FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, 2014 ISSUE 03 FREE WWW.CBDNEWS.COM.AU Food Events Nightlife LUNCH TIME 14 AFTER WORK 16 THE WEEKEND 18 FAN-POWER TRIUMPH OVER-SHADOWING DEAL COMIC BOOK HEROES FAKE-MONK WARNING page 2 page 3 page 4 page 9 Demolition fears for historic drill hall Th e Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) fears it could be evicted from its premises and the historical building demolished after the state election. Th e Drill Hall at 239 A’Beckett St is owned by the State Government but is on a list of properties which could be sold. Th e society says it has been given a single- year’s extension on its lease until the end of the fi nancial year and has been told the building would not be sold as long as Matthew Guy remains planning minister. “We interpret this as meaning possible sale of the building after the election,” the society said in a letter to supporters. Th e hall was built in the 1930s in art deco style for the Australian Army’s medical corp. It was sold by the Federal Government to private interest and was later purchased by the Victorian Government. In 1988 it was added to the Victorian Register of Historic Buildings. Th e society has had a number of From left Kate Prinsley, Jodie Boyd, Alan Hall and Gerardine Horgan inside the art deco drill hall in A'Beckett St. short-term leases on the building since 2000. “Th e building is owned by the Victorian collection while it has no security of tenure. the Victorian Concert Orchestra – are a good In February the society wrote to the State Government but is under threat of asset It also says work by its volunteers is valued at fi t for the building,” the society says in its Government seeking a 21-year peppercorn disposal – the likely result being demolition $11 million per year. letter to supporters. lease but says it has had no response. In of this heritage listed building – unless an contrast, society president Prof Don Garden It outlines an ambitious program to turn the “Between us, on a weekly basis, we make says the State Opposition has promised to alternative arrangement can be made,” it building in “Melbourne’s History House”. this building accessible to several hundred keep the building. said in its letter to supporters. If successful, it off ers to ramp up its Victorians participating in the arts and participation with the community. history.” Th e society was to conduct a meeting at the In its submission to the Government, the Drill Hall on September 30 to rally support society points out that it can’t undertake “Whilst this building presents problems – the Planning Minister Matthew Guy chose not for its cause. works to preserve its vast historical RHSV and its co-lease holder - principally to respond. Where are YOUR new customers? 4ALKTOUSFORHYPER LOCALGEOGRAPHICALLYSPECIÚCTARGETING 8689 7980 or email [email protected] 2 CBD NEWS ISSUE 03 Triumph for fan-power Suite 108, 198 Harbour Esplanade Fans Sally Bruen and Jenny PO Box 23008 Docklands 8012 Tel: 8689 7980 Fax: 9602 2929 Valentish never met their idol www.cbdnews.com.au Chrissy Amphlett, but that Advertising didn’t stop them successfully Tel: 8689 7980 Fax: 9602 2929 [email protected] campaigning for a Melbourne Reader contributions are welcome. lane to be name in the late Please send articles and images to singer’s honour. [email protected] Th e deadline for the November edition Th e pair were instrumental in a campaign is Th ursday, October 16. which started with a petition of 7000 signatures and is expected to culminate with the sign “Amphlett Lane” going up in a Follow us on Twitter formerly-unnamed lane off Little Lonsdale St @CBD_News_3000 in December. Last month, the pair addressed the Future Like us on Facebook Melbourne Committee urging support for the cbdnewsmelbourne proposal to rename Corporation Lane 1639. CBD News is owned and operated by Following the unanimous vote by councillors Shane Scanlan ([email protected]. for the proposal, planning chair Cr Ken Ong au) and Shine Dighe (shine@cbdnews. told them the decision was “never in doubt”. com.au). For Sally, the former Divinyls lead signer was 20,000 copies are printed and an inspiration woman and a leader. distributed within Melbourne's CBD each month. 