broken down into smaller versions of the larger mass, to remain sensitive to the nearby lower level houses, giving it a townhouse feel. It is then carefully articulated horizontaly and then vertically, curating a carefully planned rhythm through the facade.

The upper levels of the building are setback and recessed to remain sensitive to the local scale of buildings.

The landing of the building with the ground plane was extensively considered to ensure the interface with the street is engaging, broken up and sensitive in its relationship with the street. It offers a well designed intermittent space 
inspired by the movement between front yard and doorstep that is the common language of surrounding residential properties.

The green space that surrounds the site was an important consideration of the design process. It features native tree lined streets along Drummond and Dalgety, large front gardens to local houses, and a large parkland at the end of Drummond Street

- Plus Architecture Design Statement
</blockquote>

<h2>Project Team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer - Alpha 14 Property </li>
	<li>Architect - Plus Architecture </li>
	<li>Structural Engineer - Adams Engineering </li>
	<li>Services Engineer - JBA Consulting Engineering </li>
	<li>Town Planner - Tract Consultants</li>
	<li>Fire Engineer - John Patrick Landscape Architects</li>
	<li>ESD - Efficient Energy Choices</li>
</ul>
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Laurence Dragomir

Marching to the beat of a different Drummond in Oakleigh

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<h2>Comment</h2>

The state government has signalled its $3 million 2018 budget contribution announced on Tuesday for the planning work on the new south-east tram line will lead to the project implementation.

The planning work to be funded will come up with a defined route, station location, determine the benefits as well as the costs and inform a shovels-in-the-ground date.

We're yet to see the strategic context of the project - we can only assume this tram/light rail project has been borne out of a network development plan for the tram network. 

Regardless, given planning work will soon be funded and the very small amount of information that has been released on the project points to a route that remains very much high level.  Included below are some of my thoughts on the decisions that will need to be made.

<h2>Passenger-carrying capacity &amp; scalability</h2>

Is 3000 people per direction per hour enough capacity over the coming years?  E-Class trams have been used as an example of vehicle size by the Minister and why not?  They're the biggest in the existing fleet and they are of a size that is typically used elsewhere on light rail projects, whether in isolation or in a train with two vehicles coupled together.

If we're using the E-class as a baseline and want to think about scalability of the infrastructure that needs to be built then a minimum platform length of 60 metres will be required (E-Class vehicles are 33 metres long, if a vehicle using an E-Class or equivalent vehicle were to be chosen, platforms mightn't need to be 66 metres in length as the drivers cabs at both ends can overhang the platforms).

60 metre trams or 'train or trams' would allow each service to double in passenger carrying capacity - in the realm of 400 passengers per vehicle.  That would translate, assuming a 4 minute frequency of service, into 6000 passengers per direction per hour.

<h2>Rapid transit or a long, local bus-on-rails?</h2>

Is the aim to rapidly connect Chadstone and the Monash NEIC as well as bring rail services to the outer east or to create a standard bus-on-rails tram service with a stop every 500m?  I'd favour rapid over bus-on-rails - if there's no speed advantage, what hope for mode shift is there?  

Suffice it to say, there's a major opportunity to reconfigure the entire bus network in the area so frequent buses (15 minutes or better) can connect the lower-density suburban areas with the major nodes and stations along the route.

As the announcement came out of the blue and had a double-whammy - linking Caulfield rather than a station like Oakleigh of Huntingdale like in the Rowville Rail study - rapid transit seems to be the focus and therefore the number of stations should be informed by this decision.  

<h2>Introduce good quality prioritisation and signalling</h2>

The Melbourne Metro project will roll out a modern signalling system that will stop trains at the precise location to line up with station platform doors; it should be considered that this new light rail/tram line has a similar system, at least in parts where stations will be elevated or otherwise space-constrained.

Introducing this level of automation would allow drivers of the rail vehicles to stop consistently.

As a general rule, the route should be designed to be built in a road's median in appropriate areas to lessen capital costs.  Those appropriate areas would most likely be between the signalised intersections with cross-roads.

Trams should have signal priority as they approach lower-volume crossroad intersections (i.e Darling and Belgrave road) where 100-200m from the intersection, the rail vehicle would trigger signals that control the intersection up ahead by showing a red to all traffic movements that would conflict with the rail services, allowing the rail vehicles to cruise through the intersections without stopping.

