Jeff Kennett reveals what he regrets about Federation Square project
Federation Square is a popular meeting place but its design continues to divide public opinion. Now, former premier Jeff Kennett — who was responsible for the project — has revealed what he regrets about the icon.
VIC News
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Federation Square should have been opened up more to the Yarra River, says former premier Jeff Kennett.
Mr Kennett’s government was responsible for the project, whose design has become a hotly disputed topic among Victorians and visitors.
Earlier this year heritage authorities halted plans for an Apple flagship store to be built on the site, while the Andrews Government is reviewing Fed Square’s future.
With last Monday the deadline for submissions, Mr Kennett said he had one big regret about the square’s design by Lab Architecture Studio and Bates Smart.
“The only thing I would have done is open it up more to the river. I think that was a mistake that somehow the river was lost to the design,” he told the Herald Sun.
Mr Kennett said his government accepted the advice of an expert panel on the design, but now wishes that more of the square faced the river like the Zinc event space at ground level.
“It looks out on to the river, it looks over to the boat sheds, it’s greenery, it’s water, it’s everything that’s good about Melbourne,” he said.
“If somehow the top part of (Fed Square) could be opened up or levelled down to the river I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”
Mr Kennett is still angry over the Bracks government’s decision to reduce the height of the “shard” on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets amid concern about blocked views to St Paul’s Cathedral.
“It was political madness and just selfishness,” he said.
But Mr Kennett said the square was a live space and he had no problem with people debating its design.
“If no one has any opinion about it then it’s not a good piece of architecture … nothing is forever, nothing is without review,” he said.
Mr Kennett likes the “earthiness” of the main square’s Western Australian sandstone paving, with Victorian Government Architect Jill Garner also a fan.
“The genius of Fed Square to me is the public place,” said Ms Garner.
“Not everyone will agree with this, but the fact that you can stand in the middle of that place and feel like you’re in the Kimberleys is quite an extraordinary non-Melbourne experience.”
“The rough sandstone, the way it’s got the artwork embedded in it, it’s an artwork to me.”
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In launching the review, Jobs, Innovation and Trade Minister Martin Pakula said it would look at ways to encourage gatherings, provide more public and commercial space and better access to the river.
Civic lobby group Citizens for Melbourne, which campaigned against the Apple store, said the square shouldn’t focus on commercial activity.
“(The government) must support and reinforce community, culture and Fed Square as a public space,” it said.