City in crisis - Melbournes new State Museum as mistake putting at risk our
heritage, Our Gardens and long term interests

Victoria's Capital City, the States centre of Art, Culture and commerce is in
crises.

Melbourne's economic decline, aided and abetted by State Government and the
impedance of the City of Melbourne, continues at an alarming rate.  At a time
when we need clear strategic goals and positive action our Community leaders
continue to burry their heads in sand and walk away rather then address the
situation. Melbourne retail activity already suffering from lure and expansion
of major regional shopping centres now faces, potentially greater blow,
another nail in its waiting coffin.  The recent decision to extend trading
hours along with the continual removal of major cultural and administrative
activity from the City Centre will severely impact on Melbourne which will be
left standing not as a centre of excellence, the focus of cultural activity,
the arts, entertainment and heritage but as a City devoid of soul and
character servant to the interests and domination of the new Casino culture.

Melbourne new Casino with over 20 cinemas and theatres and major retailing
space will result in a dramatic shift of economic activity.  The Bourke Street
entertainment precinct, already suffering from the expansion of suburban
cinema complex, will be unable to remain viable or compete with the new
facilities provided to lure customers to the new City Casino complex. The
concentration of economic activity and wealth centred on Melbourne's new
Gateway "The Crown Casino" and its resulting power and influence will be like
no other seen in Victoria.  Melbourne must address and come to terms with the
need to implement strategic planning.

Where is the commitment to our City, what is the vision for the future.  The
'Kennett'  State Government having been in office for over four years has
failed to generate real confidence in the future of our City.  With an large
number of vacant development sites now existing within the heart of the City,
each site having a proposed planned hotel, none of which in spite the State
Government  reassurance and propaganda have proceeded beyond the concept
stage.  Do we really believe that Melbourne needs and can support 24 more 5
star hotel complexes?

The State Government is contributing further to the City's planning crises by
failing to strategically allocate community resources where they will benefit
Melbourne the most.  Instead of centrally locating major civic buildings and
institutions within the heart of the city on one of the many vacant bomb sites
the Government continues to add to the city's decline by using valuable park
land as cheap development sites. Destroying further the heart, soul and
character of our City once renowned as the 'Garden State'.  The proposal to
relocate the State Museum to the Carlton Gardens on the outskirts of the City
is one example that clearly demonstrates the need for strategic planning and
development.  The State Museum currently located in Swanston Street generates
over 600,000 visits to the City centre.  It is estimated that the proposed new
State Museum will generate over 1 Million visitors per year.

The economic impact of the relocation of 1 Million visitors from the Swanston
Street along with the expected decline the Bourke Street entertainment
precinct and retail activity is considerable.  RMIT and the State Library will
remain as the only Civic institutions left in what was once Melbourne's Civic
centre. Melbourne is in desperate need of commitment and continuing cultural
identity and given that there are a number of vacant sites ideally situated
along the Swanston Street corridor why is the Government pursuing the
relocation of the State Museum to the Carlton Gardens as opposed to retaining
the Museum within the heart of the City.

The new Museum instead of being located where it can do the most good is to be
located where it will do the most harm.  The allocation of over 250 million
dollars for a proposed development of the State Museum would go a long way in
reinforcing and providing long term commitment to a city.  If the Government
is not prepared to consider the proper allocation of resources and commitment
to the City Centre how can it expect to instil public confidence in the City's
future.

We must ensure that the development of our City is in balance with social and
economic needs that fulfil the aims and objectives of a healthy and culturally
vibrant City.  Our City Councillors and Community leaders must take on the
role of facilitator and engage the community in discussion and debate about
the future planning and development of our City.  Out State Government and
State Institutions would better serve the interests of the State if it stopped
and consulted with the community before making irreversible discussions that
are not in the communities best interest. We should all head the motto
embedded in the foyer of the State Parliament reads,.  "In the absence of
counsel the people fall but in the multitude of counsellors their is safety" .


Anthony van der Craats
DEFEND OUR HERITAGE