<h2>The first and second phase route</h2>

The five strategic outcomes in the <a href="https://vpa-web.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Monash-NEIC-framework-plan_March2017_WEB.pdf">Monash NEIC draft framework plan</a> are:

<ol>
<li>Grow employment and innovation in the health, education and research precinct (Monash University area)</li>
	<li>Boost jobs growth and development attractive employment areas with business town centres (Notting Hill, Mulgrave)</li>
	<li>Transform the transport network to support economic growth of the cluster</li>
	<li>Develop public open space and community infrastructure</li>
	<li>Plan and develop urban renewal and strategic sites.</li>
</ol>
This upcoming study should consider an alternative route from Chadstone to the Monash NEIC (other than the one depicted in the published information thus far). Like Dandenong Road, Ferntree Gully Road has a wide median and a future business town centre has been earmarked on the road within the northern reaches of the Monash NEIC.

The Dandenong Road route shown in public government information thus far would doubtlessly be simpler to implement, however there is a neat route that might work by sending the tram route down Ferntree Gully Road then turning southward through Notting Hill alongside the CSIRO and through the heart of the Monash University campus to Wellington Road.

The primary advantage of this route is that it links three earmarked activity centres that will be a focus for the wider cluster - assuming the two phase build scenario is eventually adopted, in the first phase one business town centre and the Monash University activity centre would be linked from the get-go.  The second business town centre would be linked upon the completion of the second phase out to Rowville.

<h2>Up high, down low or in between?</h2>

An entirely grade separated railway would be ideal as there would be no conflicts with existing or near-future vehicular movements, however in the interests of sweating existing corridor assets more - Infrastructure Victoria recommends we sweat all our assets more - a partial grade separation solution should be chosen.

The Caulfield-Chadstone section would likely need little grade separation - see points above about surface tracks and signal priority at lower vehicular volume crossroads.

In the Chadstone-North Oakleigh area however, the route will need to cross Warrigal Road and deal with high volumes of vehicle movements into and out of the Chadstone precinct - a grade separated route should be chosen in this area. 

As elevated track (and stations) are cheaper to build compared to underground track and stations, I'd suggest an elevated section of track which lifts up over Poath/Chadstone Road and then continues at the higher level all the way to after the Ferntree Gully Road/Dandenong Road section.

Whether a Dandenong Road route or a Ferntree Gully route is chosen, this would be the ideal area to bring the track back down to the surface - it would completely avoid an area with very high volumes of vehicular traffic.  That section measures approximately 2.5 km.

Within the Monash NEIC itself, again, speed should be the focus and employing grade separation would be most ideal.   

If a Dandenong Road route was chosen this would start just north of the Dandenong Road/Wellington Road intersection and continue along Wellington Road to the eastern side of Springvale Road.

If a Ferntree Gully Road route was chosen, Stephensons Road would be at-grade with tram prioritisation and then lift up and remain elevated along Ferntree Gully Road, Howleys road &amp; Scenic boulevard through the university campus (or Blackburn Road if that corridor is deemed a better option) then turning eastward on Wellington Road the elevated track would come back down to the surface east of Springvale Road.  This elevated section would measure almost 5km.

From Springvale Road the Rowville Rail Study should inform the route choice and whether to elevate (or send track underground) - Waverley Park station at Jells Road was originally going to be sunk underground, this might work just as well for light rail as the station would be located at the top of a relatively steep hill.

Eastlink should be a grade-separated intersection and likewise if the terminus of the line is to be at Stud Park shopping centre, the tram line should also lift up over the Wellington &amp; Stud Road intersection and travel along a short section of elevated track to the terminus at Stud Park.

<h2>Stations</h2>

If speed is the favoured focus then stations should be limited to the major nodes and areas where planning schemes can be altered to develop the surrounding land intensively.

As you see in the map below, there are only stations marked at Caulfield, Chadstone, North Oakleigh, Ferntree Gully Road, Monash University, Westall Road, Waverley Park, Rowville and Stud Park.

The Station at Rowville, right near the Eastlink interchange with Wellington Road is an ideal park and ride location if that is a focus of the new line.  Ditto Stud Park.

