Urban Affairs - July 2013

Aussies win

‘best in show ’ Pages 8-9

Can we create a no risk society?

Page 2

UDIA Board appointments Page 7

for 2O13

UDIA VICTORIA

CAN WE CREATE A NO RISK societ y?

JOHN CICERO [UDIA VICTORIA PRESIDENT] I am becoming more and more concerned that policy and its implementation is being done in a way which seeks to eliminate all risk. Let me give you an example – since Black Saturday a no risk “policy” to bushfire is emerging, and that is just impossible. We cannot create a society where we can eliminate all risk.

In at least two regional areas that I am personally aware of, the CFA appears to be advocating a position in relation to new urban development where it wants it to be free from any risk of bushfire.

The reality is that many of our regional towns and cities are surrounded by state forest and in most cases therefore, protected from removal. The City of Bendigo boasts as its slogan, “a City in a Forest”.

It is inevitable that in such a context there is a risk of bushfire.

As a result of Black Saturday, the bushfire provisions in the planning scheme were amended and we now have a very strict regime which requires the creation of defendable spaces to protect new development from the risk of bushfire.

But apparently it appears that these defendable space requirements are not enough to eliminate all risk.

So what do we do? I do not think that the CFA has any authority to go beyond what Clause 52.47 requires. If it believes that those bushfire protection planning requirements are insufficient, then it should be approaching State Government to revisit those requirements. However it should not be allowed to oppose new urban development in circumstances where such development has complied with those planning requirements.

It is important to remember that one of the purposes of the bushfire protection planning requirements is: “To ensure that development is only permitted if the risk to life, property and community infrastructure can be reduced to an acceptable level...”

I do not read “no risk”, in that purpose and indeed, as I said above, it is impossible to create a society which is not at risk in relation to natural events such as fire or flooding.

In circumstances where this government, and quite responsibly so, has been promoting growth in regional cities and towns in Victoria, their continued development is being made exceedingly difficult and indeed would be impossible if

the view prevailed that there should be no risk from bushfire for any new urban development.

The other significant problem that is beginning to manifest itself is the ongoing requirement for the management of defendable spaces. Some of you might be familiar with the Botanic Ridge PSP where the Minister has approved the PSP and directed the issue of Section 96A permits in circumstances, where the council has refused to issue the permits.

The council is doing so on the basis that it has not agreed to take on ownership or maintenance responsibilities for the fire buffers, arguing that their management to protect both public and private land, is unrealistic and excessively onerous.

I am aware that discussions are taking place to try and resolve what is obviously an unsatisfactory impasse and Tony and I have had discussions with the Minister for Planning shortly to discuss this and other bushfire-related issues.

Changing subjects and returning to our established urban areas, as you know, the new residential zones came into force on 1 July 2013. Councils will have 12 months to undertake and transition from their existing residential zones to the new zones, namely: · Residential Growth Zone · General Residential Zone · Neighbourhood Residential Zone The UDIA is currently preparing a set of criteria to govern the application of the zones. Those criteria will have as their base, spatial considerations centred on proximity to public transport and activity centres where you would expect that land zoned Residential 1 would be an obvious candidate for a Residential Growth Zone.

Our concern is that a much more conservative approach will be adopted by many of our inner and middle suburban councils, which would result in a greater application of the Neighbourhood Residential Zone. The new residential zones provide a great opportunity to integrate land use and transport planning.

I would hope that councils would accept an outcome of allowing greater intensity of residential development within walking distance of public transport and activity centres as that will place less pressure for development in those areas of its municipality where there is a genuine character that should be respected e.g. heritage. As soon as the criteria are finalised, they will be circulated to our members for comment.

As always I look forward to your feedback.

contents 2

Can we create a no risk society?

4

Building a better Victoria key to recovery

7

UDIA board appointments 2013

8-9

Aussies win best in show

10

“Green shoots” of recovery stems out

12

Land prices ease, sales dip

14-15

Women in Property – trivia night

16-17

Sustainability offers the point of difference

18

Premier’s man opts for long-term planning

19

Driving development dwelt on

20

Social proof - the ultimate industry weapon?

21

Detached dwellings wins the day

22-23

The new American dream – affordable, bespoke and healthy

24-25

Biodiversity conservation strategy: An industry briefing

26

Not for the faint of heart

27

A fine system… That doesn’t work

28

Glut? What Glut?

29

Remediation costs set to slide

30

Directory

31

2013 UDIA Board of Directors and calendar of events

Aussies win

‘best in show ’ Pages 8-9

Can we create a no risk society?

Page 2

UDIA Board appointments

Published By: Star News Group Pty Ltd Cnr Army Rd & Princes Highway, Pakenham, VIC 3810

Page 7

for 2O13

Editorial: Kylie Mannix Ph: 03 9832 9600 E: kylie@udiavic.com.au

UDIA VICTORIA

cover :

UDIA Awards for Excellence 2013

Paul Bewicke Ph: 5945 0666 E: udia@starnewsgroup.com.au

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Advertising:

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 3

BUILDING A BETTER VICTORIA KEY TO

recovery The Victorian development industry which directly employs TONY DE DOMENICO [UDIA EXECUTIVE OFFICER]

around 310,000 full time employees, contributes around 12 per cent of the state’s gross domestic product and $4.6

THE recent announcement of the closure of the Ford car manufacturing plant in Broadmeadows and Geelong in 2016, with the loss of some 1200 jobs directly, and the wider impact on the region and other associated manufacturing, shone the light on Victoria’s harsh economic reality and the challenges facing its economic recovery.

The results from the National Land Survey Program (NLSP*) show that Melbourne achieved a share of more than 40 per cent of all greenfield lot sales across the major capital cities in 2009-10; the latest March 2013 quarter survey highlighted that Melbourne’s share had fallen to just 15 per cent. The recovery in the development industry is forecast to be gradual and not happen overnight.

billion in taxes to all tiers of government, is looking to create urgently needed jobs and requires investment and projects in the pipeline.

The recent re-alignment of the first home buyers grant by the Victorian Government to the construction of new homes and the reduction of stamp duty recognised the role the development industry plays in the economy by focusing funds where the maximum amount of jobs will be created.

On the positive side, Charter Keck Cramer director strategic research, Robert Papaleo, recently told the UDIA research breakfast that the new home buyers grant combined with low interest rates, should result in moderately higher sales activity

However, there is little doubt that the expansion of the new house and land market, apartment and urban renewal projects in Victoria in the next three to five years will be a major key to Victoria’s economic recovery and employment, mainly due to the multiplier effect generated by the land development and house building industry.

through the second half of 2013.

Behind every new home stands the employment of a range of trades people, employment networks of suppliers and ultimately the retail sector with homes requiring white goods, furniture and services.

proposed construction of the East West Tunnel by the State

The new house and land market, apartment and urban renewal is a major area of economic activity for thousands of small businesses across Victoria in metropolitan, regional and country areas.

the development industry are minimised.

The industry also underpins business for a range of professional skills in engineering, town planning, environmental sustainability, water management, landscape design, banking and sales and marketing.

The forecast 77,000 people coming to Victoria this year will also add to the expansion of market opportunities.

Recent reviews of the planning system and the announcement of major precincts such as Fishermans Bend and the Government will also assist in stimulating activity.

During this period of recovery with the urgent need to create economic development, it is vital the traditional roadblocks to

These include confused and uncertain planning processes, long delays of up to several years at local government level and conflict between federal and state planning regulations.

These roadblocks threaten housing affordability and ultimately have to be paid for by the first home buyer as the invisible red tape tax on those buying their first home.

UDIA VIC AWARDS FOR excellence CALL FOR ENTRIES IS NOW OPEN

THE UDIA Awards for Excellence recognises the best in urban development across Victoria each year. Winners are selected for their exceptional commitment in one of the award categories and are acknowledged at the awards luncheon in December. Winners in selected categories will automatically be entered into the National awards.

The benefits of participating in the UDIA Vic Awards for Excellence are many, culminating in recognition as the development of the year in Victoria. This alone provides enormous marketing and media value.

4 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

THIS YEAR’S CATEGORIES ARE:

Masterplanned Development Residential Development Medium Density

High Density

Affordable Development

Urban Renewal

Environmental Excellence

Special Purpose Living

The closing date for this year’s entries is Friday, 13 September.

GET THE KNOW HOW WITH UDIA’S education WEEK Join the UDIA on 15 August for Conference Day, a brand new one day event hosted in Melbourne’s CBD. A fantastic speaker lineup will discuss a range of critical topics such as Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Strategy, planning policy reform, sustainability and consumer demands.

UDIA’s CONFERENCE DAY PROGRAM Keynote address – Findings, Feedback, Future Professor Roz Hansen, Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Strategy Economic Update – Summary and outlook for the property development sector Development Showcase – Royal Children’s Hospital Fiona McKerow, Royal Children’s Hospital Project

Consumer Demand & Integration

Development Showcase – The Claremont Michael Yates, Michael L Yates & Co Pty Ltd

Design Concepts – Delivering gardens for built structures Geoff Heard, Fytogreen

Infrastructure – Development, Delivery & Dollars Professor Kevin O’Connor, University of Melbourne Professor Rodger Eade, Victorian University Kris Daff, Evolve Development

Taxation 101 Ken Fehily, Fehily Advisory Victor Di Felice, Sladen Legal Sustainability in the Residential Sector Chris Chesterfield, Melbourne Water Professor Kate Audy, Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Dr Charles Meredith

Planning System Reform Paul Byrne, Growth Areas Authority Greg Wood, Tract Consultants Planning for Tomorrow Brian Haratsis, MacroPlan Dimasi Strategy & Innovation – The Future Steve Tighe, Chasing Sunrises

The conference offers you the opportunity to interact with industry experts on topics affecting the industry and to network with UDIA members right in the heart of Melbourne.

