Shrine of Remembrance

The Planning Minister, Justin Madden, is to make a decision on the future of arguably Melbourne’s most important historic monument – the Shrine of Remembrance.

A tower development threatens to overshadow and cast significant glare on the historic building and the long drawn legal dispute, continuing for over two years has yet to be settled despite intervention from the planning minister’s office.

Local overlays have existed since the 1980s to protect the Shrine’s vistas and the building from the shadows of St Kilda Road buildings.  Despite this, exemptions were made by the Kennett government for the 154m Royal Domain Tower.

The proposed 117m tower at 324 St Kilda Road Southbank, however, is much closer, in fact directly opposite, the Shrine.

So the current government will decide whether to those long held values are worth preserving or to operate Melbourne’s planning laissez faire. A decision in favour of the full height may well cast a pall over Melbourne’s heritage for years to come.

So, if you can’t bear to see the outcome, to quote the developer – “just look away”.

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