16/05/2002 Minister topples 70-metre tower RoyceMillar The president of the Queen Market Retail Traders Planning Minister Mary Dela- Association, Michael Presser, hunty has refused to approve a also welcomed the decision. 70-metre residential tower that "I'm hoping that the developers would have overshadowed the will come back with something Queen Victoria Market. more appropriate," he said. "This Developer Australian Super is a sensitive area and requires Developments had proposed to sensitive handling." build a $60 million tower on the Carlton Residents Association corner of Victoria and Leicester president Sue Chambers said Streets, the site of the former Victoria Street should be seen as CUB headquarters. a visual boundary between The proposal would have South Carlton and the CBD. been twice the recommended ASD is the development arm height limit under the City of of construction industry super- planning scheme. annuation fund Cbus. It would In a letter to the developers, not comment on the refusal. Ms Delahunty said the tower Cbus and ASD are believed to be would overshadow important working with construction group pedestrian areas. Multiplex on a new nine-level The project, designed by office building for the site. architects Robert Peck von Har-  The Victorian Civil and Admin- tel Trethowan, drew opposition istrative Tribunal has upheld from market traders, Carlton Melbourne City Council's rejec- residents and the Melbourne tion of a plan to redevelop the City Council. MCG Hotel in Wellington Parade, The council's planning com- East Melbourne. PCH Mel- mittee chairwoman, Catherine bourne planned to demolish the Ng, welcomed the decision. "We hotel's rear and build 65 apart- have to preserve some of these ments and a six-level car park. important places in our city," she VCAT found that it was too high, said. "We can't have people too bulky, and detrimental to shopping in the dark." nearby heritage buildings. The Melbourne Times 02/06/2004

news Footy pub fans a tower of strength est heritage authority, the Heritage Council, decide whether the building was significant to the state. The group argues that the pub's role as a pre- and post-match meeting point for footballers, who played games in the paddock between the MCG and Wellington Parade during the 1850s, makes it an important social and historical link to the earliest days of the game. The pub, previ- ously known as the Parade Hotel, is also believed to be the place where the earliest set of football rules was drafted. The moves come as Thakral Holdings, which owns the pub and the neighbouring Hilton Hotel, finalises its plans for a major develop- ment of the site. By SIMON KIDD Thakral development director - Dan RESIDENTS have vowed to protect an East Kolomanski said the group intended to demol- ish the newer rear sections of the pub to build a Melbourne hotel — thought to have had a major role in the early development of Aussie Rules — 40-metre tower. The company respected the his- from the threat of development. torical importance of the original front portion East Melbourne Residents Group (EMRG) of the hotel, which it would refurbish and con- president Margaret Wood said the group would tinue to operate as a hospitality venue. continue its efforts to have the MCG Hotel, on However, Ms Wood said the tower would Wellington Street, added to the state's heritage overwhelm the pub and detract from its historic register. importance. Heritage Victoria last month turned down the Melbourne City Council and the appeals tri- group's bid for the building to be recommended bunal rejected development plans for the site in for inclusion on the register. Ms Wood said the 2002. Mr Kolomanski conceded that the new plans still exceeded council height limits, but The Age 24/10/2004 Footy hotel' fights for heritage listing Nassim Khadem provide a report on why the MCG UrbanAffairs Hotel is of historical, cultural and social significance. The group is It is the most important docu- hoping that the Heritage Council ment in the history of Australian will revisit its decision not to sport, for some as valuable as a include the hotel on the state biblical record. heritage register. In 1859, almost 150 years "Its most significant feature is ago, a group of cricket lovers that it was where the codification reportedly met in a pub and of the game (Australian rules devised the first rules for a game football) took place," Mr Grow we now know and love as says. "It's really unusual to find a "Aussie rules" football. known significant site where the The pub was Parade Hotel, guys actually got together and now called the MCG Hotel, on wrote the rules." Wellington Parade in East Mel- Developer, Thakral Holdings bourne. And the group included Limited, also made submissions the founder of Australian rules to the Heritage Council, arguing football, Tom Wills. that the hotel itself does not have The hotel was also where two significant heritage value. of our most treasured sporting Thakral's proposal for a clubs — Victoria's first football 14-storey (46 metres) apartment club, the Melbourne Football building at the site of the hotel Club, and the East Melbourne has been rejected by Melbourne Cricket Club — were founded City Council for being too high. and where its players used to Thakral had wanted to build drink before and after a game. 89 apartments and has now These submissions were put appealed the matter to VCAT. before the Heritage Council on Melbourne City Council's Friday afternoon by author and planning spokeswoman Cath- football historian Robin Grow. erine Ng said council last week The submissions are based on agreed on introducing a newspaper reports at the time, 24-metre height limit on any but the historical accuracy of the developments in Wellington Par- submissions was disputed at the ade. hearing. The Heritage Council is likely Mr Grow was commissioned to make its decision late this by the East Melbourne Group to week. The Age 11/07/2004 Locals don't want a bar of the new-look MCG Hotel

NassimKhadem,RoyceMillar Under the proposed develop- style places around. Do we really Margaret Wood, resident and ment, the two-storey hotel would need snazzy places? If the member of the East Melbourne A proposal for a 14-storey apart- still trade as a licensed venue, atmosphere changes too much, Group, said she opposed the ment building at the site of the but the front would be refur- people won't like it." development because it was too MCG Hotel in East Melbourne bished, with a new restaurant on David Kendall, 64, said too high and would compromise the has angered residents and its the first floor. many of Melbourne's icons were historic character of the hotel. football-mad patrons. Part of the Hilton Hotel's being destroyed because of new "We are very sensitive about any- The developer, Thakral Hold- vehicle entry/ exit would be con- developments. "The MCG Hotel one tampering with heritage ings Limited, last month lodged verted to 117 parking spaces. is a cultural icon," he said. "It's buildings," she said. an application with Melbourne Yesterday the hotel was filled the classic meeting place for A similar proposal designed City Council to partly demolish with Richmond and Essendon footy fans." by architects Bates Smart in the rear of the 150-year-old hotel supporters, some of whom have He said although some of 2001, was rejected by the Victor- maximum recommended in the ABOVELEFT:TheMCG and replace it with 89 apart- been performing the same ritual Melbourne's greatest architec- ian Civil and Administrative Tri- planning scheme. Hotelyesterday.ABOVE: ments. of meeting for pre-match beers ture dated back to the 19th cen- bunal on height and design Melbourne City Council's Thearchitect'sdrawingof Formerly known as Parade with their mates over the past 30 tury, the city was in danger of grounds. planning spokeswoman Cath- theproposal. Hotel, the MCG Hotel is a popu- years. becoming too modernised. While Thakral's proposal erine Ng said she had not yet lar meeting spot for football and Pat Hooper, 65, is one of the "Places like this are of great cul- would be slightly lower at 14 seen the planning application, cricket fans on match days. It sits regulars who is against renovat- tural value and need to be storeys (46 metres), VCAT had but that the council would look opposite Jolimont Station, and ing the hotel. reserved at all costs. Otherwise advised in its May 2002 decision into it. adjacent to the Hilton Hotel on "I like it just the way it is," he we lose our soul and our his- that the height of the building be The developer was not avail- Wellington Parade. said. "Let's keep a few of the old- tory," he said. no more than 24 metres — the able for comment. Melbourne Times 24/11/2004