Custom design your learning by choosing the workshop sessions that apply to you covering infrastructure, taxation, design concepts and consumer demand. The program will also offer insights into some of Victoria’s award winning developments and the trade exhibition will provide the chance to see the latest products and projects presented by the industry’s leading organisations.

Cap off a truly outstanding day’s learning with a fabulous networking dinner at Melbourne’s iconic Aquarium, in the underwater wonderland of the Coral Atoll.

Opportunities exist to sponsor Education Week, so for all the registration and sponsorship information go to udiavic.com.au or contact the UDIA office on 03 9832 9600.

Speakers confirmed at time of print. Program and speakers subject to change.

transport in growth areas vic project showcase

VICTORIAN MEMBER

MAB Corporation

Armstrong Creek West Villawood Properties Pty Ltd

Williams Landing Town Centre Cedar Woods

Mandalay Newland

Lyndarum Estate AV Jennings

Saltwater Coast FKP Property Group

We are experts in planning and delivering projects within Melbourne’s growth areas. infrastructure advice for residential subdivisions and town

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 5

UDIA EDUCATION WEEK 12-16 AUGUST 2013 THE KN0W-H0W HERE & N0W From 12 – 16 August, you’re invited to the UDIA’s Education Week, where you can: ‡

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UDIA BOARD APPOINTMENTS 2013 IN MAY, the UDIA Board elections were held and existing board members John Cicero, Stephen Copland, Duncan McLellan and Bettina Sheeran retained their positions. Bettina has taken on the role of Secretary.

One new candidate, Andrew Perkins, was successful in taking up the fifth position available. Known to the industry, you will likely have read one of Andrew’s research papers on the state of the Melbourne growth area land market, possibly in this magazine.

Andrew is National Head of Research at Oliver Hume Corporation and has amassed over 15 years’ experience in property research across a range of market segments.

His work has involved him with public and private sectors nationally and internationally.

He maintains annual consultancies with a number of government agencies including the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD), Growth Areas Authority (GAA) and the Department of Infrastructure (DOI).

Andrew was responsible for the inception, ongoing management and strategic direction of Oliver Hume Research nationally.

Andrew writes a quarterly column for the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) as well as for our very own Urban Affairs.

His latest research outcomes for Growth Area sales can be found on page 12.

Andrew joins a team of directors who have collectively chalked up over 60 years’ experience on the UDIA Board, bringing expertise from the areas of development, law, taxation, marketing and planning. Peter Vlitas, state general manager at AVJennings, Rory Costelloe, joint director at Villawood Properties and Steve Copland, general manager National Pacific are the longest serving board members, all having served since 2002.

Tania Quick, Meinhardt has been reappointed to the board for a second year.

UDIA (VIC) BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: John Cicero – Best Hooper Vice President: David Payes – Intrapac Projects Secretary: Bettina Sheeran – Maddocks Treasurer: Duncan McLellan – Moremac Property Group Elected Directors: Steve Copland – National Pacific, Rory Costelloe – Villawood Properties, Stephen Hynes – Lend Lease, Anthony Lennon – Peet Limited, Andrew Perkins – Oliver Hume, Peter Vlitas – AVJennings Appointed Directors: Tania Quick – Meinhardt

1067503-SL14-13

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 7

Chelsea - Garden featuring studio sculpture by Studio 505

AUSSIES WIN

best IN SHOW

AFTER nine years of presenting show gardens at the Royal Horticultural Society’s world-famous Chelsea Flower Show in London, the Aussies have made world history, being presented with a Best in Show medal at the awards ceremony held overnight in London - a feat never before achieved by an Australian team.

The ninth and final entry for Chelsea Flower Show stalwarts, Fleming’s Nurseries, the Trailfinders Australian Garden was not only awarded with a prestigious Gold Medal but also with the ‘Best in Show’ honour which has eluded the team for so many years.

Designed by sustainable landscaper, Phillip Johnson of Phillip Johnson landscapes, the Best in Show medal at what is regarded as the ‘Olympics of the horticulture world’, represents something of a career zenith for the already highlyawarded landscape firm.

“Being involved in Chelsea was a dream-come-true for me and my team. Winning an award amongst contemporaries of this calibre is absolutely mind-blowing. We couldn’t be more proud of what we have achieved, it’s been an incredible experience,” Johnson said.

“We came here with a very ambitious vision - to showcase 8 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

Australia, our horticultural industry and to educate the world on the possibilities of sustainable landscape design.

“This presented challenges from the other side of the world, but we knew we only had one chance to make the impact necessary to educate, and that’s what we have done,” he said.

Founder, team leader and ‘The Godfather’ of the Trailfinders Australian Garden campaigns, Wes Fleming of Fleming’s Nurseries, said the Best in Show medal had fulfilled a lifelong dream.

“I have dreamed of this moment since I was a little boy growing up on the nursery with mum and dad regaling tales of the Chelsea Flower Show.

“I’ve been chasing this honour for my whole adult life so to have been awarded not only a coveted gold medal but a Best in Show at the world’s most highly regarded horticultural event, is a moment no words can describe.

“This is the ninth and final garden to ever be presented

by Fleming’s Nurseries so to go out on such a high is just incredible.

“Phillip Johnson’s garden is absolutely stunning and obviously the judges thought so too.

“The design is an incredible display of Australian horticulture and a timely reminder of how we can be more sustainable in our management of our most precious resource - water - in our gardens at home.

“Australian horticulture and landscape design are at the cutting edge of the world-wide industry and this medal is just icing on the cake.

“I am truly privileged to be a part of this new movement where landscape design and horticulture is held in such high esteem.

“My hope is that someone will continue to carry the Chelsea flame after we have left our mark, as it would be such a shame to never see another Australian Garden entry to the Chelsea Flower Show in the future,” he said.

This year’s Trailfinders Australian Garden presented by Fleming’s is a sustainable habitat, complete with monolithic stone gorge, running waterfalls, a studio structure and billabong.

Renowned for his approach to sustainable landscape and garden design, Phillip Johnson’s design is maintained by an integrated water management system which is independent from mains water and reduces the impact on the storm water infrastructure by retaining and recycling storm water run-off.

A three metre-cubed home ‘studio’ structure, designed

by Melbourne-based architecture firm, Studio 505, was a key feature in the garden’s design and had been crafted specifically for the Queen’s height.

The finished design took a total of 17 days and over 2500 man hours to build, transforming what once resembled a bare soccer pitch into a sustainable garden retreat.

Wes Fleming said a team of 18 volunteers, using 38 tonnes of tools, equipment, materials and plants sourced both locally and abroad had been the foundation of the team’s success.

“We couldn’t have done it without the dedication and support of our 18 volunteer crewmen and our families, not just in 2013 but on every show garden we’ve ever presented since we first arrived at Chelsea back in 2004.

“So we will share this medal with everyone who has enjoyed the Chelsea experience with us along the way,” he said.

This is Fleming’s Nurseries’ ninth medal in as many years with the team previously winning four silver-gilt and four gold medals.

Mr Fleming will hang up his boots at the close of this year’s event to focus on new projects back on home soil.

The 2013 Chelsea Flower Show was open to the public from 21 - 25 May in the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital in London.

For more information on this year’s Trailfinders Australian Garden presented by Fleming’s Nurseries, visit www.flemings. com.au/chelsea2013 The Australian team’s epic journey to achieve this year’s ambitious Trailfinders Australian Garden – the biggest Australian exhibit Chelsea has ever seen – was captured by cameras as part of a documentary series for Foxtel.

The two-part special, hosted by Selling Houses Australia landscape designer, Charlie Albone, will air on The LifeStyle Channel later in the year.

Chelsea Trailfinders

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 9

“GREEN SHOOTS” OF

recovery STEMS OUT

THERE are signs of a recovery in Melbourne’s greenfield development market, but there is still a long way to go according to Charter Keck Cramer’s Robert Papaleo, speaking at the recent Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) research breakfast. More than 220 people attended the Biggin Scott Land sponsored breakfast introduced by the UDIA’s Tony De Domenico.

Mr Papaleo said he was starting to see some “green shoots of recovery” but a careful approach was still needed.

“Let’s not get carried away, this is not time to pop the champagne, but we are getting to see the first signs of at least a turnaround in the momentum associated with the greenfield market,” he said.

Mr Papaleo’s confidence comes after some key indicators have started to take a turn for the better and he is hopeful they will continue to improve. Sales rates have risen off the bottom from where they were in the September quarter of 2012 and a strengthening of sales activity is expected across Melbourne through the latter half of 2013.

“Prices are certainly re-calibrating back to where consumers are expressing demand, but I still think there’s a little bit of room to go there,” Mr Papaleo said.

“We’ve got to see a recovery in sales activity before we even think about prices moving the other way.”

Mr Papaleo also discussed the development industry in a broader national context. He said Melbourne was now facing some closer competition from the other states.

“Perhaps, more importantly from an industry point of view Melbourne lost its long standing top rating position in a national context,” he said.

“We went from a situation of almost universally having 40 per cent market share of national sales activity to a situation by the end of the year where we were at 21 per cent, on par with Sydney, less than Perth, almost on par with South-East Queensland.”

agenda. Mr Papaleo said the population would continue to grow but developers could not rely solely on this to lift the market.

“The rate of growth is significant for a Melbourne context,” he said.

“We are a growing city, but we can’t just rely on population growth in isolation to drive market performance because lots need to be affordable enough for these new residents to actually secure ownership.”

