Urban Life February 2017

FEBRUARY 2017 VOL. 1, ED. 10

THE APPEAL OF TOWNHOUSES RISES • STEVE CORDONY MASTERCLASS ESTATE PIONEERS • DOCTOR’S ORDERS • LIGHT RELIEF

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FEBRUARY // 2017

WELCOME

8.

FEATURES 8

HOOKED ON CLASSICS Renowned interior designer Steve Cordony brings a little timeless style into your world

14

SURPRISE PARTY The first residents of Woodlea fondly recall Day 1 in their new home with some unexpected news

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BACK IN TOWN Townhouses are again in vogue, particularly as household sizes shrink and expectations change

28

WHAT’S UP, DOC? Dr Joanna McMillan strips back the basics of eating to allow a healthier you to emerge

REGULARS

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INSIDERS DISPLAY HOME REVIEWS OBJECTS OF DESIRE PRACTICAL MAGIC INDUSTRY NEWS LAND ESTATES, DISPLAY HOMES DIRECTORY

A

S PROPERTY prices continue to rise, buyers of all ages are looking for value in prized locations.

That’s just one of many reasons why townhouses in new estates are on the rise – with accessibility, affordability and new levels of luxury also enhancing their appeal to first-time buyers, professional couples and those downsizing.

It’s part of the emerging trend to prioritise lifestyle over maintenance - and it’s a direction that will only develop further.

Speaking of lifestyle and providing a little food for thought, Dr Joanna McMillan gives us some healthy advice about what’s best on your dinner plate this summer, including her king prawn and avocado smash.

Urban Life asks interior designer Steve Cordony about his predictions for 2017, how to decorate new homes and his upcoming masterclass at World of Style.

And our friends at the Alternative Technology Association examine the benefits of energy-efficient lighting in your dazzling new home.

As always, we’d love to hear from you about your experiences, so please stay in touch via our Facebook page and at urbanlifemag.com.au.

Hope you enjoy the read.

Ross McGravie EDITOR

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INSIDER What attracted you to the industry (and when)?

I grew up in the industry as my father was a land developer. I joined the industry straight from high school at 17 and went straight to work before I even had a driver’s licence. I started in commercial property management, then moved into sales and leasing. It wasn’t long until I was working in land subdivisions and houses, and I haven’t looked back since.

What do you love most about the industry?

The diverse range of people I work with. At Hallmarc, it’s fantastic to work with such a great team of dynamic, young people. I feel it’s my responsibility to ensure they have the necessary skills to become the next generation of professionals to continue the Hallmarc traditions. It’s also rewarding to help our customers – whether they are a young couple buying land or a townhouse or baby boomers downgrading to a smaller home. And being in the business of creating new projects, it’s always immensely satisfying to see the built form when it’s completed. What’s even better is coming back 10 or 15 years later and seeing that the work has more than stood the test of time.

What do you consider your proudest moment or greatest achievement?

There isn’t one single thing, but watching the Hallmarc brand diversify from design, construction and sales and marketing into other areas, such as serviced offices, has been satisfying.

Biggest regret?

I can’t say I have regrets. I worked in the family business for 10 or 11 years and enjoyed every minute – the only thing I can think of is not to have started Hallmarc earlier.

HALLMARC

If you had the power, how would you improve the process of developing a project?

I would establish the planning authority to end the “management by committee” approach that seems to dominate the Victorian landscape. We’re stifling creativity and obvious solutions from the people who actually work in the industry to make it happen. The construction industry is what is keeping our economy afloat, yet the constant policy revisions and focus on consultation is creating inefficiencies and extra costs for consumers through unnecessary delays.

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If buying and building tomorrow, what features would you most like incorporated in your community?

We thoroughly assess all the feel-good trends and then pick and choose features that will benefit our clients with an immediate payback and also in the longer term.

With our townhouses, for example, we focus on practical solutions, such as doubleglazing with tints and commercialgrade windows and doors with proper seals and thermal properties, which combine for excellent energy savings now and into the future. In short, we tend to prioritise quality componentry and functional design within a space that people can comfortably live.

Michael Loccisano

Worst trend?

As a developer, there are so many hurdles for you to jump. For instance, taxes on a house-and-land package typically amount to about 30 per cent of the price. And the delays in producing the final product are, in most cases, the result of layer upon layer of red tape. What we need, with the imminent doubling of Melbourne’s density and population, is sensible policy and an independent planning authority with teeth that is completely divorced from politics.

Director

What’s the biggest misconception people have when buying a townhouse?

What most people struggle with is an understanding of space, especially empty nesters downsizing from a family home into a more-manageable townhouse or apartment. That’s why we go to great lengths to assist and build full-size display suites so they can touch and feel the finishes and give them an awareness of the space. The reality is that downsizing means adjusting to a smaller space. But if it is well designed with minimal wasted space and includes functional spaces and storage, anyone can generally live in a smaller home. People’s expectations are now higher and they ask a lot of questions before choosing where to buy, especially when buying off the plan. We have a created a buyer checklist to assist them, comparing apples with apples, and buyers love it.

What should buyers look for when deciding which builder or developer to choose?

The leading traditional home builders do a very good job, producing a very good product at a very good price, so we can’t and don’t compete in that space. We develop our own projects from end to end. We employ our own architects and designers, we do all the construction, sales and marketing and even owner’s corporation management after completion.

If you’re buying off the plan, look for a developer with a good track record. From experience, the more the developer does in-house, the better it is. We prefer having complete control over a project, rather than outsourcing each step.

What do you think buying a home will look like in 2030?

It will change a lot, but mainly with the rental market and the need for fully furnished apartments. Looking into the future, people require different accommodation needs through their life - from renting apartments in their 20s and early 30s, to family homes for the next 20-25 years, and then downsizing back into apartments or townhouses once the kids leave home. Townhouses in popular areas will replace family homes, in turn reducing maintenance and improving lifestyle.

It all starts with Finance.

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D I S P L AY H O M E

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OUNG families can live it up in this stylish, single-storey offering from Burbank.

Behind a grand entrance, the Caulfield 249 is a four-bedroom house featuring a designer kitchen, informal living and dining, lounge room, rumpus room and optional pergola beyond the al fresco.

The practical kitchen includes a walk-in pantry, island bench and integrated dishwasher.

Storage is not an issue in this 28.63-square dwelling as there are two linen cupboards. Nor is light, with many of the windows practically stretching from floor to ceiling.

The main bedroom suite includes a large walk-in robe and a tidy en suite with a large shower.

Suitable for a 14m x 30m block, the Caulfield 249 is open Saturday to Wednesday, from 11am-5pm.

-TC Display home at Riverwalk Estate, Charter Rd, Werribee.

4 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS, 3 LIVING AREAS, DOUBLE GARAGE // PRICE: FROM $200,800 // BURBANK.COM.AU 6 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

OBJECTS OF DESIRE

art

World of

By Nicole Bittar

Traversing and possessing a piece of the world is within reach.

With social media’s proliferation of artistic talent in full view and at one’s fingertips, selecting a choice creation to adorn your walls has never been easier.

We scoured the four corners of the globe to present this brilliant and eclectic array of original paintings, collage, hand-woven, digital and mixed-media artworks that you see before you.

Simply fall in love with the work that speaks to your soul, order online or via email and secure forever in your heart and home.

1. Claudio Alicandri Red and Black (satin ribbon cross-weaved by hand on wooden frame), 60cm x 40cm, $1735, including $350 postage, excluding taxes and customs. Italy Email: claudioalicandri@gmail.com 2. Regis Pettinari Pont Marie, vu de la berge (oil on canvas), 35 x 27cm $860, plus postage. France Email: rpettinari@gmail.com 3. Trip Morris Corporeal Splatter digital artwork, from $850 for 19 x 24cm limited-edition print to $1000 for 36 x 48cm, plus postage. United States Email: tripxmorris@protonmail.com 4. Rozenn Le Gall Fight for your right ... (handmade collage paper), 20.8 x 28.2cm. $187, plus postage. France rozennlegallcollages.com 5. Eliot Noches Boxer Introspective (2012) (tempera on linen), 80 x 60cm. $2553.60, including postage. Mexico eliotnoches.blogspot.mx 6. Camil Giralt Peiro Essence of Scape number 34 (acrylic on linen canvas), 100 x 100cm. $6600, transport included (excluding taxes and duties in Australia). Spain Email: camilgiralt@hotmail.com URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 7

Timeless solutions

Image: ARTHUR G FURNITURE PERTH SHOWROOM

As one of Australia’s leading stylists, Steve Cordony has spent his life creating stunning interiors and spaces. MANVEEN MAAN discovers what catches his eye and reveals his style predictions for the year ahead

8 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

INTERIORS How did you start in the world of interior decorating?

With my mother being an interior decorator, I have always been interested in interior design and decoration. I studied interior design at Design Centre Enmore (Sydney) and then moved into editorial interior styling with Belle magazine once I graduated.

Who or what were your earliest inspirations? What influences your work today?

My earliest inspirations were always fashion and the performing arts, which are still prevalent and a constant source of inspiration in my work today. I love creating designs and spaces that have a sense of drama. Fashion is so closely linked to interiors and both genres go hand in hand, especially in terms of trends, colour and materiality.

How did you fall into the world of styling for new homes?

As an interior stylist and an active member of the design community, I am fortunate enough to have met and worked with developers on new projects, including apartments and houses for which I have designed interiors.

How is styling a new home different to styling an established one? What are the biggest challenges with designing a new home and how do you overcome them?

Whether I am designing a new space or an established one, the principles are generally the same. You want to look at how the space is going to be used, the client’s needs and how they live.

New homes tend to need more texture and layering, whereas established homes have a structure that can be built upon.

Your masterclass is focused on creating ‘timeless appeal’. In your opinion, what do you need to achieve this in any home?

I always want to push the boundaries and play with different textures and palettes within the interiors

Image: GEORGINA EGAN

“I always want to push the boundaries and play with different textures and palettes within the interiors I create.”

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 9

INTERIORS Mirvac Unison, Brisbane

Belle magazine

I create. No matter how avant-garde a space may be, it always needs to have a timeless feel. I tend to use a neutral or monochromatic base to start from, and layer with more elaborate and textural design elements that allow your eye to travel through the space from one element to another, but without any static or disjoint.

If you had to pick your favourite brand of interior styling (Classic, Contemporary, Designer or Resort) in a Porter Davis home, which one would it be and why?

I love the Classic styling trend, which I think allows you to make a space your own with an overarching design aesthetic that complements a nautical, Cape Cod, Hamptons-style home, such as the Bayside collection.

If you had to pick three things to instantly brighten up a room or space, what would they be?

I would pick fresh flowers or greenery, artwork and coffee table books.

10 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Belle magazine

Hermes throw

You were recently featured as one of the top 10 Australian interior Instagrammers. How do you think social media has affected the way you style homes?

Social media has had a huge effect on my work as it allows me to connect so personally with clients and also the general design community. It is an intimate insight into how we live and how our needs for the way we live are changing constantly.

What are your interior styling trend predictions for 2017 and beyond?

In terms of colour, rich, fresh greens are going to be huge, as well as the contrast between dusty lowChroma hues such as pink and pale blush accented with strong, vibrant colours such as blue, orange and yellow. In terms of materials, graphics and textures, faux finishes, velvet, mixed patterns, and earthy and raw artisanal items will lead the charge.

What do you do when you’re not styling beautiful spaces?

I’m either travelling or sleeping! Travel is a constant source of inspiration for my work and allows me to take a more in-depth look at different cultures, how people live in different places around the country and the world, and how they put colours and materials together.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

Beyoncé! Well, because she’s Beyoncé.

Steve’s Timeless Appeal masterclass will focus on creating beautiful spaces that stand the test of time.

He will be looking at this concept across the Classic, Contemporary, Designer and Resort styles. The masterclass is on Saturday, February 25 at World of Style by Porter Davis, 410 City Rd, Southbank. Tickets are available from www.worldofstyle.com/events.

“I love creating designs and spaces that have a sense of drama.”

King Living

Images: EDWARD URRUTIA, TOBY SCOTT, FELIX FOREST

Belle magazine

Mirvac Unison, Brisbane

Belle Magazine

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 11

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DEVELOPMENTS

Surprise PARTY

14 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Photography: NICK FLETCHER / Stylist: CLAIRE CAU-CECILE

E S TAT E P I O N E E R S

Celebrated as Woodlea’s first residents, the Desais are loving life at the Rockbank estate as they prepare for the next exciting chapter in their lives

J

AY and Apexa Desai received an unexpected surprise on the day they moved into their first home at Woodlea Estate last year. Already buoyed by the thrill of becoming the Rockbank estate’s first residents after a welcome party, the couple’s day took on even more significance when they discovered that Apexa was pregnant.