The Station at North Oakleigh is already in an area zoned for more intensive development with projects already being marketed.

Westall Road, and its eventual extension to the Monash Freeway, is right next to the second business town centre in the VPA's draft framework.

The Monash University station is located on the 'SE3' car park - there's an opportunity to consolidate the existing bus terminal underneath the light rail station.

The Chadstone station location represents an opportunity for the centre owner to expand and connect directly with the new light rail station.

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Alastair Taylor

The new tram to the south-east - what we'd like to see

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<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/australian-nan-xin-investment-pty-ltd">Nanxin Investment Pty Ltd</a> otherwise known as NX Property Group have scored a sizeable win at planning, clearing the way for the developer to add another 221 dwellings in Melbourne's south-east.

City of Monash earlier this month gave the green light to the project on the former Clayton Primary School site, delivering a Planning Permit to Issue for the expansive apartment and townhouse project. Having submitted the Mushan Architects-designed brief for approval during March this year, final approval for the project has now been effectively provided.

At 29 Browns Road, NX Property Group's project carries a proposed development cost of $65 million.

Zoned General Residential, the site was sold by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/jll-development-pty-ltd">JLL</a> some years ago and obtained approval for a site master plan at the turn of 2017, with <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/mecone-brisbane-pty-limited">Mecone</a> overseeing strategic planning and the development plan for the former school site.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image32_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Panoramic perspective of the Browns Road development. Image: Mushan"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="185" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image32_10.jpg?itok=8ze2Gqtp" title="Panoramic perspective of the Browns Road development. Image: Mushan" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Panoramic perspective of the Browns Road development. Image: Mushan</figcaption></figure>Under the site masterplan, 250 dwellings were approved, although this has been scaled back with the final split now consisting of 74 townhouses and 147 apartments.

The 74 townhouses consist of either two or three storeys and are split between 33 x 2 bedroom, 1 x 2 bedroom plus study, 32 x 4 and 5 bedroom with double garage and 8 x 4 bedroom dwellings with a tandem garage formats. The apartment component split sees 40 x 1 bedroom and 107 x 2 bedroom apartments, with the final number of apartments 25 lower in order to satisfy the conditions of approval.

NX Property Group's Browns Road success follows on from their initial <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/clayton-vic">Clayton</a> project dubbed Brightwood Monash. Also the design work of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/mushan-group">Mushan Architects</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/brightwood-monash-1-renver-road-clayton">Brightwood at 1 Renver Road</a> is now with builder <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/builders/valeo-construction">Valeo Constructions</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/2-5.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Brightwood Monash. Image: Valeo Constructions"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="404" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/2-5.png?itok=QRQET7f7" title="Brightwood Monash. Image: Valeo Constructions" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Brightwood Monash. Image: Valeo Constructions</figcaption></figure>After accounting for the likes of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/builders/verve-construction">Verve Constructions</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/builders/lu-simon">LU Simon Builders</a> during the tender process, Valeo was awarded the $37 million build.

Brightwood Monash includes 129 one and two bedroom apartments, plus 26 three and four bedroom townhouses. Brightwood Monash and Browns Road carry certain design similarities, although the Browns Road development does feature a higher proportion of townhouses which Melbourne property purchasers are currently buying at an insatiable rate.

Both NX Property Group projects are approximately one kilometre from one another, and in close proximity to Monash University's Clayton campus.
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NX Property Group scores big in Clayton

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Developer Ausco Group has taken a 6,600sqm site in Mulgrave to planning with the intent of adding 93 new dwellings to their expanding portfolio.

At 2263-2267 Dandenong Road, the Mulgrave project reinforces the developer's preference for developing sites in Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs. Now utilised as the Enjoy Church (East Campus), dual single story brick buildings over the site would make way for a Cera Stribley-designed apartment and townhouse complex.

Indeed the Dandenong Road application brings together the entities who have both enjoyed a period of sustained growth in recent times.

Submitted to the City of Monash last month, the Mulgrave application's dwelling mix consists 5 three bedroom apartments, 63 two bedroom apartments and 15 one bedroom apartments, plus 4 two bedroom townhouses and 6 three bedroom townhouses.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image22_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Dandenong Road perspective. Planning image: Cera Stribley"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="221" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_10.jpg?itok=KsAtthQ0" title="Dandenong Road perspective. Planning image: Cera Stribley" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Dandenong Road perspective. Planning image: Cera Stribley</figcaption></figure>2263-2267 Dandenong Road is only the second residential listing in Mulgrave to appear in the Urban.com.au Project Database, and reinforces the propensity of developers to continue the push of apartments into non recognised higher-density suburbs.