The floor was opened up to questions and Mr Papaleo discussed the growing diversity of investors and how this is likely to affect the greenfield market.

“What we certainly have seen in Melbourne and in Australia across the residential sectors and across the commercial sectors is an increase in internationalisation of development capital,” he said.

“Australia is a very attractive place for international investment and Melbourne is leading that charge because we’re known as the world’s most liveable city.”

Transport infrastructure was also put forward as an important influence for potential property buyers when choosing a place to live. Mr Papaleo was asked about the need for more transport infrastructure in the greenfield areas.

“We have seen quite clearly as evidenced through research that those estates that do have a train station embedded within them do perform better, both in terms of sales volume as well as lot price escalation,” Mr Papaleo responded.

“If we’re not building new housing in association with investment in that transport infrastructure, we’re doing the city and this community a disservice.”

Despite there still being a way to go, Mr Papaleo left the audience with a positive outlook for Melbourne’s greenfield property market.

Lot sales have contributed to this shift as the rest of the country has begun to assert itself.

“It’s fair to say that at least now we’re on the path to recovery, we’ve seen the bottom of the market and we anticipate that the back half of 2013 should be a little bit better than what we have experienced at least over the last year or so,” he said.

“Lot sales activity across Australia has picked up quite considerably through the first quarter of 2013 which is a positive sign,” Mr Papaleo said.

Biggin Scott Land’s Frank Nagle also spoke briefly at the breakfast, with a similar assertion that the market was getting back on its feet.

“This is an impact of markets being ready to absorb the increased consumer confidence that’s come from the declining interest rates over the last year and a half.”

Mr Papaleo also believes the industry’s stock overhang is starting to show signs of improvement with over 14,000 lots currently available for sale across Australia. That is a reduction of eight per cent over the quarter, the fourth consecutive decline after the long period of increasing.

“The high level of stock overhang across Australia is purely a reflection of what’s been happening in Melbourne,” he said.

“The rest of the nation is doing really well and Melbourne is lagging, they’re pulling back the market in many respects after having led the market for so long.”

Population growth, specifically Melbourne’s, was also on the 10 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

Frank Nagle, Kevin Biggin, Tony De Domenico, Rob Papaleo

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JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 11

LAND PRICES

ease, SALES DIP

ANDREW PERKINS [NATIONAL HEAD OF RESEARCH, OLIVER HUME GROUP]

MARCH 2013 QTR, GROWTH AREA LAND STATS THE median land price eased during the March quarter to $201,250: down from $205,000 last quarter. However, the median rebate fell slightly: by $500 to $12,500.

The net land price is now $188,750 and is only slightly above that recorded pre-boom, more than two years ago.

Taking account of projects that have been withdrawn, completed or launched, the fully-developed yield totals around 131,000 in 142 projects.

Median rebates, by municipality, ranged from $6000 to $15,000. The number of projects offering a rebate fell from 45 per cent last quarter to 38 per cent. Total rebates now on offer exceed $56 million.

Casey, Hume and Wyndham are still the only municipalities which have a gross median above $200,000. In net terms, Wyndham remains the only municipality with a median price above $200,000.

While the Reserve Bank of Australia notes that conditions in the housing market and consumer spending appear to be picking up speed, discussion still circles around consumer confidence as the biggest hurdle confronting the sector.

Mitchell (Beveridge-Wallan) continues to underpin the market in terms of affordable product with a gross median of $160,250: $147,250 net. That said, Melton and Wyndham have delivered superior growth since 2006 (land prices have grown more than 50 per cent since 2006).

However, on a number of occasions in the past, land sales have been much stronger in times when confidence has been significantly weaker than it is now.

The median land area again remained unchanged at 448 square metres, a level it has been at for a number of quarters.

With little movement in the number of active residential projects, retail supply / stock overhang appears to have found what could be termed as its equilibrium.

For the fifth consecutive quarter, supply exceeds 3500 (between 3600 and 3800 lots since the March quarter 2012). Based on current project sales rates, the retail supply represents 8.2 months supply.

At the other end of the scale, Wyndham and Cardinia were the only corridors to fall into the single digit category: 9.3 per cent and 9.9 per cent respectively.

That said, a number of municipalities exceeded the 10-month supply mark: notably Whittlesea with 13.6 months supply; Cardinia (12.8) and Mitchell - Wallan/ Beveridge (10.1).

Project sales rates have experienced a moderate uplift. Oliver Hume’s Leading Projects Index moved to a median of 13 sales per month.

Only 13 projects have recorded a median year-to-date doubledigit sales rate - up from nine projects in the March quarter last year. Close to 30 projects recorded a median double-digit sales rate during the corresponding period of 2011.

With this in mind, the most popular selling product by timeon-market during the quarter was the 10.5 by 28 metre product, followed by the 12.5 by 25 metre product, once again, an indicator that affordability rather than confidence is a key influence on this market.

First homebuyers fell to around 45 per cent of all purchasers (largely in line with the long run trend) during the quarter. Of interest, first homebuyer inquiries fell to around 34 per cent, suggesting that increased State Government incentives are well timed.

Investors made up 15 per cent of purchasers; up on the long run trend of 11 per cent.

Over the last 90 days, only three projects were launched: around 1700 lots when fully-developed. As a comparison, the first quarters of 2011 and 2012 delivered 12 projects (7200 lots) and 10 projects (3500 lots) respectively.

12 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

Extract only: For a more detailed analysis, contact Andrew Perkins, a.perkins@oliverhume.com.au Oliver Hume Real Estate Group is the marketing agent behind more than 65,000 residential products along the eastern seaboard of Australia, representing Australia’s leading public and privately listed companies.

PLANNING CRITICAL TO growth

BY DAVID BROWN [GENERAL MANAGER - VICTORIA, MACROPLAN DIMASI]

MACROPLAN Dimasi is at the heart of the growth planning in for Victoria with its Chairman, Brian Haratsis, being a key member of Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Strategy.

The first discussion paper released in late 2012 allowed interested parties to comment and input into the strategy with submissions closing on 28 March, 2013. The next iteration of the paper is due to be released for comment in late July, again giving opportunities for those involved in all property and planning sectors to have input.

MacroPlan Dimasi’s involvement has covered the broad spectrum of opportunities within this work and is doing extensive work in examining the implications for: · Health Service Planning, and · Location of logical population growth and infrastructure required.

HEALTH SERVICE PLANNING During the MacroPlan Dimasi keynote address to the Australian Centre for Healthcare Governance it was noted that the health service offering across the state currently worked as many individual services but needed to move towards a more co-ordinated approach of service offering.

Using retail planning as an example, all assets are mapped and understood for planning purposes so as to attain the best offering for clients and best location for the service. It is this approach that was suggested to be undertaken by health.

Health Minister (David Davis) wrote to Matthew Guy in September 2012 acknowledging that the concept of health precinct planning is already recognised within existing policy frameworks yet faces some hurdles in implementation. He suggested that through Metro Strategy the state has the opportunity to provide guidance to councils on a systematic planning process that supports improved access to services and greater certainty to public and private providers to come together. He concluded by suggesting Metro Strategy could expedite work to address challenges facing the health sector by considering:

· Public transport use in Melbourne has increase by 50 per cent in the past decade (an 80 per cent increase in the use of trains); and · The strategy forces a shift in the focus of Melbourne from the east to the north and the west by effectively ‘shutting down’ the SE corridor.

During the past year David Brown (MacroPlan Dimasi Victorian General Manager) and Brian Haratsis have spoken at events such as the PCA Futures Summit, UDIA National Congress and most recently the Committee for Wyndham business event articulating the role that the North West of Melbourne will play going forward.

Post-2020 the North West will take off because around 2025 the East and South East land supply will be exhausted. With the West and Northwest having a 30–40 year land supply, this will lead to a large shift in development to the West once development in the East begins to slow down.

SOME OF THE KEY POINTS IDENTIFIED HAVE BEEN: · Over the next 40 years balance of population and economic growth shifts to the north-west of Melbourne. By 2020, around 75% of greenfields residential development will be in the north west. · The Victorian Government is working to address the balance of employment in Melbourne’s west and is undertaking initiatives that will see increased business and employment activity in the region over the longer term. · The recently announced vision for the East Werribee Employment Precinct (EWEP) is, in combination with the Werribee City Centre, to grow as a regional centre for high skilled employment and services. · There is the potential for a ferry service in Melbourne’s west to enhance the attractiveness of nearby coastal areas. This could encourage white collar executives to reside nearby, and attract businesses to locate within the employment precinct. · Infrastructure investment in this region includes:

· Amendments to planning overlays/controls; · Creation of defined precincts in local structure plans; and · Leveraging government investment to encourage partnerships and co-investment. · Population Growth · Metropolitan Planning Strategy key facts and figures have shown that:

· Expansion of Avalon International Airport; · Development of Werribee Employment/Technology Precinct; · Development of the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road, cementing Victoria’s dominance in freight and logistics; · Development of the Regional Rail Link;

· Melbourne’s population is expected to be between 5.6 and 6.4 million people by 2050, at this point it will be more populous than Sydney;

· Development of major freight links at Lara and Tarneit;

· The proportion of people aged 65+ is expected to increase from 14% to 22% in 2050;

· Population growth in Western Region and Geelong of 1.5 million people (TBC) by 2040.

· Development of a Bay West Port; and

DECEMBER12 | urbanAFFAIRS 13

WOMEN IN propert y – TRIVIA NIGHT Shouting and cheering followed closely by stage whispers and covert discussion. That was the scene witnessed at the recent Trivia Night, hosted by UDIA’s Women In Property.