“On day one, we were the only residents in the area. We had a big photo shoot and had a fantastic welcome from the Woodlea team.

From an infrastructure perspective, all of the roads in our area were made and the street lights were operational months before we moved in. Woodlea even had security people patrolling at night, which made us feel safer in the community. We were very happy to move into our first home and also we did find out on the same day that a little guest will join us in the house early in the new year, so that was a bonus.”

(Ed’s note: Agastya Jay Desai was born on January 11 at Werribee Mercy)

Jay and Apexa Desai are thrilled with their choice of home - Sherridon Homes’ Vegas 28 - and its location at Woodlea

DESCRIBING the dwelling as “a dream for any first-home buyer”, Jay said: “it includes all the needs and has luxurious facilities that one wishes to have”.

“The house is massive for the first-home buyer’s budget. It comprises a huge master bedroom, extended showers, and a spacious meals and family area that everyone wishes to have.”

The living area, which opens through sliding doors to the deck (also from the kids retreat), is Jay’s favourite room.

Described by Sherridon Homes as a true showpiece, the 28.4-square residence includes four bedrooms (front main with walk-in robe and twinbasin en suite featuring an double shower), theatre room, and informal living domain. The kitchen includes a butler’s pantry and island bench.

The rear of the home is dedicated

to the kids’ bedrooms, a large retreat, bathroom and powder room. There’s also a double garage.

HAVING rented in Caroline Springs for about two-and-a-half years, Jay said the move to Woodlea was primarily a matter of convenience, although it appeared to be predestined.

“I work in Ballarat and my wife works in Boronia, so we were looking for a central place (somewhere) in between. As soon as the hoardings for Woodlea went up on the Western Highway, it’s almost as if we were sure to purchase a block of land at Woodlea,” he said.

“We did look at other areas, such as Plumpton, but the land was very expensive there and facilities - such as train station, shopping centre, schools - were not as good as it is going to be in Woodlea. And the connectivity was also not very good there.”

The happy homecoming was several years in the making, with the Vegas 28 display home at Geelong ticking all the boxes for Apexa and Jay. And the price for a “decent-sized block” in the early stages helped sway the decision.

“My wife and I both had a particular plan in our mind and we were specific with our needs. We looked at many designs at different builders and we made some changes to our plan from Sherridon’s display for the Vegas 28 at Geelong.

“We researched many builders and got many quotations, but the process was not so transparent with most of the builders. When we compared apples with apples, the inclusions we were getting with Sherridon Homes, for the price we were paying, was pretty good.

“The process was neat and clean.

We only dealt with one person (Gary Bhanot) from quotation through to contract. The quoted price did not change throughout the process. And we got some very good cost-saving recommendations from Gary.”

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 15

Photography: NICK FLETCHER / Stylist: CLAIRE CAU-CECILE THIS PAGE Agastya Jay Desai (above) is starting to feel at home The living room, which opens through sliding doors to the al fresco, is Jay’s favourite room The bathroom provides plenty of space in which to bathe their bundle of joy, while the decked entry will provide a warm welcome when Jay and Apexa arrive home with their new family member for the first time NEXT PAGE The al fresco has clever inbuilt seating and screening to enhance privacy

16 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

THE early days, while quiet, were also refreshing and Jay said they were the start of something special.

“Being the first residents of Woodlea, we did not see many neighbours. But the streets were busy with lots of tradies.

The estate had all the roads and street lights for all the stages up until Stage 5 completed. The first park of Woodlea, which was near the display house, was completed before we moved in, so it looked and felt great to be in such a developed area in a short time,” Jay said.

In the meantime, the neighbourhood has also flourished.

“We got some friendly neighbours, and have more friends moving in in the near future. We have a lovely park up and running, with barbecues and fun activities for kids. And there is one more park being built close to our home,” he said.

“I have been in contact with the Woodlea team since the beginning and

they have never stopped. Everyone in the team is very enthusiastic about their work. I have no doubt that the way they have marketed the estate has increased the value of our home significantly.”

work route was important to us,” Jay said.

But the surrounding infrastructure was another major selling point. About 500m from Rockbank train station (and

“The first park was completed before we moved in, so it looked and felt great to be in such a developed area (from the outset).”

THE attraction of the location has also only improved since moving in.

“The convenience of the freeways and main roads to connect to our daily

a 29-minute V/Line ride to Southern Cross Station), Woodlea also has numerous shopping centres (including Watergardens shopping and cinema

E S TAT E P I O N E E R S

complex), wineries and educational facilities nearby. The estate will also link to the cycling and walking trail system that connects cyclists and hikers with the district beyond. Melbourne Airport is also only a 25-minute drive.

“Since we have moved (into Woodlea), I have seen the community growing every day. It has been interesting watching the next stages of the release being developed. With that, many residents have joined us in Woodlea, so it’s getting busier every day.”

There are also plans for a sports pavilion, four football/cricket ovals, four soccer pitches, cricket nets, netball courts and 10 tennis courts.

HAVING lived in the home for almost a year, the couple are still ecstatic with their choice.

But with the benefit of hindsight, Jay said he would have made some changes – if given the chance.

“I would have opted for a bigger block of land. With the house, we could have swapped a few things around, such as the location of the main toilet and bathroom. We also could use an access point for the other side of the house. Apart from that, we are very happy with the way the house turned out.”

Jay said buyers should always be rigorous in their approach as it was probably the single biggest investment they will make.

For example, he would advise anyone to have an independent building inspection done during construction.

“It gave me huge peace of mind knowing that everything was built to standard,” Jay said.

He also outlaid an extra $1000 to have a security system installed and added sensor lighting outside.

Another piece of advice was not to erect a fence unless your neighbours

agree about an upfront payment.

“Do as much research as you can before you give a deposit to any builder.

Pick a builder who is reliable and not trying to just rip you off,” he said. “Have a budget and stick to it. Spend your money wisely and spend more money inside the house than outside.“ Jay’s practical advice continues.

“If you are considering building a single-storey home, don’t go to doublestorey displays. This can ruin your budget. Talk to your friends and family who have done this process before and ask them what things to look out for and what did they miss in their build.”

Jay’s business-like approach to conducting due diligence may have taken time, but he’s content that the effort has all been worth it.

The returns are obvious as he and Apexa enjoy having their bundle of joy Agastya at home, and can live happily ever after.

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 17

INTRODUCING THE

A D V A N T A G E RANGE

Welcome to the Porter Davis First Home Buyer’s Advantage+ Range.* We understand that dreams are fragile and that for a lot of people owning your own home may seem out of reach. Our charter is to respect and nurture the dreams of every Australian first home buyer. The release of our new Porter Davis Advantage+ range is about making your dream of home ownership a reality.

A D V A N T A G E BUILD WITH CONFIDENCE • House & Land Packages – 100% fixed price site costs and no surprises • A selection of different floorplans and sizes • 3 Bedroom homes (master bedroom with ensuite) • World of Style Interior Designer selected colour themes • 20 Week build time (see page 35 for details) • 2590mm Ceiling heights • Porter Davis quality build – no compromise • Peace of mind with independent inspections by BSS

100% FIXED PRICE House and Land Packages

GOT YOUR OWN LAND? PLEASE SPEAK TO A NEW HOME CONSULTANT TODAY * Purchasing from the Advantage+ range means you have agreed to the set criteria of selecting your house design and colour theme as outlined in the terms and conditions on the Advantage+ brochure dated 14.01.17. Please speak to your new home consultant if you require any further details.

1800 PORTER (767 837)

PORTERDAVIS.COM.AU

HERE'S THE KEY TO UNLOCK YOUR FIRST HOME

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LOT: 632 RATHBERRY AVENUE, CLYDE NORTH

LOT: 2317 RITCHIE DRIVE, CLYDE NORTH

LOT: 2611 BOLD STREET, CRAIGIEBURN

LOT: 30209 MILLAU AVENUE, CRAIGIEBURN

FIRST HOME BUYERS PRICE FROM

FIRST HOME BUYERS PRICE FROM

FIRST HOME BUYERS PRICE FROM

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WEEKLY REPAYMENTS $425#

WEEKLY REPAYMENTS $431#

WEEKLY REPAYMENTS $452#

WEEKLY REPAYMENTS $459#

$367,912^

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^Package price based on standard house, facade & builder’s preferred siting. Pricing may vary due to land availability. Porter Davis reserves the right to change prices without notice. Fixed price house & land packages subject to developers design approval / approved town planning. Developer approval / town planning permits which may be required by the relevant authorities, including any associated costs remains the responsibility of the client.

First Home Buyer price less first home owner Grant subject to SRO eligibility criteria. Photos for illustration purposes only & include examples of upgrades, such as render. Guaranteed site start subject to land title & finance availability. 20 weeks completion on Advantage + standard plans. Rent relief max $250.00 per week. Geographic zones apply. BAL cost inclusion is subject to a 12.5 rating & is based on the standard house & specification.

Should client variations alter the requirements, to achieve compliance Porter Davis will debit or credit the client at the contract appointment. Refer to Advantage + brochure for full T&C. # This Comparison Rate is based on a loan of $150,000, over a 25 year term. Different amounts and terms will result in different Comparison Rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the Comparison Rate but may influence the cost of the loan. A Comparison Rate schedule is available via your local lender or mortgage broking office. Please note: Advantage+ façades are subject to an evolving small lot housing code. This means the front projection (Portico) of the façade shown in this image will vary slightly. Please refer to the working drawings for the correct dimensions. For further details, please speak to your new home consultant. Effective 14.01.2017. Package availablity and pricing correct at time of printing.

Talk of the

town(house)

Images: KYLIE MIBUS

Affordable, spacious and widely appealing, townhouses are back in vogue. ROSS McGRAVIE examines the pros and cons of what will become, for many, the home of tomorrow

20 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

COVER STORY

M

AHMOUD Nabavi and his wife Sahar Farhang would have no hesitation in recommending townhouse living to anyone.

Little more than two and a half years ago, the couple moved from a St Kilda Rd apartment into their Aura Park residence at Somerfield and couldn’t be happier.

“Townhouse living really is the best choice for us at this stage of our lives,” he said. “We don’t have any kids and don’t think we could have chosen better.”

Nabavi said the reasons for choosing the Aura Park townhouses were three-fold: budget, security and size.

“Obviously, we didn’t want to spend too much. But with just my wife and I and our work commitments we wanted to feel secure in our home, and that has been so much better than we could have expected,” Nabavi said.

“It’s so quiet around the area, and (inside) it’s not cramped at all. The scale is smaller than a

The good news is the trend is starting to reverse to a more manageable size, with an ageing population, changes to household formation, and affordability major considerations.

In the bigger picture, the population challenges facing Melbourne and Australia in coming decades are considerable.

Charter Keck Cramer estimates that by 2050, the Australian population will jump to 38 million (from 23.8 million in 2016), with Melbourne’s population to rival Sydney and reach almost 7.7 million.

To successfully cope with the growth, the strategic property consultants say we must build another six million homes in our cities, we need 20 million square metres of office space, seven million square metres of retail space, childcare facilities must increase by another 66 per cent, and retirement facilities must hold 610,000 more residents (or 232 per cent of its current capacity).

The industry is already changing, but the transformation to medium-density living is only just beginning.

“The industry is already changing, but the transformation to medium-density living is only just beginning.” house, but we have everything we need. We are very comfortable. When friends come over and compare it to their apartments, my wife and I are both very happy (with what we have chosen).”

The two-level townhouse has a kitchen, living, dining area and a toilet on one level, and three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the second level.

Nabavi said he particularly loved the 70sq m backyard and the separate garage.

“We have a view from front and back of nice green areas,” he said.

“In terms of location, we have more than what we need. We overlook a park and are a sevenminute walk (or five-minute drive) to the train, a two-minute walk to the bus and an eight-minute drive to Chelsea beach. We are in a good spot.

“We were in St Kilda Rd beforehand and could spent two hours in traffic trying to travel 10km from the city to home. But now we could be driving from the city to here and only take 40 minutes or so. It’s so much easier and less stressful.”

The townhouse was perfect for a couple or for a young family with one child, Nabavi said.

A

S COUNTLESS other young Australians search for a way into the housing market, it’s worth considering some sobering facts.

In 1950, the average Australian home was less than 1000 square feet (93sq m) in size. Today, this figure has more than doubled, and Australians have the biggest average house size in the world.

McCrindle Research reported on its blog that about three in four Australians live in a detached home. Another 14 per cent were apartment dwellers, with another 10 per cent residing in townhouses.

