SAVE THE SOUTH MELBOURNE TOWN HALL AND ENERGISE OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY
An open letter to
Josh Burns MP, ALP Member for Macnamara
Benson Saulo, Liberal candidate for Macnamara
Sonya Semmens, Greens candidate for Macnamara
The Hon Jaclyn Symes MP, Victorian Treasurer
The Hon Colin Brooks MP, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries
Nina Taylor MP, Member for Albert Park
As traders, businesses and business owners based in the South Melbourne precinct, we are writing to you in support of the plans of the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) to restore and renew the South Melbourne Town Hall.
As you would know, the retail, hospitality and business operators in South Melbourne have laboured hard and heroically to regain the ground lost to COVID in the face of many challenges (recently, in the week of 2 February, 26 retail and office spaces were displaying ‘For Lease’ signs).
Not least of these obstacles, the desolate Town Hall – once the centre of community life, closed and padlocked now for more than five years – looms over all as a symbol of failed, unrealised potential.
With our Market, the unique street scapes and historic verandas, our grit and determination, and the rich mix of peoples and cultures, this precinct has the potential to be one of the State’s commercial, retail and residential jewels. A revitalised Town Hall – hosting performances and events, including community events of all shapes and sizes, most nights of the week - will be a compelling driver of increased visitation, day and night. This activity will contribute to a renaissance in the vitality and prosperity of the district, with enhanced precinct amenity underpinned by boosted hospitality and retail.
Port Phillip Council has committed $33m to structural strengthening works in the building, and ANAM has already secured $28.5m toward its renewal project. This represents a unique investment by a not-for-profit organisation in a piece of public infrastructure. Commitments of $12.5m each from the Commonwealth and State governments would unlock a further $13m in private donations raised by ANAM, making this charismatic project a fully funded reality.
We urge you to commit your parties and governments to investing the necessary funds that will rescue our Town Hall and help release the vital potential of South Melbourne.
Yours sincerely,
Clarendon and Coventry Streets Business Association
112 York
7 Eleven South Melbourne
Acoustic/Bass Centre
AG Framing
Akana
Alison Dominy Designs
Annilla Jewellery
APO Arts Academy
Apple Blossoms ELC
Aptus Seafood
Arena South Melbourne
Asian Grocer South Melbourne Market
AUA Premium Gifts
Aura Home P/L
Australian Tapestry Workshop
Azalea
Babe’s Eggs and Honey
Beauty Works
Bellochio
Bellota Wine Bar
Bibby
Bombay Artisans
Burhan’s Espresso
Calm Group
Cameraquip
Cannoleria
Cavalli Gila
Charlie Baillie hair
Chefs Hat
Chevapi Grill
Chic Barber
Clare’s Bears
Clarendon Children’s Centre
Claypot Evening Star
Cloudwine Cellars
Coconut Revolution
Coppersmith Hotel
Coventry Bookstore
Create TBT
Del Cafe
Delinuts
Emerald Deli
Emerald Hill Nursery and Florist
European Wine Store
Evelyn Faye South Melbournre
Factory Sound
Faslini Leather Travel Goods
Fast Eddies
Fine Selection and Alterations
Fisherman Direct
Flinders + Co
Flour Patisserie
Frank’s Quality Fruit And Veg
Frontier Touring
Fruits on Coventry
Gazman South Melbourne
Georgie’s Harvest
Gewurzhaus
Gigi Vintage
GMA Handcrafts Sheepskin
Grace Loves Lace
Greener Corner
Greenvalley Timber
Grill’d South Melbourne
Hagen’s Organics
Hokky Australia
Hotel Clarendon
House of Pianos
Huff Bagelry
JB Market Research Services
Imes Pharmacy
In Full Bloom
Inside The Looking Glass
K-Sein
K&L Fresh Poultry
Kirbie
La Feuille Pharmacy
Le Pont
Leann Lamb Design
Lena Linen
Little Darcy
Little Hof Bar
Look At You Iris Photography
Lost in Seasons
Luna and Soul
Ma Cookie Factory
Made In Japan South Melbourne
Manorhouse Lacanche
Markee Skincare
Martin Allen Antiques
McMahon and Nerlich
Medical Aesthetic
Meetbowl
Melbourne Hemp
Miss Nail Bar
Mister Handsome
Mitchell McCabe Menswear
Mo Sharp
Moses and Co Market Wholefoods
Mr Darcy
My Polish Deli Shop
N Lee Bakery Cafe
Natural Philosophy
Nine Yards
No Loose Ends
Old Paper Shop Deli
Organics South Melbourne Market
OsteoStrong
Paire
Pandolfini Architects
Park Lane Cafe
Patony Pizza
Paul’s Discount Jeanery
Pomegranate
Prince Wine Store
Print2Post
Proper and Son
Red Cross Shop
Red Petite Thai Cafe
Remedy Clothing
Rhythm Unites
Rita’s Coffee and Nuts
Ruby and Sky
Rumble
Saltylicious Bath, Body and Beauty
Sarah Urban
sheBuilt
Siki McMaster
Skinphoria
Small Town Pie Co.
SMM Mobiles
Snap Print Solutions
Sounding Grace
South Melbourne Community Chest
South Melbourne Market Grocer
South Melbourne Market Organics
South Melbourne Market Pet Shop
South Melbourne Op Shop
South Melbourne Optical
South Melbourne Poultry
South Melbourne Seafoods
Spotty Pot
Squeak E. Clean Studios
SSdH St Ali Coffee Roasters
Stanlie
Sweets on South
Swords Select Wine and Beer
T/A Face and Shape
The Albion
The Base Recording Studio
The Fresh Pasta Shop
The Merchant of Fairness Bookshop
The Music Place
The Only
The Railway Hotel
The Super Cool
Turkish Kebabs
UGO Burrata Bar
Under Your Wear
Vangeli’s Deli
Vincent Design
Volume Hair
WB Smith and Co
Windust Architects
Yodgee Footwear
Zarifa’s Collection
Zucci