Industry participants have been flocking to this event ever since it was first hosted in 2004 at the Pumphouse Hotel, in Fitzroy. The event seems to have taken on a life of its own as participant numbers continue to increase; individuals and groups who usually do not attend UDIA functions are drawn to the annual revelry.

This year, 117 attendees made 12 teams with a mix of random and typical and not-so typical trivia names such as Taylors Trivia Terminators, Hi-5 and Smeking. Typically, many of the groups chose names at both ends of the brag meter; there were the Mirvac Mensa’s, IncapABLs and the Unbeatables Defending It Again (UDIA) who, ironically, were beaten.

Property Hogs who came out as victors, winning convincingly with 7 points between it and second place, Unbeatables.

As a side point, it is ironic to note that while participant numbers swung slightly in favour of women, the teamnominated champions for a special round of trivia were all men!

At the evening’s end, $2070 was raised through the various trivia challenges, the raffle and $5 taken from every ticket sale.

Once again, the donations went to the Women’s Property Initiatives (formerly Victorian Women’s Housing Association) and Jeanette Large again spoke about the target of 170 homes/apartments to securely and safely accommodate at risk women and children.

TEAM

TOTAL

PLACE

Then there were the just plain odd names such as O’Trivia Newton John and Second is the new First.

Property Hogs

94

1

UDIA - Unbeatables

87

2

MC for the evening, entertainer Alan Lovett led a fast-paced night of questions on all manner of general knowledge. Alan, a recognisable face in Melbourne’s entertainment industry, created an extra level of interest with his trademark black hat and eccentric manner.

Taylors Trivia Terminators

84

3

O’Trivia Newton John

84

4

Trouble Makers

83

5

The Essentials

81

6

IncapABL

80

7

Mirvac Mensas

79

8

Hi-5

79

9

Smeking

78

10

2nd is the new 1st

77

11

BPD Dream Team

72

12

Quizmaster for the fourth time at this event, Alan is well qualified having authored the book, Trivia Night for Dummies.

He has also appeared in film, TV and radio and has written thousands of questions for Carlton United beer bottle caps.

All attempts to discuss answers in hushed tones within each team were thwarted as excitement built with each new set of questions. Teams joked and jibed each other in an attempt to put the competition off their game. But in the end, it was the

Property Hogs

14 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

GHD

IncapABL

Mirvac Mensas

Smeking

Taylors Trivia Terminators

WPI

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 15

Sustainabilit y OFFERS THE POINT OF DIFFERENCE RICKI HERSBURGH [UDIA MANAGER SUSTAINABILITY] THE last three months have seen a hub of activity in the EnviroDevelopment area; developers saw the value in certifications as expressions of interest continued to rise markedly.

In a challenging market place, the EnviroDevelopment certification is increasingly providing that point of difference which can ultimately lead to a purchase decision in favour of the certified development over its uncertified neighbouring project.

NEW CERTIFICATIONS

Recently certified Saltwater Coast is another example of how the EnviroDevelopment brand can pay off for projects in the marketplace.

FKP’s premium masterplanned development in Melbourne’s Point Cook has achieved four elements of sustainability in the UDIA’s environmental branding program in the areas of energy, water, ecosystems and community.

Aerial image of Saltwater Coast and surrounds

16 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

Situated on Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne’s west, Saltwater Coast is adjacent to the environmentally significant Cheetham Wetlands. Home to 1375 residents, by completion in 2016 it will include 2,500 residences, a neighbourhood shopping centre, two primary schools and a childcare centre.

The hub of this growing community is its multiple award winning Saltwater Coast Lifestyle Centre, providing residents with access to state-of-the- art facilities including a gym, swimming pools, a function room, tennis courts and a café.

Nathan Jenkinson, FKP senior development manager, said FKP was delighted to achieve its EnviroDevelopment certification.

“In each of our developments, FKP recognises the critical importance of both protecting the local environment and establishing a sense of community.

“Located within the Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar site, Saltwater Coast is a special project for FKP and this has been reflected in our careful planning for the development,” Mr Jenkinson said.

Watch out for my next column, where we will showcase this amazing development.

INSIDE ENVIRODEVELOPMENT

As the EnviroDevelopment Certification brand continues to grow and develop, so does the team behind the scenes. Since last year, there are three new members to the UDIA’s Victorian certification advisory board. These additions have been made to further complement the current skill set of the team: Chris Chesterfield – Chris has a background in biology and philosophy and has worked for the last 25 years in technical and management roles in the Department of Water Resources, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and Melbourne Water.

Chris is recognised nationally for water industry leadership that has placed Melbourne as a world leader in water sensitive urban design.

Chris has a Bachelor of Science with Honors and is a Graduate and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Professor Kevin O’Connor – From the Urban Planning Program Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning University of Melbourne and School of Geography and Environmental Science – Monash University, Kevin has now added the task of member of the Victorian certification advisory board to his already busy schedule.

Another training day will take place soon; to register your interest, contact me at the UDIA Office on (03) 9832 9610.

ENVIROPEDIA UPDATE

Our first Energy leaf recipient has developed the Solar Lord UTUBE solar hot water system, winner of the 2007 Housing Industry Association Product of the Year, and has already pledged to take action on the new National Construction Code. Solar Lord is leading the way in this product sector – The National Construction Code (NCC) is intended to ensure a minimum level of energy efficiency in new construction and eliminate virtual inefficient system install on new houses and projects.

Australand, Sunland and Stonehaven Homes are just some of the current commercial, residential and domestic builders that use the Solar Lord products.

We encourage developers to consider products such as these in all developments where design guidlelines are being enforced to encourage best practice in the energy area. For developers considering applying for our EnviroDevelopment certification, the installation of these products would be suitable to use in the energy element.

More details on the Solar Lord UTUBE hot water system:

Kevin’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), Diploma of Education and a Master of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and Doctor of Philosophy from McMaster University – Canada.

· Efficiency and flexible 98.4 per cent absorber efficiency

Greg Aplin – Ex Director of Sustainable Development – Wyndham City Council. Greg resigned from his post last year after serving 30 years in senior positions. Greg has spent over 35 years in the public service; the first five in the transport portfolio and the next 30 in local government at Wyndham.

These roles have allowed him to pursue the nexus between urban development and the provision of infrastructure, particularly transport.

· Prebuilt and pressure tested integrated pump station

· Flexible on installation (versatility and flexibility) · Easy install and aesthetic appeal

· Hail impact protection Other products within the range include PV Solar Systems and Hydronic Heating. To find out more about Solar Lord, visit their website on www.solarlord.com.au or call their solar energy specialists on 1300 133 782.

Now that Greg has left Council, he remains committed to bringing new investment to the region so that the vision can be realised. Today, Greg runs a consultancy called Applied Urban Solutions.

THE NEW PROFESSIONALS

Along with the appointment of our new board members, the EnviroDevelopment Unit recently hosted a robust training day at the UDIA office in St Kilda Road, which saw another six EnviroDevelopment Victorian professionals coming onboard.

The following UDIA members EnviroDevelopment professionals:

are

now

accredited

· Simone Douglas, Bank MECU · Roger Gunn, SMEC Urban · Leona McLaggen, Sustainable Development Consultants · Brooke Templeton, Taylors · Stephanie Cook, Taylors · Heidi Wilson, Yourland Developments

Solar Lord’s horizontal tank on a flat roof.

· Jason Fehring, Yourland Developments

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 17

PREMIER’S MAN OPTS FOR LONG-TERM

planning MAY’S MONTHLY LUNCHEON FEATURED STATE POLITICIAN CRAIG ONDARCHIE. AROUND 200 attendees enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at Crown Entertainment Centre’s River Room following the UDIA’s AGM, where John Cicero was re-elected as president.

MP Craig Ondarchie then followed-up as guest speaker at the lunch.

Mr Ondarchie was elected MLC for the Northern Metropolitan Region November 2010 and was recently appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.

In introducing him, UDIA Executive Officer Tony De Domenico said Mr Ondarchie was a businessman first, and a politician second.

Mr Ondarchie then used his speech to outline a number of issues and actions being taken by the State Government that will assist recovery in the development industry and provide a more certain and stable structure.

He said in his short time in the State Government, he realised that governments thought in election cycles and terms, when they should be planning five, 10, 20 years in advance to support Victoria’s economic growth and liveability.

Earlier this year, Planning Minister Matthew Guy announced that the MPS will be implemented by a Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA), which will be formed from the Growth Area’s Authority (GAA), and parts of Places Victoria and the former Department of Planning and Community Development.

The Authority will be established by the time the Metropolitan Planning Strategy is completed, so it can immediately commence work with Local Government on its implementation. The final strategy is expected to be released by October 2013.

“Good planning requires a successful integration of a modern public transport system and key local infrastructure to deliver better environments to local Victorian families,” he said.

“It’s time to get on with the job.”

Meanwhile, the Government is liberalising the Planning System, to make it more consistent and simpler.

Mr Ondarchie said the Government wanted to encourage developers to take the initiative and build more socially and community minded places by offering incentives such as greater height or quicker approval processes, rather than making more legislation and policies to deliver these important outcomes.

He said the state was employing a whole of government approach so that projects could get to market quicker.

It’s that foresight, he said, that made organisations like the UDIA so successful.

“We’re open to suggestions, we’re open to ideas, and we’re open to innovation.

“Through your forums, through your advocacy, through your focus… you are strong, strong advocates for your industry, and should be congratulated,” he said.

“As a person who’s come from business and who’s spent some time complaining about the government not coming up with good ideas – it’s not all up to the government.

