St Kilda’s iconic Palais Theatre will remain a live music venue with confirmation of $13.4 million towards repairs of the heritage listed building in Tuesday’s state budget, but a timeline for restoration remains unclear.
The decaying building, which costs Port Phillip Council rate payers $1 million a year to maintain, is considered unsafe and in need of major electrical and structural upgrades.
The government’s commitment will seal a $25.5 million, two-stage deal with the council that will see Port Phillip contribute $7.5 million.
That still leaves a shortfall of $4.6 million, which it is hoped will be covered by the winner of a tender for the long-term lease of the Palais.
The commitment also puts pressure on the council to confirm its plan for announcing a candidate for the lease. The council is considering three candidates for the beachside venue’s lease: US conglomerate Live Nation Entertainment, family-operated Sydney company Playbill and the current lessee, Neil Croker’s Palais Theatre Management.
Musician and I Love My Palais campaigner Tex Perkins’ candidacy in November’s state election is largely credited for forcing the issue on to the agenda for Albert Park MP and now Creative Industries minister Martin Foley.
This Labor state government’s election promises also included $22 million over four years for a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Of that $22 million, $12.2 million has been allocated in this budget for the Music Works program designed to “boost development of local jobs”, and $10 million for the Hall of Fame – $1 million of which has been allocated for planning in the next financial year.
This story first appeared in The Age
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