But with two in three new-housing approvals slated for medium- and high-density dwellings in Victoria, the Great Australian Dream is gradually undergoing a transformation.

“We are starting to get more densified, with an increase in vertical communities compared to the more traditional horizontal ones, and that’s where we are headed in the future,” the blog reported.

That’s where townhouses come in.

In its report The Advantages of Living and Investing In a Townhouse, property consultants Urbis said townhouses were emerging “with many of the attributes of a traditional family home yet offering a number of distinctive advantages over most apartment developments”.

Demand had increased significantly due to the substantial increase in the number of one- and two-person households over the past decade.

Current forecasts indicate Melbourne’s population will reach five million by 2026, which is the equivalent of an additional 60,000 people each year.

It parallels the long-term trend in declining household sizes that reflects people marrying and/or having children later in life and the ageing population.

TOP Mahmoud Nabavi and his wife Sahar Farhang are thrilled with the comfort and convenience of their townhouse at Somerfield ABOVE Townhouses often overlook parkland so that use of the open space is maximised by residents

WHAT’S IN A NAME Wikipedia.com defines a townhouse as a type of terraced housing that often has a small footprint on multiple floors. Originally referring to the city residence of someone whose main residence was a country house, it typically has a strata title. This is where the common property (landscaped area, public corridors) is owned by a corporation of individual owners and individuals own the dwellings. Closer to home, the Australian Bureau of Statistics defines townhouses as a dwelling either attached in some structural way to one or more dwellings, or separated from neighbouring dwellings by less than half a metre.

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 21

Urbis predicts that over the next 20 years, of all the new households created, 35 per cent will be catering for lone persons and another 35 per cent for couples without children.

“Australians in the future will have smaller households, increasingly comprising lone young singles, elderly single, elderly and young couples with no children.”

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The view is reflected by a 2011 Grattan Institute report, The Housing We’d Choose, in which almost 50 per cent of the Melbourne respondents indicated they would be prepared to live in medium-density dwellings (apartments and townhouses).

Interestingly, the dwelling attributes (number of bedrooms, garage, pool), safety and security (access to secure parking), convenience and locational attributes - access (proximity to a shopping centre and public transport) and attractiveness of environment (proximity to a park and cleanliness) influenced purchasing decisions.

It concluded that the size and number of spaces in a dwelling are more important than if the dwelling is attached or detached, and that a townhouse “satisfies the main influences on dwelling purchase choices”.

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HE statistics show clearly the wheel in turning in favour of smaller homes.

IBISWorld senior industry analyst Anthony Kelly said the multi-unit apartment and townhouse industry had grown strongly over the past five years, boosted by foreign investment, population growth and historically low mortgage interest rates.

And despite a sharp correction expected this fiscal year as investors hold off to allow recently added stock to be absorbed, he expected the industry’s worth to reach $17.4 billion in 201617 and strengthen within the next five years to reach $22.1 billion by 2021-22.

Hallmarc Developments director Michael Loccisano said townhouses provided an affordable and sensible solution to the issue of increasing population density.

He said household sizes had shrunk from an average of 4.5 people 30 years ago to 2.3 people today.

But, statistically speaking, 80 per cent of the new housing being built now only suited 20 per cent of the population.

Hence, we are witnessing the rise and rise of townhouses.

Predominantly the domain of young couples and families with young children, the humble townhouse is undergoing a surge of popularity.

In most new estates townhouses can account for up to 10 per cent of the housing stock.

“Land costs are going up and construction costs, such as labour, are going up, so (buying and building a home) is not likely to get any cheaper,” Loccisano said.

Burbank’s general manager of developments Neil Anderson said townhouse buyers come from both ends of the spectrum – from young couples starting out and families upgrading from apartments to empty nesters wanting extra space for a study or a spare room.

Anderson said a fixed percentage of master-planned communities were designated as medium-density development in Precinct Structure Plans (PSP), and that figure was rising.

“Twenty or 30 years ago, townhouses were typically left to the end of any estate developments. But now developers are getting on the front foot because

Images: SHUTTERSTOCK, BURBANK

COVER STORY

townhouses are a key living option because of their affordability,” Anderson said.

“Thankfully, the townhouses of today are not like the terrace-style townhouses of 100 years ago that were generally dark, damp and depressing places to live,” Anderson said. “They are light-filled spaces with high-end finishes and flexible designs. Design wise, many are either two or three storeys and have between two and four bedrooms and a long list of easy-living features. They really are a pretty good way to live.”

E

XPECTATIONS are much higher in the 21st century, Anderson said, with en suites now commonplace when they were once considered a luxury.

Double-glazing, solar hot water, water tanks, and zoned heating and cooling on all levels were other easy-living features fast becoming standard inclusions.

Discerning buyers want a bathroom or powder room on each level, Anderson said, with ground-level storage and bike storage among the desirable features.

The reverse living trend was also popular in townhouses, depending on the outlook.

“Vertical living really gives you plenty of design options, so you may have a roof terrace or a ground-floor living area, or a living area that opens to a large balcony,” Anderson said.

“Even better, you’re not having to do landscaping

or putting in blinds - it’s a turn-key property so you basically move in and enjoy,” Anderson said.

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OCATION, location may be the mantra for established real estate, but it’s especially the case with townhouses.

More importantly in terms of lifestyle, Anderson said developers usually placed townhouses at the heart of activity centres, so they were close to public transport, retail centres, schools, childcare facilities, parks and reserves. In many cases, they are opposite parks so it eliminates the need for a large backyard and ensures the open space is well used by the community.

“Often you’re only a walk to the station or the park or wherever you’re going in the community, so you can get around without having to drive,” Anderson said.

Loccisano said most buyers valued location over other features. In particular, access to schools, shopping centres and public transport rate highly, while families are seeking good parks with swings and slides for their young children. But open space is equally important as the toddlers grow up.

The St A and Jackson Green developments with Cedar Woods, at St Albans and Clayton South respectively, were typical examples of the lifestyle benefits of being based around activity nodes.

For example, the Jackson Green townhouses were 1km from the Clayton Rd shopping strip and Clayton train station, a five-minute drive to Monash

OPPOSITE PAGE Burbank’s Greentree Signature Townhouses at Williams Landing blend sophistication and style in a neat indoor/outdoor package that features all the mod-cons of a larger family home ABOVE The theme of comfort continues at Burbank’s Mosaic development at Dandenong, on the site of the former saleyards. The award-winning development has created a successful community amid the medium-density mix of apartments and townhouses

ADVANTAGES OF A TOWNHOUSE • More affordable than traditional family homes • Larger than most apartments • Broader market appeal • Separate title, with low or no owners corporate fees • Land value appreciation • Individual street address • On-site parking • Garden and open space (Source: URBIS, The Advantages of Living and Investing in a Townhouse)

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 23

Medical Centre, 10km from Monash University and technology precinct.

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Image: EVE WILSON

NDERSON said townhouses had come a long way since the 1980s, with advances in building materials making major improvements.

“The soundproofing performance is so much better. Even on a busy road, double-glazing can provide a very significant difference. Once you shut the door, there’s no way you would know there’s traffic outside. And now there’s also really smart and solid (party) walls that ensure you don’t get the transfer of noise and heat that may have occurred in the past.”

Good design also plays its part. The most common example was using wardrobes on either side of the walls to increase the noise buffer.

Smarter floorplans have also created better levels of comfort.

Anderson said the most popular design was a tri-level townhouse with three bedrooms. It includes a ground-level bedroom, middle-level living area and two bedrooms and bathroom on the top level.

The balcony was another space that had replaced the backyard, Anderson said. “We try

LIVING IT UP

THIS PAGE FROM TOP Cedar Woods’ Jackson Green development has proven popular, as have the outdoor spaces at Wolfdene’s Saratoga Townhouses, and Hallmarc’s Promenade townhouses at Point Cook

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ESTABLISHING your living requirements is the first step to choosing the correct design. Ask: • Is there enough storage for your needs?

• Are the bathrooms where you want them?

• Is the heating and cooling sufficient?

• Does the dwelling’s orientation make the most of its outlook and conserve energy?

(Source: Neil Anderson, BURBANK HOMES)

and provide terraces that are useable year round whether it’s opening doors for ventilation or simply asking ‘Can I get a table out there that I can sit around in a comfortable manner and even have room for a barbecue?’

Town Living by Metricon general manager Paul Vujovick said there was an increasing demand for two-bedroom designs with two bathrooms and a powder room.

“We’re always working towards updating and modifying our home designs, reflecting our customers’ needs,” Vujovick said. “Townhouses have become increasingly popular throughout Australia because they offer extreme versatility for home buyers. Where and how we live is changing, shaped by our different lifestyle, expectations and budgets, and townhouses offer brand new, low-maintenance homes in highly desirable areas. They can be built in different areas, resulting in increased purchasing opportunities, and they’re available in a range of different shapes and sizes to suit varying property needs.

“We have many design options available within the TownLiving by Metricon townhouse range, such as two, three or four bedrooms, upstairs or downstairs living, or even townhouses with features, such as decking, balconies and courtyards. Our range includes both detached and attached singlestorey, double-storey and triple-storey designs, so there really is something for everyone.”

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY A townhouse purchase also works from a financial perspective.

Loccisano said land values often rose in offthe-plan transactions between the time of paying a deposit and settling – while the waiting time also gives buyers the chance to continue saving. This increase in equity is only the start. Minimal stamp

COVER STORY duty (payable on the value of unimproved land) was another bonus that made townhouses attractive to first-time buyers.

There’s also a process in place for those struggling to acquire a large enough deposit.

Many firms assist those without the usual 10 per cent deposits.

Usually it involves the companies taking a five per cent deposit and initiating a series of mortgage-like progress payments between the deposit and settlement.

At the other end of the scale, empty nesters can enjoy a boost to their retirement savings with the sale of their family home netting them a bank balance boost when factoring in the townhouse transaction.

Loccisano said the biggest hurdle confronting those preparing to downsize was touching and feeling the space they would inhabit, which is why Hallmarc designs full-size display suites.

“What most people struggle with is an understanding of space … the reality is that most people can generally live in a smaller home of 10 or 11 squares if it’s designed well,” he said. “It’s what many Baby Boomers did when growing up.”

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OLVING the need to cater for an expanding population was a matter of applying common sense in relation to planning.

Loccisano said many older existing houses on a 700sq m block within a 10km radius of the central business district could be replaced with two townhouses, minimising the loss of neighbourhood amenity and minimising the need for excessive development.

“It’s not hard to implement. All we need is a planning policy that reflects the changing needs of our city,” Loccisano said.

Bearing this in mind, the rise of townhouse living has as much to do with the planning system as it does affordability.

A planning permit is usually required for a house on a block less than 300sq m, but not for one more than 300sq m. The Small Lot Housing Code was introduced in 2011 to eliminate the need for a permit where a clear set of house design and siting standards are met.

The house design and siting standards include requirements for setbacks, building height, provision of car spaces and private open space, overlooking, overshadowing, building articulation and fences.

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OCCISANO believes it is only a matter of time before townhouses replace freestanding homes as the dominant player in the family home market – particularly as the median price continues to increase.

He cites affordability, population growth and lifestyle as key components in the shift away from commuting for “four hours a day, every day”.

“Townhouses give families the space and privacy

they need, rather than the communal living aspects of apartments,” Loccisano said.

“Our townhouses at Point Cook, for example, have enabled a whole group priced out of the (detached) housing market to own their own home.”

Equipped with Caesarstone benchtops, timber floors and quality appliances, the townhouses from 108sq m sell for $372,500. For that they receive a two-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling over two levels, with landscaping and fencing included.

Considering that a block within the same estate usually sells around the $300,000 mark, or that you’d be fortunate to buy a small one-bedroom apartment in the inner city for anywhere near the same price, a townhouse represents excellent value.

The “turn-key” or nothing to do but move in aspect is a bonus.

A moderate annual Owners Corporation fee towards the operation of security gates and security cameras is the only additional impost.

Intrapac Property chief operating officer Max Shifman said townhouses were a fantastic choice for first-time buyers and investors.

“Townhouses typically provide more space and amenity than apartments, while being more affordable compared with detached homes in the same area,” Shifman said. “But price is not always the determinant. We are seeing a clear trend towards more compact housing - be it for young professionals, growing families or downsizers. Not everyone wants the hassle of looking after a large home and block of land; townhouses are much lower maintenance, meaning less time doing the lawn, and providing the flexibility to lock up and leave at a whim.

“When purchasing, buyers should always take note of the level of inclusions and finishes to ensure their expectations are met. As always, it is best to deal with reputable developers with a track record of delivering high-quality homes in the right locations. Price can be a constraint where affordability is key, but quality will always leave buyers better off in the longer term.”

