‘Dream factory’ ABC site in Elsternwick put up for sale

THE ABC ‘dream factory’ site in Elsternwick has been put up for sale, despite a recent report citing its heritage value and a fierce campaign to save it led by Molly Meldrum – and the deal could net Aunty an eye-watering sum.

THE historic ABC “dream factory” site in Elsternwick has been put on the market, despite a recent report citing its heritage value and a fierce campaign to secure the property for community use.

An independent heritage assessment this month found the huge inner city site at 8 Gordon St, where Countdown, Kath and Kim and SeaChange were filmed, had cultural heritage value at all levels.

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Glen Eira Council also wrote to the Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield last week, asking him to urgently step in and gift the site to the community for cheap housing and public space.

They’ve also called on the state government to grant an interim heritage overlay on the land.

But Savills Australia announced the 11,740sq m site up for grabs on Monday — just days after the council plea.

A swathe of high profile musicians and comedians called for the studios to be saved and listed for heritage protection. Backers included, from left, Brian Nankervis, Brendan Luno, Cr Mary Delahunty, David Hobson, Russell Fletcher, Jo Stanley and Darren McFarlane. Picture: Josie Hayden

On Wednesday, the council unanimously moved a last-minute motion calling for information on compulsory aquisition options and ask Federal Environment Minister Melissa Price to investigate whether the ABC had breached its requirements.

The ABC’s own heritage strategy states the broadcaster “must take all responsible action to secure ongoing protection of the Commonwealth Heritage values” prior to disposing of property.

Councillor Mary Delahunty said the broadcaster had completely ignored their obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, and the fight was far from over.

“This type of blantant regard for the public interest cannot be tolerated,” Cr Delahunty said.

“I won’t let a carte blanche development on that site and you can pull me out of the chamber screaming but I won’t let it happen.”

Cr Joel Silver called both the Federal and State Governments “pricks” for not stepping in to prevent the sale.

“What is wrong with these pricks?” Cr Silver said.

“It’s an impending sale and we’re going to see the destruction of a great heritage icon if nothing is done.”

Cr Dan Sztrajt said the ABC had “dropped everything to race to an estate agent for a cash grab”.

“The reason they’re doing it is they’re petrified that the government will wake up to the fact they’ve failed to meet their obligations,” he said.

The sale could fetch $40 million for the national broadcaster, which moved staff to its Southbank headquarters last year.

The Leader teamed up with Molly Meldrum and other celebrities in April to save the historic building, but the Federal Government and ABC have refused numerous requests for comment ever since.

The Gordon St site is zoned for residential growth, and could be developed up to 12 storeys under discretionary height limits recently approved.

Woolworths snapped up another ABC site in Elsternwick for $45 million last year, and has recently come under fire for its proposal for a 12-storey commercial and residential precinct.

Savills Australia’s Clinton Baxter, Jesse Radisich and Nick Peden have been appointed to market the property, and said they expected interest from a cross section of the market covering “the full range of developers”.

Meldrum told the Leader the site was irreplaceable.

“The way the staff and engineers and cameramen worked together as a team, they built an iconic place,” he said.

“You just close your eyes in that foyer and think, my god, the memories.

“It’s sad enough that it’s shut but if it’s pulled down, it’s gone for good. That sort of thing can’t ever be replaced.”

Daryl Braithwaite, Brian Nankervis, Jo Stanley, David Hobson and many others have also thrown their weight behind the Leader campaign, imploring the Federal Government to gift all or part of Studio 31 to the community and have it listed for heritage protection.