Bid to protect MCG pub fails because of 19th-century renovations By SIMON KIDD Their main argument was its role in written in May 1859, the hotel was There was little doubt that the rules front portion of the hotel building, are THE state's heritage umpire has called the development of Australian Rules being rebuilt in the period 1859-1863. were drafted on the site, but council now before the Victorian Civil and "play on" over an appeal to protect a footy. Early administrators are The material that has been presented rates records clearly showed the build- Administrative Tribunal after threatened East Melbourne pub thought to have drafted the rules at to us shows that the fabric that sur- ing had changed from wood to brick, Melbourne City Council failed to rule linked with the earliest days of the pub during the 1850s, when it was vives today is not associated with the she said. on them in time. football. known as the Parade Hotel. event of May 1859," said chairman The decision appears likely to have The council's planning committee East Melbourne residents had However, the Heritage Council Chris Gallagher. little influence on plans by Hilton on chairwoman, Catherine Ng, said a hoped to convince the Heritage found that the surviving building was National Trust conservation officer the Park owners, Thakral Holdings, new draft council policy imposing Council of Victoria that the MCG not original, and therefore not of Celestina Sagazio said that the body to build a 40-metre apartment tower strict height limits in East Melbourne Hotel, on Wellington Parade, should statewide significance. had independently reached the same on the pub site. had boosted the council's chances of be included on its heritage register. "While the rules of football were conclusion as Heritage Victoria. The plans, which would retain the halting the development. The Age 17/12/2004 Hilton upgrade before Games The Government overrides Melbourne City Council to approve a hotel redevelopment. By ROYCEMILLAR CITYREPORTER PLANNING Minister Mary Dela- hunty has used the Common- ,i wealth Games to justify the 000104.WMPAOPV controversial approval of a $110 million redevelopment of the Hilton and MCG hotels in East Melbourne. Theproject includes a new apartment build- ing almost twice the site's 24-metre height limit. Yesterday Ms Delahunty approved restoration of the MCG Hotel and construction of a 15-storey apartment tower behind it and a refurbishment of Anartist'simpressionoftheproposedapartmenttoweronWellingtonParade,nexttotheHiltonhotel,left. the Hilton hotel — overriding the Melbourne City Council, which order to preserve the Hilton Property and development bourne hotel — built in the had rejected the proposal. hotel." company Thakral Holdings owns 1970s — because it was run "This is an appropriate way to High-profile resident and the Hilton and MCG hotels and down and not well located. respond if we want this (project) pollster Gary Morgan labelled surrounding properties. Manag- But he confirmed his com- finished for the Commonwealth the Commonwealth Games ing director John Hudson said pany was considering selling the Games," Ms Delahunty said. reason an "absolute red her- the Hilton was the closest pre- hotel if it did not win approval for But East Melbourne residents, ring". "It would be better for the mium hotel to the MCG, the the apartment tower. the council and the State Oppo- Commonwealth Games if they main Commonwealth Games Opposition planning spokes- sition dismissed Ms Delahunty's knocked down the Hilton and venue. He also said the apart- man said the project claim that the project was of state gave the land back to the Abor- ment building filled in a gap on had nothing to do with the Com- significance and important to igines," he said. Wellington Parade between the monwealth Games and council the 2006 Games. At its first meeting last night, Hilton and another high-rise. planning spokeswoman Cath- "What possible connection the newly elected city council The company stressed that erine Ng said the Government could the construction of an condemned the intervention. the project also included resto- had reneged on its promise to apartment building have to the "The minister's decision is not ration of the historic Mosspen- work more closely with the coun- Commonwealth Games?" said one we support as it does not noch House behind the Hilton. cil on planning.Both the council East Melbourne (resident) group conform to the council's adopted Thakral's Victorian development and East Melbourne Group have president Margaret Wood. "This built form standards for this part director Dan Kolomanski denied sought legal advice. is a back-room deal which com- of East Melbourne," Lord Mayor that the Hilton group was threat- promises a heritage precinct in John So said. ening to leave the East Mel JonathanGreen'sDiaryNEWS14 The Age 17/12/2004 Tilting at the Hilton in Melbourne's eastern bloc

