News

• 2004-11-03 - Federation Square Proves A Hit In 2003-04

  Federation Square is proving a huge hit with an estimated 7.15 million visitors in 2003-04, almost twice the initial target of four million.

  The Annual Report for Federation Square tabled in Parliament today shows 48 per cent of visitors were from the metropolitan area with 21 per cent from overseas and 20 per cent from interstate.

  Visitor numbers to the Square’s major attractions also exceeded expectations.

  They included:

  • Approximately 1,169,000 visitors to the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia;
  • An estimated 1,000,000 visitors to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image; and
  • 812,000 visitors to the Melbourne Visitor Centre.

  The Minister for Innovation, John Brumby, said the annual report highlighted Federation Square as a success story for Victoria.

  Around 970 events were staged there in 2003-04, including the Melbourne International Arts Festival, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Official Olympic Torch Relay Welcome Ceremony and the AFL Season Launch.

  “Federation Square is recognised as a Victorian icon. It has become a must see destination for
  tourists and locals alike,” Mr Brumby said.

  The Annual Report finds that Federation Square is in a sound financial position reporting an operating profit before depreciation of $4.3 million.

  
   

• 2003-10-07 - Fed Square Wins Five Major Architectural Awards

  Federation Square is now the most awarded project in the history of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Victoria, receiving five major awards for architectural and design excellence.

  Innovation Minister, John Brumby, today accepted the Victorian Architecture Medal on behalf of the Victorian Government and Federation Square Management.

  Other Institute awards presented to Federation Square were: the Melbourne Prize; the Marion Mahony Award for Interior Architecture; the Architecture Award; and the Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design.

  Mr Brumby said the awards were a fitting salute to one of the most challenging and ambitious projects ever undertaken in Australia.

  “Federation Square is now Australia’s most innovative address, a great showcase for Victorian creativity and skills – and an iconic piece of design that brands Melbourne internationally,” Mr Brumby said.

  “Federation Square is already the most visited attraction in Victoria, boasting over six million visitors in less than 12 months.

  “Thirty per cent of the visitors were from interstate and 16 per cent from overseas, also making it the ‘Number One’ destination for visitors from outside Victoria.

  “The Ian Potter Centre alone has attracted over one million visitors in its first five months to April this year and the Melbourne Visitor Centre at the Square is on track to reach almost a million visitors in its first year.”

  Mr Brumby said Federation Square was part of an unprecedented capital works program being overseen by the Bracks Government, which included:

  • The redevelopment of Spencer Street Station;
  • The West End development, including a major expansion of the Melbourne Aquarium;
  • Construction of the new Royal Women’s Hospital; and
  • The Docklands development.

  “It’s about providing the infrastructure needed for a dynamic and innovative 21st Century city,” he said.

  Mr Brumby also launched a new book about Federation Square, published by Hardie Grant and Federation Square Management, which included an historical overview of the project by Dr Andrew Brown-May and an architectural analysis by Dr Norman Day.

  
   

• 2002-10-26 - Premier: Launch Of Federation Square A Great Day For Victoria

  The Premier, Steve Bracks, today welcomed Victorians to Federation Square, describing it as a great day for Victoria.

  Opening the Square and sections of the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Mr Bracks said Federation Square would be a marvellous landmark for the State.

  “This is a wonderful day – for Melbourne, for Victoria and the nation,” Mr Bracks said.

  “From today, Victorians will be able to experience for themselves the scale and remarkable architecture of the Square.

  “This is our first chance to explore our new Square and there is so much to admire - from the sheer scale of this landmark, to the surprising smaller spaces, the magnificent Atrium and the vibrant Kimberly sandstone.”

  The Premier said there would be many reasons to re-visit Federation Square in the coming months.

  “Today is the start of a series of events that will take place at the Square in the lead up to Christmas and early into the New Year,” he said.

  “Over coming weeks and months, there will be plenty of reasons for Victorians and visitors to return to the Square and enjoy new attractions, new restaurants, cafes, bars, shops and new exhibitions.

  “In November alone, the Square will be the stunning backdrop and home of the Melbourne Cup Parade of Champions, the Mercedes International Fashion Week, and the Screen Producers Association of Australia Conference.

  “And in late November, NGV Australia will fully open to the public including the spectacular exhibition Fieldwork.”

  Mr Bracks urged all Victorians to visit Federation Square and make up their own minds about the Square’s unique architecture.

  “This space will change the shape of Melbourne forever, making us truly a riverside city,” he said.

  The Premier also thanked the Federation Square Management Company and the thousands of workers and hundreds of companies who had contributed to the completion of Victoria’s newest icon.

  “An enormous effort over many years has gone in to opening the Square to the public today and on behalf of all Victorians I would like to publicly thank all those who have helped to make this day a reality,” he said.

