Featured Image: Edward Cisneros on Unsplash
Melbourne’s Port Phillip Council is considering a new 5,000 standing capacity live music venue as part of the St Kilda Triangle.
The Council proposal will be discussed at the September 6 Council Meeting, with the Council recently declaring the area of St Kilda as the Australian state of Victoria’s first Live Music Precinct. Port Phillip is just south of Melbourne’s city centre.
Mayor Heather Cunsolo said the site, which is located near the Palais Theatre and Luna Park, was ideally situated to fill the gap in Melbourne for a purpose-built indoor live music venue for up to 5,000 guests.
The design, which has not yet been finalised, will also allow for adjustments for smaller events.
Mayor Cunsolo said: “We’ve spoken to music industry experts from venues and promoters to performers to gauge the feasibility of this creative concept and they say it would help address a critical shortage of medium-large live music spaces. We now need to hear what our community thinks before deciding whether to progress this plan for the Triangle to play an even bigger role in St Kilda’s live music scene.
“This concept is also about providing beautiful, well-designed outdoor space for locals and visitors which complements the much-loved ‘slopes’ and provides a pedestrian connection to the foreshore.”
The designs also feature mostly standing capacity with a focus on dancing, and state-of-the-art acoustics. A series of elevated terraces, balconies and rooftops will offer a scenic view, with sightlines still respected.
Should a decision be made on September 6 to take the concept out to community consultation, this will be undertaken from September 7 until October 19. A report from this consultation would then go to the Council later in the year to help decide the next steps.
The potential new live music/performance venue would need buy-in from the Victorian Government, with the Council engaging with key government agencies on the idea.
Matt Gudinski, chief executive of Mushroom Group, an Australian music and entertainment collective, said: “It was such a shame to lose The Palace, a Melbourne live music institution for so many years. The concept of building a new purpose-built venue at the site has long been discussed and would be great news for St Kilda and our entire local music scene. We have a thriving community of homegrown artists and amazing venues across our state. To ensure our local scene remains as strong as ever we need to be constantly developing quality, new venues for Victoria to retain its status as the live music capital of Australia.”
Fitzroy Street Business Association president David Blakeley added: “The Fitzroy Street Business Association and Acland Street Village Business Association welcome Port Phillip Council’s investigation into a much-needed live music venue for the St Kilda Triangle. We believe what’s being proposed would drive local trade while improving social amenity.
“This venue would also strengthen St Kilda’s long lasting live music connection. Locals deserve a Triangle that acknowledges the entertainment history of the site while looking forward to a new future.”
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