Lord mayoral candidate Arron Wood reveals plans for Intercultural Museum near Queen Victoria Market

Lord mayoral candidate Arron Wood has revealed his plan for a “world-class” museum to celebrate Melbourne’s multiculturalism, saying the proposal is more timely than ever as people “seek division”.

A render of the Intercultural Museum near the Queen Victoria Market. Picture: Searle x Waldron Architecture

A new “world-class” museum celebrating Melbourne’s multiculturalism would be built near the Queen Victoria Market under a plan by lord mayoral candidate Arron Wood.

Mr Wood and his running mate Erin Deering on Wednesday committed $15m to help build the Intercultural Museum to showcase the “stories, heritage and contributions” of the city’s many multicultural communities, if they are elected later this month.

“I think at a time when people are trying to divide us, when people are seeking division, this museum … really says we are proudly multicultural, that Melbourne has been built on the back of migrants and that we will never be divided in this city,” Mr Wood said.

“We are one here in Melbourne.”

He added: “The Intercultural Museum will be a true reflection of who we are as Melburnians.”

The Intercultural Museum would feature a range of interactive exhibitions, educational programs and events. Picture: Searle x Waldron Architecture

As the race for the city’s top job enters its final weeks, Mr Wood and Ms Deering have committed to the interactive museum – spanning 10,000sq m – being located at the council-owned Queens Corner Building near the Queen Victoria Market.

Under their plan, the City of Melbourne would contribute $15m to the construction of the museum, with further contributions expected from state and federal governments, as well as philanthropic sources.

But they said the museum is estimated to generate approximately $55m per year in local revenue, job creation, tourism and additional visitation to the market.

“This museum will be more than just a cultural hub,” Ms Deering said.

“It will be an economic driver, supporting local businesses and helping to revitalise our city as we continue to recover and grow.

“The museum will feature a range of interactive exhibitions, educational programs and events designed to engage people of all ages and backgrounds.”

The City of Melbourne would contribute $15m to the construction of the museum. Picture: Searle x Waldron Architecture

The museum would join several other cultural institutions across Melbourne, including the Immigration Museum, Hellenic Museum and Museum of Chinese Australian History.

The Queens Corner Building is yet to be built, but forms part of the $1.7bn plan to transform the Queen Victoria Market with the “Gurrowa Place” project.

In March, development giant Lendlease was given the green light by the state government to revamp the southern site of the historic 146-year-old precinct.

Arron Wood and Erin Deering. Picture: Kit Edwards

A 28-storey office building, 560 build-to-rent apartments, an 1100-unit student tower, a 220-space underground carpark and 1.8ha public park called Market Square form part of the plan.

The project, which could be completed by 2028, is a partnership between the council, Lendlease and student accommodation giant Scape.

However, the massive redevelopment is currently subject to a federal heritage review.

Two weeks ago, Lord Mayor Nick Reece announced he would, if elected, freeze lease and licence costs for small Queen Victoria Market businesses and review on-street parking restrictions to encourage more customers to visit the market.