Urban Planning
About Us
When you come to Meinhardt you get new ideas that work. It is what we call ‘Practical Imagination’. Meinhardt is a multi-disciplinary engineering and professional technical services consulting firm. Formed in Australia in 1955, our Australian business operates throughout the country and internationally with local offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. We are part of the Meinhardt Group, consisting 45 offices and more than 4,000 professionals in 5 continents across the globe. We place great emphasis on collaboration and share and transfer knowledge, expertise and resources between offices.
Practical Imagination Practical Imagination is our brand promise to you. It’s not just about what we do. But the way in which we do it. Our clients tell us that they appreciate dealing with our personable, approachable staff who provide them with clever, practical ideas and solutions which save time, money and provide better project outcomes. So that’s what you get when you come to Meinhardt.
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VIEW FROM HAIG STREET LOOKING NORTH EAST
FROM BLAKENEY PLACE LOOKING NORTH
The Personal Touch
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VIEW FROM HAIG STREET LOOKING SOUTH
VIEW FROM 63 HAIG STREET LOOKING UP
CARABOTT HOLT TURCINOV ARCHITECTS 61 HAIG STREET,
CARABOTT HOLT TURCINOV ARCHITECTS 61 HAIG STREET, SOUTHBA
When we speak to clients, they tell us that it is our people that make the difference. They tell us that they are personable and enjoyable to work with. That is why we ensure our teams always have the right mix for your project; people with the technical know-how and expertise; people with creativity and imagination; and people who are approachable, friendly and responsive.
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Meinhardt has successfully guided us through multiple planning approvals on time and with the most minimal of issues. The professional and proactive manner in which Meinhardt has delivered their services has been greatly appreciated during our project.”
Jarrod Tai, Senior Project Executive, Gamuda Land
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Our Services
Our capabilities Whether you just need accurate and honest advice at an early stage in your project, or guidance throughout the planning approval process, we can tailor our approach to your specific needs. Meinhardt’s Planning team thrives on solving your problems. Successfully delivering projects in existing urban areas requires the ability to construct a vision for a development site and keep this in mind while navigating the complex web of issues and challenges typically associated with redevelopment projects in built up areas. Meinhardt’s team of planners work hard to form a deep understanding of our client’s aspirations and specific needs for their projects. We couple this knowledge with our broad expertise in managing the planning issues that can arise throughout the project lifecycle to ensure that we deliver the optimum outcome for our clients in a manner which ensures their initial vision is not compromised. We understand that delays can have significant implications for a project’s commercial success and that every lost day costs. Our team are committed to ensuring a swift and smooth planning process.
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We achieve this by identifying potential roadblocks in early stages of development and utilising our strong relationships with local and state government planners to negotiate acceptable outcomes. Our planning team has membership with the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association and has extensive training through the Planning Institute of Australia. As a result our clients benefit from consultants who are aware of all the latest news, market trends and changes to planning legislation. Developing higher density buildings can also require a range of other specialist project management, urban design, environmental management and building engineering expertise – these are all services Meinhardt is able to offer through our other divisions.
Our People
Why us Meinhardt’s planners can: ¡¡ Provide advice on planning issues throughout the project life cycle, from project inception through to construction ¡¡ Leverage an array of existing senior-level relationships within planning departments at all of Melbourne’s inner-urban Councils and relevant State government departments ¡¡ Access a broad network of other consultants depending on the problems our client’s face ¡¡ Demonstrate a proven track-record of successfully securing planning approvals in challenging inner-urban locations with a focus on avoiding the lengthy and costly VCAT appeal process ¡¡ Lead, or work collaboratively within, large multi-disciplinary teams to help create innovative solutions ¡¡ Consistently deliver planning projects on time and on budget
Planning can be complex and issues can arise which can lead to lengthy delays to project timelines. Assembling a planning team with the appropriate mix of expertise and experience can be crucial to swiftly securing approvals. Gained from working on a wider range of projects within both the private and public sectors, Meinhardt’s planners have a wide range of skills that we can apply to projects and deliver efficient, cost-effective solutions. Our people pride themselves on offering an exemplary service to our clients; we take the time to understand their specific needs and tailor our services accordingly.
