Millar Merrigan

19/06/2024

What's important to you in a new community? In our designs for Copelands Estate, effort was put in to ensure we created spaces where residents could connect with nature. The stunning waterways and wetlands are a highlight, offering recreational opportunities and environmental benefits.

Learn more about Millar Merrigan's expertise in Landscape Architecture 👉 https://buff.ly/3GemTKY

17/06/2024

We are excited to be part of a unique project with Habitat for Humanity Victoria, developing a village-style accommodation in Bayswater North. ️

This project offers a mix of ownership opportunities and long-term rentals, providing secure housing for families and individuals facing housing insecurity.

Find out more about this project on The Chalk 👉 https://buff.ly/3UOKzMy

We’re passionate about creating places that live our purpose to ‘inspire better living.’ This extends far beyond timber frames and bricks; it’s about building a better future for our communities.

16/06/2024

We’re excited to announce our involvement in the upcoming YMCA Vocational School 📚 This project focuses on the repurposing of this existing gym facility into an educational hub, catering to young people who do not fit into the traditional education system.

The YMCA is a global, community-driven not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering and supporting young people to reach their full potential. This new vocational school will complement their existing services, which work to support the welfare of young people.

This will be the first vocational school of its kind in Victoria, following successful models in Queensland and Western Australia. The evident community need for this alternative education has paved the way for future opportunities for more schools in Victoria - and we’re so honoured to play a pivotal role in this groundbreaking venture.

14/06/2024

It’s amazing that we’re already halfway through our 2024 Exploration Program! These employees were selected to help build their understanding of MM’s multi-disciplinary functions, discover what each department does, how it contributes to the overall land development process, and how it ultimately enables us to inspire better living.

The team has so far learnt all about our disciplines of
📑 Business Support, People & Culture and Finance
🧭 Surveying
💻 Engineering Design
🏘️ Town Planning
🧱 Building Design

With 6 sessions left for the year, we look forward to seeing the team continue their development 🤩

11/06/2024

A special Glanmire Park update for International Day of Play! The estate has seen major progress over the last few months, and planting has just gone in for our playground.

The playground will be open to the public in just two weeks, having just passed its audit! This space will accommodate children and carers alike, to ensure there’s a safe and enjoyable area to exercise the right to play 🛝

11/06/2024

Today is the first-ever United Nations International Day of Play! Play isn’t just for fun - children require time, space, and permission to play. It’s not just a right, but a necessity for health and development. Physical health and development, mental health and learning, social development, and motor skills all benefit from play.

When designing a successful play space, it’s important to consider

🛝 A variety of equipment, like spinners, swings, climbers and slides, which all offer unique development purposes, from eye muscles, calming and regulation, spatial awareness, strength and imagination!
🚿 Carer accommodations, to make playtime comfortable for both children and adults. Seating with backrests, shade shelters, and nearby amenities are all important.
🧑‍🦽 Accessibility of a playground, to help ensure everyone can enjoy the fun.
We’re proud to take play seriously and design practical and visually pleasing playgrounds for our clients, like this one we completed for the Yarra Valley Grammar Junior Primary Playspace.

Today, make time to explore, imagine, and discover the joy of play - and try to make it a part of every day, whether you’re an adult or a child!

10/06/2024

Our second newsletter for 2024 is coming out soon - and we don’t want you to miss out! Covering all the inner-workings at MM from the last quarter, and providing an industry update, it’s a valuable insight to the land development industry.

Sign up today 👉 https://buff.ly/49Ayl0b

07/06/2024

A recent 2-lot subdivision in Maroondah required a Public Open Space (POS) contribution. We took this to VCAT, advocated on behalf of our client, and got this contribution removed.

For a long time, an exemption on the POS contribution has existed for 2-lot subdivisions, on the proviso that: “the council considers it unlikely that each lot will be further subdivided”.

We argued at VCAT that further subdivision was possible - but unlikely due to several factors
🌳 The mature trees being kept on the property limited the available space for additional dwellings in the future
🙅 Conditions on the permit for Lot 2, requiring a building envelope, limits future development possibilities
🏘️ The neighbourhood consisted of spacious lots with existing landscape, and subdividing further would likely not be accepted due to ‘neighbourhood character’ concerns.