SOMETIMES, Planning ner, barring the resident Minister must activists from the function in have mused, it is necessary to the front bar of their MCG govern for all Victoria and not Hotel. One of them was Marg- just the residents of East aret Wood, failed number two Melbourne. Just sometimes and candidate on the recent Monster hang the consequences. East Raving Ratbag mayoral ticket of Melbourne is, however, not fellow East Melbourne resident best pleased by the and Hilton objector Gary Government's decision to Morgan. She stated her group's trump the normal processes considered and complex take on and approve a planning scheme development in this most amendment allowing the refur- sedate, mannered and con- bishing of the Hilton and MCG servative of inner-city precincts: hotels and the creation of that "We don't want any more," she most rare of entities in inner said, suggesting that the scope Melbourne, a new apartment for negotiation, had there ever and retail development between been any, may have been lim- the two. The neighbours aren't ited. They got into the happy, and two members of the presentation in the end of East Melbourne Group Inc course, thanks to a conciliatory perched at a Wellington Street gesture from a Delahunty tram stop yesterday, hoping to adviser, and heard Tha- attend the announcement of a kral managing director project that will proceed despite John Hudson enthuse the fact that it hasn't yet been that the new develop- approved by the Melbourne City ment would "complete Council and until yesterday was the urban landscape", waiting on a VCAT arbitration which seems a bold scheduled for February. Peeved call for 89 residen- at this procrastination, property tial units. For her group Thakral secured the ear part the minister of State and Regional Develop- observed that ment Minister , the new work who in turn whispered to Ms would "com- Delahunty and the deal was plete and done, amid talk of petulance on improve an the part of the Hilton owners important corner of and rumoured threats that if this arts, tourism something could not be done to and CBD interface clear all that enterprise- precinct", so clearly she was inhibiting red tape and stultify- working without notes. Ms ing consultation they'd close Wood would not be silenced, the hotel and sell it off as flats. and having been deprived of Sorry, apartments, with exciting her day in VCAT, opted to retail opportunities. So there. As badger the minister face to face, we waited on the minister yes- which Ms Delahunty endured terday, Thakral wasn't doing its with good grace and ultimate best to look like a gracious win firmness. The residents will be briefed today by department officers, but the deal is done. The unspoken truth in all of it being that whatever they do next door, nothing could pos- sibly be uglier than the Hilton hotel itself. Herald Sun 1712/2002 MCG pub caughtin legal war Fiona Hudson and Mark Moor PLANS to build an apartment tower be- hind the historic MCG Hotel have put the State Govern- ment and Melbourne City Council on the brink of a legal war. Last night the council was seeking urgent legal advice after Planning Minister Mary Delahunty stepped in and approved New heights: a plan of the new MCG Hotel the controversial works. development with the Hilton Hotel in the foreground. Under the proposal, a 15-storey apartment and "There was no need for to deliver for Melbourne a retail complex will the Minister to inter- very thoughtful and well- emerge behind the hotel vene," Cr Clarke said. designed complex." — considered by some the "This is the sort of Opposition planning birthplace of Aussie rules, circumstance where the spokesman Ted Baillieu and now a popular pre- (council) would question said it was another strike match watering hole. whether Mary Delahunty on Ms Delahunty's record. Ms Delahunty revealed is the right woman for "This is just one more yesterday she had ap- the job." community you can add to proved the development As well as resolving to the list of those that are even though the matter seek legal advice, the disaffected by Ms Dela- was pending before VCAT. newly elected council hunty," Mr Baillieu said. East Melbourne resi- called on MPs to overturn "It doesn't say much for dents and the city council Ms Delahunty's decision her commitment to local opposed the works be- in Cabinet. decision-making. Mel- cause the planned 45m But a spokesman for Ms bourne City Council was tower exceeded the area's Delahunty said there was right in the middle of 28m height limit. much community sup- establishing height con- The $86 million plan by port for the project and trols for the area and now Thakral Holdings includes her intervention aimed to she's dumping on the very refurbishing the Hilton- streamline the process. strategies and actions she on-the-Park and restoring "The hotel refurbish- has been promoting." a nearby mansion. ment will be completed in Ms Delahunty came Last night Councillor time for the Melbourne under fire in November Peter Clarke slammed the 2006 Commonwealth for failing to stop a con- Minister's intervention, Games and will provide troversial Mitcham high- branding it disrespectful much-needed tourist ac- rise development con- to the council and the commodation right on demned by residents and democratic process. the edge of Melbourne's the local council. He questioned the sporting precinct," the Footy pioneers first grounds on which Ms spokesman said. wrote down and formal- Delahunty had "called in" "We acknowledge it's ised the rules of the game the project, and flagged a been a difficult project for in 1859 at the MCG Hotel possible test case against all parties but the minis- — then known as the the Government. ter's involvement is going Parade Hotel. The Age 12/02/2005 Residents sue over Hilton hotel project By JEWELTOPSFIELD A GROUP of East Melbourne residents yesterday launched legal action in the Supreme Court against former planning minister Mary Delahunty over her approval of a $110 million redevelopment of the Hilton on the Park and MCG hotels. Last December Ms Delahunty intervened to approve the project — which includes a high-rise apartment tower almost twice the site's 24-metre height limit — on the grounds it was of state sig- nificance and important to the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Anthony Southall, one of two ()Cs acting for the East Mel- bourne Group, said the primary basis of the legal challenge was Ms Delahunty's use of the Com- monwealth Games as a justifi- cation for her decision. He said the writ stated Ms Delahunty had "failed to accord natural justice by taking into account irrelevant consider- ations, namely the Common- wealth Games". The writ also alleged she failed to comply with her ministerial duties and failed to follow statutory procedures. In December Ms Delahunty introduced a "site specific amendment" to fast-track a 44-metre, 15-storey apartment and retail tower behind the Hil- ton Hotel, the conversion of the historic Mosspennoch House on Clarendon Street as part of a 12-apartment complex and the refurbishment of the Hilton and MCG hotels. The site is owned by property and development com- pany Thakral Holdings. East Melbourne Group presi- dent Margaret Wood said resi- dents were shocked to learn that Ms Delahunty had intervened after they had campaigned for four years to introduce low height limits in the suburb. Planning Minister said yesterday that the Govern- ment wanted to expedite the amendment process for the benefit of the Victorian economy. The Age 21/02/2005 Thakral result first class as hotels make comeback By STEPHENDABKOWSKI $20 million refurbishment of the Hilton Hotel and an $80 million THAKRAL Holdings believes development to build 100 apart- Melbourne's hotel market is mentsintheHiltonprecinct. picking up strongly after "We are working on