The Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter) has this week appeared before the Victorian Government Inquiry into the Redevelopment of Melbourne’s Public Housing Towers, bringing the voice of the profession into a debate that will shape the city’s housing future for generations.
The Institute was represented by Chapter President Stephanie Bullock FRAIA (Kosloff Architects) and member Gavin Salt RAIA (i2C Architects), with support from Jacinda Sadler RAIA (Sandler Architects), who generously shared her presentation time to strengthen the Institute’s contribution. The Victorian Chapter extends its sincere thanks to all three for their thoughtful and generous input.
The Institute reiterated its recognition of the critical need for uplift in public, social, and affordable housing across Victoria. With population growth and housing shortages intensifying pressure on government, the redevelopment of the state’s public housing stock is undeniably a pressing issue.
However, the Institute emphasised that this urgency must not come at the expense of transparency and accountability. Central to its submission was a call for greater clarity around the government’s policy decision to demolish all 44 public housing towers. To date, the rationale behind this decision has not been fully communicated or substantiated for public scrutiny, leaving serious questions unanswered.
In its evidence, the Institute highlighted that Melbourne’s public housing towers are not merely buildings but public assets of architectural, cultural, and community value. These assets form part of the social fabric of the city and hold untapped potential for adaptive reuse and renewal.
International examples demonstrate that retention and upgrading of publicly owned housing can deliver modern, sustainable outcomes while preserving community connections and maintaining public ownership. The Institute urged government to meaningfully explore alternatives to blanket demolition, ensuring decisions are evidence-based and informed by best practice.
The Institute also advanced a strong sustainability position. Where public housing assets cannot feasibly be retained, the Institute advocates for deconstruction, not demolition. This approach would prioritise material recovery, reuse, and the creation of material banks, strategies critical to reducing construction waste, achieving carbon reduction targets, and accelerating Victoria’s transition toward a circular economy in construction.
The Institute reaffirmed its commitment to a future in which:
- Public assets are valued as community infrastructure;
- Sustainable design practices are embedded in redevelopment;
- Housing outcomes are achieved through transparent, accountable, and evidence-based processes.
The Victorian Chapter will continue to advocate for design-led solutions that address the housing crisis while safeguarding environmental, cultural, and social sustainability.