Mr Ondarchie said the State Government and the 2013-14 budgets was trying to cater for future growth, with substantial funding poured into public transport and schools.

“In this room sits a lot of great, innovative ideas; a way of doing it better.”

“(The budget) recognises that development and construction are key drivers for our state’s economy,” he said.

“We are committed; we want to send a strong message about our commitment to economic growth via development.

“We’re planning for Victorians who aren’t even born yet.

“We really want to send a message in this state that we are open for business.”

One of the key budget items was changes to the First Home Owners Grant.

From 1 July, the grant will be increased from $7000 to $10,000 for newly constructed homes as well as a 40 per cent reduction in their stamp duty fees.

Mr Ondarchie said the changes to the First Home Owners Grant would promote more housing construction, lead to more employment, and ensuring greater houses are in supply.

Mr Ondarchie also discussed the Metropolitan Planning Strategy (MPS) being planned by the State Government.

The MPS is being developed to guide Melbourne’s growth over the next 40 years.

18 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

Craig Ondarchie.

Dri ving DEVELOPMENT DWELT ON DEVELOPERS should stop looking at the Melbourne CBD as the ’centre’ of Victoria and recognise the South-Eastern corridor as a larger city in its own right, according to Places Victoria’s Peter Seamer, speaking at last week’s Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) luncheon.

The speakers at the luncheon addressed the topic ’Driving Development in Melbourne’s South East’ and included Mr Seamer, Regional Development Authority’s (RDA) Stephen Chapple and Opteon’s Mark Holland.

Mr Seamer said Places Victoria and the Government were working hard to utilise the South East’s development potential.

“We’ve been very active in Cardinia, particularly around the Officer area, we’re working with council there building buildings and building underpasses and building roads,” he said.

“The government has also got a ministerial advisory committee preparing a metropolitan planning strategy. Someone from the minister’s office will be looking at it in detail over the next couple of weeks, and the government will come out and talk about things from that.”

Mr Seamer praised the ideas that were being considered for projects across Melbourne’s South East but said the next step was to act on them.

“The new strategy the government will be bringing out will have a whole lot of ideas in there,” he said.

“One of the really big tests that we, as a development community, will have over the next few years is to actually test whether the ideas coming through can actually be done.

“We are certainly trying to convert rhetoric into action.”

Responding to a question from UDIA representative and the afternoon’s facilitator, Tony De Domenico, Mr Seamer also discussed bushfire concerns in the South East and subsequent restrictions on development within the area.

“The bushfire situation is a complicated one; the government has introduced all of the recommendations of the bushfire review some years ago. That has some positives and a few complicated bits about it,” Mr Seamer said.

“There is a mechanism for treating those areas so that normal houses aren’t going to be affected by bushfire controls.

“We do have a concept that will allow automatic reduction of bushfire requirements as the areas develop. We need to just fix a couple of things.”

Second speaker Mr Chapple discussed the role of the RDA, for which he represents the group’s Southern Melbourne committee, and what it can do for the area.

“Essentially, the role of the RDA is to provide strategic advice to the Commonwealth Government and respective state governments around infrastructure investment,” Mr Chapple said.

“What are the things that are going to be needed in this particular region to drive economic development and investment and productivity and growth?”

In this way, Mr Chapple urged those at the luncheon to start considering the concept of a polycentric city.

“Essentially, it’s about setting up cities within 20 minutes of each other so that there are sufficient employment opportunities for people to not necessarily be sitting in a car from Casey to travel all the way to Melbourne,” he said.

“There needs to be a lot more investment made in that corridor (south-east). It’s a very strategic corridor for a whole range of reasons.

“There’s more land being developed in Dandenong, Port of Hastings as I mentioned, Frankston and Carrum Downs. So there are a lot of opportunities coming out that way.”

Mr Chapple referred to several infrastructure investments which he applauded for their scope and potential impact, including the $125 million Casey Cultural and Civic Precinct and the Officer town centre.

Mr Chapple also emphasised the importance of developing the Port of Hastings in preparation for the near future when the Port of Melbourne reaches capacity. ”You will all know that the Port of Melbourne is reaching its capacity and by 2022 it will have quadrupled its volume, it won’t be able to cope with that,” Mr Chapple said.

“The reason that the Port of Hasting has been selected by the government is because it is a natural deep water harbour; it has a whole lot of strategic advantages to it.”

Mr Chapple was also bullish about the future of the manufacturing industry in Victoria which he believes is bright.

“I’m here to tell you manufacturing is not dead in Australia,” Mr Chapple said.

“There’s been a lot of work from the RDA with SK Consultants who have worked very actively over the past 18 months with many, many manufacturers in that corridor, talking about what they need to help them to not just survive but thrive into the future.”

The third and final designated speaker at the luncheon was Opteon’s Mark Holland who spoke predominantly of the growth in the suburb of Frankston.

“Opteon property valuers in the South East region conduct some 27,000 valuations and inspections every year for property valuation purposes,” Mr Holland said.

“We have had a business in the region for over 15 years and our association with Frankston (council) evolves out of our knowledge with what’s going on in the area.”

Mr Holland discussed several investment commitments made by the State Government to Frankston, including the rail line, the transit exchange, Eastlink and the Peninsula Link. As a result of these new transport developments, Mr Holland praised Frankston’s accessibility to the city and surrounding areas.

“I want to emphasise the road network that links in to this area (Frankston).”

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 19

SOCIAL PROOF - THE INDUSTRY WEAPON?

ultimate

“SOCIAL Proof” is “word of mouth” on steroids. It’s very powerful, accessed in seconds and something businesses cannot ignore.

If, as an industry, we were able to infuse a strong “Social Proof” component to research, I am confident the industry would grow as more people decide to build with more confidence.

It has now become so quick and easy for people to research others’ opinions online, that it’s simply part of any important decision making process.

Being able to share real experiences openly provides a great opportunity to encourage both positive and negative feedback, being an essential ingredient in helping people make a decision.

wikipedia.org defines Social proof (also known as informational social influence) as: A psychological phenomenon where people assume the actions of others in an attempt to reflect correct behaviour for a given situation. This effect is prominent in ambiguous social situations where people are unable to determine the appropriate mode of behaviour, and is driven by the assumption that surrounding people possess more knowledge about the situation.

Social proof often leads not only to public compliance (conforming to the behaviour of others publicly without necessarily believing it is correct), but also private acceptance (conforming out of a genuine belief that others are correct).

Social proof is more powerful when being accurate is more important and when others are perceived as especially knowledgeable.

The benefit of providing people with social proof is herd mentality, once they can see what others are doing, they are likely to make what they feel is an informed decision very quickly. Personally, I like to ask a lot of questions when making decisions to purchase, but I am a sucker if I have been presented with social proof which, to me, is undeniable and proves the decision is right.

Where do people find Social Proof? · Facebook likes · Google plus · Blogs and discussion forums · Specific social proof websites like tripadvisor.com Is Social Proof a good opportunity for the new homes market?

There is probably no bigger decision for most people than the decision of where to call home, whether that is to buy an established home or a more involved decision to buy land and build.

People weighing up whether to build will conduct a lot of research over an extended period as they move through the purchase decision making process from early contemplators to active involvement.

The “Social Proof” opportunity for the New Homes and Land category is being embraced by some very smart companies, however on the whole it is ignored.

Producing homes and land for consumers is done by hand over an extended period of time and not without mistakes.

But the average person understands this as long as those mistakes are rectified.

20 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

At MyPackage.com.au we would love to facilitate a “Social Proof” index, but the industry needs to embrace it for it to work.

Builder A – 49 Reviewers

Builder B – 26 Reviewers

Hits Deadlines 4/5

Hits Deadlines 2/5

On Budget 5/5

On Budget 3/5

Does what’s Promised 4/5

Does what’s Promised 4/5

Quality of Build 5/5

Quality of Build 4/5

Issue Resolution 5/5

Issue Resolution 3/5

Overall Satisfaction 5/5

Overall Satisfaction 3/5

Imagine as a consumer you could access information like the table below. You would certainly know the strengths and weaknesses of both businesses and it is likely the weaknesses are being addressed now that they have been illustrated: How can builders and land developers embrace Social Proof concepts? · On your website allow all clients to voice satisfaction levels over the course of their dealings with you · Respond in forums / twitter etc to complaints and comments being made · Use a lot of testimonial videos and letters from clients · Use a lot of photos of completed houses and pictures of your clients. One thing about social media is the use of real people’s faces · “Raw is Real” - we all want to control every aspect of our branding, but there is something very believable when things are not quite as polished, like when they are written by real mums and dads · Ad a blog to your site and give your business a human touch The ability to quickly review ratings and Social Proof of a business’ offering will explode in years to come. For those embracing it early, the benefits will be theirs. It provides an extremely low cost and highly compelling marketing solution for businesses assuming they are delivering good results.

The reality is that every business will need to embrace “Social Proof” whether they like it or not.

Adam Keleher is managing director at MyPackage.com.au a New Homes and Land property portal launched six years ago to inspire consumers to buy land and build. It showcases 50+ land estates and around 10,000 new home solutions. To inquire, phone 1800 885 681 or adamk@innovationchain.com.au

DETACHED DWELLINGS

wins THE DAY

OUTLOOK AND WOMEN IN PROPERTY EVENT

Michael Buxton spoke in favour of housing and said that Melbourne “can achieve wonders without apartment building frenzy.”

ARE houses or high-rises better for Melbourne’s future?

“One of the wonderful things about Melbourne is our stock of detached houses,” he said.

This was the question that set the room apart at the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s (UDIA) Great Debate on Wednesday 17 April.