VCAT ultimately agreed with our arguments, exempting our client from the POS contribution. This case highlights the importance of considering specific site details, and ensuring a deep knowledge of planning schemes and requirements.

06/06/2024

Last night’s AILA VIC Australian Institute of Landscape Architects awards ceremony was a fantastic night out for members of our Landscape team 🌿 Cory Sund, the Business Support member for the team, said one of the highlights of the night was the welcoming ceremony. “We were formally welcomed by a Wurundjeri Elder through a beautiful smoking ceremony, which was to promote the wellbeing of Wurundjeri people and guests on Country.”

Cory also said the night allowed her to develop an even greater appreciation for the industry - both in “how hard people work for beautiful project outcomes, and ensuring great functionality”.

A big congratulations to all of the award winners from last night’s ceremony, and thanks to AILA for running such a rewarding evening!

05/06/2024

This space within The Village creates a community space for the residents of 203 Bayswater Road 🏘️ The project looks to provide affordable, safe and secure housing outcomes for local families.

Lisa Reynolds, Landscape Architect at MM, shares that "With part of the project being more transient than the permanent housing, it will be great to see the landscaping help to build a community and create a communal space. With landscaping elements like vegetable gardens, we’re creating homes in this space, not just houses!”

We can’t wait to see it transform, too! Find out more about the project on our blog, The Chalk 👉 https://buff.ly/3UOKzMy

We’re passionate about creating places that live our purpose to ‘inspire better living.’ This extends far beyond timber frames and bricks; it’s about building a better future for our communities.

03/06/2024

Want to subdivide your property, but don’t know where to start? Our recent article highlights the challenges you may face so you know what you’re getting into!

Learn about feasibility studies, planning approvals, and crucial considerations for first-time developers.

Get started on the right foot by reading the full article 👉 https://buff.ly/3V6Debv

Subdividing land in Victoria involves navigating a complex landscape of regulations, site-specific factors and local council preferences and policies. With so many factors at play and a myriad of potential issues, it’s important to engage with professionals early in the process. This can help eval...

31/05/2024

Back in 1966, two surveyors, Paul Millar and Peter Merrigan, decided to join forces and form Millar Merrigan. Fast forward 58 years later (just yesterday!) and we're proud to see all that MM has done. The photo above is of Peter Merrigan on-site at Dinner Plain Village, a project that started in the '80s!

Now with over 100 staff, of which six are licensed surveyors, we continue to live by Peter’s legacy despite his passing last year. This means living to achieve our purpose ‘inspire better living’, encouraging a strong work-life balance for employees, and building communities both in the workplace, and through our work in land development.

Here’s to many more years of making a positive impact 🎉

31/05/2024

We love seeing our clients’ projects progress, like these images showcasing the carport structure of an architecturally-designed home.

Our Millar Merrigan Structural team has been involved in this project, completing the designs of footings, slabs, wall framing and timber connections! It will be great to see this project in its finished stage, similar to the final image render from Pleysier Perkins.

29/05/2024

Our client wanted a beautiful, yet manageable garden - challenge accepted ✅

This design incorporates existing trees and a mix of indigenous and exotic plantings, creating a peaceful and low-maintenance space to enjoy.

With a variety of shrubs, trees, grasses, flowers and groundcover, the space will provide a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere all year round!

We can’t wait to see it come to life, as planting goes underway! Get in touch with our landscape team to create the garden of your dreams 📧 Contact [email protected] for more details!

28/05/2024

We’re proud to be a part of creating change - and together with Habitat for Humanity, we’re helping make safe and supportive communities for locals in need.

The latest project is ‘203 Bayswater Road’, providing village-style accommodation to support local families and individuals facing housing insecurity. A collaboration between StableOne, Emmaus Christian Community, Servants Community Housing and Habitat for Humanity, we’ll be providing our expertise in development advisory, landscape design and planning to support this impactful project.

Find out more about this project 👉 https://buff.ly/3UOKzMy

We’re passionate about creating places that live our purpose to ‘inspire better living.’ This extends far beyond timber frames and bricks; it’s about building a better future for our communities.

