AusLeisure

The Victorian Government has announced that the iconic Federation Square will undergo an $11.7 million upgrade.

Explaining this announcement from the 2013/14 State Budget, Treasurer Michael O'Brien and Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher said the allocation of more than $11.7 million over three years would secure Federation Square as Melbourne's meeting place for local, interstate and international visitors.

Minister O'Brien explained "Federation Square is one of the city's most successful projects. It is home to major cultural attractions, world-class events, tourism experiences and an exceptional array of restaurants, bars and specialty stores

"(This) announcement will see $11.7 million for asset replacement works on the existing structures and buildings to secure Fed Square' as an iconic Melbourne location.

"(Minister) Asher said that continued funding for Federation Square was essential to keeping it as one of Melbourne's premier tourist attractions."

Minister Asher added "this modern piazza, which has been operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for over a decade and was built for four million visits each year now attracts an astonishing ten million visits a year.

"(As a result) much of the building fabric and some services infrastructure have reached their operational life or have effectively worn out.

"We want to keep Federation Square's operating infrastructure in good shape for the people of Victoria to continue to enjoy, so basic things like heating and cooling systems, IT and the Building Management Systems need to be kept up to date."

The Victorian Government has also launched a public process seeking ideas for the development of Federation Square East.

The Federation Square East site is bounded by Federation Square to the west, Flinders Street to the north, the Exhibition Street Extension to the east and Birrarung Marr to the south, with the majority of the site currently located on the decommissioned Jolimont rail yards.

For more information go to www.fedsquare.com

1st October 2010 - THE ART OF CREATING GREAT CITIES AND PLACES

23rd February 2010 - MARVELLOUS MELBOURNE

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