Nylex clock could be switched on for Leaps and Bounds music festival

RICHMOND’S famous Nylex clock could be switched on for a music festival as a new video of youths breaking into the structure has emerged.

RICHMOND’S famous Nylex clock could be switched on for a music festival but details of how the icon will be preserved are yet to be finalised.

Yarra Council wants the clock illuminated for July’s Leaps and Bounds festival as a new video of youths breaking into the structure has emerged.

The sign was mysteriously turned on temporarily in January after six years in the dark, while a group called the Nylex Clock Collective later claimed responsibility for the action.

Developer Caydon bought the site and plans to include the clock in a $600 million project, but the silos it sits on will be demolished.

The clock is featured in the Paul Kelly music video for his song, Leaps and Bounds, from which the festival takes its name.

Caydon spokeswoman Georgia Willis said on Thursday although the company won’t have ownership of the site until later this year, it was talking to the council about turning on the sign for the festival.

“Caydon had made a commitment to assist in seeking approval from the current landowner and is speaking to AGL and City Power to gather the necessary information accordingly,” she said.

“Caydon appreciates Yarra Council’s keenness to illuminate the clock for the festival in terms of the attention and publicity it will attract.”

The company plans a mixed development of housing, retail and office space, with the option of opening a microbrewery and museum relating to the site’s former use.

A video of youths using power tools to access the Nylex site has surfaced amid concern over safety and property damage risks.

Ms Willis said the site was secured with padlocks but it seemed that people using bolt cutters and other tools were getting in.

“Unless you have someone manning it 24/7 it’s hard to secure the area,” she said, adding that Caydon did not have control of the site until the sale contract was settled.

Ms Willis said the company was concerned about indemnity involving trespassers given there was an asbestos issue and the need to safeguard heritage structures.

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