Cera Stribley's design ethos for the project reads as follows:

<blockquote>
The main architectural design concept if the proposed building is defined by a clear aesthetic reflecting an industrial vernacular employing exposed brickwork, exposed structural grid elements and the use of metal cladding, brick, and cement render.

The proposed development is broken up into two distinct areas. One set of townhouses along the northern boundary and an apartment building facing Dandenong Road. Each area addresses the different interfaces of each boundary. This allows each building to address individual concerns and stand proud as individual buildings.

The apartment building protects the rest of the site from the busy Dandenong road and has 2 communal gardens/light courts for the residents use and to allow for the optimum internal amenity for the apartments. We have kept to a neutral palette of materials to be complementary to the surrounding neighbourhood. 
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image25_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Clarinade at construyction along with Ausco Group's pending Cheltenham project"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="226" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image25_8.jpg?itok=0TvGz9nC" title="Clarinade at construyction along with Ausco Group's pending Cheltenham project" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Clarinade at construyction along with Ausco Group's pending Cheltenham project</figcaption></figure>Whilst 2263-2267 Dandenong Road is fresh to planning, Ausco Group can concern themselves with a number of additional apartments projects in their portfolio.

Mulgrave represents the firm's seventh listing in the Urban.com.au Project Database; all in all Ausco Group now has approximately 430 apartments in development in Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs, plus townhouses and detached housing projects.

Ausco Group has also scaled up in size over their most recent projects. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/the-clarindale-1213-centre-road-oakleigh-south">The Clarinade</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/collins--bates-19-25-collins-street-chadstone">Collins &amp; Bates</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/cheltenham-place-1234-1236-nepean-highway-cheltenham">1234-1236 Nepean Highway</a> all include at least 100 apartments; Collins &amp; Bates is Ausco Group's most recent release for sale whilst the 11-storey Cheltenham project is still at planning and looms as the developer's new headquarters once it is realised.
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AUSCO targets Mulgrave as their latest apartment project hits planning

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A planning application before City of Monash has sidestepped the traditional 'mixed-use' format, instead opting to label the pending project as a ‘multi-age precinct’ development.

BC Mount Waverley Project Pty Ltd is pushing through with the application across 445-467 Blackburn Road Mount Waverley, which also abuts the Monash Freeway. The Box Hill North-based entity was created during 2015 to purchase the property and existing 4-star Hotel Bruce County, with the intent of delivering a larger development onsite.

And that development consists of the ‘multi-age precinct’ which would cater specifically for both children and the elderly, whilst adding short, mid and long-term accommodation options.

445-467 Blackburn Road is the work of Marchese Partners, whose last major Melbourne design effort was <a href="http://www.marchesepartners.com/project/v1/">Village Docklands V1 Tower</a> which was completed during 2005.

<h2>445-467 Blackburn Road application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image17_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="403" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_15.jpg?itok=31RaBTvf" title="Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Current use: Hotel Bruce County, conference centre, restaurant, car park</li>
	<li>Site area: 6,353sqm with 2 street frontages</li>
	<li>Proposed: U-shaped building rising to 10 levels or 32.4m</li>
	<li>Hotel: 120 rooms and 8 serviced apartments</li>
	<li>Retirement village: 60 independent living units</li>
	<li>47 apartments and 10 townhouses</li>
	<li>A medical centre and retail outlet</li>
	<li>Single basement level for 135 cars</li>
	<li>Child care centre for 140 children. 589.9sqm indoor area and a 320.9sqm terrace</li>
	<li>Amenities: central courtyard, gym, swimming pool, hydro therapy area</li>
</ul>
<h2>Design Philosophy excerpts</h2>

<blockquote>
The architectural detailing of the proposed building is exceptional in quality, which is a rare occurrence in the middle and outer ring suburbs of Melbourne. As a result, the proposed development makes a significant contribution to the neighbourhood, presenting a well-resolved design with highly articulated facades and active ground level interfaces.

