As reported by The Age, after reassessing the building following the damage independent heritage consultant Graeme Butler has reversed the recommendation that the building be saved.
As we reported last week, Melbourne City Council’s Future Melbourne Committee were set to discuss a report on the Palace Theatre’s Local Heritage significance today (Tuesday December 2), but after witnessing the removal of original plastering, tiling and period joinery, Mr. Butler has overthrown that advice stating, “These sweeping internal changes have necessitated this review of the original findings.”
Those running the Save The Palace campaign were suitably distressed, releasing the following statement:
“It’s this simple, to change a report and recommendations and make it only available to the public on the day of the council vote is outrageous. To not consider the remaining relevance of the building and it’s significance both architecturally, aesthetically, historically and culturally is a crime. We consider that to not act on clear observations of rampant destruction displays possible gross negligence on the council and planning officers part.”
Melbourne Heritage Action voiced similar thoughts:
“Council officers have changed their minds after a last minute review and will no longer support protection of the Palace Theatre interior. We think this is the wrong decision, and one that rewards the contempt this developer has shown to Melbourne, and will be arguing as such tonight.”
Greens councillor Rohan Leppert also described the turn of an events as a sickly reward for Jinshan’s vandalism to the building.
