And while some buildings are being demolished, other heritage buildings are being let to rot. The George Hotel in St Kilda is in dire need of external restoration, as is the former Sir Charles Hotham Hotel on Spencer Street and the Forum Theatre on Flinders Street. The Old Prahran Arcade in Chapel Street Prahran is being used as a JB Hi-fi. Most will be too busy buying DVDs to look up and appreciate what is arguably one of Australia’s most significant arcades. While the Lake Oval Grandstand isn’t registered, this important part of the history of Melbourne is dilapidated and crumbling. More funding is needed for restoration works, but it is unlikely to be forthcoming without more public concern.

Whether all this development and progress a good thing is yet to be seen. I’m not saying that we should keep anything that looks old or that Melbourne should be Australia’s biggest city by 2030. All I am saying is that each building effected by development should be taken on their own merit. That means that the government shouldn’t use policies like Melbourne 2030 and Land Tax to intervene in favour of greedy developers. Consider that many of the replacements are what I would describe as boring 1960s glass boxes with little that is redeeming. The drabness of these buildings has broader effects on society, our sense of identity and our quality of life.

One thing is for certain though – once gone, these interesting heritage buildings will be lost forever.