15,000 of these copies “When you look at it, Chrissy’s story is the are delivered by Australia Post into story of feminism,” Sally said. “And she every residential and business letterbox added so much to our lives.” within postcode 3000. Th e other Jenny concurs, adding: “Th ere is a generation 5000 copies can be found in cafes, of female musicians who may not even know restaurants, supermarkets and bars what Chrissy has done for them.” throughout the city. Th e pair joined other fans as well as people If your business wants to connect with close to Chrissy searching for a suitable lane CBD Melbourne, speak with us about once the City of Melbourne had approved advertising. the concept in principle. View expressed by contributors are not those of the publishers. “Our search took us from the bottom of AC/DC Lane to the top of Bourke St, day Contributions and letters to the editor and night, in all weathers,” Sally told city are welcomed. Send words and councillors. pictures to [email protected] “It was important to fi nd a lane that had good pedestrian, tram, train and bike access as well as being connected to unique icons. Sally Bruen and Jenny Valentish celebrate the achievement in the soon-to-be Amphlett Lane. Corporation Lane 1639 backs onto the stage doors of both Th e Palace and Th e Princess “Chrissy and Charley signed their ample exposure and is in the historically Th eatres where Chrissy has performed in marriage license and fi rst appeared as a signifi cant Melbourne theatre area.” both.” married couple at Th e Princess Th eatre “After much investigation and research in 1999. Chrissy spent many hours at the Jenny told the council: “Chrissy has a very we feel this would be the best home for European Café, many days shopping in the strong connection to this block for many Amphlett Lane and a most appropriate surrounding district and many nights across Check out CBD news online reasons. She performed at the Palace Th eatre place for all to remember her long, storied, the park at Park Hyatt.” www.cbdnews.com.au with Divinyls. 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Level 9, 289 Flinders Lane Melbourne 3000 - (03) 9663 2043 - www.vivaphysiotherapy.com *Mention this ad and we’ll give you 10% off your first appointment physiotherapy ISSUE 03 CBD NEWS 3 Trade-off on over-shadowing Th e City of Melbourne last month sacrifi ced its formerly-consistent opposition to over-shadowing of the south bank of the Yarra in return for public open space at 447 Collins St. Developer Cbus off ered the council nearly planning scheme, they’re happy to break 2000sqm of space in return for council’s their own rules and we do it far too often.” support for a change to the planning In their report recommending that scheme. councillors reject the deal, council offi cers Th e off er clearly presented a dilemma said: “Th e precedent that support of this for councillors, with planning offi cers amendment would set is that that the City recommending rejection of the proposal and of Melbourne is willing to consider ‘trading warning of a dangerous precedent. off ’ the prohibition of over-shadowing of the south bank of the Yarra River for a desired Cr Arron Wood, one of only three councillors development outcome.” to vote against the deal, compared the situation to being asked to give up one of his “Th e opportunity for additional open space children. should not be to the detriment of existing open space, in this instance Queensbridge “For someone in charge of the environment Square and the Yarra River corridor.” portfolio its like saying choose one of your kids almost. Do you want open space or do “If governments thought that the over- you want to overshadow the Yarra?” he said. shadowing of the south bank of the Yarra River could be acceptable in At the Future Melbourne Committee of some circumstances, even exceptional September 9 the council voted to support circumstances, the control would be Cbus’s application to Planning Minister discretionary, rather than mandatory.” Matthew Guy to exempt its 300m tower, which will cast a shadow over Queensbridge Consultant Sarah Horsfi eld told councillors Square in Southbank. the benefi t of gaining so much open space in Collins St simply outweighed the over- Cr Wood said: “It’s a shame that we don’t shadowing considerations. have the resources to purchase that land on the open market and that we have to do “It’s a question of weighing up public benefi t deals.” versus impact. Cities are required to make courageous decisions,” she said. “It sets a precedent in that the City of Melbourne is prepared to negotiate on She described the Collins St land as a things that are supposed to be prohibited in “Federation Square for the west” and said it the planning scheme and that’s dangerous would not be done elsewhere in the city.