   

• 2002-10-18 - Federation Square Open To Public From October 26

  Visitors will be welcomed to Federation Square from Saturday October 26 when the public sections of the Square will be opened with a special indigenous ceremony, Major Projects Minister Peter Batchelor said today.

  Mr Batchelor said the special occasion would be a great day for Victoria, with visitors able to enjoy the spectacular architecture of Melbourne’s new Square.

  “Federation Square is one of Victoria’s major public assets, and the Government has always promised that the public would have access to the public sections as soon as they are ready,” he said.

  “In keeping with this promise we have scheduled a series of staged events on different parts of the Square, starting with a special indigenous ceremony on Saturday 26 October.

  “Visitors to the opening will be able to stroll around the expansive desert-toned plaza – a truly Australian reflection of the grand European piazzas.

  “Made from 470,000 of pieces of Kimberley sandstone, it affords views of Melbourne’s riverside and cityscape never seen before.”

  Mr Batchelor said the public could move through to the soaring north atrium where they would be able to go either to the National Gallery of Australia to view the special Indigenous galleries or walk next door to see the Deep Space and Pathways installations at the screen gallery in the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

  A tribute to the hundreds of people who built Federation Square will also feature on the big screen at the square.

  “Over the coming weeks and months there will be many reasons to return to enjoy the other attractions that the Square will offer, including 21 different restaurants, cafes and retail tenancies,” Mr Batchelor said.

  “These private commercial tenancies are still in various stages of fit-out and will open as and when their owners are ready.

  “And, in November alone, the Square will be a stunning backdrop to the Parade of Champions, Mercedes Fashion Week, the Screen Producers Association of Australia Conference and the NGV Australia’s Fieldwork exhibition.”

   

• 2002-06-05 - Auditor General Confirms Bracks Government Turn Around Of Federation Square

  Major Projects Minister Peter Batchelor today welcomed the Auditor General’s report which confirmed that the publicly funded component of the estimated completion costs to construct Federation Square is expected to be $394 million.

  “It also confirms that the Kennett Government’s extraordinary 1998 decision not to novate the Architect’s Agreement to the Managing Contractor (Multiplex) was the major cause of subsequent cost blow-outs and completion delays,” Mr Batchelor said.

  “The transfer of responsibility under the novation agreement would have seen the cost and other risk associated with design changes and delays transferred from government to the private contractor, but this did not happen.

  “For the third report in a row, the Auditor General has drawn attention to the 1998 bungle that resulted in the Federation Square project having no target end cost or target program.

  “In addition, this report reveals the work the Bracks Government had to do to renegotiate the Managing Contractor’s Agreement to reflect the Kennett decision.

  “Had we not been able to tidy up the mess left by the Kennett Government, the Managing Contractor would have ceased work on the site and Victorians would have paid the price.”

  The Bracks Government has maintained that the publicly funded component of the Federation Square construction cost would be around $400 million excluding fit out costs, with any additional costs to come from sponsorship or loans provisions.

  The figure of $451.5 million quoted in the Auditor General’s Report comprises:

  Fit out costs $39.1 million (cost to Arts Victoria, not the Federation Square Management Company and not construction costs)
  Loans $13.7 million
  Sponsorship $4.6 million
  Capital expenditure $394.0 million (of which $280 m is State funding)

  Minister Batchelor was also confident that additional loan provisions of $11.3 available to the Federation Square Management Company were sufficient to cover the worst case scenario detailed in the report should it eventuate.

  “Under the Bracks Government, the Federation Square project has certainty and has been turned around with a target end cost to the public of $394 million and a target program to open in Spring this year,” Minister Batchelor said.

   

• 2002-05-24 - Government Announces Major Sponsorship Agreement For Federation Square

  
  The State Government today announced a major sponsorship agreement for one of Federation Square’s most significant architectural achievements – the 450 seat amphitheatre.

  The Premier, Steve Bracks, said the major sponsorship coincided with news that Federation Square had finalised virtually all of the tenancies.

  Mr Bracks said while details of BMW’s 10-year sponsorship were confidential, the financial contribution from BMW would pay for the fit-out of the striking amphitheatre.

  “The amphitheatre will come to be regarded as a wonderful addition to Victoria’s rich architectural history,” Mr Bracks said.

  “It will be a fantastic performance space used for concerts, comedy and drama productions or public lectures – anything that can draw an audience of up to 450 people.”

  The Premier said the glass, zinc and steel structure would be a key feature of Federation Square on its completion.

  He said BMW, with its Australian headquarters in Mulgrave, was an excellent partner for Federation Square.

  “Today’s sponsorship agreement adds to other important contributions by BMW to Victorian community life, such as the company’s sponsorship of Melbourne Fashion Week and a number of sporting events,” he said.

   

• 2001-06-28 - Federation Square Management Changes Ratified

  The State Government and the Melbourne City Council today announced that changes to the ownership of Federation Square had been ratified.