The 10 storey building height proposed in this part of the site presents a robust interface to the Monash Freeway exit ramp and Blackburn Road, defining this corner and recognising the prominence of this location by proposing a key built form marker for the locality.

The proposal makes a positive contribution to the public realm by providing attractive and activated frontages to all street addresses. The commercial address to Blackburn Road will be retained and new food and drink premises and health care services fronting the central courtyard will promote activity and engagement within the site.
<cite>Urban Context Report and Design Response: Hollerich Town Planning</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image18mp.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="359" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18mp.jpg?itok=OzA9NqEe" title="Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Rendered perspective. Planning image: Marchese Partners</figcaption></figure><h2>Mount Waverley's largest</h2>

445-467 Blackburn Road inserts itself as Mount Waverley's largest project in development. Urban.com.au is tracking six other projects within the suburb, but all pale into insignificance relative to 445-467 Blackburn Road's overall size.

Current notable projects within Mount Waverley include further commercial buildings slated for the Axxess Corporate Park on Gilby Road and the intended mixed-use development spanning 170-174 Highbury Road. The latter was well publicised as early works ran into issues during the excavation process, resulting in damage to adjoining properties.

Also in the works for Mount Waverley is Pace Development Group's 554-558 High Street Road; awaiting a VCAT hearing, Pace took the proposal to VCAT because Council did not decide upon the application within the required 60 day timeframe

445-467 Blackburn Road on the other hand was lodged with City of Monash earlier this year, and only began its advertising stint last week.
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Mount Waverley earmarked for a ‘multi-age precinct' development

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It's not every day an intended project can lay claim to being the largest mixed-use development outside of Melbourne's CBD.

Clayton will soon enough host <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/m-city-2107-dandenong-road-clayton">M-City</a>, a massive project on a 35,000sqm site located at 2107-2125 Dandenong Road. Controlled by local developer Nick Saraceno for the best part of 25 years, the long-dormant site's new launch as M-City comes after previously being referred to as the Nova Centre.

Having been in the works for a decade, the state planning minister of the day became the approving authority for the project during 2009, with the green light granted thereafter.

Schiavello have since been enlisted as joint developer alongside Saraceno Group for M-City, which at the time of approval carried a price tag of $600 million.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image36mc.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of M-City's first stage. Image: CBRE"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="193" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image36mc.jpg?itok=1VTiv6PW" title="Artist's impression of M-City's first stage. Image: CBRE" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of M-City's first stage. Image: CBRE</figcaption></figure>Stage One of M-City sees 170 one, two and three bedroom apartments on offer, with apartment internals ranging between 46sqm and 102sqm. CBRE have been installed as the master sales agent.

Beyond the initial apartment release, three additional residential buildings are in the works, as is a 225-suite international hotel, 189 serviced apartments and a commercial office building. During planning the commercial aspect consisted of a seven-level office building containing approximately 13,000sqm of leasable space, although the final figure under the M-City banner is unclear.

Kmart and Woolworths have been earmarked as anchors for the sizeable retail portion of the mixed-use project, with a cinema complex also in the works.

Long serving project architects Buchan Group continue to oversee the project, tweaking the approved plans to create M-City. Amenities include the ubiquitous pool and gym, a landscaped rooftop garden, tennis facilities, open air games area and  BBQ space. M-City will also host a child care centre.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image39_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of an M-City apartment interior. Image: CBRE"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="257" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image39_7.jpg?itok=-fVSMJTE" title="Artist's impression of an M-City apartment interior. Image: CBRE" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of an M-City apartment interior. Image: CBRE</figcaption></figure>Such a scale of M-City, it has been listed as a stand-alone future activity centre within the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster.

In the middle of the Victorian Planning Authority's freshly released <a href="https://vpa-web.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Monash-NEIC-framework-plan_March2017_WEB.pdf">Draft Framework Plan</a> for the Monash Cluster, M-City will be surrounded by the largest concentration of jobs outside of the Melbourne's CBD. An ongoing target for a number of large commercial and institutional developments, Monash Cluster includes Monash University's ongoing transformation and the Frasers-backed 60,000sqm commercial development at <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/a-commercial-mini-city-beckons-as-melbournes-southeast-flourishes">254-294 Wellington Road, Mulgrave</a>.

