Question marks hang over the future of Victoria Barracks

Uncertainty continues to surround the future of Victoria Barracks in Southbank following an industry briefing by the Department of Defence’s Security and Estate Group in November. 

As part of a briefing into Defence’s Estate Capital and Sustainment Works Program on November 28, strategic planning and funding updates into the department’s $37.8 billion national property portfolio were provided. 

Proposed investments into property assets that remain of strategic importance to Defence were detailed in a state-by-state breakdown, including $31 million for Victoria Barracks in Sydney. 

However, while funding is proposed for the Puckapunyal Military Area near Seymour and Simpson Barracks in Yallambie, Victoria Barracks here in Melbourne was curiously not mentioned. 

In August last year, Defence announced that it was reviewing its entire estate portfolio as part of an independent audit which would include the 5.7-hectare military site on St Kilda Rd. 

The federal government told Southbank News last year that the review would “consider a range of matters to ensure the Defence estate meets operational and capability requirements, now and in the future”.

“In particular, the audit will examine whether the estate reflects contemporary needs in light of the government’s decision to prioritise investment in Australia’s northern network of bases, ports and barracks, in response to the Defence Strategic Review,” the government said.

The Victoria Barracks is a prominent landmark, sitting opposite the Shrine of Remembrance and the Domain Parklands.

Now of great historical significance, the Barracks were built between 1856 and 1872 to house the colonial government’s soldiers and officers. During World War II the imposing bluestone building became the headquarters of the Australian War Cabinet.

Today, the site is used as the Department of Defence administrative centre.

The audit has prompted community members’ fears over the site’s potential loss of heritage they say cannot be quantified or replaced once divested and possibly redeveloped into housing if the government found it to be surplus to its requirements.

Asked whether he was concerned by the omission of Melbourne’s Victoria Barracks from the November 28 briefing, federal MP for Macnamara Josh Burns said that government was still considering the recommendations of the audit. 

“Victoria Barracks is more than just an administrative centre for our defence force, it holds significant historical and cultural heritage,” Mr Burns said. 

“The site is important for our veteran community, but also represents the broader shared story of our community.”

“The government is still considering the recommendations of the Defence Estate Audit, but I personally know the community is keen to ensure maximum benefit and heritage protection so that the site can be enjoyed into the future.” 

Liberal candidate for Macnamara Benson Saulo said “it was important for the federal government to be forthcoming about its intentions for Victoria Barracks” adding that it was a “vital historical and cultural anchor into who we are as a nation”. 

As previously reported by Southbank News, the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM), a not-for-profit community charity based in Southbank dedicated to the support and rehabilitation of veterans through the arts, has long sought to become trustee of the disused building at 310 St Kilda Rd (located within the Victoria Barracks footprint).

ANVAM chairman Mark Johnston said he was concerned by the lack of information forthcoming from the government’s audit in relation to Victoria Barracks as the group continues to push Defence for answers regarding the precinct’s future. •