  The move would see Federation Square remain a wholly state-owned company. The Joint Venture agreement between the State Government and the City of Melbourne at Federation Square was updated to reflect the change.

  Acting Premier John Thwaites today welcomed the finalisation of the ownership change.

  “It was originally anticipated that this project would be a joint venture between the State and the City of Melbourne. But a $50 million contribution by the Commonwealth and a $338 contribution by the State Government clearly called for a review of that joint venture agreement,” Mr Thwaites said.

  Lord Mayor, Cr Peter Costigan, said Council was happy with the new arrangement.

  “We are proud to have been instrumental in kick-starting this important civic project in Melbourne with a $64 million contribution and a further $16 million in the adjoining park now named Birrarung Marr,” Cr Costigan said.

  “It could not have been established without cooperation and funds from all levels of Government.

  “However, it is now time to decide on the continuing management and funding of the project, and we have jointly agreed that the State will assume this responsibility," the Lord Mayor said.

  Mr Thwaites said the State Government was delighted the City of Melbourne remained committed to Federation Square through the visitor information centre opposite Flinders Street Station which would be a key drawcard for visitors.

  The City of Melbourne will be represented on the Federation Square Management Board.

  Cr Costigan said, as well as the establishment and operation of the visitor centre, the Council would continue to contribute to the project through maintenance and refurbishment costs.

   

• 2001-05-03 - Federation Square Open Day - A Chance To See Australia’s Largest Mosaic In Progress

  Visitors to Federation Square’s Open Day will witness Australia’s largest mosaic puzzle being pieced together, Major Projects and Tourism Minister, John Pandazopoulos, announced today.

  “More than 400,000 sandstone cobbles will form part of the 10,000 square metre Plaza, which will be a major civic focus where people will enjoy public celebrations, outdoor concerts and screenings, performances and al fresco dining,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.

  “More than 50 skilled craftspeople will be involved in laying the cobblestone mosaic. We invite Victorians to come and look, experience and learn more about this landmark project as it unfolds in this Federation year,” he said.

  Federation Square Chief Executive Peter Seamer said: “Thousands of sandstone cobblestones will be carefully pieced together to form a distinctive and intricate pattern that will be immediately recognisable as a special place in the very centre of Melbourne.”

  The cobblestones will be laid out in a specially designed pattern developed by project architects Lab + Bates Smart and artist Paul Carter, and will incorporate a series of inscriptions revealing stories of the site’s history and Australia’s federal ideal.

  Visitors will have the chance to inspect and learn about the cobblestone mosaic during the Federation Square Open Day on May 13 from 11am to 4pm which is part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations in Melbourne next week.

  Mr Seamer said work on Federation Square had progressed significantly since the November Open Day last year with several new parts of the project now open for inspection. Visitors will be able to:

  • walk through some of the buildings under construction including the NGV’s Australian Art Gallery, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, the new home of SBS and numerous restaurants, cafes, bars and retail tenancies;
  • view construction of the complex and striking Atrium and
  • view the development of the Victorian Visitor Information Centre.

  “We expect some parts of Federation Square will open by the end of the year. However we will not unduly rush any of the project to the detriment of quality, as our focus is on getting the Square right in the long term.” Mr Seamer said.

  The Plaza, which rises to a height of six metres from Swanston and Flinders Streets, will offer views of Southbank, the Yarra River, and west towards Docklands, as well provide a clear view of the large video screen and stage in the southwest corner of the site. The screen will broadcast major sporting and cultural events, local and international news and other forms of entertainment for large public gatherings.

  Federation Square will house The Ian Potter Centre – NGV: Australian Art (housing the world’s largest and finest collection of Australian art), the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (incorporating Cinemedia and SBS), a major Visitor Information Centre, Transport pub, various cafes and restaurants and grand civic spaces including the Atrium and 400-seat Amphitheatre.

  
  Media contact and further information:

  
  Stan Liacos
  Manager – Marketing + Events
  Federation Square

  Mobile: 0418 172 362

  Attachment

  Plaza Fact Sheet

   

• 2001-04-06 - Federation Pub Designed For The Future: Pandazopoulos

  Federation Square is to have a pub for the future with the announcement today by Major Projects and Tourism Minister, John Pandazopoulos, of the start of work for the leading edge venue at Melbourne’s newest city block.

  Well-known restaurateur, Paul Mathis, together with his partners, have secured the lease on the landmark pub, on the southwest corner of Federation Square, next to the Princes Bridge and the Yarra River. Mr Mathis is best known for his popular Blue Train Café at Southgate and Automatic at Crown.

  “We are delighted to have secured such a high calibre tenant for this prized venue and for what will be an integral part of Federation Square,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.

