Two soaring skyscrapers proposed for Southbank will mark the first test of the Andrews government's pledge to end what it labelled in opposition the "forests of towers" approved by its predecessors.

The two towers will go before Melbourne City Council on Tuesday, and its officers have objected to both proposals – which will ultimately be decided on by the Planning Minister.

An artist's impression of the 57-tower development proposed for City Road, Southbank. Credit:Clay Lucas

The council's planning and finance chairs both want the more contentious of the towers in City Road, which would be 57 storeys high, knocked back.

This tower would overlook the West Gate Freeway, and would see the existing Eve nightclub and Urban Central backpackers demolished. The skyscraper would have 432 apartments – all but 10 of them one and two-bedroom units.