Construction on M-City's first phase is slated to begin later this year, with an approximate construction timeframe of 18 months expected.
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Melbourne's largest mixed-use development outside the CBD lands in Clayton

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Two major projects within City of Monash will provide the municipality with a development boost over coming years.

Construction will begin this month on The Glen's $490 million development, with Vicinity Centres and co-owners Perron Group officially launching the project yesterday. Marking 50 years of operation, 'The New Glen' will encompass 78,000 square metres of gross lettable area and will include a variety of new retail and entertainment options.

As part of the development that will be completed by 2020, a new Town Square will also be built. Urban.com.au highlighted the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/the-glen-redevelopment-grows-further-with-more-apartments-approved">centre's revised plans</a> late last year, which also allowed for as many as 539 new apartments to be created onsite across 3 separate buildings - no word was given yesterday on their status.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image9_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Glen is in line for a major overhaul. Image: Vicinity Centres"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="308" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9_12.jpg?itok=E33fkQ9P" title="The Glen is in line for a major overhaul. Image: Vicinity Centres" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Glen is in line for a major overhaul. Image: Vicinity Centres</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
It is time that The Glen evolves to meet the changing needs of our customers. The New Glen will elevate the customer experience to create a boutique destination where food, fashion and people come together.

The centre’s architecture, featuring a dynamic ‘veil’ effect that unifies the entire project, is inspired by international trends, and the iconic Springvale Road façade is designed to engage the local community.
<cite>Angus McNaughton: CEO and Managing Director of Vicinity Centres</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
This development is all about delivering a boutique and well-crafted design, inspired by our discerning local community. While increasing in size, our objective is to ensure The New Glen remains intimate, accessible and convenient, with a casual sophistication. 
The new centre has been designed for easy access and navigation through a ‘race track’ configuration with several cross malls to improve sight lines.
<cite>Ross Robertson: Perron Group’s Chief Executive Officer</cite>
</blockquote>

The redevelopment will create an estimated 2,350 jobs, including 1,150 during construction and 1,200 permanent positions upon completion.

The New Glen will also act as a hub for the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/could-glen-waverley-emerge-as-another-eastern-suburban-apartment-hub">hundreds of additional apartments</a> slated for Glen Waverley's Activity Centre.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image214_0_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of the new Town Square. Planning image: NH Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="218" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image214_0_0.jpg?itok=U5ZpeqmV" title="Artist's impression of the new Town Square. Planning image: NH Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of the new Town Square. Planning image: NH Architecture</figcaption></figure>In Oakleigh, diversified property group Pellicano is preparing to move ahead with an apartment development which it has christened Alke.

Valued at $53 million, Alke will include 95 apartments across two buildings divided by a communal residents’ terrace, along with retail at ground level. Designed by SJB Architects, Alke is a far grander expression than Pellicano's first residential project - twelve solid brick apartments in Oakleigh Street - which was completed in the suburb over 46 years ago.

Alke has been positioned to capture the local first home buyer and downsizer market.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image10_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Alke will be Oakleigh's latest high density addition. Image: Pellican Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="274" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10_9.jpg?itok=M7uU6yjX" title="Alke will be Oakleigh's latest high density addition. Image: Pellican Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Alke will be Oakleigh's latest high density addition. Image: Pellican Group</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Pellicano focuses on three main drivers for every project - quality design, in-demand location, and quality residential and lifestyle amenity.

The site for Alke is located on Atherton Road within Oakleigh’s retail precinct, just two minutes from Eaton Mall. The suburb is significant for Pellicano. We are proud to be returning to an area with such a rich culture and established heritage.

We see this development catering to residents in all walks of life. First home buyers, young professional renters, and downsizers who want the convenience of apartment living while staying within their local community can take advantage of this opportunity.
<cite>Pellicano Managing Director, Nando Pellicano</cite>
</blockquote>

The building will join a growing list of apartment projects within Oakleigh, with construction set to commence in the second half of 2017.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image11_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The very first of Pellicano's Melbourne projects. Image: Pellicano Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="308" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11_13.jpg?itok=FSMjn9KX" title="The very first of Pellicano's Melbourne projects. Image: Pellicano Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The very first of Pellicano's Melbourne projects. Image: Pellicano Group</figcaption></figure>
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