Stamford Park

Rowville VIC

Roberts Day’s design and planning leadership, together with strong client, consultant and government collaboration assisted Stockland in securing this highly prized site and re-envisioning its future as an innovative, sustainable urban community within a parkland, wetland and heritage setting.

Collaboration as foundation for fast track support

Roberts Day were selected to join Stockland’s successful project bid team to purchase this high profile 6.3 hectare medium density housing site from the City of Knox.  Close collaboration with Council and within the project team from day one expedited the creation of a shared development vision for the site as a showcase compact urban development within the municipality. The entire vision to Development Plan approval process was achieved in less than 12 months.

Planning + Design – the power of an integrated approach

In appointing Roberts Day, Stockland saw the benefits of the seamless integration of our planning and design services to the project. Council’s challenging project requirements were able to be addressed through a design-led and strategic approach.  A detailed understanding and focus on outcomes necessary to bring the best of compact urban living to Knox, including a diversified housing mix, were integral to the project’s success.  Stockland’s Master Plan re-envisioned the conventional plan and approach enshrined within the strategic planning framework for Stamford Park, resulting in an exemplary urban outcome that delivers on commercial imperatives.

Drawing on national experience and local, national and international precedent, and understanding of how design manifests on the ground through statutory planning processes, the team worked closely with Council to push beyond conventional standards to ensure the best possible delivery of exceptional place outcomes.

Alignment through project leadership + vision keeping

The application of our Great Process fostered strong alignment, between Stockland’s team and Council as well as amongst the project team.  This has laid the foundation for the project vision to be upheld, and the principles and vision established through the master planning and visioning processes to flow through to the detailed design and delivery phases, commencing with the recent approval of the Stamford Park Development Plan.

It also resulted in a close fit between architecture, landscaping and the urban context and public realm, and the ability to ensure the details including small street treatments, fencing and servicing needs are functional and accord with the overall vision.

Showcase for sustainable, compact living in Melbourne’s established eastern suburbs

Waterlea is destined to become a showcase.  It’s success will depend on the continued strong partnership between Stockland and the City of Knox, and the delivery of the extensive surrounding natural wetlands and parklands, including a community permaculture garden by Council. Waterlea has been awarded a 6 Star Green Star Community Rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), providing a benchmark and demonstration project for future urban development within the City of Knox.  The Development Plan sets the basis for all elements of the community to contribute to this sustainable future, including the homes, streets, water systems, open spaces and food production and connectivity with adjacent development and amenities.


Client: Stockland Services: Urban Design, Town Planning, Project Coordination Site area: 6.3 Ha Number of dwellings: 190 Status: DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVED; BUILDING + WORKS PLANNING PERMIT APPROVED.


Urban Design, master planning, town planning, project coordination RobertsDay Architecture Group GSA Landscape Architecture MDG Engineering/ Surveying TGM Traffic GTA Environmental/ Sustainability ARUP Sustainable Water Management Alluvium Flora and Fauna Brett Lane & Associates Arborist Tree Logic Cultural Heritage Ochre Imprints Affordable Housing Advisor UrbanXchange