Economic recovery from COVID-19, small business, events, hospitality

South Melbourne Town Hall redevelopment

Published 21 February 2022

A hugely significant redevelopment project to breathe new life into the building.

The contents of this page have been archived. This represents Council’s advocacy position prior to the 2022 State and Federal elections.

For updated information on any of these projects, please contact Council.

The Town Hall has served, inspired and brought together the community for one hundred and forty years, and helped shaped the identity of the area and beyond.

What is the ask?

Council requests that the Victorian Government or Australian partner on South Melbourne Townhall Redevelopment to co-fund project.

What is the issue that this initiative will address?

The South Melbourne Town Hall has reached the end of its lifespan, with significant damage, and requires a revamp.

This current disrepair of the building has a significant impact on the local economy, including the major nearby retail strip. The significance of the closure is heightened by the building’s position and role within the creative industries hub of this part of Melbourne

What is Council proposing?

The South Melbourne Town Hall (at 208-220 Bank Street, South Melbourne) is an extraordinary and spectacular heritage place. It is indisputably one of Victoria’s grandest town halls, and arguably the most handsome.

The project, NEXT 140, is a hugely significant redevelopment project to breathe new life into the building. The project will provide a major refurbish and upgrade of the building; make its spectacular spaces more accessible, adaptable and accommodating; boost visitation; strengthen its role as a first-class space for community gatherings and events; and strengthen and sustain the relationships between the community and its heritage.

The project will:

majorly refurbish and upgrade the building
make its spectacular spaces more accessible, adaptable and accommodating
boost visitation
strengthen its role as a first-class space for community gatherings and events
strengthen and sustain the relationships between the community and its heritage.

How does initiative align with the Council Plan and Government priorities?

Council

The Council Plan 2021-31: Vibrant Port Phillip - A City that has a flourishing economy, where our community and local businesses thrive, and we maintain and enhance our reputation as one of Melbourne’s cultural and creative hubs.

We will provide an upgraded and reopened South Melbourne Town Hall by 2023/24

City of Port Phillip Council Plan 2021-31: Liveable Port Phillip A City that is a great place to live, where our community has access to high quality public spaces, development and growth are well-managed, and it is safer and easy to connect and travel within.

We will advocate for the best possible public space outcomes that support community health and wellbeing, through infrastructure projects undertaken in our City by other levels of government and stakeholders

Victorian Government

The architectural, historical and social significance of the Town Hall to the State of Victoria is well acknowledged, including by its registration on the Victorian Heritage Register (H0217). It has served, inspired and brought together the community for one hundred and forty years, and helped shaped the identity of the area and beyond.

Australian Government

NEXT 140 will cement and celebrate the Town Hall as an outstanding asset of urban cultural infrastructure and the arts.

How does the initiative assist the community to recover from COVID-19?

The South Melbourne Town Hall typically receives approximately 25,000 visitors each year, including over 180 events. It is currently closed, due to COVID-19 restrictions, and structural condition risks.

This has a significant impact on the local economy, including the major nearby retail strip. The significance of the closure is heightened by the building’s position and role within the creative industries hub of this part of Melbourne.

The project will ready the building for a much-awaited re-opening and enable events to be once again held at the venue, re-triggering economic and cultural activity. Most powerfully, as a social hub, it will help the community to re-connect and re-build post COVID.

Once fully implemented, the project will allow the facility to be used more productively – increasing economic opportunities.

The work will immediately stimulate the local construction (and associated) industry, and as a high-profile project, provide much needed confidence to the local economy.