Apple store has no place in the people’s square
THE state government must realise Fed Square belongs to Melburnians, not multinationals, writes James Lesh and Tania Davidge.
Opinion
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FEDERATION Square CEO Jonathan Tribe told us in these pages that the square faces significant challenges. Apparently, its buildings are deteriorating, its visitor numbers are in free fall and its visitor experience is old-fashioned.
You’d have to forgive Victorians for not noticing. About 10 million visitors per year — about two million visitors more than the Sydney Opera House — sounds like a healthy figure.
Since we launched the Our City, Our Square campaign last week, we’ve heard from so many Victorians about how Fed Square is one of their favourite places in Melbourne.
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A place for meeting friends or colleagues. For catching a festival and watching sport on the big screen. A place where Apple does not belong.
Along with the Andrews Government, Tribe would have us believe that an Apple store is the only way forward. He says Fed Square needs more income.
What Tribe doesn’t tell us is that Fed Square is actually cashflow positive. It brings in more revenue than it spends.
Victorians don’t need Apple to fund Fed Square. We just need to rethink how Fed Square is funded.
Fed Square’s “mortgage” on land and buildings means taxpayers end up covering its losses: $5.8 million last year. This might sound like a lot, but that’s small change for government. It’s the coins rattling around in your pocket. Compare that with the $57 million per year it spends on the Grand Prix. The state surplus is $8.3 billion.
For Tribe, the appeal of Apple isn’t just revenue. He tells us that Apple is “best in class”, that it’s exceptional.
But what if you quite like Samsung? Or Google? Or Sony? Or Microsoft? Or Amazon? Or some other innovative and creative technology business? Apple may be a leading tech firm, but there’s a big field to choose from. Why the special treatment?
Tribe tells us that Apple will offer a variety of free programs.
But Fed Square already has free activities. With its line-up of hundreds of community events, the big screen, ACMI, the Koorie Heritage Trust and the NGV’s Ian Potter Centre.
And all without the expectation that we buy anything. Except maybe a ticket, or a beer or a meal afterwards.
But everything changes if Fed Square and the Andrews Government allow Apple to build its flagship store in Fed Square.
What if Apple doesn’t like what you’re doing outside its store? Maybe you’re wearing a T-shirt that says, “No corporate tax evasion”? What if Grand Final, News Year’s Eve or White Night crowds block its entrance? Will its security guards move you on?
Let’s not get caught up in the marketing hype. This Apple store is just an expensive retail outlet. It will dominate Fed Square.
Want to take a design workshop? Here’s the latest $3000 Mac. Create a game? Check out the $2000 MacBook. Want to explore your city? There’s a $1000 iPhone and an App for that.
The store will be conveniently located in Apple’s very own iSquare: Fed Square by Apple.
Tribe is wrong to tell us an Apple store “fits perfectly” with the civic and cultural objectives of the Fed Square charter. Ultimately, Apple’s activities are focused on selling products and services and, above all, corporate branding.
Every event that takes place in Fed Square will become a photo op for Apple.
“Our new home” is how Apple’s Angela Ahrendts describes Fed Square.
As one of the world’s biggest and most profitable companies, Apple also doesn’t need government or Fed Square to help it secure a site for its store.
Apple has no place in Fed Square: our public square. It should go somewhere else in the Melbourne CBD. On Collins St or Bourke St, an Apple store would equally bolster innovation among Melbourne businesses and boutiques.
That’s where an Apple store belongs, closer to workers, designers, students and shoppers.
We don’t need Apple to “fix” Fed Square. The creation of a “new age arts and technology hub” doesn’t need to be outsourced to Apple.
Let’s have Melbourne’s own global innovators and creators, along with everyday Victorians, lead change at Fed Square. Not Apple, the square’s management and politicians.
Fed Square is great. We don’t need Apple to tell us that. We already know it.
Tania Davidge and James Lesh are from Citizens for Melbourne.
Visit OurCityOurSquare.org.
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