Giving back to the community

It may be one of Melbourne’s largest urban renewal projects, but it’s also one of the greenest. Highett Common is a 9.3-hectare residential development about to spring up in Melbourne’s south-east, and almost half of it will be reserved for parkland.

The nature-first approach runs against the grain of property development, which has historically taken a denser approach for maximum return.

Before engaging the architects or interior designers for the $600 million project, developer Sunkin Property Group sought out landscape architects. Experts at Tract were engaged to scope out the possibilities of such a large site, says Scott Jessop, head of sales and marketing at Sunkin.

“We worked with Tract landscaping on identifying what’s on the site already and then coming up with what should be conserved for the future,” Jessop says.

“It was through that process that a number of mature trees – river red gums, yellow box trees – were found that were unique to the area and to Melbourne, as well as some rare grasses and species that were thought to be extinct.

“And obviously, there are a number of animals that are involved in that process,” he adds.

“So, there’s a flying fox, for example, that’s unique to that area as well as a number of native fauna species and indigenous and planted species already on site. So, as part of this planning, the nature elements are really what we started with first.”

Uncommon development: Highett common will include 75 townhomes, 970 apartments, a public library, a community centre and parkland the equivalent of two MCGs, which will be reopened to the public.

The former CSIRO site on Graham Road, Highett, has largely been off-limits for about 30 years, but this development will see parkland the equivalent of two MCGs reopened to the public.

When finished, it will include walking trails, bench seating, open grassy areas and playgrounds.

Much of this parkland at the southern end of the site will be gifted as conservation space to the Bayside City Council. Of the three-hectare site, two hectares can be found at the southern end and another hectare to the north.

Work has already begun on site, with the parkland areas taking priority, says Andrew Leoncelli, CBRE’s managing director, residential projects Victoria.

“Out of 9.3 hectares, 43 per cent of the site is being gifted back to the community in the form of either the nature reserve in the Southern Common or the active community-based parkland on the north and eastern section of our project,” he says.

“It will allow the community to finally go and spend time in what is quite an unusual feature of Bayside, which is like a mini forest that does exist and has been there forever and has quite a few different endangered species of plants, flora and wildlife, that will finally ... be allowed to be enjoyed by the public.

“It has to be built before the first stage settles, and that has to be handed over before December next year. There’s a lot of activity because all the civil works for the entire project are being built now.”

The community benefits of this new development will also be reaped at a new two-storey public library and a community centre designed by DKO Architecture.

Architects at ClarkeHopkinsClarke have designed the residential component of Highett Common, which will see more than 1000 residences built on-site. These include 970 apartments across 14 different buildings, and 75 townhomes.

The medium-density project will reach six storeys at its peak. Walkways separate each building, and multiple entrances give residents easy access to nearby green spaces.

This careful planning also provides a sense of belonging to neighbouring communities within a larger precinct.

Residents will also have access to a communal pool, gym and lounges.

The building’s sustainability credentials are top-notch, with plans for it to become net-zero carbon. This will include environmental initiatives such as EV charging for residents’ electric cars.

Combine this with the location, and Jessop says you have a project that will appeal to buyers.

“You’re only four kilometres down the road to the beach at Sandringham, where you’ve got the yacht club, so that’s a five-minute drive or 10-minute bike ride and you’re on the beach,” he says.

“Highett Road, which is just on the corner, has the trendy little restaurants and even the likes of George Calombaris opening a new restaurant there.

“There’s a supermarket right on the doorstep and a train station just across the road – the Highett train station, which has plans to remove that level crossing. It’s a walkable precinct with a walkable transport network.

“You’ve also got some of the best golf courses on the doorstep, with Royal Melbourne only down the road, and the same with the education. Some of Melbourne’s best schools can be found around there.”

The project is expected to attract a broad range of buyers, including first-home buyers, young professionals and downsizers.

All are set to enjoy the natural surroundings of a mini-metropolis in a bushland setting.

“When you talk lifestyle, it’s really going to be a unique opportunity and a unique product,” Jessop says.

“It’s a community-focused development with really good quality landscape environments.”

Building will start at Highett Common later this year, and by the end of 2024, all of the parkland will be finalised.

The first residents are slated to move into their new homes in early 2025.

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Words by Margaret Quilter