our target announcing a healthy profit to try and complete the refurbi- increase on Friday. shment in time for the Common- Thakral announced a 15 per wealth Games in Melbourne in cent increase in underlying net 2006,"MrHudsonsaid. profit of $18.5 million for the six Thalcral's results showed its monthstoDecember. development division was its It said it was on track to most profitable, driven by the record another 10 per cent fact that it had presold its entire increase in earnings this year. new development in Queens- Chief executive John Hudson land,Air onBroadbeach. said returns from the hotel sector Thakral chairman Ted Harris in Melbourne exceeded expec- said: "Strong underlying profit tations, despite an oversupply of growth has emerged in all areas hotel rooms after the completion of ouroperations." oftheCrownPromenadeHotel. The company recorded its "We are strongly committed second-highest result since the to the Melbourne market, Sydney Olympics, which was the especially following 'planning most profitable period for approval to proceed with a $100 Thakralsinceit listed. million investment surrounding Mr Hudson said that the Mel- theMelbourneHilton,"hesaid. bourne hotel market was now in Thakral is undertaking a full recovery mode. The Age 10/05/2005 Owner in secret threat to close Hilton, court told A letter to the State Government tower and conversion of the his- choice but to review its invest- Mr Kolomanski said the site torian Civil and Administrative development was not scheduled reveals a "thinly veiled" ultimatum over toric Mosspennock House in ment in the hotel. warranted Government inter- Tribunal. to be completed until after the THE STORY SO FAR EXCLUSIVE Clarendon Street into six apart- "One very real option is the vention, particularly because In his opening address to the Games. "It is clear in our sub- AUGUST 6, 2004 Thakral Hold- ments. cessation of the Hilton on the Commonwealth Games events mission that no ministerial offi- ings lodges planning application a major redevelopment court yesterday, Anthony South- with Melbourne City Council. The letter was tendered in Park in its current form," Mr would be held at the nearby all, QC, for the residents, said Mr cer, let alone the minister, had OCTOBER 6, 2004 Application documents before the Supreme evidence yesterday after an East Kolomanski said in the letter. MCG and Olympic Park. Kotomanski's letter was a "thinly an ample opportunity to inde- EXCLUSIVE Court. Melbourne residents' group, "Hilton Hotels are a world- Two months later, Ms Dela- veiled threat" to the Government pendently review the plans for referred to vicar. In a confidential letter to for- concerned about the height of renowned brand and the with- hunty introduced a "site-specific that Thakral would walk away the development that were pres- OCTOBER 13, 2004 Thakral By JEWEL TOPSFIELD mer planning minister Mary the 45-metre tower, launched drawal of such a powerful and amendment" to allow the devel- from the Hilton if a permit were ented to them as a fait accompli threatens to close hotel unless Delahunty last October, Thakral proceedings against the former respected brand . . . would be a opment, because it was of state not granted. by Mr Kotomanski," he said. project approved. THE owner of the Hilton Hotel in Holdings said it was frustrated planning minister. regretful but necessary commer- significance and important to The group is challenging the " ... this is a case where there DECEMBER 16, 2004 Mary East Melbourne secretly threat- that Melbourne City Council had In it, Thakral's Victorian cial decision by Thakral, a major the Games. validity of the claims that the has been a breach of every prin- Delahunty approves plans. refused a planning permit. The ened to close it, shortly before development director, Dan blow to the 328 hotel Thakral was in the process of project was of state significance ciple for the amendment of plan- MAY 9, 2005 Residents chal- project included a the State Government approved a Kolomanski, warned that unless employees . . . and to the appealing against the council and there was an urgency ning schemes." lenge that in Supreme Court. controversial $75 million refurbishment of the Hilton and the State Government standing of Victoria in the decision and it was scheduled to because of the Games. Thecase,beforeJusticeStuart redevelopment, according to MCG hotels, a 15-storey intervened, the company international business be heard in February at the Vic Mr Southall said most of the Morris, continues today. residential and retail would have no community." The Age 11/05/2005 Bracks was warned on Hilton project age control last night, releasing However, the Opposition pro- But Opposition Leader Robert He said the due date for com- The Premier is forced into damage control over a the text of a letter to the Premier duced a copy of a letter indicat- Doyle said he doubted that Ms pletion, included in the planning from Thakral Holdings, owner of ing Mr Bracks was aware of it and Delahunty would not have dis- scheme, was December 31, 2008 controversial redevelopment of a major hotel site the Hilton on the Park, dated responded to Mr Kolomanski on cussed Mr Kolomanski's threat — 21 months after the Games. October 13 last year and December 23 after the develop- with Mr Bracks. "If your plan- Opposition planning spokes- By MATHEW MURPHY that the owners had written to explicitly raising the prospect of ment was approved. ning minister gets an implied man Ted Baillieu said later: and JEWELTOPSFIELD him about it in October — two the group abandoning the site in Jane Wilson, a spokeswoman threat that a major developer is "Somebody, somewhere along months before the Government the lead-up to the Games. for Mr Bracks, said he did not going to walk away from a huge the line has heavied the former PREMIER received approved their redevelopment. Mr Bracks told radio 3AW yes- initially remember the letter site, leaving a potential bomb site planning minister to call this in a personal warning last year Further questions over the terday that the first he knew of a when he was asked about it on for the Commonwealth Games, and approve . . . a project in the from the owners of Melbourne's. redevelopment were raised in the letter from Dan Kolomanski, radio. "He does not have total wouldn't a responsible minister name of the Commonwealth Hilton on the Park, threatening Supreme Court yesterday, with Thakral's Victorian development recall of every letter that passes brief the Premier?" he said. Games when the Common- to shut the hotel if they did not claims that it was never intended director, to Ms Delahunty was a over his desk. He gets hundreds In the Supreme Court yester- wealth Games are not involved." win approval for a controversial to be completed in time for the report in The Age yesterday. "I of letters every week," she said. day, Anthony Southall, QC, rep- The redevelopment plan $75 million redevelopment. Commonwealth Games — a key knew nothing about that letter or Ms Wilson last night main- resenting residents challenging includes a 15-storey tower with Hours after Mr Bracks yester- reason cited by then planning those details," he said. tained that there was no contact the approval of the project, said 89 dwellings, refurbishment of day denied any knowledge of the minister Mary Delahunty for Mr Bracks also said he had between Ms Delahunty and Mr there was never any prospect of the Hilton and MCG hotels and Hilton closure threat, his office backing the project. not been consulted by Ms Dela- Bracks about the threat by Mr it being completed in time for the conversion of historic Mosspen- was forced to admit last night Mr Bracks' office was in dam- hunty about the threat. Kolomanski. Games in March next year. nock House into apartments. The Age 11/05/2005 Bracks was warned on Hilton project

