Session 7: The Australia 108 Tower and The Future of Urban Melbourne

Michael Grey
Principal, Operations Manager Southern Region
Robert Bird Group, Brisbane

Plan Melbourne 2050 projects a future population of 8 million with 1.6 million homes to be developed. To achieve this projection, whilst protecting the livability and sense of community, the high-density living response needs to be such that vertical communities replace urban sprawl.The transition from a Melbourne CBD purely as a workplace destination to a thriving residential hub has been extraordinary over 35 years. Melbourne has recently reached for the stars with the Rialto Tower (1986), at 251 meters and Eureka tower (2006), at 283 meters. The future evolution of vertical cities in Melbourne plans to deliver residences with proximity to the workplace, maintaining and enhancing Melbourne’s heritage and livability.

In order to create effective community, the city needs to decentralize to create 20-minute neighborhoods that support safe and healthy communities with local green spaces. Additionally, future designs will face environmental hazards such as sea-level rise and the need to develop better water cycle management to make the city greener, cooler and more resilient.

In addition, the Australia 108 tower holds a distinct place in the evolution of tall buildings in Melbourne. To be completed in 2019, the Australia 108 project is positioned within Melbourne’s arts, dining and entertainment precinct. Rising 320 meters tall, it will be one of the tallest residential buildings in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia 108 will comprise over 1,050 apartments with the iconic “Star Burst” housing premium facilities including pools, cinema, and views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.