Background

Selandra Rise is a pioneering masterplanned estate in Clyde North that delivers everything residents could need in terms of home, work and leisure, just 52 kilometres southeast of Melbourne CBD.

Stockland joined forces with the City of Casey, the Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA, now the VPA) and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) to create the most forward-thinking well-planned community of its kind in Victoria. The development has 1200+ homes, retirement living, schools and a kindergarten. Open spaces include parklands, local creek, community garden, sports ovals and facilities.

BW were engaged as the lead consultant to deliver the project.

Challenge

Our challenge was to deliver the project to the combined vision of the public and private entities in a timely manner. Fortunately, our experience, local knowledge and strong relationships with key stakeholders stood us in good stead.

Selandra Rise was the first development in Victoria to integrate the new Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) and Development Contributions Plan (DCP) which guide development, infrastructure and services projects in growth areas. The standards produced by the then GAA (now VPA) had to be navigated through Council as they hadn’t yet been introduced. Beveridge Williams worked closely with Stockland and Council to significantly shorten the time taken from planning approvals to construction starting.

Solution

Beveridge Williams appointed a dedicated project manager to ensure communication between disciplines, and with the client and all stakeholders and authorities. We managed all the many moving parts of the development process and questioned the status quo when negotiating with authorities.

To speed up progress, masterplanning of the road network for the estate of over 1200 lots, schools, retirement village and commercial areas was done concurrently with the design for drainage, sewer and other services. This eliminated potentially costly delays and enabled the project to progress as planned. The City of Casey approved Beveridge Williams’ designs just a few weeks after planning approval was obtained.

Statement of Compliance was attained for 250 lots within 12 months of the Planning Permit being issued. The pace of development was well above expectations.

Outcome

We started work on the project in 2007 before the PSP had been developed. Construction began in 2010 and was completed in 2016. Many lessons were learned that later benefitted us moving onto bigger and more complex projects and there were definite benefits to the industry as a whole.

VicHealth are undertaking a five year study on the residents of the estate to look at the health effects of planning, housing diversity and local jobs.

Selandra Rise won awards including the Urban Development Institute’s (UDIA) Best Masterplanned Community 2016.