We see the planning process as being far broader than simply securing a planning permit and regularly undertake project management and stakeholder engagement roles to help deliver improved project outcomes. We appreciate that positive relationships with our clients is integral to the success of projects and as part of our personal service promise to all our clients, we ensure continuous access to a key senior point of contact through the life of the project – our people are available when you need them.
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Our Projects CORNER COLLINS & EXHIBITION STREET
80 Collins St Melbourne, Victoria
Client: Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) Architects: Woods Bagot, Jouin Manku Completion Date: Ongoing Construction Cost: $800m
Multiple Approvals
Prominent CBD site revitalisation
80 Collins Street is located in one of Melbourne’s most significant cultural city locations at the heart of the Paris End of Collins Street. QIC are redeveloping the site to comprise a hotel, apartments, offices and boutique retail spaces. The entire proposal which has received primary approval houses three towers across three significant (Little Collins Exhibition and Collins) Melbourne streets taking over a large area of the city block. This ambitious development will become an iconic destination and contribution to the Melbourne city skyline.
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The Meinhardt Planning team has been involved in the planning approval process for the hotel amendment and is undertaking the amendment process for the retail component of the development. Acting on behalf of QIC and working in collaboration with Woods Bagot and Jouin Manku, Meinhardt has further extended positive working relationships with leading firms in the industry.
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Redevelopment Fitzroy, Victoria State Significant Healthcare
Client: St Vincent’s Healthcare Ltd Architects: Billard Leece Partnership Planning Approval Obtained: Ongoing Construction Cost: $57m
Heritage Considerations
St Vincent’s Healthcare Ltd - the largest, not-for-profit health and aged care provider in Australia - and project management firm Johnstaff approached Meinhardt for urban planning services to support redevelopment of the 11 storey hospital in early 2016. The state significant redevelopment is the first in 44 years for the hospital and consists of a new 11 storey building allowing for an additional 91 beds and several operating theatres and consulting suites. The physical and statutory context of the site provide for a complicated approval process. This included competing
state and local policies and significant heritage controls and competing interests from various stakeholder groups. Amongst this Meinhardt demonstrated its ability to maintain successful working relationships with authorities and obtained support from the Planning Department of Yarra City Council. Meinhardt is proud to be directly involved in this project which is seeking to ensure the hospital can continue to grow and provide optimal care to its patients within Victoria.
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Our Projects
101-105 Tram Road Doncaster, Victoria
Extensive Workshops
Client: Dong Cheng Investments Pty Ltd Architects: Peddle Thorp Completion Date: 2015 Construction Cost: $65m
Enhances Activity Centre
Meinhardt Planning was successful in securing planning approval for this multi-million dollar development located in the Doncaster Hill Activity Centre.
authorities to ensure a smooth application process, client satisfaction, and an outstanding overall outcome on this valuable parcel of strategically located land.
The development houses 201 apartments and comprises an 11 storey tower built on top of a three level podium and one level of basement. The street level of the podium is used for retail with the remaining two levels of podium and the basement level used for car parking. The V-shape design is characterised by ‘wings’ which wrap around a central atrium.
The Westfield Shopping Centre, diagonally opposite the subject site, represents an existing established retail development that will service the subject site and wider metropolitan Melbourne. A ribbon-style, higher-level built form is emerging along Doncaster Road and to a lesser extent along Tram Road. The subject site is well serviced by public transport with a recently upgraded bus depot, which acts as a focal point and services the surrounding metropolitan area.
The application process involved extensive preliminary discussions and workshops with Council officers and external
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661 Chapel Street South Yarra, Victoria
Client: Michael Yates / Gamuda Land (Australia Pty Ltd) Architects: Bird de la Coeur Completion Date: 2014 Construction Cost: $60m
Incorporated Document
30 Storeys
Meinhardt has a long and successful history with the Forrest Hill Precinct of South Yarra. This understanding of a diverse and evolving precinct put us in good stead to obtain a more recent approval at the coveted location of 661 Chapel. Meinhardt obtained approval for the site and 663 Chapel Street within an Incorporated Document. This is a more complex approval process than a standard planning permit and involved extensive negotiations with the State Government Department of Planning and the City of Stonnington.
