PS: The potential sale of the ABC studios is nothing new. In fact, it has been on the cards for at least ten years. That raises the question of what Council has been doing in the meantime? Is it another instance of too little, too late? The horse has already bolted? Below are some media reports that will interest residents. Please note one real estate agent’s comments regarding the lack of height limits set by council!
The Rippon Lea Estate point of view – http://www.nattrust.com.au/advocacy/campaigns/abc_for_rippon_lea
PLUS
ABC’s Slice of Rippon Lea Estate, Elsternwick, Expected to Sell For More than $25 Million
Written by Marc Pallisco
| Monday, 26 October 2009 23:16 |
|
Rippon Lea AN 8,000 square metre slice of Elsternwick’s historic Rippon Lea estate, compulsorily acquired by the State Government in the 1950s for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation – is likely to be sold to residential developers, if the ABC vacates the property in 2012. ABC project director Ray Moore told Secret Agent it is considering selling two Elsternwick properties, currently occupied as studios and offices, including a major complex on Gordon Street abutting Rippon Lea – built on what was once the property’s southern boundary. Moneys raised from the sales will fund the development of a new $90 million studio at 102 Sturt Street in Southbank, Mr Moore said. The Sturt Street development, which would be next door to an existing ABC office at 120 Southbank Boulevard, is subject to parliamentary approval, but expected to occur. Sources estimate the value of ABC’s outgoing Gordon Street office to be about $25 million. They say the land could make way for an apartment complex, similar to that being proposed around the Stonington mansion in Malvern, or a lower density subdivision, as occurred behind Canterbury’s Frognall mansion in the early 1990s. At close to a hectare, the site could also make way for several apartment towers offering Port Phillip and CBD views, over Rippon Lea’s established gardens. ABC offices and studios were developed on part of the Rippon Lea estate, prior to the opening of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. Popular television shows including Countdown, The Big Gig and The Late Show were later recorded at what is known as the “Rippon Lea studio”. The land occupied by the ABC is not on the Victorian Heritage Register, but a Heritage Victoria spokeswoman said the ABC could still return the land to the estate, if it wanted. The imposing Rippon Lea property is managed by the National Trust, and open to the public.
PLUS
ABC set to leave home Phillip Hudson and Nathan Mawby 3 May 2013 Herald-Sun THE ABC will be leaving its historic TV studios at Ripponlea and the valuable property may be sold for high-rise residential development under plans to build a new headquarters for the national broadcaster in Southbank. Famous ABC programs such as Countdown were produced at the Gordon St studios, which opened in 1956 with the introduction of television. In recent years, it has been home to programs such as Adam Hills chat show In Gordon Street Tonight and filming for the series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Under the plan, the ABC will build a five-storey headquarters next to its existing Southbank offices, where its TV news moved in 2001. It will include new TV studios and a major TV production centre. The overhaul is aimed at guaranteeing jobs and production in Victoria. The Federal Government will loan the ABC $90 million, which it has to repay by 2020. ABC managing director Mark Scott said the new building would be designed to put the ABC’s many services on show. “All the plans for this area are to make it more visible, more highly trafficked by pedestrians, make it more of a centrepoint of the centre,” he said. Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said the new building would be home to the ABC’s radio, television and digital production operations as well as its broadcasting and support services. Senator Conroy said consolidating operations would allow the ABC to achieve operational savings and productivity benefits. Local architect Robert Mills said the Ripponlea site’s proximity to the CBD, transport, schools and shopping meant that while a feasibility study would be done, it would likely become a residential site. “It will be controversial, but I predict the final outcome will be a high-rise,” he said. Mr Mills said that while the building had no council height restrictions, its height would likely be limited by shading. The former Channel 9 studios in Bendigo St, Richmond, are being transformed into apartments and townhouses, selling for up to $1.2 million. |
Glen Eira Debates 
June 18, 2013 at 9:44 AM
The Leader shows up again as the unofficial arm of the council publicity department. I’d like to know since when is calling for a report “fighting” for anything, much less the community? Pilling’s cited comments are another real worry. He wants a “unified position” like on the Racecourse. Trouble is that he’s forgotten that he and his lousy lot didn’t have any “unified position”. They gave the MRC everything they wanted and the belated “position statement” was two years too late.
The land will be sold. It’s worth squillions and high rise will be the result. This makes council look like they’re trying. Shame that they didn’t try a little harder with the Alma club. There was no request for a report there and it wasn’t even discussed at council meetings. Even if they get a couple of metres for open space there’s no money to do anything. It’ll be like the other open space developments – left in a state of limbo until 5 or 6 years down the track.
June 18, 2013 at 10:12 AM
While I think it is good that Council is trying some more land, presumably for open space/community use, it’s lamentable that Council only does this when there’s a possibility of a government handout (Council has no intention of actually purchasing any itself). Since the sale was announced months ago and Council is only now recognizing the need “to form a unified statement” the seriousness of Council’s “advocacy” is questionable. The fear is that this will end up being another opportunity for the spin doctors to blame someone else for Council’s own short comings.
In the unlikely event that they do get some of the land, the Govt. would do well
. to only let them manage and maintain the land (if given ownership Council will probably try to sell it for development like they did the Glenhuntly/Booran Reservoir in 2008) and
. the Govt should put a time limit Council’s conversion of land for community use (otherwise, it will sit untouched for years just like the Glenhuntly/Booran Reservoir – work scheduled to start until 2016)
June 18, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Readers may also be interested in the following document – the ABC’s strategic plan for its sites presented to the Commonwealth in March 2013. One point that needs highlighting is the statement that the Gordon Street site is contaminated with asbestos and other materials. Hence, the question becomes – who pays for its removal?
For the full report see: http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=pwc/abcmelbourne/subs/sub01.pdf
June 18, 2013 at 4:46 PM
amazing that we would have more of a chance getting some public park here than the land that should be open to the public at Caulfield Racecourse. If you can gain access to the middle of the racecourse I reckon you can walk accross it in less than 2 minutes. I reckon it is only about 200 metres wide. On all that open space they couldnt even provide a full size soccer pitch. It is a mini pitch
June 18, 2013 at 6:06 PM
Congratulations to 4.46PM who actaully negotiated the horse manure/urine pathway/tunnel or the old drainpipe from the northern entrance or actually worked the secret gate with their car.and was able to reach what could be coined the pip of the race-course. It is really a well run race to achieve the pip area.
Everyone should ponder over what Cr Pilling says racecurse discussions were a councillors unified effort. This must be the joke of this century and last. Does he remember being only one of four councillors who voted on the giveaway package concerning C60 and the area in the PIP of the racecourse. …Wonder why the majority of councillors, the other five were excluded fom thesebillion dollar decisions????????? iT IS LIKE A COMPASS POINT IT IS SO MISERABLE. His result could very well contravend greens policy.