Intrapac has incorporated townhouses into its developments, such as Somerfield at Keysborough.

“The tide is turning on townhouses - from young first-home buyers who don’t want a huge home, to the influential Baby Boomer wanting to downsize for the convenience of a lock-up-and-leave home base,” Shifman said. “Some call it smart-sizing.

“In 2020, Australia’s median age will be almost 40. In 1980 it was just 29. Some one in four people will soon be aged over 60, so the need for suitable homes for downsizing is only going to increase.

Moving to a townhouse, and releasing some wealth from the family home to assist with retirement, is a great option that many will consider over the coming decade.”

Shifman said the trick to downsizing was to consider the move as a chance to clean up, and increase your spare time with less stress as you maintain a smaller home and garden.

HOMES OF THE FUTURE

Image: SHAWN DOWD

FLEXIBILITY and efficient design, greater environmental sustainability, less clutter and faster construction will be hallmarks of townhouses in the next decade.

That’s the view of Wolfdene director of design Karina Sunk, who said the increased use of timber construction, in particular pre-fabricated building materials (including Weathertex cladding, cassette flooring systems, walls and timber frames) would speed up construction and reduce costs, meaning buyers would be in their homes sooner.

Sunk said many of the existing Saratoga Townhouses built by Wolfdene at Point Cook had achieved a 7.0 stars rating and above, but advances in technology would continue to improve the environmental performance of homes built in the future.

In the short term, Sunk said a greater emphasis was being placed on more efficient design, with clever storage, quality fittings (such as wall-hung basins, black tapware and sinks, and 900mm kitchen appliances), flexible spaces (for use as a bedroom, office, kids play area or living room) and laundries being placed in the garage among the major changes.

Inside are fewer walls and nooks and crannies, which combine to create a greater sense of space. The theme continues outside, where water tanks, air-conditioning units, hot water systems, gas and water meters are screened from view so the courtyards can be displayed in all their glory.

Wolfdene won its second UDIA award for its townhouse project - the 44-dwelling Saratoga Townhouses, which it designed, built, marketed and sold all in-house.

The second stage includes 23 four-bedroom townhouses (up to 185sq m) and 32 three-bedroom townhouses (160sq m to 180sq m).

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom ‘Nina’ over two levels had been extremely popular, due in part to its prime position next to the lifestyle precinct and overlooking parkland, and also for its pricing from $470,000.

“Contemporary townhouses are really opening up home ownership to a broader demographic, and providing choice for those who can’t afford a big family home or don’t want the big family home,” Sunk said. “Buyers can really imagine themselves downsizing or expanding into the flexible spaces and see that they don’t have to sacrifice anything.

There’s a real price differential (from detached family houses), yet buyers are still fulfilling their wish list.”

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 25

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URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 27

COOKING

Just what the doctor ordered Dr Joanna McMillan says a simple Mediterranean-style diet delivers on many fronts, as TIFFANY COPELAND discovers What are five staple ingredients that can always be found in your pantry?

Cobram Estate extra virgin olive oil – I use it to dress salads, to cook with, to bake with and to flavour with. It’s the healthiest and most versatile oil! I’ve been supporting the Australian olive oil industry for years and we’re so lucky that we really do produce some of the best oils in the world.

Coffee – I love my coffee and have three or four most days using my Nespresso machine. Although people expect me to say coffee is bad, it actually has many benefits. So long as you can metabolise caffeine efficiently (you can test this genetically via a saliva test) and fortunately I can, then this amount is actually good for you.

(Slow caffeine metabolisers should have no more than two cups). It has antioxidants just as tea has and has been associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes and is good for brain function and brain health.

A variety of nuts and seeds – I use these in my breakfast bowl, as snacks, to add to baking or homemade slices and treats, to make homemade nut butters in my Vitamix and to sprinkle in salads or over veggies for crunch. A handful of nuts a day has been shown to reduce heart disease risk by up to as much as 50 per cent. They’re full of fibre, folate, magnesium and a whole bunch of other nutrients as well as good fats and some plant protein.

A selection of different vinegars – Vinegar added to a meal lowers the GI and this may be one of the benefits of

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the Mediterranean Diet habit of always having a salad dressed with vinaigrette with a meal. Vinegar also seems to be very good for gut health. I add different flavours to dressings, use them in marinades of meat and seafood, and use a simple white vinegar to add to the water when making poached eggs.

Cans of beans & chickpeas – Legumes are really underused as people don’t quite know what to do with them, or think of them as vegetarian fare. But they are incredibly versatile and have much to offer nutritionally. They are some of the lowest GI foods so the carbohydrates present are absorbed slowly, helping with blood glucose control. They are terrific sources of plant protein, bursting with fibre, especially the types that boost the growth of good bacteria in your gut, and have several key vitamins and minerals including folate, essential to protect our DNA as we age. They are also budget friendly and bought canned they are super convenient. I add them to meat dishes to eke out the meat. I mash them with garlic and extra virgin olive oil to use instead of traditional potato mash, puree them to use as dip (homemade hummus is so much better than bought) and add them to salads.

What motivated you to specialise in a career of nutrition science?

I was always interested in science and health, so nutrition science was a natural fit for me. I trained as a fitness instructor when I was 19 and was studying psychology and sociology. I realised the social sciences weren’t quite where I wanted to be, and moved into biological sciences with nutrition science. I loved it from the get go. It makes such a difference to how you feel today and your health in the future when you eat well.

What are the biggest mistakes people tend to make with food choices and cooking?

They think healthy eating is boring, restrictive or just too hard as they see the extreme diets some people do in the name of health. At the other end of the scale some people just don’t see food as a priority and fall back on convenience.

Healthy eating can and indeed should be delicious and enjoyable. Food should be a pleasure in our lives and not something to battle with. I find it incredibly sad food and body image have become sources of angst for so many.

The other major issue is that people focus on the latest points made in the media and they ignore the big stuff. They read that sugar is the problem, or fat, or gluten, or grains and so on … they then blame that individual point instead of recognising the bigger picture. On average, Australians get more than a third of their energy from junk foods and that’s the big problem.

What do you consider to be the most important meal of the day? Why? No meal is more important than the others, but if I had to pick one it would be dinner. You can load up with more veggies, but it is also the meal when most of us have more time to sit down and enjoy it with our partner, family and/or friends. That aspect of eating is just as important as the nutrition.

Is there a particular diet you follow and why?

I just eat real food, but I do try to eat as much plant food possible. I use my Dr Joanna Plate (https://drjoanna.com. au/drjoannaplate) to create my meals.

Even when eating out I try to get as close to this as possible. Then I make sure I have oily fish or seafood at least twice a week. Otherwise it’s probably closest to a Mediterranean Diet but with a dose of Japanese and Asian cuisine too.

You stress the importance of exercise.

I recommend not eating for at least an hour before exercise, and if doing a cardio workout then two hours. Having food in your stomach while exercising is not comfortable and you probably won’t be able to work out as hard. Provided you are eating well the rest of the time, you should have plenty of stored fuel to draw on for the workout. After your workout eating a meal or snack with both protein and carbohydrate is important. The protein is needed for muscle repair and strengthening, and the carbohydrate to replenish glycogen stores so that you have energy to work out the next day. We are primed for this repair and refuelling in the hour or two following exercise so I recommend eating within that timeframe.

You can have a protein shake if you really want, but I much prefer real foods as they offer more complete nutrition.

You also talk about the importance of sleep. How much sleep do we need?

Most adults need seven to nine hours.

Many think they can function on less,

but when tested, brain function for things like concentration, memory, reaction time and creative thinking are all affected with less sleep.

What tips you would give to assist in lowering cholesterol levels?

Don’t cut out fat, but switch to using foods naturally rich in unsaturated fats, such as extra virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado and hummus. Include plenty of fibre-rich foods, especially those rich in soluble fibre including legumes (beans, chickpeas, lentils), oats and barley and foods made from them. Avoid fatty processed meats and choose lean freerange meats instead - more seafood, especially oily fish, and more plant proteins such as tofu or legumes.

about why eating good food is important, get them helping in the kitchen and eat together around the table as much as possible. Even if they still like treat or junk foods, they’ll generally come back to eating how you eat.

What is your favourite ‘healthy alternative’ sweet treat?

Dark chocolate with fresh berries, prunes or dried apricots and nuts. I don’t really have a sweet tooth, but when I do feel like a treat this hits the mark. I do also make some treats for the kids or when we have guests over. Some of these are in the book. But it needn’t be all that fancy.

A glass filled with layers of fresh berries, Greek yoghurt, shaved dark chocolate and cruched roasted almonds is delicious.

“Australians get more than a third of their energy from junk foods and that’s the big problem.”

If you could cook a meal for anyone, what would you cook and who for?

There are many, but I’m going for David Walliams. He’s very funny so we’d have a great laugh, but super smart and my younger son’s favourite author. Anyone who can engage children in reading is a superstar in my mind – I’m a avid reader and book geek. Plus I understand he’s into healthy eating and is an accomplished swimmer. I reckon he’d enjoy a feast with my family and a nice pinot gris or pinot noir, depending on what we were eating.

I think I’d cook something very Australian like garlic and chilli prawns on the barbie, followed by seared kangaroo fillet with one of my awesome roast veggie salads and a tomato, burrata and basil salad drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Encouraging kids to choose healthy alternatives can be difficult. Do you have any tips or tricks?

Just make healthy eating normal, not something to be forced. You can make kid-friendly healthier versions of things like chicken nuggets, fish fingers, pizza, pasta and burgers – you just have to use real food ingredients. I also find it helpful to get kids interested in food.

Take them shopping to the grocers, talk

What is your favourite cuisine to cook and to eat? Why? Mediterranean-style food. I just love the combination of loads of veggies and salads, legumes, seafood and a little meat, pastas, tomato, extra virgin olive oil sauces, and so on. The style of food suits me - it’s mostly quick to cook and superbly healthy. It’s also most familiar to me and I think that’s also key to healthy eating. If you have an Asian ancestry this style of cooking probably suits you best.

The truth is most countries’ traditional cuisine is pretty healthy – it’s the modern, highly processed diet that is our problem.

But overall one of the things I love about Australia is the diverse range of cuisines available to us. Not every country has this and so we are most fortunate.

What’s one meal you recommend Australians must try cooking this summer?

Try my Spanish Seafood Stew with a simple mixed salad and some crusty, grainy sourdough to mop up the juices.

Many Aussies are not eating enough seafood. If you’re not too confident cooking it, this is an easy and delicious way to get started. If you think healthy food doesn’t taste good, try this and I’m pretty sure I’ll convert your thinking.

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 29

COOKING

King prawn and avocado smash SERVES 6 // TIME 10 MINUTES // DF NF Bored with the usual store-bought dips and chips for entertaining? While you can get some healthy ones, they’re not all that inspiring, and the good ones can be expensive. This recipe is a little bit different and is utterly delicious. It’s also packed with nutrition and light enough to serve as a pre-dinner nibble with drinks. The Mountain bread crackers are worth making as they are deliciously light and add just the right crunch.

Recipe & image from Get Lean, Stay Lean by Dr Joanna McMillan (Murdoch Books) RRP $35

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INGREDIENTS Juice of 1/2 lime 6 cherry tomatoes, halved 2 handfuls coriander (cilantro), leaves picked 2 handfuls mint, leaves picked 2 spring onions (scallions), chopped Freshly ground black pepper 6 cooked king prawns (shrimp) (about 100g), peeled and deveined, tails removed 4 wholegrain or rye Mountain breads (see note) 1 avocado (see note) 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil +Pinch of salt flakes METHOD Pre-heat the oven to fan-forced 160C (315F/Gas 2–3).

Lightly spray or brush the Mountain bread with extra virgin olive oil and bake for five minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Meanwhile halve the avocado, remove the stone, scoop out the flesh and roughly chop. Place in a bowl and squeeze over the lime juice.

Roughly chop the tomatoes, coriander, mint and prawns, and place in a large bowl. Thinly slice the spring onions and add to the bowl. Season with salt and black pepper. Mix to combine and allow the flavours to infuse.

Break the crispy flatbreads into pieces, and serve with the king prawn and avocado smash.

Notes If you can’t find Mountain bread, any thin wholemeal flatbread will work, but the thinner the better.

Avocados are one of only two common fruits that are rich in fat—the other being olives—and both provide predominantly healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats can help you to achieve a healthier blood cholesterol profile, improve your insulin sensitivity, help you to control blood glucose levels, improve a fatty liver, and even reduce the amount of fat you store around your middle.

