{"id":85065,"date":"2023-09-05T14:05:12","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T14:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebritytidings.com\/?p=85065"},"modified":"2023-09-05T14:05:12","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T14:05:12","slug":"the-bermuda-triangle-of-ideas-costings-missing-from-new-st-kilda-triangle-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebritytidings.com\/world-news\/the-bermuda-triangle-of-ideas-costings-missing-from-new-st-kilda-triangle-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The Bermuda Triangle of ideas\u2019: Costings missing from new St Kilda Triangle plan"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A new plan to build a live music venue for 5000 people on a contested parcel of land on St Kilda\u2019s beachfront has no costings attached \u2013 and the local council needs the state government to help pay for it.<\/p>\n
The St Kilda Triangle site \u2013 a car park next to Luna Park and the Palais Theatre – has been the subject of heated debate for decades, with millions of dollars already spent.<\/p>\n
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Development of the St Kilda Triangle has been up for debate for years.<\/span><\/p>\n A new feasibility study commissioned by Port Phillip council describes it a \u201conce in a generation opportunity\u201d for development.<\/p>\n The council\u2019s plan is for the venue to have a flat floor to \u201cmaximise dancing\u201d along with a series of elevated terraces, balconies and rooftops \u2013 a design that protects existing views and sight lines.<\/p>\n It will not reveal what the venue might cost and has no budget to build it, with the feasibility study noting that the council will \u201crely heavily on strong engagement and buy-in from the state government\u201d.<\/p>\n Port Phillip\u2019s plan is to write a letter to Premier Daniel Andrews \u201coutlining the proposal, the benefits and the request for a state government partnership and support\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n An artist\u2019s render of the proposed development on the St Kilda Triangle site. <\/span>Credit: <\/span>City of Port Phillip<\/cite><\/p>\n A government spokesman said it would consider the proposal once it had been received.<\/p>\n Port Phillip Mayor Heather Cunsolo said developing the St Kilda Triangle site was a big, complex project and the council needed the time to get it right.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are working on identifying a realistic development cost, but this work is in the early stages and ultimately the cost would depend on many factors including feedback from our community and potential partners,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Trevor White, member of Port Phillip resident\u2019s group Unchain, said the council did not have the money to pull it off.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no understanding of the financial plan and how it is going to be financed, that is usually pretty important,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n White said any development would also have to address contaminated soil on the site, which used to be a swamp.<\/p>\n \u201cWho knows how much this is going to cost?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t see the state government funding this as opposed to fixing up the hospitals or ambulance ramping. If there is no money there, this thing is either doomed to failure or just keeping us busy saying, \u2018Don\u2019t look over here\u2019 at the other problems the council has.\u201d<\/p>\n Music promoters Live Nation, TEG Dainty, Destroy All Lines and Hardware Group participated in the feasibility study.<\/p>\n White said he was worried that Live Nation may be involved in developing the site. The company is behind a Victorian government plan to construct a new venue in Melbourne\u2019s CBD.<\/p>\n \u201cThe worst example will be if a promoter gets the right to develop the site and operate it, as they will only lock in their own bands,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n A spokeswoman for Live Nation declined to comment on whether the promoter was looking at developing the venue or funding it.<\/p>\n \u201cLive Nation has a successful track record in revitalising heritage entertainment venues such as the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, Festival Hall in Melbourne and Anita\u2019s Theatre in Thirroul (NSW) as well as investing in new live music venues in the heart of bustling precincts such as Hindley Street and the Fortitude Valley in Adelaide and Brisbane respectively,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n In the feasibility study, the music promotors identified a venue for 5000 as the sweet spot missing from Melbourne\u2019s music scene.<\/p>\n The study noted promoters\u2019 fears that the music scene in St Kilda had dissipated and that it was \u201cthe wrong side of the river for a younger demographic\u201d.<\/p>\n David Blakely, head of the Fitzroy Street Business Association, said the planned venue could be a game changer for St Kilda.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the previous designs for the St Kilda Triangle.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe site is the Bermuda Triangle of where good ideas go to disappear,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is exciting this time is they have done the feasibility study first, plus it is not as grandiose as the previous proposals, including the initial one which we nicknamed \u2018Chadstone by the Sea\u2019, plus it is achievable.\u201d<\/p>\n A report in 2015 revealed the council had spent $8.7 million on the St Kilda Triangle site since 2004 including $5 million going to a developer to walk away from plans and $1 million on legal costs.<\/p>\n The latest feasibility report has cost council $430,000 and recommends spending another $80,000 for \u201cadditional scope items\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jenni Roper at the St Kilda Triangle site. She wants live music in th area to come back with a vengeance.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Penny Stephens<\/cite><\/p>\n Local resident Jenni Roper said she was relieved to see some action on the site.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope it gets through, it has just taken so long,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a good thing with St Kilda moving forward and we need to move forward. I want the live music to come back with a vengeance.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrew Ryan, owner of nearby live music venue The Prince, also backed the planned music venue at the Triangle site, which he said was \u201can eyesore\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will bring more people to the area and there are ancillary shows that might work for us like secret shows or VIP shows that will be good for The Prince and Espy,\u201d he said. \u201cIt will hopefully bring more people to the pub and to stay in the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n Get the day\u2019s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. 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