State approves nearly 500 new apartments across Southbank and Docklands

Two major apartment towers in Southbank and Docklands’ Yarra’s Edge precinct have been approved by the state government, paving the way for almost 500 new homes in two of Melbourne’s fastest-growing inner-city neighbourhoods.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny confirmed the approvals on December 19, signing off on 303 new apartments on Lorimer St in Docklands and a further 180 at 141–151 Sturt St in Southbank. Together, the projects add 483 homes to the city’s supply at a time of strong demand for housing close to jobs, transport and cultural institutions.

The decisions follow strong support from the City of Melbourne, which endorsed both proposals late last year.

In Docklands, the approval marks a significant milestone for Mirvac, completing more than 20 years of development at Yarra’s Edge along the south bank of the river. The 105-metre tower represents the final major piece of the precinct’s masterplan, transforming a former industrial peninsula into a high-density waterfront neighbourhood of apartments, parks and public promenades.

The project includes 303 dwellings, 234 square metres of retail space, 376 car parks and the last extension of South Wharf Drive. Councillors previously praised the design’s active ground floor, wide footpaths and publicly accessible forecourt, saying these elements were crucial to improving walkability and strengthening pedestrian connections along the Lorimer St corridor.

A significant public art installation integrated into the podium façade was another feature welcomed by councillors, who encouraged Mirvac to consider a large-scale digital artwork to create a new landmark within the precinct. The proposal also includes a strong proportion of larger homes, with 73 per cent of apartments offering two or three bedrooms, a mix councillors described as essential to supporting longer-term residential growth in Docklands.

In Southbank, the Minister has approved Woodbrooke Property’s $80 million residential tower on Sturt St, delivering 180 apartments in the heart of Melbourne’s Arts Precinct. The 20-storey Rothelowman-designed building includes studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, along with ground-floor retail and hospitality spaces.

A key feature of the proposal is 734 square metres of dedicated creative arts spaces on the first floor, which have been conditionally supported by Creative Victoria. The project also introduces a new pedestrian link between Sturt and Dodds streets, improving permeability in an area experiencing rapid high-density development.

While the application attracted objections relating to height, overshadowing and wind, City of Melbourne officers found the design met relevant planning standards and recommended the council support the proposal subject to conditions, which it did at the November Future Melbourne Committee meeting.

Announcing the approvals, Minister Kilkenny said the developments aligned with the government’s push to fast-track well-located housing and boost supply across inner Melbourne.

“We’re approving hundreds of new homes in Docklands and Southbank so more Victorians can live closer to jobs, public transport and the services they rely on,” she said.