The doors to the debate officially opened around 7pm and the speakers took no time for hesitation stating their cause either for, or against old-style housing in accommodating Melbourne’s growth.

“We don’t need to go to Hawthorn and Camberwell and pull down historic detached houses.

“It’s simply not try to say we can’t locate 640,000 more dwellings – we argue the solution to Melbourne’s population problems is more diverse housing.”

Devine Limited’s Siobhan Rehill, ID Land’s Jeff Garvey and HWL Ebsworth Lawyer’s Mark Bartley argued in favour of apartments for filling the need of around 640,000 new homes.

Mark Bartley was quick to rebut Mr Buxton’s comments and said he was trying to “confuse” the audience.

Meanwhile, RMIT University’s Michael Buxton, Oliver Hume’s Jamie Kay and Orlando Harrison from Tract Consultants put forward the idea that separate houses would be best for the state.

“We say they (apartments) are better for a number of economic solutions,” he said.

Siobhan Rehill opened the speaking for the apartment group and said that a lot of the growth corridor housing developments look identical.

“Who can pick which growth corridors these are from?” she said, showing pictures of near-identical housing developments to the crowd.

In favour of high rises: Mark Bartley, Siobhan Rehill and Jeff Garvey

A CHANCE TO GIVE KIDS A THE UDIA’s office manager Helen Rafferty has recently returned from a nine day volunteering adventure in Australia’s top end. Why? To raise funds for the Explore Kakadu & Beyond program. The first ever of its kind in Australia, the volunteering program is designed to help indigenous children prepare and transition into school.

“From the earliest times, apartments have been part of our major cities - apartment living changes the social dynamic and puts greater emphasis on public spaces.”

Each speaker received six minutes to state their claim and rebut their opposition, but in the end, it was the group arguing for detached houses that took home the gold with roaring approval from the audience.

Houses are better: Michael Buxton, Orlando Harrison and Jamie Kay

level PLAYING FIELD got the opportunity to see first hand how financial assistance can level the playing field for indigenous childrens’ transition into school.

If you can help please go to http://savethechildrenfundraising. org.au/outback__boomers or contact Helen Rafferty on 03) 9832 9604.

12 participants challenged themselves physically by trekking through Australia’s iconic Kakadu National Park and canoeing along the Katherine River. The trip culminated in a visit to a leading Save the Children Australia program in Darwin. Helen JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 21

THE NEW AMERICAN dream – AFFORDABLE, BESPOKE AND HEALTHY A similar two-bedroom warehouse conversion in Fitzroy is rented out for $750 per week, or 50 per cent of Fitzroy’s median household income. Our artist friends in the States are paying a maximum 30 per cent of their income.

These quality of life amenities can enhance the liveability and economic growth of an area. And in the States these amenities within ‘affordable’ housing were the initiatives of for-profit and not-for-profit developers. But how can luxuries such as gyms, dog washes and rooftop orchards be feasible in an ‘affordable’ development? The answer lies with the USA’s Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Tax Credits.

WHAT IS A TAX CREDIT?

Cold Chicago

BY KAREN CHAU ‘BESPOKE and healthy’ are not words that usually spring to mind when describing ‘affordable’ housing. My best friend and I are looking for a new place to live. I work in property, she’s a teacher. We need something affordable, so we seem to be limited to inner-city run-down, tiny shoebox places, or move further out. In a city ranked by The Economist as the fourth most expensive in the world to live in, you get what you pay for and ‘affordable’ equals tiny, crappy, cheap or far away with no amenities right? Wrong!

An IRS tax credit is a dollar for dollar reductionof the investor’s federal income tax liability. If an investor owes $100 in tax, and holds $100 in tax credits, the investor’s tax liability for that year is $0. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) generates tax credits for non-profit or for-profit developers who build housing that is offered as rental accommodation at a reduced rate. The credit value can be up to 70 per cent of the total construction cost of the project – including orchards and music rooms. The developer can choose to claim the credits from the IRS over 10 years, or raise equity at the beginning of the project by syndicating the credit to an investor, usually an institutional investor.

Low income Housing Tax Credit

No Tax Credit

No. of dwellings

3

3

Land

$200,000

$200,000

2013’s UDIA Study Tour took a group of planners, developers, lawyers and academics to Memphis, Clarksdale, New Orleans, New York and Chicago. In a country epitomising capitalism and short-term profit, the finishes and amenities in their ‘affordable’ housing developments struck me.

Construction

$1,000,000

$1,000,000

Total Development Cost $1,200,000

$1,200,000

In New York City’s Via Verde ‘affordable’ apartment complex, we strolled along its rooftop pear and apple orchard and jogged on a treadmill in its resident’s only gym. The 222 brand-new apartments are leased or owned by low-income earners and ‘key workers’ – teachers, nurses, police, and hospitality staff.

(70% of construction)

-$700,000

$0

End Liability

$500,000

$1,200,000

End Liability per dwelling

$166,667

$400,000

I’ve seen first-hand that affordable can be bespoke and healthy.

THE AMERICAN STORY

Similarly in New Orleans Louisiana, a heritage-listed 1941 mayonnaise factory has been converted to 72 loft apartments and rented out to artists and musicians. Located 5km from downtown, Blue Plate Artists Lofts’ roof top deck has city views, a gym, and a soundproof music rehearsal room for the 3am jam session. Even pets get their own landscaped courtyard and dog wash station to keep them clean and healthy.

Across the road from the National WW2 Museum in downtown New Orleans, residents of St Joe’s Artists Lofts come home to high ceilings, wide corridors, heritage brickwork walls, timber cupboards and granite kitchen benchtops. These are all facilities one would expect in a bespoke Melbourne development, not an ‘affordable’ complex.

22 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

Development Cost Assume all dwellings ‘affordable’

Tax credit syndicated for equity

A developer’s end liability can also be reduced through other IRS schemes. For the restoration of heritage listed buildings, they have a Federal Historic Preservation tax credit of up to 20%. We have no such incentive.

The US Department of Energy Program provides funding and tax credits for the design and carrying out of energy efficient and renewable energy projects. We axed the solar panel rebates last year.

Building an apartment on a brownfield site? They have an EPA Brownfields Program offering funding for the assessment and clean-up of contaminated sites. We have environmental audit processes that can drag out for years, expensive clean-up and no EPA grants.

Apple and pear trees on a NYC rooftop

And then we have developer contributions to local council, GAIC infrastructure charges in growth areas, and water, gas and electricity authority fees. Plus GST. Americans can throw all of their tax credits and grants into the mix and significantly offset their cost of delivery.

We throw all of our contributions and fees into the mix and we get an expensive development process, obstructive to housing affordability, and no motivation for Victorian developers to build more than the basic delivery.

Our government is now taking Round 5 National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) Applications, a tax rebate available to for-profit and not-for-profit developers and investors.

NRAS provides a tax rebate incentive for landlords to lease newly built properties to ‘key workers’ at 80 per cent of market rent. But NRAS does not reduce the end liability for the developer, making it more difficult to include the high level of amenities enjoyed in American affordable housing projects.

TIME FOR AN AMERICAN TAX CREDIT IN OZ

The median house price in Melbourne is now seven to eight times the median household income. This is an increase of 250 per cent from when our parents bought their first homes for three times the median household income. Australia’s population continues to increase by 1,000 people per day, and with Melbourne dominating the country’s growth, demand for new housing is unlikely to fall.

To improve the standard of delivery of affordable housing across the board, why don’t we further explore American style government-backed, institutional investment? Projected mining tax revenue for the next four years to 2015-’16 is $3.3b. This is one of many industries which may be keen for a tax offset, suggesting the scheme might garner willing participants if introduced in Australia. $3.3b could go a long way in lightening the obstructions to development and assist in delivering affordable, bespoke and healthy homes.

In the meantime, my best friend and I will continue lining up to inspect tiny shoeboxes.

AFFORDABLE BESPOKE IN OZ

Not all ‘affordable’ housing here is tiny and crappy. CEHL recently completed 59 apartments in Abbotsford. A mix of low-income and private sale apartments, it features a refurbished brick heritage façade, industrial style track lighting, high ceilings, timber decking and a landscaped residents’ barbecue area and courtyard. But to make this work, government funding was available and profits from the private sales subsidized the low-income apartments.

I travelled to the USA on the 2013 UDIA Young Professional Study Tour scholarship. During the day I am an assistant development manager at CEHL – an award winning affordable housing developer. And every minute, I’m an urban enthusiast.

For home buyers, a welcoming option is Lend Lease’s redevelopment of the old Channel 9 studio in Richmond – Studio 9. The stage two release includes some more ‘affordable’ options which will share the landscaped gardens and amenities of their million dollar neighbours.

And the traditional broadacre estates are changing with Villawood’s Marriot Waters in Lyndhurst hitting the lifestyle mark with residents’ access to parklands and Club Marriott’s pool, gym, café and function spaces.

Proud nation

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 23

Audience engaged in the BCS

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AN INDUSTRY BRIEFING

BY CHAD BROWNING [CONSULTANT ZOOLOGIST] IN JUNE, Ecology and Heritage Partners sponsored with Maddocks at the UDIA industry briefing on the recently released final Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (BCS).

The session focused on the implications of the BCS on urban development throughout Melbourne’s Growth Corridors and provided a preliminary overview of the Reforms to Victoria’s Native Vegetation Permitted Clearing Regulations, with presentations delivered by Peter Betson (executive director, environment programs, Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI)), Warrick McGrath (director, regulatory strategy and design, DEPI), Peter Graham (director, economic branch, DEPI) and Aaron Organ (director/principal ecologist, Ecology and Heritage Partners).

