Master plan on menu for iconic Chinatown

Opposition from existing eateries to a proposed open-air restaurant has prompted Melbourne City Council to consider a master plan to foster the iconic Chinatown precinct.

A plan to ensure Chinatown remains a thriving CBD precinct will be considered by Melbourne City Council.

Councillors will look at ways to enhance public open space and make other ­improvements to the iconic commercial and cultural area.

Planning portfolio chairman Cr Nicholas Reece suggested the idea of a Chinatown master plan while a council meeting recently weighed a controversial proposal for an open-air restaurant in the precinct.

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Several local restaurants, such as Flower Drum and Shark Fin House, opposed the plan for a disused carpark in Lt Bourke St, claiming the venue will be noisy and potentially have problems with drunk ­patrons.

But councillors voted narrowly to approve the application by operator Captain Obvious, which also runs nearby venue Section 8.

Cr Reece told the Herald Sun that the debate showed the passion for Chinatown.

“If we want to see Chinatown continue to thrive … then we need to get a better framework in place to guide decisions,” he said.

“If we want to see Chinatown continue to thrive, while also managing a city that is growing and changing, then we need to get a better framework in place to guide decisions around the precinct,” he said.

“A Chinatown Plan could help identify and guide the prioritisation of new projects, improvements in public open space, footpath and street furniture upgrades and other distinctive features of the area such as the Chinese arches and lanterns.”

Councillor Kevin Louey says planning overlays already apply to Chinatown.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said Chinatown was very significant as the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the Western world.

“We want to see Chinatown’s unique character and culture thrive, and continue to see large numbers of Melburnians and visitors enjoy its wide array of delicious restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and attractions,” she said.

“As a council, one of the main areas we are able to influence in Chinatown is public spaces. We could seek feedback on how these spaces could be improved from people and organisations like the Chinatown Precinct Association, which has a long understanding and interest in the success of the area.”

Cr Kevin Louey, who has a Chinese background and deep links to the precinct, said he would seek more information about the plan.

Cr Louey said there were already planning overlays over the precinct, and it benefited from capital improvements in the council’s budget such as more than $100,000 for new lanterns.

“I just need to know a bit more about how it’s going to look,” he said.

Cr Philip Le Liu said he looked forward to discussing a plan to enhance Chinatown’s special character.

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