Image: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

PLANNING

Selection coverage The process of choosing a building surveyor has been made easier by new consumer protection laws

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VER the past few months, much attention has been focused on legislation that directs building activity - who can do it, how they can do it and what restrictions should be in place to help enhance protection of consumer interests.

A Victorian Auditor-General report last year indicated that almost one third (28 per cent) of people in the course of their building or renovating projects have experienced problems, and that a high percentage of those incidents involved poor workmanship.

The report also found some private building surveyors faced a conflict between performing their role assessing the compliance of building practitioners, while also relying on those building practitioners for work.

This is linked to the fact that until recently, legislation allowed builders, as well as consumers, to select a building surveyor for their projects.

Understandably, many consumers preferred to leave that decision to their builder. But though they represented a minority, there were some builders who took advantage of that leeway in legislation to work with surveyors on

whom they could count to approve their work, sometimes regardless of its level of adherence to building standards.

At best, this practice is unfair to the consumer; at worst, it’s a recipe for legal and safety nightmares.

It also became evident that many consumers had little idea about what role the building surveyor played in the building process. It was concerning that such an integral player had a low profile in the eyes of many consumers.

To help remedy this, the Building Legislation Amendment (Consumer Protection) Bill 2015 became law in April. As of September 1, builders can no longer appoint building surveyors directly.

This means a builder may not act as the owner’s agent in the appointment of a private building surveyor.

The owner must now formally appoint the building surveyor in writing; however, the builder will still be able to make a recommendation to the owner for a building surveyor.

The building contract may still allow the builder to obtain the building permit on behalf of the owner.

The change does not affect any appointment that was accepted before

September 1 or any domestic building contract entered into before September 1 that authorises the appointment by a builder of a private building surveyor.

Transitional arrangements will be made so that contracts entered into before September 1 will not be affected.

Among the Auditor-General report’s recommendations was for Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Victorian Building Authority to review their customer education and awareness activities.

This means ensuring that consumers have access to straightforward, clear and timely information about the building process and its players – in particular, information in plain English about what role the building surveyor plays.

So, how can consumers be made more aware of the important role of building surveyors? As part of the legislation changes, Consumer Affairs Victoria developed the Domestic Building Consumer Guide, which is a mandatory contract information statement for consumers. This guide provides clear information about how to appoint a building surveyor, and explains their role. In addition, the guide also covers: How to appoint a builder; The role of the

builder; The role of the consumer; Tips and traps of the building process; and What to do if things go wrong.

The builder must provide a copy of the guide to the consumer before signing a major domestic building contract.

For a copy of the guide, please contact Master Builders directly or visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria website at consumer.vic.gov.au/buildingguide Master Builders’ building surveyors and network of building inspectors provide timely permit services for domestic building around the state. To arrange an inspection, call 9411 5555.

Radley de Silva

CEO Master Builders Association of Victoria

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 31

75 Wellington Street

Discover designed apartments for Collingwood.

Materials & spaces that work

Visit the display suite Wednesday–Friday 4–7pm, Saturday–Sunday, 10–1pm 51 Langridge Street, Collingwood

Register at PaceofCollingwood.com.au

Artist impression

34 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Image: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

THINK EFFICIENT

LIGHTING

L

IGHTING makes up about 10 per cent of the energy consumed in a typical home. You can reduce energy use for lighting by 50 per cent or more by making smart lighting choices and using more efficient lights. Spending a little time and effort to get the lighting right in your house can save you money on power bills and make rooms more comfortable and enjoyable.

There is a vast array of light fittings and lighting systems available, but to be truly energy-efficient go for light emitting diode or LED lights.

LIGHTING FOR YOUR HOME The aim of lighting is to provide enough light to suit requirements, with some rooms in a home needing more lighting than others. Lighting for the home falls into four categories: general illumination, task lighting, ambient/mood lighting and outdoor lighting. If you know what kind of lighting you require for a particular situation you are halfway to having efficient lighting.

The degree of lighting intensity depends on personal preference and the kind of activity that goes on in a room. For example, kitchens are usually well lit for cooking, whereas in lounge rooms bright lighting may be a distraction from watching television and bedrooms are generally better with lower lighting levels.

It is also important to consider the colour of walls and furnishings. Darker walls generally need more light to achieve the same level of perceived brightness as lighter walls.

General illumination can be of a fairly low level – enough to see by, but not so bright that the whole room becomes suitable for reading. Task lighting is for specific areas, such as desks or work benches.

Mood lighting may be important for some people: a home may have a feature that would benefit from a well-placed spotlight or up lighter, but lights like these are often left on for long periods and can consume a great deal of energy if the wrong lighting is used. Garden lighting is generally either floodlighting or feature lighting, where particular plants or garden furnishings are lit individually, often by coloured lamps, for effect.

MAXIMISING NATURAL LIGHTING The ultimate lighting is, of course, sunlight, and house orientation is crucial in this. In Australia homes that face north receive the most sunlight, so if possible ensure the orientation of your home is right. When renovating, install north-facing windows to bring in light and warmth.

When orientation or renovation is not easy, you can install a skylight to transfer light from your roof to a room that needs brightening. A skylight usually consists of a transparent or translucent panel in the roof and a corresponding diffuser panel in the room directly below it.

Another option is to fit reflectors to already installed fittings. Fluorescent fittings can particularly benefit from a reflector. Putting in a reflector behind a single tri-phosphor tube can result in lighting levels equal to using two cheaper quality tubes with no reflectors. This means that combining a reflector and good quality tube can effectively halve lighting energy consumption.

ENERGY, POWER AND VOLTAGE It is important when considering the energy consumption of lighting to look at wattage, not voltage. Some bulbs, especially halogen downlights, are sold as ‘low voltage’, with many people thinking this equates to low energy consumption. This is not necessarily the case. The important factor is the power rating – 50 watts, for instance, is exactly that regardless of the voltage at which it is supplied and used. It is also advisable to look at the efficacy of the lamp. High-quality LED lighting will have an efficacy of greater than 80 lm/W (lumens per watt) – the bigger this number, the better.

LIGHT EMITTING DIODES (LEDS) The most energy-efficient form of lighting, LEDs use a small piece of semiconductor material that emits light directly when an electric current is passed through. LEDs produce light in a range of colours without the need for coloured filters. In the past few years there has been an explosion in the variety of available LED bulbs and fittings.

Currently available LEDs have a lighting efficiency of between 12 per cent and 24 per cent, but that is increasing as manufacturers bring new models to market.

In the future, LEDs may reach efficiency of up to 45 per cent. Unlike other types of lighting, LEDs don’t contain mercury, reach full brightness immediately and have a much greater lifetime of at least 30,000 hours.

While LEDs are expensive, their cost is coming down. Many bulbs are over $30, but if you are happy to buy directly from overseas suppliers, it is possible to purchase them at about $1 per watt.

FITTINGS, BASES AND ADAPTORS Installing LED bulbs into standard fittings may not be straightforward because most LEDs are made for the US and European markets and not for Australian bayonet-style bulb bases. Fortunately, there are bulb base adaptors that solve this problem: simply screw the adaptor into the fitting and the bulb into the adaptor.

When building or renovating it is best to consider dedicated LED fittings – these are complete fittings designed as LED lights from the ground up. Dedicated fittings come in a large array of shapes and sizes, from flat panels to flush-fitting downlights, wall washers, up lighters, oyster fittings and even outdoor floodlights.

In each there is one or more LEDs mounted on a metallic circuit board attached to a heatsink or the fitting itself to dissipate heat.

HEATSINKING AND VENTILATION Many early LED lamps and fittings had inadequate ways to dissipate the heat they generated, so the LEDs ran at excessively high temperatures, reducing light output and shortening lifespan. Most LED bulbs now have adequate ways to cool themselves, although there are some that still push the limits with too much wattage and too little heatsink surface area to dissipate the generated heat. This problem is most common in downlight replacement lamps.

When selecting an LED lamp, be mindful of the fitting into which it is to go – there is no point in a lot of heatsinking if the bulb is used in a fitting that simply doesn’t allow the heat to dissipate. Heatsink material and finish also play a role.

Some manufacturers are still making bulbs with chrome-plated heatsinks which do not emit heat well. A chromed heatsink may cause a lamp to run 20 degrees hotter than the same heatsink in a black anodised or high-emissivity finish.

COLOUR TEMPERATURE, LUX AND LUMENS LED lighting often comes with a ‘colour temperature’ measurement. Colour temperature in Kelvin (K) relates to the colour of light emitted by a lamp. Warm white is generally any number up to 4000K. Neutral white is 4000K to 5500K and cool white or daylight white is 5500K and above. When the number is lower, the light is warmer and redder; the higher the number, the cooler and bluer the light.

Most people prefer the yellowish glow of ‘warm white’ light yet this is simply an accustomisation issue and living with a neutral or cool white light for a week or two will generally overcome this predisposition.

Light output is measured in lumens. The lumen figure allows you to compare different LED bulbs of the same power: for instance, one 8-watt LED can generate light of 500 lumens, while another gives off 600 lumens. For greatest energy efficiency, choose lamps of at least 80 lumens per watt.

A closely related figure to the lumen is the lux. Lux is lumens per square metre, so a 500-lumen light source that is directing all of its light onto a 4sq m surface will produce 125 lux at that surface. Lux allows you to compare the effective brightness of each light source at a given distance and make a decision on what best suits your needs.

John Knox is a lighting specialist and webshop manager at the Alternative Technology Association (ATA). The ATA is a not-profit-organisation promoting sustainable living. Speak to John at the ATA’s advice service on efficient lighting: https://shop.ata.org.au/ shop/ata-advice-lighting

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 35

FA S T FA C T S

The amount of Non-residential water used (from factories, businesses, schools, hospitals and parks) in Melbourne

166 litres

PER DAY

Estimated Victorian household water consumption was 367 gigalitres. This accounted for 8.7 per cent of the state’s total water consumption

Water usage

Residential water use used per person, per day

$2.73 The estimated average price of water paid per kilolitre by Victorian households in 2014-15

24.3% Victoria is the second highest consumer of water, representing 24.3 per cent of total Australian consumption

The Agriculture industry was the highest consumer of water in Victoria, consuming

2738 gigalitres an increase of 6.5 per cent from 2013-14

36 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

11

%

The amount of Non-revenue water (not paid for by customers for firefighting or lost through water main bursts) in Melbourne

MELBOURNE’S total water use in 2015-16 was

426 gigalitres

Source: SOUTH EAST WATER, MELBOURNE WATER, AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS

25

%

INSIDER What attracted you to the industry?

My father is a builder and, when growing up, I would help him out at his building sites - labouring, digging holes, carrying bricks and cleaning. I was fascinated by the process of creating something from an empty block of land.

What do you love most about the industry?

I love the challenge of finding land with a point of difference.

I also revel in the intellectual effort of masterplanning and designing the developments, and running them through the approval process. The best part is we create things that are tangible and have a huge influence on the quality of life for so many people. You can come back years later, look at your development and feel a great sense of pride in what you have created and what it means to those living there.

What do you consider your proudest moment or greatest achievement?

Personally, winning the UDIA Young Professional Award in 2013 was amazing, but Intrapac winning UDIA Awards in 2016 for Somerfield – Residential Development and Environmental Excellence – was even more satisfying. The project has taken 11 years of extraordinary effort, and it was fantastic for our team to be recognised for the hard work in creating such a special place.

amounts of time dealing with minutiae on applications, which has a marginal effect on the final result. I’d also love to see decisions assessed in a forward-looking manner, rather than looking back at the past to how things may have been done.

What’s the biggest misconception people have when buying land in a new community?

There are many, but the key one is that all new land developments are effectively the same. There can be enormous differences in what lies beneath the ground, such as infrastructure and services, the quality of the urban design, landscaping and the development’s environmental performance – even when directly adjacent to each other.

If buying and building tomorrow, what features would you most like incorporated in your community?

Great connectivity is a must - virtually via fast internet and physically with good public transport, road and cycling links. Existing facilities are a must - time to important locations is more important than distance.

Thoughtful open spaces and a variety of dwelling types to ensure a diverse community.

Smart design guidelines and a real commitment to environmental sustainability.

Maxwell Shifman INTRAPAC PROPERTY

Worst trend?

“Investment grade” housing projects and apartments. Our business philiosophy is based on creating places where people actually want to live, and we do not think there should be such a marked difference in the quality of what is produced for the rental market versus owner-occupiers.

Best change?

The steady reduction in average lot and house size is a positive for the long term. Well-designed medium-density housing provides lower entry prices and lower maintenance, while still providing ample living area for all different types of buyers. It’s actually just a return to how some of our cities’ earliest (and greatest) suburbs were created. With increased density comes vibrancy and better support for local business and services.

If you had the power, how would you improve the process of developing land?

