Green light given to $470m Southgate redevelopment in VIC

The Victorian Government has approved a $470 million redevelopment of one of Melbourne’s largest shopping malls and restaurant complexes that lie opposite Flinders Street station on the Yarra River. 

The Southgate redevelopment project is set to deliver better connections to the area’s art and entertainment precincts as well as create more open spaces accessible to the public, providing better amenities and experiences for both locals and visitors. 

The multi-million-dollar project will include constructing a five-storey podium on Southbank promenade that features spaces for new bars, restaurants and retail outlets along with a 26-storey office building. 

Artist impression (source: Southgate Melbourne)

In addition, this project delivered by ARA Australia is anticipated to create approximately 850 jobs annually during its construction and about 3,600 ongoing jobs once operational. 

“This redevelopment will bring new life to this much-loved part of Melbourne, providing a thriving new hub for retail and hospitality. 

“The new-look Southgate will create a new destination for Melburnians and tourists – creating hundreds of local construction jobs and thousands of ongoing jobs once the project is complete,” Minister for Planning Richard Wynne said. 

The Southgate redevelopment project was given the green light following a consultation with the Melbourne City Council, Heritage Victoria, the Department of Transport and Melbourne Water. The Office of the Victorian Government Architect has also provided feedback on the project’s final design. 

Artist impression (source: Southgate Melbourne)

Adhering to the Melbourne Planning Scheme, the project’s layout is warranted to have minimal impacts to properties surrounding the development and will not overshadow public open space between 11am and 2pm. 

In November 2021, the Victorian Government announced that it will invest $1.7 billion to the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project. This significant funding commitment will deliver the NGV Contemporary along with new parklands, cafes and restaurants as well as the extensive restoration of the State Theatre – all of which will reactivate the heart of the nation’s cultural capital. 

You can read more about the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation here. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Beat.com.au; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Southgate Melbourne