Cooling our high rise towers
Improving comfort and liveability
Homes Victoria’s high-rise cooling program is installing air conditioners in public housing towers.
We’re doing this to make sure our residents feel comfortable in their homes until it’s time to relocate as part of our high-rise redevelopment program.
Cooling units are being rolled out in stages in line with priority needs and electrical infrastructure upgrades required to support the operation of air conditioners in high-rise towers.
The program will be completed by the summer of 2026.
Cooling units will not be installed in high-rise sites where residents have already moved or begun to relocate. These sites include North Melbourne, Flemington, Carlton, South Yarra and Richmond.
Timelines and project updates
August 2023 - July 2024
August 2024 – December 2024
January 2025 – June 2026
March 2025 – July 2025
July 2025 – October 2025
November 2025 - 2026
You can find more information about the air-conditioner unit in the High-Rise Cooling Program Brochure and How-to-guide.
If you have more questions, please contact 1800 519 721 or HighRiseCooling@homes.vic.gov.au and they will be able to assist you.
As of October 2025, more than 1,000 homes have had cooling installed under the program.
Installation of cooling has been completed in 10 towers:
150 Victoria Avenue (Layfield Court), Albert Park
Future redevelopment
150 Inkerman Street (Inkerman Heights), St Kilda
Future redevelopment
25 King Street, Prahran
Future redevelopment
27 King Street, Prahran
Future redevelopment
229 Hoddle Street, Collingwood
Future redevelopment
240 Wellington Street, Collingwood
Future redevelopment
480 Lygon Street, Carlton
Future redevelopment
510 Lygon Street, Carlton
Future redevelopment
530 Lygon Street, Carlton
Future redevelopment
2 Simmons Street, South Yarra
Future redevelopment
These sites were chosen because the electrical infrastructure could support the additional load caused by the installation of the air conditioning units.
If you live at one of the above sites and did not receive an air conditioning unit, please contact 1800 519 721 or HighRiseCooling@homes.vic.gov.au. The team will be able to assist you in organising an installation.
The high-rise cooling program is working with power distribution suppliers to ensure all the electrical infrastructure throughout the remaining towers can handle the increased load that will be caused by the installation of the air-conditioning units.
Further high-rise sites will be announced later in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How long will it take to install a new air conditioner?
What does the installation process involve?
Can residents remain in their home during the installation?
What else can I do to stay cool during hot weather?
Does the program replace any special accommodation requirements for cooling related to medical conditions?
When will my tower have air conditioning installed?
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the program or need an interpreter, please email us and one of our team will be in touch.