Melbourne’s skyline will feature several new high-rises in coming years, with the Victorian Government signing off on a record number of residential permits.

Five new high-density housing projects will be built in Melbourne’s CBD, providing around 2,000 inner-city apartments at a cost of over half a billion dollars.

The State Government has fast-tracked the project, saying it is keen to create the 4,000 jobs estimated as a result.

It has also broken the record for most residential permits approved for Victoria in one day.

For the state hit hard by the recent closure of major employers, Planning Minister Matthew Guy says the building will be a big boost.

“It's very very important for confidence, very important for jobs and it's important to get on with the job and give confidence to the Victorian economy,” he said.

Mr Guy has hit out at claims that the large-scale constructions will diminish the city’s heritage appeal.

He says it preserves old buildings by creating new housing, and generally honouring the city’s strong architectural history.

“I recently approved 80 extra buildings on to the heritage register in the central city area,” he said.

“That means we are doing our best as a government to preserve the heritage aspects of central Melbourne while also allowing for the regeneration of older sites for newer towers.”