Melbourne Council Denies Palace Theatre Demolition Application

Melbourne’s Palace Theatre is safe, for now. A vote by City Of Melbourne councillors on Tuesday denied the demolition application of Palace Theatre owner Jinshan Investments.

According to council minutes, councillors voted five-to-three against the proposed demolition. Individuals such as entertainers Eddie Perfect and Ezekiel Ox, and Paul Roser of National Trust Australia addressed the committee.

The Melbourne Heritage Action group took to Facebook following the council meeting, claiming Lord Mayor Robert Doyle voted in favour of a demolition due to “planning consistency being important” while “other councillors spoke passionately against the development”.

Save The Palace Theatre, a fellow advocacy group, posted on their website, “It’s been a long, arduous journey for us and to see our constant campaigning, lobbying, letter-writing and rallying finally pay off with some results was ridiculously satisfying.”

The Age has previously reported that Jinshan are taking council to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for failing to decide on their application within the required time period.

Since closing the doors of the Palace Theatre earlier this year, Jinshan Investments has defended the demolition of the building’s interior, which was carried out without a proper permit. As a result, an independent heritage consultant had suggested that the building was too damaged to save.

Photos: Interior Damage To The Palace Theatre

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