I’d love to reduce the time, effort and cost involved in obtaining development approvals. I see no reason why decisions can’t be made much quicker, with short decision timeframes. I’d also love to see authorities be more pragmatic with their responses.

The opportunity is there to provide solutions to potential issues, and truly partner with the development industry, rather than taking an adversarial approach. You can also lose inordinate

What should buyers look for?

If the development has started, look through the estate to see how the homes and community present. Do the homes and landscaping look good? Is it all maintained? Is the developer delivering what was promised? If buying off the plan, the overall project design and track record of the developer should be serious considerations. Factor in long-term sustainability measures to ensure your home’s value isn’t left behind as community expectations progress.

What do you think new master-planned communities will look like in 2030?

My main predictions include: • A continuing decline in land size and proportion of detached homes. We will eventually get a to a point where the majority of new projects will become medium- or high-density developments, with a greater proportion of terrace and apartment designs • A drop in the reliance on personal vehicle ownership and all the flow-on effects, e.g. reduction in off-street and on-street parking requirements, shared cars etc • A greater focus on integrating local, walkable community facilities – retail, medical, community gardens • A greater mix of uses – commercial and residential more organically integrated into overall plans rather than separated through zoning.

Chief Operating Officer URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 37

INDUSTRY NEWS

Medium-density plans for Brompton Lodge Victoria leads way in population growth

APARTMENTS and townhouses have been earmarked for a new community to house about 4000 people near Cranbourne in Melbourne’s south east.

Minister for Planning Richard Wynne has approved the 100ha Brompton Lodge precinct structure plan, which will be serviced by a town centre, a purposebuilt wetland, district park, tree-lined cycling and walking paths to Cranbourne West, schools and bus services to central Cranbourne from day one.

The precinct will have an average density of 19 dwellings per developable hectare, which is denser than many established Melbourne suburbs.

Developers will contribute more

than $27 million in levies, which will help pay for community facilities and infrastructure.

“New communities like these offer Victorians the chance to buy a house for an affordable price,” Victorian Planning Authority chief executive Peter Seamer said.

Brompton Park is bounded by the Westernport Highway to the west, Ballarto Rd to the north, and Cranbourne-Frankston Rd to the south.

The closest jobs hub is central Cranbourne, which is about 5km from the precinct. There will be 369 jobs based in the precinct, the majority of which will be at the local town centre.

Standards to usher in enhanced apartments NEW apartments will be built with light, storage, ventilation and enough room to fit beds and fridges as part of the push to improve planning standards.

To be introduced next month, the Better Apartments Design Standards allow for flexibility and innovation while making sure spaces are liveable.

They address mobility needs and encourage sustainability by encouraging recycling, energy and water efficiency. They also address building setbacks, landscaping and waste management rules.

The standards will complement new design guidelines, an apartment buyers and renters guide, and an education and training program for planning and building design practitioners.

A monitoring and review program will measure the effectiveness of the standards to make sure the right outcomes are achieved.

“Victoria needs liveable and

38 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

affordable housing options and we’re making sure new homes are well designed and accommodate different household types. These standards bring us up to speed with other states.

They preserve affordability and will make sure bedrooms are big enough to fit a bed,” Planning Minister Richard Wynne said.

Australian Institute of Architects’ Victorian chapter president Vanessa Bird hoped the standards had gone further.

“The city we build today is the city our children and grandchildren have to live with,” Bird said. “While we welcome some of the liveability initiatives, we don’t believe they go far enough to protect the public interest.

These particular standards will not produce the change required to assist consumers and safeguard the longterm quality of the built environment, as it does not address design excellence, nor mandate design review for site-specific responses.”

VICTORIA has again led the nation for population growth, for the third straight year.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed Australia’s population increased by 337,800 people to 24.1 million in the financial year ending June.

HIA economist Geordan Murray said net overseas migration (incoming minus outgoing migrants) contributed 182,165 people to the increase and natural population growth (births minus deaths) added 155,656 people.

“There is a naturally tight relationship between economic conditions, demography and the requirement for residential building. Economic growth

creates jobs, employment opportunities attract more people, and people need somewhere to live,” Murray said.

Victoria has had the fastest-growing population since 2014. Besides growth of 2.1 per cent in the year to June, the state also experienced the largest net inflow of people from other states on record and the largest net inflow from overseas since the GFC. “With Victoria having been the strongest residential building market over the last few years and labour force figures showing the state had the largest trend increase in employment in November, Victoria seems to be ticking more of the boxes than any other jurisdiction at the moment,” Murray said.

Young buyers increasingly opting to invest, rather than own AN INCREASING number of first-time buyers are choosing to invest rather than becoming owner-occupiers.

The NAB Residential Property Q3-2016 Survey found that first-home investors comprise 12.2 per cent of all new property sales in the third quarter of 2016. This was up from 11.1 per cent in the second quarter.

The NAB survey also found that firsthome investors represented 10.6 per cent of all established property sales, a slight increase from 9.7 per cent in the second quarter.

ING Direct’s latest Financial

Wellbeing Index also found a growing number of young buyers in the 18-34 age bracket turning to property investment.

About 22 per cent of Generation Y own at least one investment property, ahead of Generation X (20 per cent) and Baby Boomers (19 per cent).

“What’s interesting is that while there are continued questions around affordability and the challenges for younger generations in getting onto the property ladder, it’s actually Gen Y that is leading the property investment pack,” ING Direct’s head of third party distribution Mark Woolnough said.

Community spirit a Quay reason to celebrate RESIDENTS of The Quay brought the festive spirit to the Torquay estate at Hilltop Park. Besides the usual revelry, prizes were awarded for fancy dress and best-dressed house, with prize money donated to charity. Intrapac Property chief operating officer Maxwell Shifman said the event, which was one of many organised by the Quay Residents Association, showed the close-knit community that Quay2 buyers could expect. To keep up to date with events, go to facebook.com/quay2torquay or visit www.quay2.com.au.

Kierah, Mahlia and Toby Davis join in the spirit of the festive season at a Quay Residents Association function at Hilltop Park, Torquay

INDUSTRY NEWS

Victorians slugged by nation’s highest stamp duty costs

Six new ambulance sites on the way

VICTORIA’S average stamp duty bill reached $28,538 in 2016, making it the most expensive state in Australia and more than four times what Queenslanders pay.

The latest edition of the HIA Stamp Duty Watch report found stamp duty was costing the typical Australian family more than $1200 in additional mortgage repayments each year, or $100 every month.

“Stamp duty is now setting ordinary homebuyers back by an average of $19,975. This eats up home deposits and forces families to take on much larger

LAND for six new ambulance stations will be bought in some of Melbourne’s fastest-growing suburbs to meet the needs of an expanding population.

Minister for Suburban Development Lily D’Ambrosio said $8.5 million from the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contributions fund would be used to buy the land, including $1.1 million for a site in Pakenham for a purposebuilt facility.

A future site for an ambulance station at Mernda was announced last year.

Sites will also be bought at Taylors Lakes, Wyndham Vale, Melton and Craigieburn.

It’s a key initiative of the Office for Suburban Development, which is developing a five-year plan for jobs, services and infrastructure and to identify where state and federal governments should focus investment.

The fund was established to support essential infrastructure in Melbourne’s growing suburbs through one-off contributions paid by developers in growth areas, such as Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Cardinia.

“We’re planning for the future and acting now to ensure families in growing areas have the emergency services they need,” D’Ambrosio said.

mortgages, with total loan repayments typically rising by around $36,000 over a 30-year term. The cost is even greater when the impact of the higher lenders’ mortgage insurance premiums is added on top,” senior economist Shane Garrett said. “Stamp duty hurts families and acts as a barrier to employment mobility and retirement downsizing. A plan for its removal needs to be at the centre of a national housing affordability strategy.”

Based on dwelling prices during November 2016, the typical stamp duty bill nationally is $19,975, which increased 7.4 per cent from a year earlier.

SkyBus sets course for Avalon Airport

VPA appoints chair

A SKYBUS service will run between Melbourne’s CBD and Avalon Airport from February 1, making it quicker, easier and cheaper to get to the growing airport.

The SkyBus Avalon Express replaces existing services linking Avalon Airport and the city.

Passengers will be able to use the new airport gateway facilities at Southern Cross Station, use free Wi-Fi

and easily access ticketing options.

“Avalon is a gateway to some of our most prized tourist destinations. A busier Avalon Airport means visitors from around Australia coming to Victoria to see the best of everything we offer,” Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren said.

Avalon now offers Jetstar services to Hobart, Adelaide, Sydney and the Gold Coast.

FORMER Brisbane City Council chief executive Jude Munro has been appointed as the inaugural chair of the Victorian Planning Authority.

Munro has extensive experience in leadership, governance and change management, having spent a decade as CEO of Australia’s largest council in Brisbane and serving as council CEO in Adelaide, Moreland and St Kilda.

The VPA will work on the long-term plans needed to cope with the state’s population, which is tipped to hit 10 million people by 2051.

It will work with councils to design new suburbs, identify new development opportunities, plan strategic redevelopment sites, increase housing in regional areas and boost affordability through consistent land supply.

VPA cutting red tape for subdivision approvals THE Victorian Planning Authority has awarded $447,000 to seven growth-area councils to help speed up subdivision applications.

Councils are processing about 60,000 lot applications at various stages of approval in Melbourne, which would service about three years of growth.

Helping local government speed up processing during a time of unprecedented demand will bring more land to market faster.

This will increase overall supply and help Melbourne maintain its housing affordability edge.

Councils will use the funding to hire additional staff, invest in innovative programs and identify more efficient methods to process submissions for activities, such as engineering works.

VPA chief executive Peter Seamer said greenfield estates were experiencing a record takeup, with more than 22,000 housing lots selling in the four quarters to September last year.

“The VPA has worked hard over the past 10 years to ensure that Melbourne’s greenfield housing lots remain affordable and this program will help keep the dream of home ownership alive for Victorians,” Seamer said.

Victoria has the most affordable and well-designed greenfield market in the country, with a serviced block costing more than $200,000 less in Melbourne than equivalent places in Sydney.

All councils will provide progress reports to the VPA, which will provide support and advice to councils as they implement ideas.

Property Council of Australia executive director Sally Capp said the aid would help Melbourne’s fastest-growing municipalities cope with the planning pressures brought on by their growing populations.

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 39

D I S P L AY H O M E

Porter Davis – Charlton 33 DOUBLE STOREY

URBAN LIFE SAYS: “Affordable

luxury and perfect for entertaining.”

WE LOVE ü Grand main bedroom with his-and-hers walk-in wardrobes and an en suite ü Spacious kitchen perfect for all entertainment ü Private home theatre

F BEDBED 3 3 MEALS MEALS

KITCHEN KITCHEN

STUDY STUDY NOOK NOOK

BEDBED 4 4

FAMILY FAMILY

BEDBED 2 2 PTRYPTRY

BATHBATH

DINING DINING

STUDY STUDY NOOK NOOK GAMES GAMES

LDRYLDRY

WIRWIR PDRPDR

HERS HERS ENSENS ENTRY ENTRY

LOUNGE LOUNGE MASTER MASTER BEDROOM BEDROOM

GARAGE GARAGE

PORCH PORCH

STUDY STUDY

HIS HIS

AMILIES can entertain in style in this double-storey home that epitomises clever design.

With the bonus of a study nook on each level and three living areas, the Charlton 33 by Porter Davis provides 33.01 squares of easy living.

Essentially, the ground level is for everyday living, while the first floor is for relaxing and sleeping.

The grand double-door entry opens to a study and home theatre, which will suit those working from home without disturbing the rest of the family.

The design can also be tweaked to accommodate a guest bedroom in this space.

A central staircase and powder room precede the L-shaped informal living domain.

The kitchen is well equipped with a walk-in pantry and island bench that also serves as a breakfast bar. Cleaning up could not be easier with the double sinks and optional third sink in the butler’s pantry.

There is also a laundry next to the kitchen, and the option of creating an al fresco off the family room.

Upstairs, the games room divides the main bedroom suite from the other three bedrooms.

The luxurious main bedroom includes his-and-hers walk-in robes and en suite with double sinks, a large shower and a tub to soak in.

Bedroom two also has a walk-in robe, while bedrooms three and four feature suitable built-in robes.

Part of the Advantage range, the Charlton 33 suits a minimum block size of 14m x 28m.

– TC

Display homes can be viewed at Highgrove Estate, Callow Ave, Clyde North (Cape Cod facade) and at Riverwalk Estate, Charter Rd, Werribee (Fairview facade).

4 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS, 3 LIVING AREAS, DOUBLE GARAGE // PRICE: FROM $247,900 // PORTERDAVIS.COM.AU 40 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

DISCOVER THE HERE AND NOW!