PREMIER Steve Bracks was warned by the owners of the Hilton Hotel in East Melbourne that they might close the hotel if an extension was not approved — two months before the Government approved the $75 million plan. After yesterday denying knowledge of the threat, Mr Bracks has gone into damage control after his office last night admitted that the owners of the hotel had written to him last October.

Report PAGE 5 The Age12/05/2005 Brumby pushed Hilton decision Documents released by the State Opposition show Victoria's Treasurer intervened to speed up approval for a controversial hotel redevelopment

ByFARRAHTOMAZIN mates Committee hearing, Mr version of Mosspennock House andJEWELTOPSFIELD Brumby said it was not unusual into apartments. for companies to request help The lawyer, Michelle Quig- A CONTROVERSIAL proposal when proposed developments ley, SC, told the court that the to redevelop the Hilton on the get "caught up in red tape". $15 million interior refurbish- Park hotel in East Melbourne Mr Brumby said the Hilton ment of the Hilton did not was fast-tracked under the was on a "prime site" and require a planning permit. direction of state Treasurer ought to be redeveloped, but But she said the hotel's John Brumby, documents have the project had been getting owner, Thakral Holdings, confirmed. bogged down. "That hotel is required commercial certainty It was also confirmed yes- tired and it needs reinvest- for the remainder of its project terday that the Government ment," he said. "So it's the right before it would commit to the knew all along that the redevel- decision to press ahead with refurbishment of the Hilton in opment would never be it .. . people who don't like that time for the Games. finished before the Common- decision are exercising their A group of East Melbourne wealth Games ---- despite using legal rights at the moment in residents, who object to the the Games to justify its the courts." height of the 45-metre .tower, approval. Opposition Leader Robert are challenging the validity of A day after Premier Steve Doyle said this showed that Mr Ms Delahunty's intervention. Bracks admitted he know of a Brumby was the "puppet mas- Justice Stuart Morris said threat to shut the hotel if its ter" who was obviously running parts of some of the documents owners did not win planning the show for the Government. tendered to the court, including approval, Mr Brumby was Meanwhile, in the Supreme Ms Delahunty's reasons for the forced to defend his role in the Court yesterday, a lawyer for amendment and a media project before a parliamentary the then planning minister said release, could be interpreted to committee. the owner of the hotel only mean that the minister was giv- Documents released by the undertook to complete one ing approval so that the whole State Opposition show that Mr element of the project — the development would be finished Brumby wrote to former plan- hotel refurbishment — in time in time for the Games. ning minister Mary Delahunty for the Commonwealth Games. But Ms Quigley said this was in December last year request- Ms Delahunty used the simply a "looseness" in the ing an amendment of the Mel- Games to justify a "site-specific language. 'Anyone who care- bourne Planning Scheme "to amendment" to fast-track the fully looked at the document facilitate the redevelopment of $75 million project, which could not be so misled," she the Hilton on the Park Hotel". includes a 15-storey apartment said. Questioned about the letter tower, refurbishment of the Hil- at a Public Accounts and Esti ton and MCG hotels and con OPINION Premier 'rent-a-fluff PAGE 27 The Age 12/05/2005 Opinion Steve Bracks: a man of his word or our premier 'rent-a-fluff? cated in child sex offences. has a convicted child sex offence That's not correct . tapes. But it was strange that the . First time I heard about that But let's be charitable and accept The Premier seems to be Phillips, now 33, had a relation- being a teacher in our schools." Mitchell: So was there any Premier appeared to forget a was today . . . I've never heard of that hundreds of letters cross the losing the plot when ship when he was 20 with a girl This surely wasn't a lie; it was reference to rent-a-crowd? phrase he used at a red-letter that threat before ... You asked Premier's desk each week and not quite 16. He pleaded guilty a dispute about a verifiable fact. Bracks: No, there wasn't . I event on his calendar only days me was I ever aware of any he can't be expected to commit asked to tell it like it is. but no conviction was But Bracks was either not prop- did not make any reference to earlier. And stranger still that threat; (the answer is) no." each of them to memory, and recorded. erly briefed or not fully across rent-a-crowd . .." such certainty in language — But by day's end a version of that Delahunty chose not to bur- It's that last bit the Premier his brief. Either way, there was Later, Mitchell returned to "absolutely, categorically not" — the same letter, dated October den the Premier with the issue. STEVE Bracks needs to stop PAULAUSTIN got wrong. Bracks told Mitchell little excuse: this case had been the issue. Again, the Premier did was employed by a premier who 13, addressed to the Premier and That still doesn't explain why fluffing his lines. The Premier on March 22 the tough new no- on the front pages of the papers not take the hint. is famous for looking into things, stamped "Received, Premier's the Premier's staff or depart- has always displayed a gift for discretion approach applied and Bracks had been questioned Mitchell: The people are for taking questions on notice. private office", was in the hands ment didn't alert him to the tortur- "only where there's a conviction about it in Parliament. insisting you said it. But you say Fluffed Line No. 3 came this of the media. Not only that, but letter on Tuesday morning — ing the English language, but his of a child sex offence". Fluffed Line No.2 came you didn't? week, and was altogether more the Premier signed a letter in after the Age story appeared but recent record of mis-statements Mitchell: There's no convic- exactly one week later — almost Bracks:Absolutelynot. serious. On Tuesday The Age's response, dated December 23 before he fronted Mitchell to be is something more serious. tion recorded here. immediately after Bracks apolo- Mitchell: Mmmm. Jewel Topsfield reported that the and beginning "I refer to your questioned about the issue. Painted in the worst possible adopt a more punitive attitude Bracks: He pleaded guilty and gised on air to Andrew Phillips. Bracks: Absolutely, categori- owners of the Hilton Hotel had letter of 13 October . . ." The evidence suggests the light, the Premier is exposed as a when it comes to incompetence. there was a conviction. This time at issue was what the cally not. threatened, in a letter last Octo- Once again, this surely was Opposition is, as oppositions are liar. Much more likely is that he Each of the Premier's recent Mitchell: There's no convic- Premier called protesters at the Within minutes, Mitchell was ber to then planning minister not a lie; after all, it was Bracks' wont to do, drawing a long bow is forgetful, ill-briefed, not on top comments that required clarifi- tion recorded. sod-turning ceremony for the playing a recording of the Prem- Mary Delahunty, to close it if office that eventually released by branding the Premier a liar. of his game, or a combination of cation, correction or the issuing Bracks: There was a convic- Mitcham to Frankston freeway. ier at the sod-turning ceremony they were unable to get approval the text of the letter to the Prem- But the ALP, which relies so all three. Voters are entitled to of an apology was made on tion .. . "Julie", a talkback caller, asked saying to the protesters: "It's the for redevelopment plans. ier. But if the Premier didn't heavily on Bracks to "sell" its start pondering the Premier's 3AW's Neil Mitchell program, so Bracks respects Mitchell as the Premier about a report that old rent-a-crowd from Sunbury Mitchell, naturally, asked know about the threat, he should messages, must hope he lifts his competence — and while the let's go to the audio tape. one of Victoria's sharpest and he had labelled the protesters who's here . .." Bracks about the matter when have. At the time the letter game. Fluffed lines will only example might Fluffed Line No. 1 involved most decorated journalists, but "rent-a-crowd from Sunbury". This too was surely not a lie; the Premier fronted for his reached his office, his abundant become more costly between suggest voters will forgive a poli- Andrew Phillips, the Orbost tea- in this exchange the Premier just Julie: Can you confirm that as Bracks himself observed, what weekly interview later that morn- personal staff should have now and next year's election. tician for playing fast and loose cher who has lost his job under the Government's zero-tolerance wouldn't get the hint. A few sen- this was said by you? he had said could be checked ing. The reply: "I knew nothing alerted him to it, or Delahunty with the truth, they tend to PaulAustinisstatepoliticaleditor. rules relating to teachers impli tences later he declared: "We will Bracks: No, it wasn't .. . against numerous TV and radio about that letter or those details should have briefed him on it. not tolerate . . . someone who The Age 16/05/2005

