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The Box Hill project involved a number of complex planning, legal, and commercial challenges that required careful negotiation and strategic problem-solving throughout the rezoning process. Under the guidance of Elie, the project was managed with a strong focus on achieving practical and commercially beneficial outcomes for the client.

One of the major constraints of the site was the requirement for a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA), along with matters relating to the compulsory acquisition of the RE1 Public Recreation / Sports Park land. Reaching an agreement with Council on acceptable VPA terms was a lengthy and detailed process, requiring ongoing discussions to ensure the outcome was fair and reasonable for all parties involved.

While the landowners were committed to contributing toward public benefit outcomes, there were differing views between Council and the owners regarding what level of contribution was appropriate. Through persistent negotiations and a practical approach led by Elie, progress was made toward a balanced resolution.

To help secure the best possible result for the clients, specialist town planning legal advice was engaged. This played an important role in strengthening negotiations and achieving improved commercial and planning outcomes.

Another significant challenge related to the valuation of the RE1 portion of the site. Each party’s valuer held differing opinions on the land value due to various physical and planning constraints affecting the property. By demonstrating that a number of these constraints could be resolved through suitable engineering solutions, additional value was able to be justified and recognised during negotiations.

The site’s strategic location between two proposed schools — one private and one public — also created both challenges and opportunities. Early coordination and negotiations with adjoining landowners regarding future road access, drainage infrastructure, and services were essential in supporting the long-term development potential of the land.

Overall, the Box Hill project highlights the importance of strong planning expertise, negotiation skills, and proactive stakeholder engagement in overcoming constraints and unlocking development value through the rezoning process.

The Portland Golf Club project represents a significant long-term rezoning opportunity that combines lifestyle living, strategic land planning, and regional growth potential. The proposal involves preparing a comprehensive master plan that reimagines the golf club as an integrated lifestyle community, while maintaining the character and amenity of the existing area. Under the leadership of Elie, the project has been approached with a strong focus on balancing commercial objectives, planning requirements, and community outcomes.

The client is entering into a long-term agreement with a developer to undertake the rezoning of the land through a Put and Call Option Agreement, allowing for staged development over time. This structure provides flexibility for future growth while creating long-term value for all parties involved.

One of the key challenges of the project has been negotiating suitable commercial terms between the Golf Club and the developer. It was essential that the agreement aligned with the developer’s vision while also protecting the interests of the Golf Club and its members. With the assistance of a specialist property lawyer experienced in Put and Call Option Agreements, Elie helped secure a balanced and commercially sound agreement that minimised future risk and potential litigation.

From a planning perspective, the project will require a rezoning process supported by thorough community consultation and engagement with key stakeholders. This is particularly important given the site’s regional significance and the broader transformation occurring within Portland.

Portland is currently experiencing major rejuvenation through the redevelopment of the former Portland Cement Works site, now known as The Foundations. It’s a state-heritage listed industrial site that operated from approximately 1902 to the late 1990s. The project focuses on:

• • Tourism
• • Events / festivals
• • Arts & creative industries
• • Hospitality (cafés, markets, venues)
• • Accommodation and community use

As this broader regeneration continues, Portland is expected to emerge over the next decade as a growing regional hub, with increased tourism opportunities and surrounding low-density residential development. This positions the Portland Golf Club site as a strategically located landholding with strong long-term development potential.

A major constraint for any regional development project is the provision of essential infrastructure services, particularly sewer and water connections. A key strength of this site is that it is already positioned within Council’s existing strategic planning framework and future servicing structure plan, which identifies the area for sewer expansion and future growth.

Selecting land within an identified growth corridor significantly improves the prospects of successful rezoning outcomes, as it aligns with Council’s long-term planning objectives.

Overall, the Portland Golf Club project demonstrates the importance of strategic site selection, strong legal structuring, infrastructure planning, and proactive negotiation. Through careful planning and leadership from Elie, the project is well positioned to unlock substantial long-term value while contributing to the continued growth and revitalisation of Portland.

The Rydalmere Project is a strategically positioned urban renewal site located within one of Western Sydney’s fastest growing education, transport, and employment corridors. With direct proximity to the new Yallamundi Light Rail Station, Western Sydney University, and major future redevelopment precincts, the site presents a unique opportunity for a landmark mixed-use rezoning outcome. Under the direction of Elie, the project has been guided by a long-term vision to transform the site into a high-quality gateway development that enhances the surrounding precinct and supports future growth.

The site is located adjacent to the new Yallamundi Light Rail Station, Western Sydney University and the proposed Indigenous Centre of Excellence — a flagship Indigenous hub featuring:

• • Education and training facilities
• • Cultural spaces and storytelling
• • Health and wellbeing services
• • Business incubation / enterprise support
• • Community gathering and event spaces

Historically, the broader region also included environmental living style zones intended for low-density housing in bushland settings. However, many of these older planning controls are gradually being phased out across metropolitan areas such as the City of Parramatta, in favour of more contemporary zoning frameworks that better respond to housing demand, transport connectivity, and urban growth.

One of the project’s strongest advantages is its location immediately adjacent to the new Yallamundi Light Rail Station, creating direct public transport access into Parramatta and surrounding centres. The site also adjoins Western Sydney University and the proposed Indigenous Centre of Excellence, significantly enhancing the strategic importance of the Rydalmere site.

Directly opposite the property is the former Macquarie Boys High School site — a large government-owned landholding identified for future urban renewal. Current planning directions indicate a master-planned residential precinct incorporating medium to high-density housing, retail uses, open space, and upgraded pedestrian and road connections. This forms part of the wider transformation of the Parramatta–Rydalmere corridor into a major residential and employment growth area.

The Rydalmere project was submitted to the Housing Delivery Authority and received support for a high-rise development concept. The site has been assembled and strategically held over a number of years with a clear vision championed by Elie — to create a welcoming entry statement to Western Sydney University while delivering quality housing and commercial opportunities for the precinct.

From a constraints perspective, the site is affected by flooding due to its proximity to Vineyard Creek, as well as the presence of significant underground mains and service infrastructure. While these are important considerations, they are considered manageable through detailed engineering design, flood mitigation strategies, and appropriate building setbacks.

The long-term vision for the site is the delivery of three master-planned towers incorporating commercial and retail uses on the ground and first floor levels, integrated with Western Sydney University and the surrounding transport network. Above these podium levels, the development would provide modern residential apartments, including purpose-built rental accommodation for university students.

Recent government policy changes have increased the importance of universities demonstrating adequate student housing capacity, particularly for international student growth. Given the site’s location near Western Sydney University, the Parramatta Light Rail, and the nearby Westmead health precinct, Rydalmere is exceptionally well positioned to meet this growing demand.

Overall, the Rydalmere Project highlights the importance of identifying underutilised industrial land within emerging transport corridors and repositioning it for higher-value urban uses. Through strategic planning, long-term acquisition, and the leadership of Elie, the project is well placed to become a transformative mixed-use development contributing to the continued renewal of Western Sydney.