AT MANOR LAKES

Your Very Own Train Station

You’ll Love it Here

LAND ESTATES ABIWOOD Berwick (S) Gera Waters gerawaters.com.au Carrum Downs (S) Silverbark, Cnr Wedge & McCormicks Rd silverbark.com.au Clyde North (S) Clydevale, 660 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd (Cnr Hardys Rd) clydevaleliving.com.au The Radius, 291 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd theradius.com.au Officer (S) Cherrington, 320 Princes Hwy cherringtonliving.com.au

BROWN PROPERTY GROUP Open daily, 11am-5pm Clyde North (S) Highgrove, Cnr Berwick-Cranbourne Rd & Newbridge Blvd highgrove.com.au

Wyndham Vale (W)

Wallan (N)

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Wynbrook Wyndham Vale, Cnr Ballan & Hobbs Rd

Wallara Waters, 54 Wallara Waters Blvd frasersproperty.com.au/VIC/Wallara-Waters

Neale Rd, Deanside (Rockbank)

wynbrook.com.au

Open Sat-Thu, 11am-5pm

Kilora Park at The Boulevard (S)

DENNIS FAMILY CORPORATION

Westmeadows (N)

(Open seven days)

www.frasersproperty.com.au/VIC/Valley-Park/ Contact-Us

Armstrong Creek (G) Ashbury sales office: 460 Boundary Rd ashburyestate.com.au Open 11am-5pm Burnside (W) Modeina sales office: 6 Lexington Drive, Burnside www.modeina.com.au

Valley Park, Cnr Valley Park Blvd & Dimboola Rd.

Open Sat-Thu, noon-3pm

HALLMARC

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The Point (G)

Elloura, Enter via Vickers Rd, Nagambie

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By appointment

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Manor Lakes (W) Manor Lakes sales office: 2 Eppalock Dr

ID LAND

manorlakes.com.au

Watermark (G)

Open 10am-5pm

Corner Barwon Heads Rd & Reserve Rd, Charlemont watermarkgeelong.com.au

Truganina (W) Westbrook Sales Office: Leakes Rd (near cnr Morris Rd) westbrookestate.com.au

Grices Rd, Clyde North

INTRAPAC PROPERTY

Thepointpointlonsdale.com.au

NATIONAL PACIFIC PROP. (Open seven days, 11am-5pm) Clyde (S) Eliston, Discovery Centre: 20 Pattersons Rd eliston.com.au Hartleigh, 100 Pattersons Rd hartleighclyde.com.au

Meridian Clyde, Cnr Thompsons Rd & Stoneleigh Rd meridianclyde.com.au

Open 10am-5pm

Alwood (W)

Curlewis (G) Bayview, Centennial Blvd

FRASERS PROPERTY

Alfred Rd, Werribee alwood.com.au

bvbellarine.com.au

CUSTODIAN LAND

Burwood East (S) Prospect Park Burwood

Ellarook (S)

Donnybrook (N)

Brookhaven (N)

prospectpark.com.au

Woods Rd, Truganina ellarook.com.au

Kallo, Cnr Donnybrook Rd & Langley Park Dr

100 Phillip Dr, Sunbury brookhaven.com.au The Millstone (W) 1256-1258 Mount Cottrell Rd, Melton South themillstone.com.au

DACLAND

Clyde North (S) Berwick Waters, 5 Riverstone Blvd frasersproperty.com.au/VIC/Berwick-Waters Open daily, 11am-6pm Greenvale (N) Greenvale Gardens, 1075 Mickleham Rd frasersproperty.com.au/VIC/Greenvale-Gardens

Lochaven, 665 Hall Rd lochaven.com.au Lara (G)

Regent Views (N) 25 Regent St, Mernda regentviews.com.au

Alira (S)

Belmond On Clyde (S)

322-340 Centre Rd, Berwick

365 Clyde-Five Ways Rd, Clyde

Aliraberwick.com.au

belmondonclyde.com.au

Annadale (N)

Mandalay (N)

Donnybrook Rd, Mickleham annadale.com.au

450 Mandalay Circuit, Beveridge

Bendigo Court (S)

Warralily (G)

Cranbourne North. Soon to be released

Warralily Coast, 6 Anglet Way, Armstrong Creek

Curlewis Parks (G)

Warralily Promenade, 844 Barwon Heads Rd, Armstrong Creek

frasersproperty.com.au/VIC/ParksideParkville Open daily, noon-3pm

frasersproperty.com.au/VIC/Point-Cook

42 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Cnr Perry Rd & Westwood Blvd, Keysborough somerfield.com.au

Parkside, 81 Galada Ave

Tarneit (W)

Werribee (W) King’sleigh, 46 Alfred Rd kingsleigh.com.au

Somerfield (S)

NATIONAL PROPERTY BUYERS

NEWLAND DEVELOPERS

Point Cook (W)

rothwellvillages.com.au

Cnr Surf Coast Hwy & Merrigig Dr, Torquay quay2.com.au

Parkville (N)

Manzeene Village, 5 Manzeene Ave manzeenevillage.com.au

Rothwell, Dohertys Rd, Tarneit

Quay2 (G)

MOREMAC PROPERTY GROUP

Open Sat-Wed, noon-4pm

Open daily, 11am-5pm Cranbourne West (S)

kallo.com.au

Life, Point Cook, Cnr Point Cook Rd & Saltwater Prom Open Sat-Wed, 11am-5pm Sunbury (N) Sunbury Fields, 275 Racecourse Rd frasersproperty.com.au/VIC/Sunbury Open Sat-Thu, 11am-5pm

Cnr Appleby St and Jetty Rd, Curlewis curlewisparks.com.au

mandalayliving.com.au

warralily.com.au

PASK GROUP Circa 1886 (S)

The Address (W) 333 Point Cook Rd, Point Cook

211 Grices Rd, Clyde North

The Grove (W)

circaberwick.com.au

534 Hogans Rd, Tarneit

PEET Acacia Botanic Ridge (S) Craigs Rd, Cranbourne Aspect Greenvale (N)

VILLAWOOD PROPERTIES (Open 11am-6pm) Barwon Heads (G) 18th Fairway Villas, Plantation Dr, 13th Beach Golf Links

Mickleham Rd (cnr Destination Dr & Horizon Blvd), Greenvale

18thfairway.villawoodproperties.com.au

Aston Craigieburn (N)

Delaray, Delaray Waters, 460 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd

2/8 Valiant Cres, Craigieburn Cornerstone Werribee (W) 383 Black Forest Rd, Werribee

Clyde North (S)

delaray.villawoodproperties.com.au Leopold (G) Estuary, Melaluka Rd

Haven (W)

estuary.villawoodproperties.com.au

830 Leakes Rd, Tarneit

Open by appointment only

Little Green (W)

Lyndhurst (S)

Cnr Leakes Rd & Tarneit Rd, Tarneit

Aquarevo, 28 Boland Dr

Livingston (S)

aquarevo.villawoodproperties.com.au

Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne East

Marriott Waters, Cnr Thompsons Rd & Rymada St

Newhaven (W) Tarneit Rd, Tarneit Quarters (S) Lot 1647 Harper Cres, Cranbourne West Summerhill (S) 53-65 Craig Rd, Botanic Ridge

marriottwaters.villawoodproperties.com.au Mickleham (N) Waratah, 425 Donnybrook Rd Waratah.villawoodproperties.com.au Mount Duneed (G) Armstrong, 7-21 Armstrong Blvd armstrong.villawoodproperties.com.au

RESI VENTURES Golden Views (W)

Plumpton (W)

43 Brooking Rd (cnr Brady Rd), Gisborne

Aspire, Sales office temporarily closed (Reopening mid 2017)

goldenviews.com.au

Refer to aspire.villawoodproperties.com.au

Monument (W)

Point Cook (W)

Taylors Rd, Plumpton

Alamanda, 2 Paradise Pde

Sales office coming soon

villawoodproperties.com.au Sunbury (N)

STOCKLAND Allura (W)

Sherwood, Racecourse Rd villawoodproperties.com.au

11 Mainview Blvd, Truganina

Redstone Hill, Redstone Hill Rd villawoodproperties.com.au

Cloverton (N)

Truganina (W)

Cnr Dwyer St & Design Way, Kalkallo

Albright, 755 Dohertys Rd

Highlands (N)

MANZEENE VILLAGE (G)

albright.villawoodproperties.com.au

1 North Shore Dr, Craigieburn

Wollert (N)

Mernda Villages (N)

Rathdowne, Craigieburn Rd East

Cnr Bridge Inn Rd & Galloway Dr, Mernda

villawoodproperties.com.au

Artist Impression

THE best of the city, bush and beach gives buyers at Manzeene Village a rare lifestyle choice without compromise.

Dacland managing director John C Dwyer said home buyers often struggled to find an affordable home within commuting distance of the city, and often trade off large backyards for smaller lots or buy in areas away from key amenities.

“That’s not the case at Manzeene Village, which is an easy commute to both Melbourne and Geelong, close to schools and shops, as well as the bush and the beach. At Manzeene you don’t have to choose. Everything is right there on your doorstep,” Dwyer said.

Manzeene Village is about 50 minutes from Melbourne and 20 minutes from Geelong, proving ideal for people who travel to work in either city. It is also close to the You Yangs, the Serendip Sanctuary and within a 35-minute drive of some of Australia’s best surf beaches.

The community is close to schools, including Lara Secondary College, shops (including Coles and Woolworths), cafes and Lara train station with connecting bus routes.

Residents will have access to botanical parkland that runs the whole length of the community, ensuring everyone has access to open space within minutes of their front door.

“The new community offers traditional, generously sized lots that combine with Dacland’s signature award-winning urban design to encourage family and community living at its best. There’s plenty of room to build a great house and plenty of outdoor entertaining space,” Dwyer said.

Website: manzeenevillage.com.au Block sizes: 360sq m-604sq m Price: From $165,000 Address: 5 Manzeene Ave, Lara Open: 11am-5pm, Saturday-Wednesday

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 43

UPPER POINT COOK (W)

BIG on style, versatility and storage, Long Island Homes’ Hampton 500 takes easy living to the next level.

Suitable for extended families with its guest bedroom, powder room and theatre/living room off the entry hall, the 50.29-square dwelling has an expansive living and dining domain, superb kitchen and a butler’s pantry with a servery that opens to the outdoor room.

The feature staircase ascends to the kids retreat, three bedrooms with walkin robes and en suite, and a passage that leads past the study to the sumptuous main bedroom suite with its his-and-her walk-in robes and luxurious en suite.

Price: From $529,900 Liverpool St, Point Cook

DISPLAY HOMES

DIRECTORY

Melton (W) 1 Willandra Blvd, Willandra Estate

Clyde North (S) Flowerbloom Cres, Berwick Waters Estate

Melton South (W) 10 Ladbroke St, Atherstone Estate

Moxham Dr, Highgrove Estate

Mernda (N) 18 Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages

Craigieburn (N) Dashing Rd, Aston Estate Highlander Dr, Highlands Estate

Mickleham (N) 48 Newmarket Pde, Merrifield Estate

Cranbourne East (S) Bathgate Cres, Livingston Estate

Officer (S) 20 Hardwick Pl, Timbertop Estate

Cranbourne West (S) Red Maple Dr, Casiana Grove Estate Diggers Rest (N) Sully Court, Bloomdale Estate

ARDEN HOMES

BURBANK HOMES

(Open seven days, 11am-5pm)

(Open seven days, 11am-5pm)

Point Cook (W) 24 Liverpool St, Upper Point Cook Estate 12 Gramercy Blvd, The Address Estate

Botanic Ridge (S) 6-8 Gumleaf Pl, Acacia Estate

Armstrong Creek (G) 11 Coastside Dr, Warralily Coast Estate

Rockbank (W) 5 Rush St, Woodlea Estate

Clyde North (S) Cnr Tallrush St & Littleshore Cres, Berwick Waters Estate

Burnside (W) 1 Lexington Dr, Modeina Estate

Sunbury (N) 10 Rosenthal Blvd, Rosenthal Estate

Clyde North (S) 30 Flowerbloom Cres, Berwick Waters Estate 6 Murphy St, Clydevale Estate

Tarneit (W) 56 Heartlands Blvd, Heartlands Estate

Keysborough (S) Cnr Westwood Blvd & Alderberry Rd, Somerfield Estate Point Cook (W) Cnr Gramercy Blvd & Flagstaff Cres, The Address Estate Roxburgh Park (N) Cnr Dawnview Cres & Topiary Way, True North Estate Wollert (N) Cnr Bloom Cres & Dundee Rd, Lyndarum North Estate