Hilton hotel row adds insult to planning injury

ROYCE MILLAR hotel, and a 15-level (45-metre) finished in time for 2006. letters to Bracks, Treasurer John They are making judgements governments should be plan- expansion, in the name of the Michelle Quigley, SC, blamed Brumby and Delahunty, threat- about the capacity of developers ning for decades, not days, Commonwealth Games. This the "looseness" of the wording ened that without an upgrade it to pay. All too often developers ahead. Bendingtherulestosuit was done under a section of the in Delahunty's statements for may have to close the hotel, cry poor. And all too often gov- Others are inclined to dis- developersisnotthe Planning and Environment Act giving the wrong impression. with the loss of hundreds of ernments give in to demands for miss the arguments of well- that allows the Government to But in written documents jobs. a bit of special help. heeled East Melbourne residents waytoplanMelbourne. exempt special projects from explaining her intervention, To afford the revamp, said Since its construction in the as self-serving. Yet because of normal public planning. The Delahunty repeatedly clearly Thakral, it needed the economic early 1970s on the site of one of its position on the fringe of the link to the Games was the prox- refers to both the refurbishment certainty offered by an expan- Melbourne's grandest old build- CBD and Melbourne's sports FORMER planning minister Mary imity to the sports precinct. and expansion of the hotel as sion of the hotel. The proposed ings, Gliveden Mansions, debate precinct, the streetscapes of East Delahunty was asking for The decision was an important to the Games. tower would be twice the height has raged about whether the Melbourne are significant not trouble last December when she eyebrow-raiser, especially So, as Justice Stuart Morris allowed under rules proposed Hilton should have been built at just for locals. Walking through over-rode the Melbourne City among those in the building posited in the Supreme Court, for the site by the city council. all in the low-rise, light-filled the Victorian-era streets on a Council to approve the expan- and development industry who the minister may have believed Brumby then asked Delahunty streets of East Melbourne. It has spring evening after a game at sion of the Hilton Hotel in East knew it was ludicrous to suggest she was approving the entire to intervene. since been used to justify an the "G" is one of those small Melbourne. that a 15-level apartment block project in time for the Games, It would seem, therefore, that apartment tower of similar but special Melbourne experi- Last week cashed-up, influ- would be built in a little over a or she may have wanted to the Government fell for the height at the other end of the ences. ential locals took her on in the year. They were right, of course. "spin" her statements to imply oldest trick in the developer's block on Wellington Street. The Supreme Court will rule Supreme Court. Their action has Documents tabled in court that both projects were Games- handbook: political blackmail. Thakral now argues their tower soon on whether the minister embarrassed the Government, clearly show that the hotel related. Melbourne is littered with will fill in the gap. erred. Regardless of the out- including Premier Steve Bracks, owner and developer, Thakral The first possibility points to the byproducts of governments Some, such as outspoken come, the case has exposed the and raised serious questions Holdings, did not intend to sloppiness at best, the second to and councils caving in to such neighbour Gary Morgan, con- Government as either dumb or about the handling of key finish the project until 2007. a conscious misleading of the threats. And Labor — acutely tinue to campaign for the razing deceitful, and too willing to planning decisions. Last week, the Government's Victorian community. But the conscious of the old anti- of the Hilton. The City Council bend to pressure from develop- At the time, Delahunty said lawyer claimed Delahunty really refurbishment of the Hilton business tag — is even more argues that past mistakes should ers. Good planning cannot be that she approved both the meant only that the $15 million alone did not require a permit. easily bullied than the Liberals. not be used as planning done that way. refurbishment of the existing hotel refurbishment, not the $40 So why intervene? In such situations planning precedents; before long the million expansion, would be The developer Thakral, in ministers are not planning at all. Hilton will have had its day and Royce Millar is city editor. Herald Sun 08/07/2007 Residents' group loses Hotel wins tower fight A GROUP of Mel- Kate Uebergang Justice Morris found bourne's wealthiest Ms Delahunty had ap- tribunal reporter proved the development residents has lost a — thus over-riding the legal battle against a the group's claim against Melbourne City Council's redevelopment of the the Minister and hotel jurisdiction — without owner PCH Melbourne being subject to the nor- Hilton on the Park. Pty Ltd. The East Melbourne mal scrutiny involved in a "No rational Minister planning appeal hearing. Group — including mil- could have believed that a lionaire pollster Gary building such as that pro- "One explanation for Morgan — claimed former posed at the rear of the this is that the minster planning minister Mary MCG Hotel was likely to regarded the develop- Delahunty had unlawfully have been completed in ment as economically im- approved the project last time for the Common- portant to Victoria and December because of its wealth Games," Justice she wished to promote it importance to the 2006 Morris said. by making development Commonwealth Games. "Indeed, neither of the approval more certain," The group contended defendants argued to the he said. the Minister had erred in contrary. Justice Morris also re- approving the hotel re- "Rather, the defendants' jected the East Mel- furbishment and a neigh- case was that the Com- bourne Group's conten- bouring 15-storey apart- monwealth Games only tion that the approval ment block when it was formed a basis of the min- was invalid because there known the project could ister's decisions in relation had been no consultation not be completed before to the refurbishment of the with nearby residents. the Games. existing Hilton Hotel and A counter-claim by the possibly the restoration of minister and PCH was But yesterday Justice also dismissed. Stuart Morris dismissed the MCG Hotel." The Age 08/07/2005 Judge questions minister's spin By MARTIN BOULTON A SUPREME Court judge has questioned the "spin" used by Games security budget blows out to $76m the State Government to justify By PETER KER wasleakedtoTheAgethisweek. The State Government's secrecy its intervention to speed up , approval for a 15-storey residen- and ROYCE MILLAR TheAge was told that close to wasridiculedbymanycommen- 14-‘ tial tower next to the Hilton $50millioninstatesecuritymoney tators,particularlyaftertheFederal Hotel in East Melbourne. THE Victorian Government's secur- wasremovedfromtheGames Governmentopenlyannouncedthat Justice Stuart Morris found ity budget for the 2006 Common- budget,andonce separated,was it would spend $84.8 million on that former planning minister wealth Games has blown out by topped upwithanextra$26 mil- Games security. Mary Delahunty had bypassed almost half since 2003, reaching lion. Opposition Games spokesman normal planning procedures and $76 million. ThemoneywillhelptheVictorian Gordon Rich-Phillips said the used the Commonwealth Games SecurityspendingontheGames and federalpolice and other Governmenthadtriedtocreatea as a "politically desirable" way to hasbeenasecretsincetheMay3 agencies provide comprehensive "secretblankcheque"byrefusing justify her intervention. statebudget,whentheGovern- securityforathletesandthepublic. torevealitsexpenditureon But he found Ms Delahunty mentseparateditfromthe AspokesmanforCommonwealth security. did not act unlawfully when she $697 million Commonwealth Games Minister "Thereisnojustificationforit approved the project, which Games budget and decided it would not deny the figure yester- being taken out oftheGames includes refurbishment of the would no longer publicly report day."We'readvisedthatwecannot budget as it is quite clearly Hilton and the adjacent MCG securityexpenditure. detail the nature and cost of CommonwealthGamesexpendi- Hotel. The move amounted to a blow- security for the Games at this ture," he said. The judge's decision, out of the Government's $697 mil- stage," he said. Despite removing the security delivered yesterday, is a defeat lion cap, and was justified on the "It was made clear in the money from the cap, the Govern- for a group of East Melbourne grounds that knowledge of security budget papers that additional mentwillstillspendthefull residents who had launched a spending would reveal the nature securityfundingwasrequired.This $697million,meaningthataround legal challenge to the minister's and level ofprotection. detailwill bereleased afterthe $50million nowfor otherGames move. The currentfigureof$76 million Games." projects. When she approved the tower last December, Ms Delahunty said the entire project, including East Melbourne Group presi- by Thakral, a major blow to the had "concluded that Victorians the Hilton refurbishment, was of dent Margaret Wood said the 328 hotel employees." may well have been conned", state significance and important group was shell-shocked by the Premier Steve Bracks and and labelled the Government's to the Commonwealth Games. court's decision. "We were resol- Treasurer John Brumby both intervention as "yet another A of residents, the ute about this challenge and nat- confirmed knowledge of the let- dodgy deal". East Melbourne Group, chal- urally we're very disappointed," ter. Mr Brumby told a Public A Government spokeswoman lenged the decision, saying it had she said. said the ruling confirmed Ms robbed them of the right to During the case it emerged Delahunty's intervention was object to the residential tower. that a letter from the developer, INorationalministercould lawful and appropriate. "It sup- Justice Morris found there Thakral Holdings, stated that believethat(the)building ports the Government's view was "a gloss or spin" put on the unless the Government inter- that the Hilton redevelopment is Government's decision by refer- vened, the company would couldhavebeencompletedin of economic importance to Vic- ring to the Commonwealth review its stake in the Hilton. timefortheGames.I toria," the spokeswoman said. Games. He said "no rational "One very real option is the cess- JUSTICESTUARTMORRIS Mr Kolomanski said the "final minister could believe that a ation of the Hilton . . . in its cur- hurdle had been removed". building such as that proposed at rent form," wrote Thakral's Accounts and Estimates Com- "We've already commenced the rear of the MCG Hotel was Victorian development director, mittee hearing in May that the the refurbishment (of the Hilton) likely to have been completed in Dan Kolomanski. Hilton ought to be developed. and other areas are in the time for the Commonwealth "(It) would be a regretful but Opposition planning spokes- advanced stages of planning," he Games". necessary commercial decision man Ted Baillieu said the court said. The Melbourne Times news rata