We were able to obtain an excellent outcome for our client that allows for an efficient boutique residential development that will positively contribute to the character of Forrest Hill. As with all our other projects, Meinhardt provided continued support and advice to the client and project team post approval and are able to resolve practical challenges creatively and efficiently.
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Our Projects
The International Haig Street South Bank, Victoria
Client: Hamilton Marino Pty Ltd / Fusion Project Management Pty Ltd Architects: CHT Architects Completion Date: 2014 Construction Cost: $80m
Southbank Residential Tower
35 Storeys
Meinhardt’s Planning team obtained primary planning approval for The International in 2014. Our Role involved providing initial statutory planning advice on obtaining an efficient scheme on a unique site within Southbank. Throughout the project we worked collaboratively with the architect, project manager, sub-consultant team and Council to deliver an excellent product. Slender and striking, The International leaps straight out of Manhattan and up into the Melbourne skyline with a memorable presence that offers vertical living at its finest with breathtaking panoramic views of the world’s most liveable city. The development features several innovative
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initiatives including vertical gardens and a unique concrete panel box work façade. Obtaining Council support for these initiatives early on ensured a smooth application process. Our role also included obtaining approval for several post lodgement amendments to the design. We maintained the intent of the primary approval and gained support from authorities for modifications that were required during the early construction stages of the project without any delays.
“This was a complex planning process which Meinhardt helped our client to navigate in a seamless manner. As a result of their input and professionalism, the team was able to successfully deliver an outstanding mixed-use development outcome.” David Carabott, Director, CHT Architects
Metrowest Sunshine, Victoria
PIA Awards Winner
Client: ABD Group Architects: CHT Architects Completion Date: 2013
Exceptional Sales Rate
Metrowest is a major, strategic site in the Sunshine Activity Centre, Victoria. The project is the first high density, mixed-use development for the area and provides a Green Star 14,900m² office building, 2539m² retail and 257 residential apartments. On purchasing the site, our client inherited what seemed an unworkable and inviable development permit. Past failed attempts by developers for this site, which is a critical component of the wider Structure Plan, had made Council initially unreceptive to the new owner. Meinhardt Planning adopted a collaborative planning strategy involving an extensive process of design and
planning workshops. The approach was not about simply obtaining a decision and ‘winning’ this planning challenge – instead we sought to work with Council to find a long term, viable, practical, yet imaginative planning solution. Other consultants may have simply taken the project to VCAT to obtain a decision on the clients preferred scheme. Our alternative successfully avoided the need for lengthy, costly VCAT hearings. We achieved planning approval for the revised scheme in a compressed timeframe, delivering a greater yield for the client and a development outcome that also works for the Council and the local community.
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Melbourne
Level 11, 501 Swanston Street Melbourne VIC 3000 contact@meinhardtgroup.com t: (61-3) 8676 1200 f: (61-3) 8676 1201
Sydney
Level 4, 66 Clarence Street Sydney NSW 2000 contact.nsw@meinhardtgroup.com t: (61-2) 9699 3088 f: (61-2) 9319 7508
Adelaide
Level 11, 44 Waymouth Street Adelaide SA 5000 contact.sa@meinhardtgroup.com t: (61-8) 8227 1544 f: (61-8) 8227 1288
Brisbane
Level 2, 135 Wickham Terrace Spring Hill QLD 4000 contact.qld@meinhardtgroup.com t: (61-7) 3018 5000 f: (61-7) 3018 5099
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Level 1, 34 Thomas Drive Chevron Island QLD 4217 mail.au@bradleesmeinhardt.com t: (61-7) 5528 6411 f: (61-7) 5528 6422
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Sunshine Coast
3/8 Pikki Street Maroochydore QLD 4558 mail.au@bradleesmeinhardt.com t: (61-7) 5451 1994 f: (61-7) 5528 6422
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