BENTLEY HOMES (Open weekdays noon-5pm, 11am-5pm weekends) Craigieburn (N) 11-13 Montreal Circuit, Highlands Estate Mernda (N) 22-26 Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages Tarneit (W) 3-5 Isdell St, The Grove Estate

44 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Craigieburn (N) 18 Dashing Rd, Aston Estate 3 Montreal Circuit, Highlands Estate Cranbourne East (S) 23 Bathgate Cres, Livingstone Estate Cranbourne North (S) 5 Lucinda Lane, Tulliallan Estate Cranbourne West (S) 3 Erindale St, Clarinda Park Estate Doreen (N) 1 Mensa Circuit, Plenty River Estate Fyansford (G) 4 Casey Blvd, Gen Fyansford Estate Greenvale (N) 20 Destination Dr, Aspect Estate

Truganina (W) 18 Everholme Dr, Allura Estate Wantirna South (S) 2B Appledale Way, Harcrest Estate Werribee (W) 3 Charter Rd, Riverwalk Estate 5 Billeroy Way, Harpley Estate Williams Landing (W) 7 Harvey St, Williams Landing Estate Wollert (N) 24 Bloom Cres, Lyndarum Estate Wyndham Vale (W) 11 Memory Cres, Jubilee Estate

DENNIS FAMILY HOMES (Open 11am-5pm daily. Ph: 1800 336 647)

Keysborough (S) 3 Olivetree Dr, Somerfield Estate

Armstrong Creek (G) Coastside Drive, Warralily Coast Estate

Lucas (Regional) 18 Eleanor Dr, Lucas. Open Mon-Wed 11am5pm, weekends 11am-5pm

Burnside (W) Lexington Dr, Modeina Estate Open Thu & Fri only

Greenvale (N) Flourish Circuit, Greenvale Gardens Estate Mernda (N) Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages Estate Mickleham (N) Newmarket Pde, Merrifield Estate Mount Duneed (G) Native Ave, Armstrong Estate Ocean Grove (G) Sacramento St, Oakdene Estate Officer (S) Penshurst Cres, Timbertop Estate Point Cook (W) Liverpool St, Upper Point Cook Estate Rockbank (W) Panning Circuit, Woodlea Estate Wollert (N) Timble Cl, Eucalypt Estate Bloom Cres, Lyndarum North Estate Wyndham Vale (W) Dalrymple Blvd, Manor Lakes Estate

EIGHT HOMES (Open Mon-Wed noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm) Armstrong Creek (G) 5-7 Lampard St, Warralily Coast Estate

Craigieburn (N) 7-9 Montreal Circuit, Highlands Estate Cranbourne East (S) 13 Bathgate Cres, Livingston Estate Cranbourne North (S) 268-270 Alisma Blvd, Tulliallan Estate Cranbourne West (S) 14-16 Erindale St, Clarinda Park Estate Melton South (W) 14-16 Ladbroke St, Atherstone Estate Mernda (N) 19-23 Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages

LONG ISLAND HOMES (Open daily 11am-5pm) Armstrong Creek (G) Lampard Ave, Warralily Coast Estate Diggers Rest (N) Sully Ct, Bloomdale Estate Mickleham (N) Newmarket Pde, Merrifield Estate Mount Duneed (G) Native Ave, Armstrong Estate Point Cook (W) Gramercy Blvd, The Address Estate

Keysborough (S) Westwood Blvd, Somerfield Estate

Craigieburn (N) 79 Whitfield Cres, Highlands Estate

Lucas (Regional) Eleanor Dr, Lucas

Cranbourne East (S) Bathgate Cres, Livingston Estate

Mernda (N) Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages

Cranbourne West (S) 12 Fintona Cres, Clarinda Park Estate

Officer (S) Upton Dr, Timbertop Estate Point Cook (W) Gramercy Blvd, The Address Estate Liverpool St, Upper Point Cook Estate

Diggers Rest (W) 13 Sully Ct, Bloomdale Estate Drysdale (G) 7 Centennial Blvd, Curlewis Park Greenvale (N) 44 Flourish Circuit, Greenvale Gardens Estate

Liverpool St, Upper Point Cook Estate

Rockbank (W) Woodlea Blvd, Woodlea Estate

Rockbank (W) 14-16 Panning Circuit, Woodlea Estate

Rockbank (W) Cross Lane, Woodlea Estate

Romsey (Regional) Melbourne-Lancefield Rd, Lomandra Estate

Keysborough (S) Westwood Blvd, Somerfield Estate

Tarneit (W) 36-38 Bandicoop Loop, Habitat Estate

Tarneit (W) Bandicoot Loop, Habitat Estate

Sunbury (N) Rosenthal Blvd, Rosenthal Estate

Lara (G) 4 Caddys Rd, Lara Central Estate

Point Cook (W) 20-22 Liverpool St, Upper Point Cook Estate

Truganina (W) 31 Bolte Dr, Elements Estate Williams Landing (W) 61 Sayers Rd, Williams Landing Estate

ARMSTRONG ESTATE (G)

Mount Duneed (G) Native Ave, Armstrong Estate

Balwyn (S) Austin Apartments, Whitehorse Rd

Officer (S) 12 Hardwick Pl, Timbertop Estate

Highett (S) Vista, Kingston Park Apartments

Point Cook (W) 261 Sneydes Rd, Featherbrook Estate

Melbourne (S) Arthur Apartments, 14 Queens Rd

(Open Mon-Wed noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm) Armstrong Creek (G) 15-17 Maroubra St, Warralily Coast Estate Craigieburn (N) 6-8 Star Way, Aston Estate Cranbourne (S) 39-41 Bathgate Cres, Livingston Estate Cranbourne North (S) 805d Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Tulliallan Estate Fyansford (G) 15 Casey Blvd, Gen Fyansford Estate Lara (G) 121-123 Flinders Ave, Lara Central Estate Mernda (N) Stradling Rise, Mernda Village Mount Duneed (G) 465 Surf Coast Hwy, Armstrong Estate 18-20 Coastside Dr, Warralily Coast Estate

TICKING all the boxes for first-time buyers, Porter Davis’s London 24 doesn’t compromise on style or functionality.

The 226.69sq m residence has four bedrooms (front main with twin walk-in robes and en suite, bathroom with separate toilet, laundry and rear living domain that links to the kitchen.

The latter has Bellissimo Technika

PORTER DAVIS (Open daily 11am-5pm) Armstrong Creek (G) Armstrong Blvd, Armstrong Estate Ballarat (Regional) Eleanor Drive, Lucas Estate Bendigo (Regional) Swanson Blvd (off Strathfieldsaye Rd), Imagine Estate Brighton East (S) 333 South Rd

Point Cook (W) 333 Point Cook Rd, The Address Estate

Clyde North (S) Flowerbloom Cres, Berwick Waters Estate Callow Ave, Highgrove Estate

Rockbank (W) 18-20 Woodlea Blvd, Woodlea Estate

Craigieburn (N) Valiant Cres, Aston Estate

Romsey (N) Greenfields Blvd, Lomandra Estate

Cranbourne East (S) Lineham Dr (off South Gippsland Hwy), Mayfield Estate

Tarneit (W) 7 Isdell St, The Grove Estate Werribee (W) 150 Billeroy Way, Harpley Estate

Mernda (N) 21 Riberry Cres, Berry Lane Estate Mickleham (N) 3-5 Newmarket Pde, Merrifield Estate

(Open Mon-Wed noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm)

JG KING

Melton West (W) 3 Willandra Blvd, Willandra Estate

Lot 6218 Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages

HALLMARC

Point Cook (W) Promenade Apartments, Waterhaven

Grovedale (G) 295-297 Torquay Rd, Grovedale Estate

Greenvale (N) Destination Drive (off Mickleham Rd), Aspect Estate

appliances (900mm underbench oven, five-burner gas cooktop, glass and stainless-steel canopy rangehood), island bench and walk-in pantry.

There is also a rear rumpus room.

The London 24 is suitable for a 14m x 28m block.

Price: From $202,900 Armstrong Blvd, Mount Duneed Tarneit (W) Bandicoot Loop, Habitat Estate Truganina (W) Brunswick Dr, Elements Estate Wantirna South (S) Appledale Way, Harcrest Estate Werribee (W) Charter Rd, Riverwalk Estate Williams Landing (W) Cnr Palmers Rd & Opsum Way, Williams Landing Estate Wollert (N) Bloom Cres, Lyndarum Estate

SIMONDS HOMES (Open weekdays noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm) Clyde (S) 50 Flowerbloom Cres, Berwick Waters Estate Clyde North (S) Callow Ave, Highgrove Estate 12-14 Welsh Cres, Clydevale Estate

Rockbank (W) Panning Circuit, Woodlea Estate Romsey (R) 2671 Melbourne-Lancefield Rd, Lomandra Estate Sunbury (N) 233 Gap Rd, Gap Road Estate Tarneit (W) Leakes Rd, Heartlands Estate 60 Bandicoot Loop, Habitat Estate Taylors Hill (W) Belmont Ct, Taylors Hill Estate Werribee (W) 18 Bloom St, Riverwalk Estate Billeroy Way, Harpley Estate Williams Landing (W) 21 Palmers Rd, Williams Landing Estate Wollert (N) 51 Evolve Espl, Summerhill Estate Bloom Cres, Lyndarum Estate

URBANEDGE (Open Mon-Wed noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm) Armstrong Creek (G) 9-11 Decourcy Way, Warralily Estate Cranbourne North (S) 264 Alisma Blvd, Tulliallan Estate Greenvale (N) 21-23 Destination Dr, Aspect Greenvale Estate Keysborough (S) 5 Olivetree Blvd, Somerfield Estate Williams Landing (W) 65-69 Sayers Rd, Williams Landing Estate

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 45

BENDIGO

Maiden Gully

Strathdale

HWY

Golden Square

McIVO

Strathfieldsaye

R HW

22

Y

STRAT HF I

WH ER E TO FI N D EL

DSAYE

cI

M

CALDER

WY N H

White Hills

R VO

RD

HW

Y

CALD ER H WY

PORTER DAVIS

Maldon

HEATH C O TE

A HWY

A HWY

- MALD WATER BRIDGE

- KY NTON RD E

ON RD

10 MIDLAND HWY

Maryborough

Huntly

CAMERONS LN

BEVERIDGE RD

CAMERONS LN

BEVERIDGE RD

Eaglehawk

Epsom White Hills

WIMMER

WIMMER

A HWY

HWY

BO

RN

Doreen

Strathfieldsaye

R HW

Greenvale

Y

STRAT HF I

DSAYE

Diamond Creek

CALD

Jerichco

ER H

BAC HUS MA C

13

McIVO

22

RD

9

14 Wollert

Strathdale

Golden Square

LDON RD

Greenvale

11 12

Doreen

BENDIGO

Maiden Gully

EL

13

R S H - G IS

Wollert

Marong

- MA WATER

WY

Diamond Creek Plumpton

Warrandyte

5

Wonga Park

Warrandyte

Park Orchards

Maldon

Wonga Park

Mt Rowan

4

Truganina

Cardigan

CANTERBURY RD

7

2

Invermay Park Nerrina Gong Gong

Lake Gardens Soldiers Hill

Alfredton

Williams Landing

t Cook

23

- KY NTON RD E

8

TE

15

20

6

Habitat Tarneit

CANTERBURY RD

HEATH C O

Sulky

Park Orchards Maryborough

3

20

15

KNOCKDOWN & REBUILD D I S P L AY

Delacombe Smythes Creek

Warrenhelp

Canadian Rendan Mt Pleasant

Bonshaw

Dunnstown

Magpie

Point Cook

Cambrian Hill

Mt Helen

Scarsdale

16 21 18 17

Officer

19 Clyde North

16

Aspendale

21

Edithvale

18 17

Officer

Glengarry

19

Sulky

23

Trafalgar

Gong Gong

Lake Gardens Soldiers Hill

Delacombe Smythes Creek

Rendan Mt Pleasant

Bonshaw Magpie Cambrian Hill

Traralgon Morwell

Hazelwood North

Alfredton

Canadian

24

BO

1

Cardigan

Moe

RN

Yarragon

Invermay Park Nerrina

WY

SH

CE

IN PR Mt Rowan

Yallourn North

Clyde North

E RD

Edithvale

Warrenhelp

Churchill Dunnstown

Mt Helen

R S H - G IS

Aspendale

BAC HUS MA C

11 12

14

E RD

A HWY

BRIDGE

3

WIMMER

WIMMER

CALDER

Marong

Scarsdale

Mirboo North

Map is for illustrative purposes only and is not to scale.

Jeeralang North