DELAHUNTY CLEARED OVER HILTON OPPONENTS of the development next to East Melbourne's Hilton Hotel have lost their bid to show the former planning minister had made a mistake in approving the development. The Supreme Court last week found that Mary Delahunty was not wrong to "call in" Thakral Holding's rede- velopment of the MCG Hotel and adjacent mansion Mosspenoch, despite wrongly claiming the development was needed for the Commonwealth Games. Justice Morris found that Ms Delahunty made the decision after Thakral threatened to downgrade its presence at the Hilton if not allowed to develop. The Age 10/03/2006 City Games projects are slow off the mark Ministerial intervention misses aim

ByROYCEMILLAR 15-level apartment building CITY EDITOR could be finished in time for the Games. In fact, it hasn't even TWO major inner-city construc- started. tion projects controversially fast- With a softening of the apart- tracked by the State Government ment market and another appeal in the name of the Common- lodged, a start to work on the wealth Games will be little more apartment tower and the revival than bombsites come next week. of the MCG Hotel could both be The historic MCG Hotel in years away. East Melbourne, which the Gov- "I don't think I'll sell many ernment promised would be apartments off the plan when, if transformed into a shrine to we lose the appeal, we have to football, is gutted and derelict say, 'Sorry you can't have your and will remain so indefinitely. apartment any more'," said Mr In December 2004, then Hudson. planning minister Mary Dela- At Flemington, developer the hunty bypassed normal pro- Bensons Property Group has not cedures to override the yet appointed a builder or got Melbourne City Council and final building approval for the approve the redevelopment of apartment/retail project that was the Hilton on the Park, to replace the Lombards paper including a $40 million warehouse destroyed by fire in refurbishment and construction late 2004. of a 15-level apartment In January last year, acting tower behind the Planning Minister John neighbouring MCG Hotel. Pandazopoulos took planning At the time Ms Delahunty control of the site from the declared the redevelopment, Moonee Valley Council, citing a including the Hilton facelift, a need for "immediate action" to project of state significance and ensure "redevelopment" of the important to the Commonwealth site by March 2006. Games. But the Bensons Property Yesterday Thakral Holdings, Group confirmed that a builder which owns the Hilton and sur- had not yet been signed, nor has rounding buildings, acknow- final building approval been ledged progress was a long way sought. short of what it had hoped for by Executive director Michael Games time. Foley yesterday stressed that the Managing director John Hud- debris from the fire had been son said he believed he had a removed from the site in time for "moral commitment" to do the Games. something before the Games, so The Government is now the company refurbished the top focusing on the longer term two levels of the 20-storey hotel. importance of the two projects. He said the project had been Claire Miller, a spokeswoman held up by a Supreme Court for Planning Minister Rob Hulls, appeal by local residents includ- said the Hilton project was a ing pollster Gary Morgan, gov- "significant investment" that ernment red tape, and by would "benefit the state long underestimating the complex- after the Commonwealth Games ities of the refurbishment. have come and gone". "I think we all under- "As for the Lombards site, the estimated how difficult it is to do State Government and the a $40 million project in 12 Moonee Valley City Council have months." worked hard to provide every Last year Supreme Court opportunity for the redevelop- judge Justice Stuart Morris found ment of this site, including that Ms Delahunty was within ensuring that the appropriate her rights to intervene at the Hil- permits were in place," Ms Mil- ton, but noted that "no rational ler said. minister" could believe that a The Age 19/08/2006

