The music venue on Bourke Street in the CBD has been closed since May. But the battle continues to revive it although campaigners acknowledge its options are getting narrow.
The latest vote follows Heritage Victoria’s decision in July not to acknowledge the 100-year-old Palace Theatre building’s importance on a state level. However its executive director Dr. Kerry Jordan did acknowledge, “The Palace Theatre is of cultural heritage significance for its social and historical values at a local level.” Heritage Victoria suggested that City of Melbourne consider it.
With the onus for heritage protection now on Melbourne City Council, Councillor Rohan Leppert submitted a motion asking councillors to pursue the recommendation.
This will be heard at the scheduled meeting of the Future Melbourne Committee. To make a submission supporting Councillor Leppert’s motion to have the Palace Theatre acknowledged as a site of local significance, and to protect the palace write to City of Melbourne before midday on Tuesday at [email protected]. For more information, go to the Save The Palace group’s website savethepalace.com.
According to The Age, plans to build Melbourne’s first W Hotel look like being abandoned. Site owner Jinshan Investment Group initially planned a $180 million 21-storey development with 350 apartments and a boutique W Hotel with a 100-metre tower. But there were numerous knock-backs or interventions by Planning Minister Matthew Guy. The Age reported that the latest submission to the Melbourne City Council is for a $20 million development with seven storeys and 78 rooms. There is no reference to W Hotel.
Even if the building is not pulled down, it would wholly depend on Jinshan Investment Group if it wants to bring the music venue back.
