Susie O’Brien: Welcome to Apple Square, Victoria’s latest sellout

IS Federation Square going to be renamed Apple Square? It may as well be, given this tax-dodging multinational company has been given the right to occupy a prominent position in this public site, writes Susie O’Brien.

Apple plans to build a new flagship store in Melbourne's Federation Square by 2020.

IS Federation Square going to be renamed Apple Square?

It may as well be, given that this tax-dodging multinational has been given the right to occupy a prominent position in the middle of this valuable public site.

Premier Daniel Andrews has sold out the people of Victoria once again, announcing plans to demolish a well-used public building so a private company can occupy a prime slice of Melbourne real estate.

APPLE STORE SET FOR FEDERATION SQUARE

I don’t care that Apple is going to pay for the erection of their new mega store overlooking the Yarra — it still shouldn’t be located in the middle of such a valued public amenity.

I am an avid Apple user and I still don’t care that it’s a “flagship store” and the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

The proposed Apple building is an ugly, hulking presence, says Susie O’Brien. Picture: Supplied

The Apple store is a further erosion of Melbourne’s public space.

The proposed building is ugly and its status as a private corporate-owned utility makes it totally inappropriate.

Tourism Minister John Eren is wrong to say the building comes at no cost to the taxpayer.

The cost is the loss of public amenity and the further erosion of public space to private corporations.

Why should a company that pays so little tax be granted such an opportunity?

Apple paid just $85 million in Australian tax last year — a tiny proportion of its $8 billion local revenue.

The Yarra Building will be demolished to make way for the Apple store.

The existing Yarra Building is part of the original design for the square and should be retained.

It’s widely used for markets, public events and conventions.

The proposed Apple building also dominates the riverside of the main square and is an oppressive presence hulking over the main area.

While debate still rages over the appearance of Federation Square, there can be no question about the way it’s been embraced by the people of Victoria.

It is most definitely the heart of the city, and just about every week thousands flock there to watch sporting events, hold protests, watch fireworks, film screenings and attend festivals and markets.

For this reason, it’s completely inappropriate for a foreign-owned multinational company who pays just about no tax in this country to be given such a prominent position next to the main square.

@susieob