The BCS provides an overarching framework for the long-term protection and management of biodiversity within and outside of the revised Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), while providing certainty for the development industry across Melbourne’s Growth Corridors.

The primary objective of the BCS is to ‘strike a balance’ between the key elements of sustainable development through the delivery of environmental, social and economic benefits.

The strategy forms part of the Melbourne Strategic Assessment which was initiated in June 2009 through agreement between the state and commonwealth governments to undertake a Strategic Impact Assessment (SIA) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) - the first of many SIAs currently being developed in Australia.

The SIA report, released in October 2009, was designed to address the cumulative loss of ecological values resulting from urban development across the four growth corridors, with emphasis on matters of National Environmental Significance (NES). The report aimed to deliver ecological benefits through the consolidation of environmental offsets and security of conservation areas, while providing certainty to the development industry in the following ways: 24 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

strategy:

· Removes the prescriptions under the SIA and the need for individual project referrals under Part 9 of the EPBC Act (single environmental approval). · Avoids duplication of assessment processes under the EPBC Act and State regulations (reduced timelines). · Reduces information costs (i.e. requirement for site assessments and surveys) and administrative burden. · Provides upfront information regarding offset obligations and costs. · Establishes the responsibility of the State Government to administer the cost recovery process rather than developers having to source offsets which can often be time consuming.

The BCS addresses a commitment identified during the SIA process to develop an overarching conservation strategy that provides high level guidance and specifically: informs the preparation of Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs), outlines the delivery of conservation outcomes, identifies conservation areas for long term protection, and details associated management commitments. The strategy provides for the following environmental outcomes: · The establishment of 36 conservation reserves within the UGB comprising about 5700 hectares, including about 3000 hectares of land along major waterways to protect and restore habitat for the growling grass frog Litoria raniformis. · The establishment of 1600 hectares of new conservation reserves outside the UGB across rural Victoria. · The establishment of a 15,000 hectare Western Grasslands Reserve extending from Mt Cottrell, south east of Melton to north of Little River, west of Werribee. · The creation of a 1200 hectare grassy woodland conservation reserve.

· The development of sub-regional species strategies and/ or protection targets for species including the growling grass frog, golden sun moth synemon plana, southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus obesulus, spiny riceflower Pimelea spinescens subsp. spinescens and the matted flax-lily Dianella amoena.

Over the course of the briefing session, the expert panel summarised the broader context of the BCS, and explored specific issues and implications relevant to the urban development industry, including the costs associated with offsetting ecological values under the BCS. During his presentation, Aaron Organ outlined the BCS pricing model and triggers for offsets within each of the four growth corridors, as summarised below.

While several matters were addressed by the panel, it is clear that industry has several outstanding questions that require further clarification, and this will be achieved through further consultation with industry during the implementation of the BCS. It is important to note that the BCS is currently being assessed for approval by the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC). The following opportunities exist for the development industry and key stakeholders to contribute to the BCS and its implementation: · Provide submissions to SEWPaC during the assessment process.

BCS OFFSET TRIGGERS AND PRICING MODEL

· Provide feedback to DEPI regarding the cost recovery process, including the Draft Habitat compensation under the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy document released

by DEPI. · When released, review and respond to DEPI’s Land Acquisition Strategy, Growling Grass Frog Masterplan, final Southern Brown Bandicoot Sub-regional Species Strategy, and online habitat compensation administration system. · Provide input into the revision of Conservation Areas and Growling Grass Frog corridor boundaries during the PSP process.

A panel session following the presentations prompted a discussion of a number of issues regarding the implementation of the BCS, some of which are outline below: · Will the provisions of the BCS account for the findings of additional surveys and research, particularly in relation to the future revision of the extent of Growling Grass Frog Category 1 habitat along waterways? · What are the opportunities and processes for landowner compensation for areas that have been designated as Conservation Areas under the BCS (it is understood that the Valuer-General will determine the value of land; however will there be opportunities to contest the amount)? · What are the appeal rights, if any, associated with ‘Works in Kind’ and staged payments under the government’s habitat compensation process? · What are the additional incentives for the protection of large old trees and scattered trees during the PSP process, and what control will local councils have with respect to the further protection of trees under local tree protection policies?

Following the release of the final BCS, it is important for industry to be aware that there are three legislative processes protecting matters of NES under the EPBC Act in and around Melbourne: 1) the existing 28 precincts within the 2005 UGB for which a planning scheme amendment to introduce a PSP was approved prior to 1 March 2012, 2) the BCS, and 3) Part 9 referrals under EPBC Act where the SIA does not apply.

Each approval pathway provides a different approach for the protection and offsetting of impacts to ecological values, with offset costs and approval timelines varying between the three.

Ecology and Heritage Partners has played a lead role working with the development industry and government (Growth Areas Authority, DEPI) during the preparation of the BCS and PSP process over the past five years. We thank the UDIA for the opportunity to contribute to the briefing session and inform industry of these key changes, and we look forward to continuing to provide value for our clients and their projects across Melbourne’s Growth Corridors during these times of change.

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 25

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF heart JOHN Berenyi, Managing Director of Bergent Research, readily admits that if you’re looking to work with him, but you’re not prepared to take a good hard look at your marketing model and bold enough to make changes that lead to significant sales growth, then maybe his research is not for you.

While that statement might raise an eyebrow or two, John has been in the research industry since the 1970s – long enough to know what works and what doesn’t, and he has the runs on the board to back it up.

For example, in a recent project for Treasury Estate Wines, John used research on shoppers to turn the traditional retail display of wine on its head, generating a lift in value of sales of 31 per cent for the client and growing the category by 18 per cent.

Results like these come from original thinking and unique methods. They have brought John an international reputation as one of the single most experienced researchers of his kind.

Bergent Research has a client list that reads like the who’s who of Australian business, with research projects across the spectrum from FMCG through to the film industry.

But, it’s the work with the development industry – Bergent’s specialisation – that is driving some fascinating results. The research firm, which John established in 1987, works with leading property developers and builders to boost sales and reduce the cost of selling. All the while maintaining or building the developer’s brand image. Bergent undertakes specific research on niche demographics such as high net worth prospects and public housing. Urban Pacific, Macquarie Bank, Intrapac, AVJennings, Porter Davis, Beck, Cedar Woods, Defence Housing Authority, Vision Senior Living, Metricon and Dennis Family Homes are among the companies that have worked with John Berenyi’s group.

“When buyers go into display homes their buying decision is not determined by which builder they like best, it’s based on the strongest emotional connection they find in a house.

When all else is equal it may be the ‘purple wall’ in the living room that tips the balance. The buyer falls in love with a particular look.”

John says Bergent Research works with the developer to find out what buyers are looking for and what they like. Analysis of the research data provides insights into the buyer which will give the developer an edge, allowing them to charge more, sell more quickly and get better referrals. In his usual captivating way John throws his arms in the air and says, “Marketing should be about the mix of emotions that really differentiates clients and drive their sales; pride, security, status, savings; whatever works. This is the approach of carmakers, jewellers, hotels, fashion, sporting goods manufacturers, Coca-Cola; indeed all good marketers have been doing for years. It’s time more people in the property industry used these techniques.”

Over the years, John’s work within the property industry has been honoured with two excellence awards from the Urban Development Institute of Australia.

John holds the view that traditional market research usually comes up with the wrong answers. This is because traditional market research asks people to say why they did or will do something and people can’t or won’t tell you the real reason.

“To get to the Human Truth® of why people buy, you have to use psychological techniques that go way beyond ‘it was a good deal’ or ‘I like it’. Marketers need to know what really motivates prospects and more importantly – why? It is only then that marketing can become effective.”

In this statement lies one of the keys to John’s views on why property developers need to shift their marketing sights from first homes buyers to second or even third home buyers and to base the marketing on true motivating emotional drivers.

He believes it’s time to let go of the ubiquitous image of mum, dad, kids and a dog, and to conduct marketing of new homes which strikes at the core of why people want a home. “In one study for first-home buyers we uncovered the Human Truth® that most of the women were looking for something that ‘made my sister really jealous!’. Once you understand this dynamic the ads and the sales approach focuses on pride and satisfaction, not dollars per square metre. The sales just roll in.”

26 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

John Berenyi

A FINE SYSTEM. THAT DOESN’T

BY DAVID PARSONS VICTORIA’S planning system is to be lauded in many ways. It provides a generally uniform, legible set of controls across municipalities, provides an accessible opportunity for the public voice and an independent umpire to determine disputes.

However the system is so prone to abuse of process as to virtually strip property owners of their rights to deal with their land in a lawful way without undue hindrance.

At the heart of the problem is the lack of accountability by local government. There is no effective mechanism to oblige councillors to act reasonably. Not only are there no sanctions for baseless rejections of applications, but there are in fact rewards.

The recognition of the public voice is an important and valuable part of the application process, but it is heard in a grossly disproportionate way because objectors are voters and applicants are not – or at best they are hugely outnumbered.

Lend Lease’s 590 Orrong Road is an example of council not only rejecting a conforming application, but continuing to buckle under resident pressure to obstruct even after VCAT ratified the proposal. Consequently, residents have come to believe that they are more than contributors to the debate – they are the planning law.

Another case in point is Evolve Development’s Williamstown Nelson Place proposal. Without dwelling on the merits of the various stages of the application, the planning process has now been underway for eight years. Considering that most developers fund land holdings with a blend of debt and equity, the holding costs of this site may well have consumed the entire value of the land in that time. It is difficult to think of another lawful government process that can diminish wealth in this way.

Again without dwelling on the grindingly slow history of this application, it is clear on review that residents’ action, aimed at a compliant council is at the root of the problem.

