Council’s bold bid to open $15m library in Federation Square
One of Melbourne’s most-recognised landmark, Federation Square, is an iconic meeting place for some but an eyesore for others. Now, Melbourne City Council has an audacious plan to revive the CBD site.
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Federation Square would be revived with a hi-tech library and more key events under a bold plan by the City of Melbourne to take control of the CBD icon.
The council says it can make the square more people-friendly and efficient after plans for the controversial Apple flagship store were rejected by heritage authorities.
The state government owns the square, but it is independently managed and last year posted an $8 million operating loss.
If it took over, the council would build a new $15 million City Library in the space to replace the existing one in Flinders Lane.
Another $7 million would go into expanding the Koori Heritage Trust centre in the Yarra Building and give more people access to Aboriginal history and cultural stories.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the changes would lure hundreds of thousands of visitors to the iconic space.
“Making Fed Square the home of Melbourne’s most popular lending library would provide Melburnians with free access to event spaces, creative technologies and world-class resources,” she said.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a new benchmark for Australian libraries and celebrate our city’s indigenous history.”
The library would be located in the Alfred Deakin Building, but would also be integrated with other square spaces.
The council also wants to link the Hosier Lane street art precinct with the square’s Ian Potter Gallery via a pedestrian crossing on Flinders St.
Cr Capp said the council’s track record of hosting major events like Moomba and Melbourne Fashion Week would be used to stage key attractions.
“We have the talent and experience to bring Melburnians back to Fed Square,” she said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said the square needed to become a genuine community meeting place.
“Melburnians want this iconic site to be about people, civic and cultural engagement, and for it to be a true ‘people’s square’,” he said.
“The City of Melbourne can work with the government, businesses, residents and visitors to our amazing city to make Federation Square the place it was always meant to be.”
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said: “The government is considering the future use of Federation Square, including representations made by the City of Melbourne, and we will arrive at a decision in due course.”
Under its proposal, the council would manage the site, including tenancies, maintenance and activation, and achieve efficiencies through its existing contracts and systems.
Apple cancelled its project last April after Heritage Victoria rejected the square’s application to demolish the Yarra Building.
The square is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra welcomed the council’s plan, saying it would boost the city economy.
“It will add a further reason for locals and tourists to visit Melbourne’s centre, as well as adding to our arts and culture credentials,” he said.
State Library CEO Kate Torney said the City Library was Melbourne’s most popular lending library.
“This move would allow this much loved library to respond to the rapidly changing needs of the community it serves and further enhance Melbourne’s status as a city of literature,” she said.
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