The World's First 'Tesla Town' Coming to Australia

Tesla's 7kWh lithium-ion Powerwall batteries come standard in every house in the planned community of YarraBend. The community is billed as the "suburb of the future."

1 minute read

July 20, 2016, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Sophie Vorrath reports on "plans for what could be the world’s first 'Tesla town'…"

YarraBend, as the planned community is called, will become "a mini-suburb on the outskirts of the Melbourne CBD whose new-build homes will include rooftop solar and Tesla battery storage as standard design features," according to Vorrath. "The new 16.46 hectare suburb, which will be called YarraBend for its 300 metres of Yarra River frontage, will include around 2,500 new dwellings – a mix of free standing houses, townhouses and apartments with three to five bedrooms, ranging in price from $1.48 million to $2.1 million," adds Vorrath.

The plan is moving very quickly toward delivery, future residents could begin signing contracts later this summer, "with residents expected to begin moving in by late 2017."

An article by Julie M. Rodriguez includes a slideshow of renderings, interiors, and a plan view for the project.

The Tesla Powerwall, 7kWh lithium-ion battery, could revolutionize home energy systems. (Image by Tesla Motors (Tesla Energy) [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

Friday, July 15, 2016 in RenewEconomy

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 7, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2, 2026 - ABC 7

The U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner and President Donald Trump at a press conference.

HUD, USDA agree on framework to simplify housing environmental review standards

Their agreement is a requirement of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

5 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two hands install a water pipe in red dirt.

Cost of water rising at a faster pace than inflation, median household income

California and Maryland residents have seen their water bills grow especially high.

6 hours ago - Inside Climate News

A residential street with apartments in NYC.

NYC building owners overwhelmingly comply with new emissions limits

The New York City Department of Buildings is fining owners who did not file emissions reports.

7 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.