Cooling our high rise towers

The high-rise cooling program is a Victorian Government election commitment to improve the comfort and liveability of Melbourne’s ageing public housing high rise towers, making it easier for renters to control the temperature of their homes, particularly during hot weather.

Thirty-nine older-style high-rise towers are included in the program. Five towers which are not included in the cooling program have been announced for retirement as part of high-rise development under the Big Housing Build.

The installation of new energy-efficient air conditioning will improve the comfort and liveability of renter’s homes. The new air conditioners will make it easier to control the temperature of their home, keeping them cooler and more comfortable during hot weather.

The installation of air conditioners into high rise tower homes started in late August 2024. The first four towers are older persons blocks in southern Melbourne. These sites were chosen because they are home to older renters who are generally considered more vulnerable to heat health risks.  

The tower locations are:

• 150 Victoria Ave, Albert Park
• 150 Inkerman St, St Kilda
• 25 King St, Prahran
• 27 King St, Prahran

Towers announced as part of the Big Housing Build high-rise redevelopment will not receive cooling as the timeframes for relocation of renters out of the North Melbourne and Flemington towers will occur sooner than the possible installation of cooling into these sites.

The Elgin and Nicholson Street Carlton high rise sites are currently untenanted.

Installations at other high-rise sites will be determined by the timings of the high-rise redevelopment project, which will be progressively delivered by 2051. 

Yes. Residents will not need to relocate from their home during this installation.

Our team will need two appointments to install an air conditioner. The first is a pre-work inspection of a renter’s home, and then a follow-up appointment for the installation. In total, this should be two to three hours of work. 

During the pre-work inspection, our team will check the area where the new air conditioner will be installed in and see if any additional work needs to be done. They will explain the installation process to the renter and book a follow-up appointment to install the air conditioner.  

During installation, should a renter’s home need a new outlet for the air conditioner, we will drill a core hole, clean up afterwards, and cover the hole.  

While we recommend having an air conditioner installed for your own comfort, it’s your choice.  

If you wish to proceed with the installation, we will work with your household to arrange access times and minimise any disruption.  

The air conditioner runs very quietly and is ideal to use in a home setting. 

Testing shows that the average running cost of these new air conditioners is affordable and unlikely to have a significant impact on your energy bills.

Public housing renters on low incomes may also be eligible for an energy concession. To find out more, visit services.dffh.vic.gov.au/energy

Yes. After installing an air conditioner, our team will show you how to use and maintain it. 

No. The program is in addition to any special accommodation requirements for an air conditioner related to a medical condition.  

For information about special accommodation requirements, renters can visit www.housing.vic.gov.au or speak with their local housing office. 

For more information about staying cool during hot weather, visit www.housing.vic.gov.au/cooler-places and www.housing.vic.gov.au/hot-weather