The next steps are underway in the redevelopment of all 44 high-rise public housing towers, delivering thousands more modern, secure and accessible social homes across Victoria - because more homes mean more opportunity.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Housing Harriet Shing today unveiled concept designs for the new social homes and community spaces that will replace 60-year-old, 17-storey red brick public housing towers in Carlton, delivered in partnership between the Allan Labor Government and the Albanese Government.
The redevelopment will deliver hundreds more homes for families and boost housing stock at the currently unoccupied site by 26 per cent - delivering 248 social homes equipped with private balconies in two buildings spanning 16 and 18 storeys.
Renters were directly consulted on the designs through a dedicated community committee. Following this feedback, the designs now include four bedroom and five bedroom homes to accommodate larger families.
Other features include improved accessibility, reverse-cycle heating and cooling, ceiling fans, a laundry in each apartment, double-glazed windows and modern kitchens.
The homes will also achieve five-star Greenstar and seven-star NatHERS ratings - creating warm, energy efficiency designs that maximise natural light and ventilation.
The new site, funded through the Albanese Labor Government's Social Housing Accelerator Program, will also include community spaces, a kitchen garden, communal terrace, and improved shared spaces that link to Station Steet Park.
The redevelopment of Melbourne's 44 public housing towers is the largest urban renewal project in Victoria's history, which will benefit Victorians for decades to come and increase social housing by at least 10 per cent.
Melbourne's high-rise public housing towers were constructed after World War II, between the 1950s and 1970s.
They were built to significantly outdated design standards. They're reaching the end of their useful lives, and no longer fit for modern living - particularly for young families and Victorians living with a disability.
Residents were moved from these towers in 2022 after the sewerage system failed, and now the Government is getting on with delivering new, modern and accessible homes that residents will be proud to call their own.
Early demolition works have started at the site in Carlton. The next stage of demolition of the vacant 20 Elgin Street and 141 Nicholson Street towers will start early next year, with construction expected to be completed by 2028.
More than 10,000 homes are underway or complete across Victoria as part of the Allan Labor Government's nation-leading $6.3 billion investment in the Big Housing Build and Regional Housing Fund. Almost 5,000 households have already moved into brand new homes.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"I want families to have decent homes because I want kids to have decent lives. Every Victorian deserves a home near the people they love, close to transport, jobs and services."
As stated by Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness Clare O'Neil
"Every single one of these homes in Carlton will become a modern, energy-efficient and accessible place for people to call home, and it's another example of how the Albanese Government is supporting more social housing around Australia."
"The Albanese Government is making the biggest Commonwealth investment in new social and affordable housing in a long time, delivering 55,000 new homes over five years including 4,000 homes for women and children fleeing domestic violence or older women at risk of homelessness."
As stated by Victorian Minister for Housing Harriet Shing
"The towers no longer meet modern standards of living - particularly for families with kids, and Victorians living with a disability. And so while others try to block, we'll continue to build more homes across Victoria that are bright, modern, secure, connected, and accessible."