27/05/2024

As we head into the final week of May, we're finishing up some of our development and performance reviews at Millar Merrigan! Reviews are a valuable tool to encourage and support our workforce, and our cyclical process provides a platform to foster a culture of continual growth and development.

Over the past year, we've been dedicated to formulating department goals and driving towards our company's strategic vision. As part of this, we believe reviews should go beyond a single conversation. We conduct regular check-ins throughout the year to help employees stay on track with their goals and objectives. This collaborative approach ensures the process is a meaningful dialogue, not just a box-ticking exercise.

Ultimately, it allows us to invest in our people, and unlock their full potential by finding the best ways to support them 🔐

24/05/2024

We believe in creating spaces that inspire better living for all. That’s why we’re working with Habitat for Humanity Australia's Victoria division to provide affordable, safe housing and empower families in need.

This project aims to provide long-term, secure and affordable housing solutions for local families. Located in an area with public transport, amenities, and a supportive community, the project provides a hand-up - not a hand-out.

Read all about our collaboration on The Chalk 👉 https://buff.ly/3UOKzMy

We’re passionate about creating places that live our purpose to ‘inspire better living.’ This extends far beyond timber frames and bricks; it’s about building a better future for our communities.

24/05/2024

Nothing better than watching a dream turn into reality - and it’s great to watch it happen at Glanmire Park!

The flythrough showcases the latest playground, and a final view of the wetlands before planting goes in to make them gorgeous green spaces! In the last 12 months, the site has seen the development of 320 lots, with 100 more under construction and more than 150 homes in various stages of construction.

23/05/2024

Flashback to 2004, ‘TheFacebook’ was the hot new thing, flip phones were all the rage, and ‘Hey Ya!’ by Outkast was blasting on the radio. But one thing hasn’t changed: Lyn’s dedication to Millar Merrigan!

20 years ago, Lyn joined Millar Merrigan, and she’s been a driving force ever since. Today, not only is she Manager of Finance, but she’s also a unitholder and an ever-welcoming, bright presence in the team.

Lyn - your expertise and leadership are invaluable to MM. Here’s to many more years together!

22/05/2024

Thinking about subdividing land? There’s more to consider than just location!

Our latest article dives into key factors for success, and some of the potential challenges you may face. From zoning to regulatory considerations, we’ve got you covered.

Read the article 👉 https://buff.ly/3wFqznD to be informed before you buy.

Subdividing land in Victoria involves navigating a complex landscape of regulations, site-specific factors and local council preferences and policies. With so many factors at play and a myriad of potential issues, it’s important to engage with professionals early in the process. This can help eval...

21/05/2024

Yesterday morning’s survey turned into a rescue mission for this little lamb!

This little lamb was standing along the fence line, shivering and alone in the cold, foggy morning. Luckily, he was spotted by Shaun, and wrapped in a spare jacket to keep him warm until the farmer was found.

Big thanks to Shaun for his quick thinking and for making a happy reunion for the farmer and the lamb!

21/05/2024

Imagine waking up to serene waterways and lush wetlands just outside your window! This is the reality for some lucky residents at Copelands Estate in Warragul.

Millar Merrigan designed this estate with a focus on integrating nature into the community. These green spaces offer much more than stunning views; they provide

🏘️ Community connections with spaces for residents to connect with nature and each other.

🌳 Environmental benefits, with wetlands and waterways filtering stormwater runoff, promoting a healthy environment

🏃 Outdoor recreation, opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors right on their doorstep.

Find out more about Copelands Estate 👉 https://buff.ly/3yb6uGf where you’ll find more space, less traffic, and cleaner air!

17/05/2024

Our team made it to Yarrawonga recently for the Yarrawonga Power Boat Spectacular!

Daniel Abbott, Senior Draftsperson | Structural Engineering, was one of the attendees and shared that it was a blast 💥 ‘The boats were impressive both in the water and on land after the races. It was a perfect chance to meet some of the long-time clients, contractors and other consultants that MM work with.’

While near Glanmire Park estate, the team was also able to visit the ongoing project. Daniel shares that ‘Having worked on a few parts of the overall project, it was a great chance to see the process from preparing drawings right the way through to completion.’

