View of Skipping Girl Vinegar sign in Victoria St, Abbotsford to be protected

VIEWS of the iconic Skipping Girl Vinegar sign will be protected after a VCAT ruling. But has it already become “lost” amid high-rise development?

Iconic Skipping Girl sign has had a win, with VCAT ruling to protect views of the sign. Picture: Sarah Matray

A BID to protect views of the iconic Skipping Girl Vinegar sign has succeeded, but the state planning tribunal nevertheless believes the historic landmark has become “lost” amid high-rise development.

Affectionately known as Little Audrey, the neon sign has been the centre of a planning dispute involving a nine-storey apartment tower proposed for next door.

The National Trust objected, saying that the heritage-listed sign in Victoria St, Abbotsford, was in danger of being sidelined by the building.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne also intervened — he said it was crucial that the sign be protected “for the enjoyment of all Melburnians”.

The original Skipping Girl sign, erected in the 1930s, was the first animated sequence neon sign in Australia.

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The Skipping Girl sign is a Melbourne icon. Picture: Sarah Matray

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It was sold, but a new sign was put up in 1970, and apart from being taken down for repairs it has been there ever since.

In a decision this week, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ordered developer Salta Properties to reduce the size of the building’s podium to protect views of Little Audrey.

“The Skipping Girl is one of Melbourne’s iconic 20th century landmark signs (and) although it is not the original sign on the original building, it nonetheless is recognised by an individual Heritage Overlay,” said tribunal members Jeanette Rickards and John Bennett.

However, Ms Rickards and Mr Bennett noted that during the day the sign was losing its prominence because of high-rise buildings that were appearing in the Victoria Gardens area.

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A building proposed for next door must be shorter to protect views of the sign. Picture: Sarah Matray

There are fears the sign has already become swamped by development. Picture: Sarah Matray

“To a considerable extent, it does not ‘catch the eye’ as in times past, and to an extent has become lost among all the new, mostly taller developments along Victoria and Burnley streets,” they said.

National Trust acting advocacy and conservation manager Anna Foley said that regardless of ongoing development, the VCAT decision was a clear win for Little Audrey.

“Obviously the Victoria Gardens area is undergoing a lot of rapid change and it’s important that Skipping Girl doesn’t get lost in the rush for new apartments,” she said.

“She is one of Melbourne’s landmarks and people travelling down Victoria St want to keep seeing Little Audrey skipping in the night sky.”

Salta’s development will include 100 units, and offices at ground level.

Twitter:@JMasanauskas