Southbank’s twisting towers described as an ‘awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping’ project

Victoria’s planning minister has given the green light to an amended permit to demolish existing buildings and construct Australia’s tallest skyscraper.

The project’s ‘east tower’ will be the nation’s tallest building.

Australia’s tallest building will be constructed in Melbourne after the state government approved “jaw-dropping’’ plans for $2bn twin towers at Southbank.

Twisting towers 366m and 288m tall will be built at “STH BNK by Beulah” in a development set to change the city skyline.

The precinct, topped by a sky high public garden 102 storeys above the street, will become a key Melbourne landmark.

It will boast private residences, a 302 room hotel, offices, a conference and entertainment centre, children’s daycare, health and wellness precinct, shops and 6,000 sqm of green spaces.

The development is set to change the city skyline.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny quietly gave the green light for an amended permit to demolish existing buildings and construct the towers at 118 and 158 City Rd before going on leave this month.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said it was an “awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping” project that would

“have a ripple effect in spreading confidence throughout the city and abroad”.

“It signals that Melbourne does not rest on its laurels and always strives to be bold and ambitious,” she said.

“It will challenge all future developments to not only consider, but to conquer, the incredible.”

The “east tower” will soar past Q1 Tower on the Gold Coast (322.5m) as the nation’s tallest building, with the “west tower” topping 67 storeys.

Melbourne will then have three of the top four highest buildings in the country, with Australia 108 (316.7m) and Eureka Tower (297.3m) also towering over the city.

But while they will reshape the city skyline, the towers will be dwarfed by skyscrapers on a global scale.

The world’s tallest tower – Burj Khalifa in Dubai – stands 828m tall.

STH BNK has already generated more than $1bn in investment and more than 4700 construction jobs.

The City of Melbourne unanimously backed the plans in 2020, suggesting the development would revitalise Southbank but government approval was only signed off last week.

Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said: “Melbourne has never seen anything like Beulah STH BNK … the spiralling towers will be a unique and striking addition to Melbourne’s skyline.”

A Government spokesperson said it would “create a new destination for Melburnians and tourists – injecting millions into the economy and creating thousands of jobs during and after construction.”

“This development will bring new life to a much-loved part of Melbourne, providing a thriving new hub for retail, hospitality and financial services,’’ they said.