The Peoples Square

Standing stridently opposed to this plan is the Citizens For Melbourne Association who have been running the Our City, Our Square campaign against the Apple proposal. After long series of events, online activism, media engagement, political advocacy and petitioning, the time had come for a very visible and very public protest to send a message to State politicians preparing for the upcoming election.

Selfies in support of Federation Square

As the crowd gathered, it was obvious how much Federation Square means to the people of Melbourne and how concerned they are about the proposed demolition of the Yarra Building.

The first speaker of the evening was Citizens For Melbourne President Tania Davidge.  Davidge spoke passionately about the importance of Federation Square and public spaces, which are made great not just by the buildings, but by the people who use them. The crowd definitely agreed with her that an Apple flagship store is not needed to put Melbourne on the international map. She spoke about the importance of the square’s civic and cultural charter, suggesting that it should be strengthened and combined with a master plan for the site.

Whilst there were a variety of politicians (and candidates) present at the rally, it was difficult for many who were required to be sitting either in the Victorian or Federal Parliaments. Senator Derryn Hinch was one such politician, who graciously provided a statement to be read to the crowd.

Statement from Derryn Hinch, Senator Parliament of Australia

Years and years ago – before I jumped the shark and became a politician – I actually wrote a rare letter of praise to a politician. I congratulated the then-Premier, Jeff Kennett, for having the guts and vision to tear down the ugly old Gas & Fuel towers and create Federation Square.

Yesterday, I found something I had written 15 years ago. It said: “Hinch is enamoured with the metal and glass umbrella called Federation Square which has transformed the Flinders Street Station end of town. The artistry is not only in the architecture or inside the Sir Ian Potter Gallery. There is also artistry for foodies and wine lovers in nooks and crannies throughout the complex.”

I never dreamed that the Andrews Government would willingly vandalise such a place by making a shabby, short-sighted, deal with Apple that virtually says a precious, rare, public space is up for sale.

I applaud the Our City, Our Square campaign and I’m sorry I am only there with you in spirit today.

Next to the podium was Simon Ambrose, Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).  Ambrose spoke about the meaning and the importance of heritage.  Heritage is not just about age, it’s about the significance and value of a space.  We need to think about the culture we pass on to future generations.

Simon Ambrose, CEO of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) addresses the crowd

Colleen Peterson is the CEO of Ratio Consultants and an expert in town planning.  In a very fair and balanced talk, Peterson talked about the fact that there can be good reasons to remove public space, citing the loss of parkland in Royal Park required for the current Royal Children’s Hospital.  These cases, however, require careful consideration and analysis of all of the benefits.  For the proposed Apple store, it appears that such an analysis has been undertaken, and the documentation is not there to allow the proper scrutiny.  According to Peterson, good planning decisions are transparent, and that’s not what we’re seeing with the Apple Store proposal.

Final speaker for the evening was CR Rohan Leppert from the City of Melbourne. Leppert commented that as an elected official, he knows that the threat of losing a seat is a huge motivator, and asked the assembled crowd to speak to their representatives, particularly at state level.

The City of Melbourne is opposed to the current proposal, and CR Leppert stated that the latest documentation provided to them was insufficient to even make an assessment on. compounding this situation was the redacted sections that claimed “commercial in confidence” which pertained to logos and signage. Importantly it is this signage is a significant reason why the Apple Store is inappropriate in the square.

Particularly poignant in Leppert’s speech was the mention of the first peoples Tanderrum ceremony, a traditional meeting of the five clans of the Kulin nation that hadn’t happened for 150 years but has recently restarted in Federation Square as an annual event. Clearly these significant cultural celebrations deserve a respectful civic location as backdrop, rather than a phone shop .

Rally MC, Brett De Hoedt from Citizens for Melbourne

It is estimated over 200 people turned up to register their anger at the Apple Store proposal. Speaking to some of those present, their concerns ranged from the demolition of the Yarra building, the commercialization of our civic space, to the dreadful process that excluded the key stakeholder, Melbourne’s citizens, from the process.

Architecture is for everyone

Michael Smith is a member of the Citizens For Melbourne

To follow the Our City Our Square Campaign click here