The protesting residents have effectively subverted property rights for their own ends – which can be summarised as ‘change averse’. Not only do they not respect the property owner’s

work

lawful rights, but have disregard for the wider community.

Successive governments and the public generally agree that urban sprawl is undesirable in many ways: it consumes arable land; it places stress on roads and the environment; it has an enormous infrastructure cost and brings a high social cost to those living there. The natural extension and the policy of governments of all colours is to develop higher density housing within established metropolitan areas where services and infrastructure already exist. This inherently reasonable proposition evaporates when the solution is in ‘my back yard’.

Local Government is charged with implementing the state’s planning laws. It is a legal responsibility which should not be politicised, but frequently is. Nor should the state’s important policies to restrain the urban sprawl be derailed by councils which refuse to play their part in embracing greater inner urban density.

It is legitimate that the Nelson Place proposal in its original form be subject to input from the public and council officers and councillors. What is not legitimate is that eight years on there is no resolution.

The basic sound system needs reform. In particular, councils and even councillors in their own right should be held to account if they reject or delay applications, without good reason, that are subsequently proven to be conforming. This is particularly so when councillors veto the recommendations of their own expert, impartial officers. All too often councils abrogate their responsibility to VCAT merely to avoid politically unpopular determinations – which also further clogs an already overloaded system. A good first step would be for VCAT to award costs by council to successful appellants.

At present it is all too easy for council to transfer its obligation to act reasonably to VCAT to keep the voters happy. The State Government may have to consider either tying local government funding to density targets, or bringing large, contentious or important applications within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Planning Authority.

David Parsons is an Independent development management consultant at PPDM

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 27

Glut? WHAT GLUT? EVERY day it seems like another news article appears about the “glut” of apartments in inner city Melbourne. Some of these articles say an oversupply already exists, while others report thousands of apartments will be vacant by the end of the year.

Spend a mere 10 to 15 minutes searching the internet and it quickly becomes apparent that these predictions of oversupply and the associated boon for renters and gloom and doom for investors are nothing new. In fact, it is not difficult to find that the same message was being spun not just last year or the year before, but as far back as 2005, 2003, 2002 and even 18 years ago in 1995!

What the average Melburnian or property investor makes of this one can only try to imagine, particularly when they see articles such as the one written 12 months ago under the masthead of a national broadsheet newspaper titled “Melbourne apartment glut spells empty feeling” accompanied by a photo of the Melbourne city skyline with the caption “Apartment demand is soaring in Melbourne”. Talk about mixed messages!

Andrew Fortey, Managing Director of PDS Group, says there is not an oversupply of apartments in Melbourne. “If there is an appetite and an acceptance in the market for higher density living then developers will keep building. If there is no demand, then developers will not build more apartments. It’s really that simple,” he says.

Mr Fortey believes that both investors and owner-occupiers want to live where infrastructure exists. “Governments are struggling to afford to build new infrastructure whether it is roads, schools, hospitals or train lines.

FRD (Fridcorp Residential Designs) is a new brand launched

by Fridcorp to deliver projects that represent “an attainable, cool and authentic inner urban lifestyle.” Mr Nigel Givoni, Director, Fridcorp reports that the company’s apartment offering in Morton Avenue Carnegie is selling “incredibly well” and attributes this to “where there is quality product built in quality locations, the market is accepting and supporting of these projects.”

Melbourne, like its counterpart Sydney, is becoming a more international style of city which means a greater emphasis on apartment living. With record numbers of people attracted here from overseas used to apartment living, they don’t necessarily aspire to live the Australian dream of a quarter acre block. Rather, they prefer to live in closer proximity to the key infrastructure the city offers.

Much of the recent media concerning the oversupply of apartments predicts a gloomy outlook for investors who face a fall in the value of their property.

However, while some articles make mention of investors getting caught up in the hype and marketing of a new project very few, if any, make mention of one of the basic tenets of property investing which is that it is a long term proposition.

Those investors looking to make short-term gains by buying off the plan and then selling when the project is completed may be disappointed.

“Hindsight shows that those who were predicting dire consequences from a glut of apartments in Melbourne in 1995 were wrong, it’s all in the cycles,” concludes Mr Fortey.

Instead they are trying to upgrade existing infrastructure, so while there may be poorly-sited projects that struggle to attract interest, people will continue to choose to live near the infrastructure that exists and that is concentrated in the inner city areas,” he says.

Mr Mario Salvo, Founder, Salvo Property Group shares the same view.

“Melbourne is not in oversupply, it is going well. We are receiving more inquiries now from owner-occupiers wanting to live inner-city than ever before. The cost of petrol, tolls and lack of amenity in the outskirts means that more people are prepared to downsize and move closer in for convenience,” he reports. Salvo Property Group’s Platinum tower in Southbank demonstrates this trend with more than half its 400 apartments selling before the development was even launched.

Mr Joe Russo, Managing Director of Caydon which has 700 apartments under construction in Melbourne and is set to market its latest development at 2 St Kilda Road believes there is “still strong demand for quality apartments in strategic locations.” Caydon’s Trilogi Apartments in Prahran offer 323 designer apartments spread over three buildings linked through exclusive shared amenities. Residents enjoy all the lifestyle benefits that Prahran offers plus their own on-site gymnasium, three landscaped outdoor terrace areas, rooftop retreat with a dining room and cinema.

28 urbanAFFAIRS | JULY13

Andrew Fortey

REMEDIATION COSTS SET TO ON 16 May 2013, an amendment to the national guideline for site contamination assessments took effect.

The document, originally published in 1999, is known as the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (ASC NEPM).

The effect of the changes are yet to be tested in industry, however the regulatory impact review concludes that the application of the amendment is likely to reduce the overall direct costs to industry, including reducing the need for site remediation.

Tools now available to assessors include additional factors for establishing acceptable contaminant limits.

For example, age, depth and capping material are now factors in determining the acceptable limit of certain contaminants and in general this means higher limits than those applied previously and consequently less instances where remediation will be required.

slide

Previously, application of specific site information typically only occurred as part of a site specific risk assessment, usually by a specialist risk assessor. However, with the additional information now included in the NEPM, such assessment can be undertaken as part of the standard investigation and feedback on remedial requirements and should occur more quickly and at less cost.

By providing more information for site assessors to apply to laboratory data, the NEPM 2013 amendment is expected to result in less soil removal from contaminated sites and a reduction in overall development costs.

Download the ASC NEPM at: <http://www.scew.gov.au/ nepms/assessment-of-site-contamination.html> Tonkin & Taylor Pty Ltd is a specialist provider of environmental, civil and geotechnical investigations. For further information , contact Tonkin & Taylor on 9863 8686.

A NEW NAME FOR INDUSTRY stalwarts HARWOOD Andrews Lawyers has revamped its name and position in the Melbourne market: Sladen Legal commenced operating from the newly built Lantern Building in the Docklands precinct – the iconic landmark in Walker’s Collins Square development.

According to managing principal Dan Simmonds, the decision to relocate and rebrand the firm came through a review of client needs and expectations.

“Our Melbourne firm has always had a client base consisting primarily of private business clients and our services have naturally catered to this market,” Mr Simmonds explains.

“When we assessed the future direction of our Melbourne operations, we identified a need to better align ourselves and our values with those of our clients, and to offer a more targeted range of services.”

The name pays tribute to Sir Charles Sladen, a former Premier of Victoria, who was a partner in one of the antecedent firms that now make up Harwood Andrews. In taking on the Sladen name, the firm acknowledges its rich history, while also adopting the entrepreneurial characteristics of Sir Charles.

Harwood Andrews Lawyers will continue to operate under the existing name in its Geelong and Ballarat offices.

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 29

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2013 UDIA BOARD OF directors PRESIDENT

John Cicero

Best Hooper

VICE PRESIDENT

David Payes

Intrapac Projects

SECRETARY

Bettina Sheeran

Maddocks

TREASURER

Duncan McLellan

Moremac Property Group

DIRECTORS

Steve Copland

National Pacific

Rory Costelloe

Villawood Properties

Stephen Hynes

Lend Lease

Anthony Lennon

Peet Limited

Andrew Perkins

Oliver Hume

Peter Vlitas

AVJennings

Tania Quick

Meinhardt

APPOINTED DIRECTORS

CALENDAR OF events AUGUST 2013 Friday 2 Monday-Friday 12-16 Thursday 15

UDIA Luncheon - Crown Entertainment Complex Education Week Education Week - Conference Day

SEPTEMBER Friday 6 Friday 13 Thursday 26

UDIA Luncheon – Crown Entertainment Complex WIP Site Tour Outlook Function

OCTOBER Friday 18 Wednesday 23 NOVEMBER Friday 8 Tuesday 12 Wednesday 20 Thursday 21 DECEMBER Friday 6

Nexus Ball WIP Race Day UDIA Luncheon – Crown Research Breakfast WIP Christmas Breakfast Outlook Function Awards Luncheon

UDIA NEW MEMBERS 2013 BRETT LANE & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD

CECILE LYNDT

CORNWELL STODART

HADDEN FARREN LAND SURVEYORS

HEART FOUNDATION

JEM ARCHAEOLOGY

MCIVOR FOREST PTY LTD

MOUNT ATKINSON HOLDINGS PTY LTD

MRCAGNEY PTY LTD

NATIONAL ELECTRONIC CONVEYANCING DEVELOPMENT LTD

PELLICANO PTY LTD

RIVERGUM HOMES PTY LTD

SOLAR LORD

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

WESTMONT PTY LTD

YOURLAND DEVELOPMENTS (DJE INVESTMENTS)

JULY13 | urbanAFFAIRS 31

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