Newsletter - October 2022

Second Stage of Sekisui’s $2bn Sydney Masterplan Gains Approval

Developer Sekisui House, with financial support from Japan, has obtained approval for the second phase of its $2 billion riverfront masterplan project in Sydney's inner-west.

The approval from the City of Parramatta Council opens the door for two waterfront structures, Laguna and Glade, totalling 171 flats, to be added to its multi-stage Sanctuary complex.

In November 2020, the first phase of the development at 14-16 Hill Road at Wentworth Point near the Parramatta River and the Homebush Olympic Precinct was finished.

The Landing was made up of 12 two-story maisonettes, 16 terraced residences, and 364 apartments.

The 9.4ha masterplan for Sanctuary was created by Turner. It is being transformed into a mixed-use area with roughly 2000 residences, as well as retail and other community amenities, over the course of six stages.

In its most recent stage, Glade with 70 apartments will rise to eight stories, while Laguna with 101 apartments will tower at 13 stories. PBD Architects is responsible for the designs of both buildings.

“Stage 2 has been designed to act as the heart of the Sanctuary community with the journey through Laguna and Glade effectively connecting all stages,” Sekisui House Australia senior development manager Zac Petrovic said.

“A comprehensive placemaking strategy has also been created to provide residents with desirable recreational amenities and a cohesive, well-considered walkable community.”

A 3150 square metre "neighbourhood green" public open space connecting the buildings will have a covered communal dining area and water play.

The planting of one tree per apartment, double-glazed windows, water-saving fixtures, bike rooms, EV charging stations, and automobile sharing are just a few of the sustainability measures.

As part of the second stage, a recreation centre featuring a swimming pool, spa, sauna, and gym will also be finished.

“Sekisui House is committed to building sustainable communities, focused on the company’s key principles of environmental, economic and social sustainability,” Petrovic said.

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$2.6b Sydney Gateway Project Hits 50 Per Cent Completion

The $2.6 billion Sydney Gateway project has reached a significant milestone that will change how drivers get to and from the Sydney Airport region.

The installation of the recognisable twin arch bridge over the Alexandra Canal in Tempe is scheduled to start after construction on this huge transportation project is 50% complete.

According to NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, this massive project is on schedule, within budget, and creating lots of jobs, which is a significant economic stimulus.

“Sydney Gateway will generate and support more than 4,000 jobs across the construction and manufacturing industries in Sydney and regional NSW over the life of the project,” Mr Kean said.

“This includes providing opportunities for 430 young people, more than 500 women and 130 Aboriginal people, which are all well above industry benchmarks.

“This means these people are learning and applying the technical skills needed to build world-class infrastructure here in Sydney.”

Rob Stokes, the minister for infrastructure, cities, and active transportation claimed that the project plans had been improved in response to public input.

“The Sydney Gateway project includes a new three kilometre pedestrian and cycle path along Alexandra Canal, creating a transport link for those who want an alternative way to travel to or from work or home,” Mr Stokes said.

“This is another example of the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering city-shaping projects as part of the $76.7 billion transport infrastructure investment across the state over the next four years.”

The construction of the first of the two arch bridges that will link St. Peters Interchange and the International Terminal will be the main focus during the coming months, according to Natalie Ward, Minister for Metropolitan Roads.

“Sydney commuters are now another step closer to faster and more reliable trips from St Peters Interchange to Sydney Airport, the M5 and the Eastern Distributor as this transformative project hits the halfway mark,” Mrs Ward said.

“The foundations have been laid, and workers will soon embark on the major engineering feat of putting together the 3,000 tonnes of 100 per cent Australian steel to form these eye-catching bridges.”

The project is on track to open to traffic in late 2024.

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Sydney Build 2023 Ambassador Program Applications are Now Open

Help us drive equality, diversity and change across the industry and become a Diversity or Women in Construction Ambassador! Our mission is to ensure that everyone in the industry has the opportunity to thrive.?

We welcome anyone of any gender who is passionate about driving change across Australia's built environment to get involved as an Ambassador.?

• Use your voice and help us shape the diversity panel discussions by submitting questions you want to see addressed
• Receive a personalised Ambassador Pack to share with your network and show support for diversity?
• Join the Networking Events as an Ambassador and help inspire others

Anyone of any gender who is passionate about driving change, from students to architects to CEOs, is welcome to get involved.

Diversity in Construction Ambassador: www.sydneybuildexpo.com/diversity-in-construction

Women in Construction Ambassador: www.sydneybuildexpo.com/women-in-construction

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NSW Becomes First Jurisdiction in Australia to Adopt Model WHS Regulations

The national model WHS legislation have recently undergone modifications that recognise psychosocial hazards in the workplace and mandate businesses to establish control mechanisms to minimise risks. New South Wales will be one of the first jurisdictions in Australia to implement these changes.

Businesses are already implementing the NSW Code of Practice: Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work, according to Natasha Mann, head of SafeWork NSW. These new regulations give workplaces clarity on their responsibilities and list possible control mechanisms.

“Psychosocial risks and hazards can cause a stress response leading to psychological or physical harm. They can stem from the work itself in the way it is designed and managed, from hazardous working environments, equipment use and social factors in the workplace,” Ms Mann said.

“The new regulations require businesses to, as far as reasonably practicable, eliminate psychosocial risks and advise what should be considered when putting in place appropriate control measures.

“The changes will also complement the establishment of SafeWork NSW’s Respect@Work Taskforce, the NSW Government $9.7 million response to the Respect@Work Report on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.”

The model laws will also improve record keeping and operator training for entertainment devices and passenger ropeways in light of a number of recent occurrences.

“By putting in place greater requirements for training and more robust reporting we will see operators required to lift industry standards,” Ms Mann said.

The Work Health and Safety Amendment Regulation 2022 introduces a number of changes to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

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Winning Design Chosen for Parramatta Riverfront Precinct

A design competition for 25-27 Leeds Street in Rhodes East, a section of the Parramatta River shoreline slated for revitalisation, was won by SJB and Land and Form Studios.

With low- to mid-rise structures that interact with the foreshore park, together with waterfront promenades and green pedestrian links, the project will be centred on creating a connection to the river.

In a competition held by officials from the City of Canada Bay Council, the NSW government architect, and Nation Architects, the design by SJB and Land and Form was chosen from a group of three designs. A "biophilic and permeable precinct" that advances the long-term restoration of the larger Rhodes area is a key component of the winning design.

“We’re breathing new life into the Parramatta River foreshore to make it greener, more accessible and more attractive,” said John Kinsella, managing director of developer Billbergia. “The project will deliver 6,000 square metres of public open space, including a retail and dining precinct and will open up the waterfront promenade with an interactive river edge for the community to enjoy.”

Having finished the initial vision for the Rhodes area's rehabilitation in 2005, SJB claimed to have a "long-running connection" with the region. Rhodes Central, the neighborhood's retail hub and the first of three stages in the NSW government's transformation of Rhodes from an industrial peninsula to a completely regenerated suburb, was the most recent mixed-use structure the studio created for Rhodes.

The plan for Leeds Street will integrate the public domain geography of the Paramatta River. According to Land and Form director Ro Iyer,?“the foreshore design represents this transition from natural to urban, creating an iconic destination that looks to restore and enhance important ecological assets and allow people to actively engage with the Parramatta River, setting a high-quality precedent for the Rhodes East Precinct."

Buildings will be angled to maximise solar gain, with flats facing interior courtyards getting views of the riverside.

Leeds Street is the first phase of the developer's Rhodes East project, which calls for a high-density, low-rise building that enhances the neighborhood's current infrastructure.

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