Veteran art hangs in limbo

Both sides and all levels of government continue to dance around the subject of a potential arts and community space for the veteran community at 310 St Kilda Rd, Southbank.

The Australian National Veterans Art Museum (ANVAM) continues to wait for information from both the state and federal governments as to whether either will commit to taking ownership of the site.

The former repatriation clinic at Victoria Barracks, which is currently under the control of the Department of Defence, has been vacant since 1995. ANVAM has long proposed to become trustee of the site for the purpose of establishing an art gallery, studio and community space for veterans.

As previously reported in Southbank Local News, Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas formally wrote to Defence in February last year expressing the state government’s interest in purchasing the site.

Southbank Local News understands that the state government had until August 1 this year to formally respond to Defence to confirm whether or not it would purchase the site.

However, a spokesperson for Mr Pallas didn’t comment on the deadline, nor on the state government’s intentions when questioned.

“The Victorian Government occasionally looks at strategic opportunities to acquire available sites. However, any comment on discussions with the Department of Defence at this point would be premature,” the spokesperson said.

In a potential sign of hope, a spokesperson for the Department of Defence said it was still working on a deal with the state government.

“Defence continues to work with representatives from the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance assisting the Victorian Government in developing an offer to purchase 310 St Kilda Rd,” the spokesperson said.

“Defence will retain responsibility for the property until a divestment approach is finalised.”

While Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten has previously stated that, should his party win government, it would support ANVAM’s proposal for the site, the state government seems less willing to commit to the proposal.

Minister for Creative Industries and Member for Albert Park Martin Foley said in May that he believed “the ball was in the federal government’s court” to present a business case to his government.

This is despite ANVAM director Mark Johnston arguing that his organisation had conducted a business case for Creative Victoria at the request of the state government in 2016.

Liberal candidate for Albert Park Andrew Bond said the issue “wasn’t a priority” heading into November’s state election.

The 2013 Melbourne Arts Precinct architectural framework, conducted by Peter Elliott Architecture + Urban Design, perhaps goes some way to explaining the state government’s hesitation to commit.

While the previous Liberal state government sat on the Arts Precinct Working Group at the time this framework was commissioned, it earmarked a potential boutique hotel for 310 St Kilda Rd.

Mr Elliott told Southbank Local News that this was just one of a number of ideas tested against various potential sites.

“The economic and property development advice came from other consultants. We then tested their ideas against the various potential sites,” he said.

“The Barracks is still occupied by the Department of Defence, so nothing can happen there while they remain. Many of the ideas were blue sky thinking to encourage creative outcomes for the precinct.”

While this suggestion didn’t appear in the 2014 Melbourne Arts Precinct Blueprint, it does include 310 St Kilda Rd as part of Victoria Barracks site as a place of “urban renewal opportunity.”

The property has also been nominated to the Victorian Heritage Register, however a spokesperson for Heritage Victoria confirmed that it couldn’t be considered by the Heritage Council until it moved out of Commonwealth ownership.