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Federation Square
"On the road to disaster and community contempt"
by Anthony van der Craats
East Melbourne

Melbourne proposed Federation Square and the long awaited 
redevelopment of the former Gas and Fuel Buildings site and the 
Jolimont Rail Yards is heading towards disaster following the same 
course as that traveled by the controversial State Museum in the 
Carlton Gardens.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Cr,. Peter McMullin, it what could only be 
seen as a public relations exercise, outlined a process and concept 
for the proposed development.

Although the Council has yet to advocate its vision for this site the 
State Government in an effort to stay off criticism and reinforce a 
perception of public confidence in the project has presented a vague 
vision buzz words such as "A garden, Mutimedia Centre, contemporary 
art gallery" have been muted.

There has been no mention or public discussion on the constraints 
that exist on the site.  The need to protect the existing historic 
volts along the river frontage and its interface with the River

Cr. McMullin to the objection of the public gallery proposed a 
process of Consultation that the Council would undertake.  The 
project will be subject to a "International" competition. The Council 
will after the finalisation of the design brief whilst the brief is 
under consideration by competing architects will undertake what has 
been described as a consultation by market reached "Your City Your 
Say" a survey of public opinion.

It doesn�t matter that the brief for the development would be already 
be in place forming part of the design contract.  What happens then 
to the results of the so called public consultation survey?  It is 
then collated and those results that support the existing proposal 
are published in a glossy public relation brochure promoting public 
confidence in the development.

If genuine public consultation is to have any meaning, as proposed by 
Cr. Rosemary Stott, it must occur before the brief is drafted.  
Before the proposed use and development is finalised. The brief 
should then be subject to Council and public review prior to it being 
subjected to a design competition.

Consultation must be genuine if it is to retain public confidence.  
The City Council which has invested over 50 Million dollars of the 
City funds following the forced sale of our public electricity supply 
should insist in a proper and comprehensive consultation process.

It should hold a public forum to allow the community to express is 
concerns and visions for this site.  The Council and others could 
present their proposed uses for public consideration. The Council in 
determining the final brief can then take into information and views 
expressed.

Anything short of a comprehensive and proper public consultation 
process prior to the drafting of the design brief can only be seen as 
hold the public opinion in contempt.

Anthony van der Craats