Big Housing Build's next big step to provide more and better homes

Victoria’s Big Housing Build is taking its next big step towards retiring and redeveloping ageing social housing high-rises in Melbourne.  

As part of the Housing Statement, Australia’s biggest ever urban renewal project will deliver modern, accessible and energy efficient homes.  

One year on from the announcement to retire Melbourne’s ageing high-rise towers, today we’ve announced the next sites for redevelopment at 259 Malvern Rd South Yarra, 139 Highett Street, Richmond as well as nearby older walk ups at Anderson Court, Williams Court and Elizabeth Street, Richmond.  

We have also reached a significant milestone of 10,000 homes complete or underway as part of the landmark Big Housing Build and Regional Housing Fund. 

Homes Victoria interim CEO Dannii de Kretser said today’s announcement will deliver modern housing for residents while providing more Victorians with a great place to call home.

“Our high-rise redevelopment program is about making sure residents have the high-quality homes they deserve,” she said.

“Thank you to everyone who is working with us at Flemington and North Melbourne to help us find you a home that meets your needs and preferences. I am pleased that over half of residents have either relocated to, or are matched to, a new home that suits their needs.”  

Current residents will have dedicated support to move to a home that meets their needs and connects them with people and places important to them.

Renters will be given the opportunity to return to their new neighbourhood following the redevelopment based on their ongoing eligibility and needs, and the suitability of the new homes.

We have been engaging closely with residents and communities since this program commenced, and will continue to do so over the coming days and months.

“We are here to support residents every step of the way, and we want to make this as smooth as possible for you,” Dannii said.

“We are out speaking with residents right now. Since the announcement, we have been listening to residents and having open and transparent conversations to understand the things that matter most to each family.” 

Conversations with renters in South Yarra and Richmond are starting with the aim to complete relocations at these sites by February 2026.  

Relocations at previously announced sites at 120 Racecourse Road and 12 Holland Court Flemington and 33 Alfred Street North Melbourne are progressing well and aim for all households to have moved by September 2025.    

A range of housing options will be provided to renters and there will be no change to renter rights or security of tenure. Renters will also maintain a right to return to their neighbourhood when the redevelopment is complete based on ongoing eligibility, needs and suitability of the new homes.