What should the City of Port Phillip
do with this distinctive St Kilda centrepiece?
Cr Andrew Bond calls for a fresh discussion

“For the first time in 16 years the ranks of the Councillors at the City of Port Phillip are free from all combatants from the so called Triangle Wars – the long running and often controversial process to determine what should be done with St Kilda’s most famous – and most expensive – parcel of waterfront land.
The departure of all past heroes and anti-heroes provides Port Phillip Council with an opportunity to revisit its plans for this infamous seaside wedge.
Untangled from the financial burden and responsibility for the Palais Theatre refurbishment the pressing need for a highly commercial proposal on the Triangle is no longer present.
And after 5 years there has been zero interest from anyone in implementing any of the elements from the 2016 Triangle Masterplan, aka the Purple document, nor has a business case from the State Government promised in 2018 materialised.
So what should the City of Port Phillip do with this distinctive St Kilda centrepiece?
The car parking is important to St Kilda’s visitor economy and position as Melbourne’s playground so needs to be retained albeit underground.
Above ground, St Kilda lacks a picture postcard entrance to the beach. I’m sorry but wondering down Cavell Street, or through the Shakespeare Grove car park just isn’t doing it for me.
Incorporating a palm tree lined path to the beach into a grass lawn, that slopes down to a multipurpose stage on the southern boundary creating an amphitheatre across the site would be one possible design response.
Of course, some commercialisation would need to be considered in order to make a financial contribution to the costs of building such infrastructure – think a 6-8 level hotel on the parcel of land immediately behind The Palais. A modest enough development to not overwhelm the remainder of the Triangle site, but an attractive enough proposal to ensure a welcome contribution to the costs of building the new public spaces on rest of the site is received.
As budget discussions take place at Town Hall in coming months I’m keen to hear your thoughts on what you would like to see on the St Kilda Triangle. Fell free to email me on andrew.bond@portphillip.vic.gov.au with any ideas you have.
Thoughts and contributions from past Triangle hero’s and anti-heroes most welcome.”
Cr Andrew Bond
Lake Ward
andrew.bond@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Read Serge and Dick’s replies here
Dick Gross replies: We need scale to make it an attraction
Serge Thomann replies: We need a bipartisan approach

Be part of the discussion
You’re invited to submit up to 200 well chosen (and civil) words for inclusion on our Triangle discussion page.
Make your submission here
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200 words max.

TWiSK editorial 

The Triangle saga in brief
Circa 2000: The original Triangle project covered Crown Land and assets including the decaying and dilapidated Palais Theatre and the adjacent triangular car park and grassy slopes.
After an extensive public EOI and competitive tender process, plans for a multilevel $300m development were unveiled in 2005.
The scale of the development was not well received with concerns about traffic, local amenity and over commercialisation. Supporters of the plan hoped to create a focal point for visitors and locals with an entertainment focus and economic benefits (see some images provided by the developer – Citta).
Branded by local opponents as Chadstone by the Bay, the plans prompted a high profile community debate. 
Ultimately, community opposition overwhelmed the plans and the next council cancelled the project in 2009.
In 2016 a new master plan was released. 
With the exception of refurbishment of the Palais (which has been extensive and well received),
there has been little progress in 12 years.
The Triangle is used primarily for parking and occasionally for temporary activations, like the St Kilda Festival and the forthcoming April Sun music festival. There is currently a plan to refresh the Palais forecourt (announced May 2020 but now significantly behind schedule).