Inside the CFMEU’s plans for a $12m ‘wellness centre’

The CFMEU has launched a bid to build a $12m six-storey training and wellness centre on a heritage Carlton site, including a rain garden and roof terraces.

An artist's impression of the education building the CFMEU wants to build in Carlton.

The militant Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union wants to spend $12m building a six-storey “training and wellness centre” on a prime Carlton site.

The union has submitted plans to tack four storeys on top of a heritage facade, with five dedicated training areas including one for women and Indigenous members, a multipurpose area and function space.

The plans, lodged with the City of Melbourne, include multiple roof terraces, a “rain garden’’, comms room and “restorative spaces’’.

“The proposed education centre provides spaces that are sympathetic to wellness, mental health and resilience training,’’ the pitch for council approval says.

It also wants to revamp its nearby Elizabeth St headquarters, the scene of an ugly riot in September during which thugs protested mandatory vaccination, marching through city streets and on to the West Gate Bridge.

The plans include a rain garden and several roof terraces.

An artist’s impression of the proposed training and wellness centre.

A planning report submitted to the council on behalf of the CFMEU said the training and wellness centre would provide “healthy environments and unique spaces’’.

“It aims to provide training facilities as well as culturally sensitive spaces dedicated to the CFMEU’s female and Indigenous members,’’ it said.

“Restorative spaces’’ in the building would have dimmable lighting, “natural sounds’’ such as water features, “calming colours, textures and forms’’ and sunny and shaded outdoor areas for “nature incorporation’’.

“To promote calm and ­encourage recharge and refocus, this project will integrate the restorative space/restorative environment for relaxation and restoration,’’ the report said.

The building would replace a two-storey, Victorian era ­office and warehouse block at 27-29 Leicester St.

Part of the building would be demolished but the historic Leicester St facade would be retained, with two storeys of the building reconfigured and new levels added on top.

The education building, 21.3m high, would also include a gym, ground-floor breakfast bar and five outdoor terraces.

The facade of the union’s Victorian headquarters at 540 Elizabeth St would be upgraded and a new canopy added according to the plans.