16/05/2024

This residential landscape design plan creates a garden oasis through thoughtful planning. Creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space, the design complements the modern home within the lot.

🏡 Creating a welcoming atmosphere, balancing aesthetics and use to create a practical and calming yard design

🌳 Existing trees were retained and integrated into the design, with new trees and plants placed strategically to further enhance the landscape

🌸 Flowering trees and shrubs ensure an enjoyable garden throughout the year, adding bursts of colour no matter the month!

🥂 Access to the backyard from the alfresco, connected to the living room, increases entertaining space and offers function, privacy and flowering displays

🥔 Garden beds and trellis were placed strategically to add more functionality to the yard, placed in an area which maximises growing conditions!

It’s important to connect with the area where you live - and a gorgeous design like this is just the way to do it!

15/05/2024

35 years ago, the Nintendo Game Boy was released, "(I've had) The Time of My Life” was the chart-topping song, Bob Hawke was prime minister of Australia, and - most importantly - Sean Ryan began working at Millar Merrigan!

Now, Sean is a unitholder at MM, and the sector manager of Survey, leading our asset recording and surveying (land) departments.

Congratulations Sean, and we look forward to celebrating many more years with you.

14/05/2024

Our Croydon team recently enjoyed flexing their creative muscles in the Planning department’s ‘Doodle a Director’ activity!

It was a great way for the team to connect and have their hand at a skill outside of their usual routines 🎨 Congrats to the winners of the night’s awards:
👨‍💼 Luciano for Director’s Pick
🖼️ James for Most Realistic
🧑‍🎨 Marike for Most Creative
💙 Nick for Best Use of Colour
💥 Sean (of course!) for Most Offensive

Can’t wait to see what our Morwell team is able to create later this week!

13/05/2024

From trainee to award-winning project manager, Nathan McDonald’s journey at Millar Merrigan has been an exciting one so far!

Nathan came to MM with a passion for land development (thanks to his Business Management, Sustainability & Development degree!), but wasn't sure where to start.

Our program lets trainees rotate through different departments, gaining a well-rounded understanding of MM's operations. After a year, Nathan found his perfect fit as an Assistant Project Manager.

The insights the program gave him make him a valuable asset. He won our 2023 End of Year Values award for ‘building integrated communities through meaningful relationships’ for his great vision of the bigger picture of a program, delivering holistic and positive solutions to clients!

Nathan said the program teaches in a valuable, practical sense. “A month of working in this industry is more than a year in university. Putting concept into practice, and getting exposure to exactly how authorities operate and what they’re looking for to ensure the best client outcome is something a classroom just can’t teach you.”

If you’re interested in taking a path similar to Nathan’s and want to start a traineeship, email us at [email protected] or DM us for more information.

10/05/2024

Every community deserves a well-considered and strategic layout - which you can see come to life at Glanmire Park Estate! These drone shots from 2020 and 2023 highlight how a simple plot of land can become a new community.

With our team actively engaged in multiple stages of this project, we can proudly achieve our value to ‘build integrated communities through meaningful relationships.' This commitment ensures a successful outcome and the creation of a well-planned new community 🏘️

06/05/2024

More greenery is coming soon to Glanmire Park! The landscaping around the entry lakes and green spine is taking shape as we move into the new season, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of this growing community.

With over 325 allotments developed in the past year, this estate is fostering a thriving community! Playgrounds, lakes, and walking tracks are just a few of the features that embody our value of ‘building integrated communities through meaningful relationships’. We design holistically to ensure a vibrant and practical space for residents to connect and enjoy.

30/04/2024

The Australian dream may have once been considered owning your own home - but that now seems out of reach for many people. Recent research by RPM confirms this shift in affordability. Land costs are at a 43% ratio to existing house costs - higher than the equilibrium ratio of 35% - indicating the lack of affordability of land compared to existing housing.

Building may not be the clear winner it once seemed. Read our article on The Chalk 👉 https://buff.ly/3T27nJ6 for a deeper dive into the current market landscape.

Building a new home has traditionally been a pathway to achieving the Australian dream. However, this dream seems to be fading amidst escalating cost-of-living pressures, coupled with increasing costs of building. The recent CoreLogic Cost Construction Index report shows a daunting result; a 26.6% i...