  “We believe it will become a new meeting place for people, offering spectacular views along the Yarra River, including east towards Melbourne Park and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and west towards Docklands and the Bolte Bridge,” he said.

  Work has now begun on the $4.5 million project with an expected opening date of next March.
  The building has been designed by Federation Square architects, Lab + Bates Smart, and will be largely constructed of glass, zinc and perforated aluminium.

  Federation Square CEO Peter Seamer said the venue was to be called “Transport”, symbolising the importance of the site as a city meeting place and transport interchange for Melbourne and Victoria, opposite Flinders Street station and the Yarra River.

  “Transport will provide a striking contrast to the historic and recently restored Young & Jackson’s hotel on the opposing corner, highlighting the change in Australia since federation,” Mr Seamer said.

  The building will comprise 1,745 square metres spread across three levels:

  • Street level – bars, opening out onto the Plaza and the Yarra River frontage
  • First level – restaurant
  • Second level – function and meeting rooms including terrace balconies

  A large video screen (about 10 m x 8 m) will feature on the northeast façade, facing onto the civic Plaza which is under construction. The screen will broadcast major sporting and cultural events, local and international news and other forms of entertainment for large public gatherings.

  Mr Peter Seamer, said leasing of the other hospitality venues would be progressively announced throughout the year.

  Federation Square will also house The Ian Potter Centre – NGV: Australian Art (housing the world’s largest and finest collection of Australian art), the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (incorporating Cinemedia and SBS), a major Visitor Information Centre, various cafes and restaurants and grand civic spaces including the Atrium, a 400-seat Amphitheatre and the 10,000 square metre civic Plaza.

  A second Open Day at Federation Square is planned to coincide with Centenary of Federation activities in Melbourne later this year – Sunday May 13 (11am – 4pm).

  
  Media Contacts and further information:

  Stan Liacos
  Manager – Marketing + Events
  Federation Square

  Mobile: 0418 172 362

  
   

• 2001-02-28 - Federation Square Info-Hub

  Federation Square will host a new visitor information centre and form a key part of the city’s cultural life, the Major Projects Minister, John Pandazopoulos, said today.

  Unveiling the design for the info-hub on the northwest corner of Federation Square, Mr Pandazopoulos said he welcomed Melbourne City Council’s decision last night to establish a visitor information centre on this key pedestrian gateway into the new city block.

  “We will have a new icon at this central Melbourne intersection, to match the other landmark buildings – Flinders Street Station, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Young and Jackson Hotel”, Mr Pandazopoulos said.

  The 8 metre high building replaces the former western “shard” building which at 22 metres obscured the heritage view of St Paul’s Cathedral.

  “The Info-Hub provides an important functional and eye-catching entrance onto Melbourne’s newest city block,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.

  “This new design captures the architectural style of Federation Square, and balances the need to retain and preserve significant views of St Paul's Cathedral,” he said.

  The new design has a maximum height of eight metres on the corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street, with a gradual slope down to six metres. It will be largely constructed of glass, zinc and steel. The extensive use of glass will make the building partly transparent and a particularly striking feature at night.

  The changed design which is awaiting a minor amendment to the existing planning permit is expected to reduce construction costs by approximately $1,000,000.

  The Melbourne Visitor Information Centre will be operated by the City of Melbourne in association with Federation Square Management.

  The Visitor Information Centre is proposed to provide:

  • Information about Melbourne and Victoria
  • A tours information and booking service
  • Accommodation reservations service
  • Access to toilets and change rooms
  • Event information and ticket sales
  • A foreign currency exchange

  City of Melbourne staff and volunteers will operate the Centre.

  Mr Pandazopoulos said: “This is the place where so many of the state’s visitors pass, particularly on their way to destinations such as the MCG, Melbourne and Olympic Parks, Victorian Arts Centre, National Gallery of Victoria, Southgate, the Yarra River and the central business district.

  Federation Square Chief Executive Officer, Peter Seamer, said: "Research conducted last year calculated that the Flinders Street corner recorded approximately 63,000,000 visits annually, making it probably the busiest pedestrian intersection in Victoria. The centre is expected to attract and help more than 600,000 people a year and mostly visitors to Victoria.”

  "This is one of the last tenancies to be negotiated for Federation Square. The $340 million project is now on target for the first sections to start opening towards the end of the year,” Mr Seamer said.

  A second Open Day at Federation Square is planned to coincide with the Centenary of Federation activities in Melbourne later this year.

  Federation Square is a joint initiative between the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne with funding assistance from the Federal Government. It will house The Ian Potter Centre – NGV: Australian Art (the world’s largest and finest collection of Australian art), the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (incorporating Cinemedia and SBS), Visitor Information Centre, a function centre, restaurants, cafes and bars, and grand civic spaces including the Atrium, an informal 400-seat Amphitheatre and the 10,000 sqm public plaza.