Cedar Woods’ diverse range of connected communities built for all
21 March 2023
Building quality homes, workplaces and communities where people are proud to live and work, close to public transport links and established amenities is a key driver for national property developer Cedar Woods.
Managing Director Nathan Blackburne said the creation of residential developments in areas with major public transport facilities was all about helping people be better connected to their families and friends, where they work and where they prefer to spend their weekends and leisure time.
“It also means creating communities with diverse housing options, appealing to first home buyers, downsizers and upgraders, all within well-established locations,” Mr Blackburne said.
“Access to existing local amenities, as well as public transport, reduces residents’ reliance on cars, increases walkability and promotes alternative transport like bicycles or e-scooters, all important sustainability considerations that discerning buyers are factoring into their purchasing decisions more and more.
“Reducing our environmental impact is a primary consideration in all Cedar Woods developments, which extends not only to ensuring our communities are close to transport links, but also that buildings are energy efficient, our construction practices limit waste and the impact of new communities on any local bushland and habitat is minimised.”
Sustainable communities
Transit Oriented Developments (TODs) are innovative urban communities located in areas that maximise the amount of residential, business and leisure space within walking distance of major public transport facilities.
TODs provide many lifestyle, environmental and economic benefits for their residents and Cedar Woods strives to deliver these as infill communities, with quality homes and workplaces people are proud to live and work in.
So far, Cedar Woods has been involved in eleven TOD communities with two completed and nine on the go. Many of which have received industry recognition for their transit-oriented design, thoughtful and innovative outcomes, urban rehabilitation, and integrated streetscapes.
In addition, consumers are now drawn to developments for more than just pure convenience. They are looking to connect, look after our environment and live affordably.
TODs ultimately can provide this highly sought-after lifestyle, whilst working to support challenges that come with urban sprawl and population growth.
Jackson Green is just one of Cedar Woods’ successful transit-oriented developments built with sustainable connections in mind. Located in Clayton South, just 20km from the Melbourne CBD, the community is well-serviced by public transport and is close to retail outlets, schools, employment opportunities and public open space.
Just a short distance from Jackson Green is Clayton Station, which forms part of the future Suburb Rail Loop. Residents will be better connected to major employment, health, education and retail destinations including the Melbourne Airport. This significant investment into infrastructure by the state government will deliver better public transport options, connect surrounding neighbourhoods and ease road congestion, that will benefit our residents for generations to come.
Comprising a diverse range of high-quality, affordable homes and well-designed green spaces, Jackson Green is in a very convenient location for residents, many of whom have no need to own cars because of the excellent public transport options.
Two of the estate’s newest apartment buildings, Huntington and Aster Apartments, also boast electric vehicle car share facilities. Residents can hire a Tesla Model 3 through a partnership with proptech company Ohmie Go, which is looking to roll out similar schemes across Australia.
Residents pick up and drop off the vehicles from the dedicated bays in the buildings’ car parks, paying an hourly, daily or weekend rate, which can be as low as $15 an hour.
“Initiatives such as this help to provide options for residents who don’t want to buy a car, but still want the convenience of being able to drive where public transport may not always take them,” Mr Blackburne said. “Carshare services will bridge the gap between public transport and car ownership.”
Upon completion, Jackson Green will be home to more than 1,000 residents reaping the benefits of its established connections including being walking distance to the Clayton Station, leading directly to the Melbourne CBD.
The project was recognised in 2020 as Development of the Year for new communities in The Urban Developer Awards for Excellence.
Incontro Subiaco in WA is a successful infill development located in an extremely central location, just five kilometres from the Perth CBD and in a suburb with many retail and transport options. The development’s popularity resulted in 90% of townhomes selling out within six months.
It’s more than just convenience
Transit oriented communities are also about helping to promote residents to exercise more, reduce stress levels, lower living costs, give them better accessibility to amenities and overall, lead to a healthier lifestyle.
Access to established local amenities and public transport reduces the reliance on cars, promotes alternate modes of transport like bikes and increases walkability. It also reduces traffic congestion as well as household spending on vehicle upkeep and fuel.
“Any way that we can help residents reduce their cost of living and promote healthy lifestyles is important in all of our developments,” Mr Blackburne said.
88 Leveson, a boutique collection of townhomes in the heart of North Melbourne is a walker’s paradise with a walk score of 97/100, so daily errands do not require a car. The transit score is ranked 100 with future residents only a three-minute walk from the number 57 tram which links residents to directly to Flinders Street Station, putting walkability and connection at the forefront.
Green spaces enhance liveability
Cedar Woods prides itself on incorporating large-scale parklands and walking trails within its communities to encourage residents to improve liveability in its developments.
Glenside in South Australia is within a 15-minute stroll to the Adelaide CBD through the Victoria Park, which neighbours the Glenside community, combining both city and parkland living.
The Glenside masterplan includes open spaces, walking paths and bike trails that link to the existing surrounding parklands. Visitor bike racks are featured at street level within the estate and secure bike racks are also available in all Glenside apartments for resident use.
The project is an exceptional example of considered urban infill and one of Cedar Woods’ most coveted projects, previously winning industry awards with the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) SA for best masterplanned development, residential development and urban renewal project.
A forward-thinking developer
Cedar Woods’ experienced team is making smart decisions about where to build the communities of tomorrow, developing sites that are already connected or will be in the future with planned infrastructure works.
Eglinton Village was recently announced as one of Cedar Woods’ latest projects in Western Australia. The 1200-lot development is on the doorstep of the new Eglinton METRONET station which is forecast to open in 2024. The estate is a classic example of how a greenfield residential community can benefit from being integrated into public transport, with a 46-minute commute to the Perth CBD via the train line, reducing stress on surrounding roads and freeways.
This concept has proven successful before, with Williams Landing in Victoria. Williams Landing is truly ‘The Centre of the West’ and one of Melbourne’s most dynamic mixed-use projects, combining a regional public transport hub, retail, residential and commercial buildings. It is strategically situated 20km from the CBD, or a 30-minute train ride from the Williams Landing train station.
A world-class development, Williams Landing couples excellent amenity, connectivity, and culture to create a enviable workday and lifestyle for its occupiers and residents.
Likewise, a similar development in Melbourne, Banbury Village, is an industry-recognised urban renewal success story. The estate has won numerous prestigious industry awards including the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), Victorian best Medium Density Residential Development and a UDIA Judge’s Commendation for Urban Renewal. The project was also a UDIA finalist in the category of Residential Development (more than 250 dwellings), and a finalist in the Property Council of Australia National Awards.
Mr Blackburne said Cedar Woods’ transit-oriented communities give buyers the opportunity to purchase into brand new connected communities with like-minded people.
“We pride ourselves on ensuring that when we build our communities we are always thinking about tomorrow.”