ROPERTY developer Thakral isanotherlistedgroup lookingoverseasinits strugglestofindgood investmentopportunitiesin Australiaas competitionfor assetshereremainsintense. Theownerandmanagerof Hiltononthe Parkin EastMelbourneandAustraliaon Collinsyesterdayreporteda148percent jumpinfull-yearnetprofitto $89.3million,a resultboostedby revaluations. Underlying profitwas up27 per centandthedistribution wasup4 per cent. ManagingdirectorJohn Hudsonsaysthe groupisintheearlystagesoflookingat opportunitiesoverseas. "Wehavethemoney butI can'tseethevalueatthemoment (in Australia).There'ssomuchcapitaloutthere chasingquality property." IfThakraldoesbuyinAustraliaitwon't be anestablishedasset,ratheronewith potential."We're notjustinterestedin collectingtherent," MrHudsonsays. Developingassetswith potentialwasthe group'smodelforupgradingitsHiltononthe Park,locatedneartheMCG.Itshotel componentisstill beingrefurbishedwhile talksareongoingwitharesidents'groupover aproposalforabout50residentialunits. Therefurbishmentwasafactorin Thakral's hotelsresultnot beingas strongas Mr Hudsonhadhoped,whiletheCronullariots lastDecemberhurttheperformanceofits NovotelBrightonhotelinSydney.However, MrHudsonisbullishabouttheprospectsfor Melbourne,withitsyear-roundcycleof eventsgoodforthehotelsbusiness. "Itshows everysignofcontinuingtobe strong,"hesays. BENSCHNEIDERS The Leader 17/01/07

news fastfact O knockbacks Council knocked back a 16-storey proposal from the Hilton in 2001 and in 2004 for 15 Ba t e er t wer

DEVELOPMENT plans. Planning Minister Justin Mad- committee chairwoman Catherine "retail premises" planned for the Lynda! Cairns den is expected to look at both plans Ng said the proposed tower would be ground level. next month. far too tall and an imposition on "Retail premises is a broad defi- East Melbourne Group co-vice presi- residents and the Fitzroy Gardens. nition in the planning scheme and HILTON Hotel wants to build a dent Judith Batrouney said the pro- The 14-storey tower, to the east of includes a timber yard, adult sex 14-storey apartment tower next to its posed tower was far too high and the Hilton, would include 52 apart- bookshop and supermarket," the re- Wellington Pde hotel but the council would be an imposition on residents. ments, 124 car parks and shops. port says. says the proposal is twice what it She said residents supported the The report recommends the pro- "It is suggested that this use be would allow. council's proposed 24-metre limit, posal be cut by two storeys and a further substantiated to provide clar- Residents and Melbourne Council which would restrict development in loading bay be built at the front, to ity in the assessment." want the State Government to put a East Melbourne to about six storeys. avoid noise and other impacts on The Leader contacted the Hilton 24-metre height limit over East Mel- A council report presented to neighbours at the rear. Hotel but did not receive a response bourne and to knock back Hilton's councillors in December by It also requests more detail on the by deadline. planning +- The Age 14/10/20010 Bitter battle over footy's birthplace MCG Hotel redevelopment 'inappropriate for the site'

By JASON DOWLING the MCG Hotel. He told The Age CITY EDITOR the hotel had great historical significance for Victoria. THE fight for the MCG Hotel is "Melbourne Football Club proving as tough as any game of was founded in the MCG Hotel football played at the ground — and the Melbourne Football which seems only fitting for the Club is one of the oldest football code's birthplace. clubs in Australia, if not the old- Prominent Melbourne poll- est," he said. ster and local resident Gary "The rules of Australian Morgan is fighting plans by Rules football were first set Thakral Holdings — owner of down at the MCG Hotel and it the Hilton on the Park and the has got quite a lot of historic sig- MCG Hotel — to build about 80 nificance attached to the site apartments at the rear and The MCG Hotel in East Melbourne. and the building that is remain- beside the former MCG Hotel in ing there. proceedings before Victoria's the proposed development, said "To further demolish the planning tribunal. the MCG Hotel should be cele- building and take away years of It is proposed to demolish brated and the development character and everything else part of the existing Hilton Hotel was inappropriate for the site. that has been built up there I complex and part of the rear of "My position is the hotel think is not the right approach." the MCG Hotel for the residen- should be restored to what it But Thakral managing dir- tial development, which was in the 1870s and should be ector John Hudson said the includes a 14-storey tower. made part of the tourist and company had gained the neces- The dispute dates from 2004, historical precinct," he said. sary planning approvals for the when then planning minister He vowed not to give up the development. Mary Delahunty approved the fight. "This is just him [Mr development only to have the "This is only the first quarter Morgan] trying to stop us approval overturned in court in and it has been going for doing it. We got the support of 2008 after a challenge by local 10 years," he said. "We will be council, we got the support of residents. there to the end." the East Melbourne [residents] Melbourne City Council has Architect Bruce Trethowan group, so it's the last desperate now granted a permit for the prepared a statement of evid- throws of a desperate man," he development, which Mr Morgan ence for Mr Morgan regarding said. is challenging. the heritage issues surrounding The case is continuing before Mr Morgan, who lives next to the development proposal and the Victorian Civil and Adminis- trative Tribunal. Herald Sun 20 /08/2011 Pub in danger THE pub credited as the HAMISH HEARD birthplace of Aussie rules football will be "Only mad people bulldozed within would pull it down." months unless a last- Mr Morgan last year ditch bid for heritage failed to convince Victor- protection succeeds. ia's planning tribunal to The Heritage Council overturn a Melbourne of Victoria last week met City Council permit al- to consider whether lowing the demolition. East Melbourne's MCG He said the application Hotel — where the to the Heritage Council game's rules were was his "last stand". drafted in 1859 — was Architect Bruce worthy of inclusion on Trethowan, whose name the state's heritage also appears on the heri- register. tage application, argued A heritage listing against demolition at a would protect the hotel Heritage Council hearing from plans by Hilton on last week. the Park owner Thakral He argued that keep- Holdings to demolish it ing the building's facade except for the facade and knocking down the and replace it with a rest would be disrespect- residential tower. ful to Melbourne's sport- Millionaire pollster ing history. Gary Morgan, who lives "If you just keep the fa- behind the site and has cade, you have actually been fighting the pro- taken the soul out of posal for nearly 10 years, what the building was all was driving the appli- about," Mr Trethowan cation for heritage said. listing. "The MCG Hotel was "This is as important the cradle of Australian as Government House, rules football and that Latrobe's cottage, the relationship with football Exhibition Building — and cricket continued it's the home of foot- right up until the hotel's ball," Mr Morgan said. closure in 2004."