St Kilda Triangle Masterplan adopted by Port Phillip Council
Port Phillip Council last week said the St Kilda Triangle has reached an exciting milestone following the adoption of a masterplan that will be used as a template for realising the community’s vision for the iconic seaside site.
The masterplan, which sets out the agreed landscape and area available for buildings, follows an extensive co-design process with the community to develop a fundable and deliverable vision for the site, currently being used as a car park.
Mayor Bernadene Voss said the next steps were:
- Preparing a planning scheme amendment to give effect to the masterplan and to ensure any future development proposals comply with it (this will involve community consultation and is subject to the Minister for Planning’s approval); and
- Continuing to hold discussions with the Victorian Government on what projects of State Significance could be a good fit for the site and encouraging the Government to undertake economic feasibility studies and further project management on what is Crown land, managed by Port Phillip.
When the draft masterplan was released for comment late last year, about 70 per cent of people said they loved or liked the proposed vision, which features an as yet undetermined cultural facility, open spaces, underground parking and cafes and restaurants beside the nearby Palais Theatre.
“Our preliminary research tells us that a major cultural facility would be great for St Kilda, Melbourne and Victoria as it would entice visitors, with many wanting to stay overnight,” Cr Voss said.
“If just five per cent of all Melbourne visitors came to the new St Kilda Triangle destination, by 2020 we would expect about 1.6 million people to have enjoyed the attraction, generating $395 million in direct and indirect expenditure per annum and creating 1755 full-time Victorian jobs.
“This is a unique opportunity to develop a fantastic, seaside cultural precinct, just 20 minutes by tram from Melbourne. St Kilda is only second to Melbourne as tourism drawcard and this vision for the Triangle would complement existing ‘must see’ attractions ranging from
the Palais and Luna Park and our beautiful foreshore to a range of dining, entertainment and shopping experiences.”
Council’s masterplan sets the parameters for development and aims to facilitate proposals which creatively meet these parameters, rather than prescribing a specific outcome.
“We will work further with the Victorian Government and private investors on proposals that meet our community’s vision to create a place of global cultural significance, building on St Kilda’s exciting vibe,” Cr Voss said.
“Achieving a masterplan is a huge step forward and Council is grateful to the many community members who took the time to join us on this bold adventure which promotes culture and opens up the Bay for all Victorians.”
Source: News Release, Urbanalyst, 28 March, 2016