Thursday, 2 May 2019

Northern Metropolitan Region

In reply to Dr RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (6 March 2019)

Mr WYNNE (Richmond—Minister for Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Planning):

Heritage Victoria is responsible for determination of permit applications for State listed heritage places included on the Victorian Heritage Register under the Heritage Act 2017.

Although Federation Square is not currently included on the Victorian Heritage Register, an Interim Protection Order was issued in 2018 which allows for a permit application to be lodged with Heritage Victoria before a decision is made on its heritage registration by the Heritage Council of Victoria.

A permit has already been issued for Federation Square under the Interim Protection Order allowing for the demolition of the Melbourne Information Centre as part of works for the Melbourne Metro project.

A permit application for the demolition of the Yarra Building and construction of an Apple Flagship Store was advertised between 30 January 2019 and 13 February 2019.

The Heritage Act 2017 requires the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria to consider various matters in determining a permit application including the extent that the application, if approved, would affect the cultural heritage significance of the place; the extent that refusal would affect the reasonable or economic use of the place; and any submissions received in response to public notice of the permit application.

It is understood that a determination on the permit application by Heritage Victoria is expected in mid-2019.

Questions regarding the suitability of an Apple Flagship Store at Federation Square should be directed to the Minister for Tourism.