Inside Australia 108

Australia 108 celebrated the external completion of its landmark “starburst” in November while workers constructing the building’s core reached level 100.

Southbank Local News toured the super-tower on December 10 to view the top levels and the inside of the starburst on levels 70 and 71.

Multiplex’s construction of the starburst took six months and involved new techniques developed specifically for the project, including purpose-built platforms from where workers installed the protruding starburst’s golden panels.

The starburst’s structure consists of 24 golden trusses, each weighing 12 tonnes and measuring 15 by 3.3 metres.

The design by architects Fender Katsalidis is a tribute to the Commonwealth Star and as a sister to the firm’s earlier landmark – the nearby Eureka Tower. The starburst is intended to complement Eureka’s golden crown.

Multiplex regional managing director Graham Cottam said the installation of the starburst was a key milestone.

“We’re delighted to have completed it safely and to an exceptional standard of quality,” he said.

“It’s a very proud moment for the entire Multiplex team to see Australia 108 and its starburst now standing tall on the Melbourne skyline.”

Work on Australia 108 began in November 2015 with extensive ground works and bored piles 47 metres underground.

In the next few months owners of the “cloud residences” between levels 72 and 83 will begin moving into their apartments overlooking most of Southbank’s existing towers.

CEO of developer World Class Global David Ng said Australia 108 would reach its full height early next year, with the building expected to be fully completed in mid 2020.

“I think many Melburnians will look back one day and struggle to remember a time when this golden star wasn’t twinkling on our cityscape,” he said.