Save Melbourne's Chinatown Square
The issue
Introduction:
- The Chinese Museum’s development proposal
(TP-2024-709) seeks to excavate 2 floors beneath and
install a new stairwell and lift in the heart of
Chinatown Square (Cohen Plaza). - Significant changes to the public square (PPRZ),
including the removal and relocation of the Gingko
Tree and Dr Sun Yat-sen statue. - Significant reduction in usable public space as a
result of the new lifts and stairwell to 100sqm from
229sqm. - Permanent impact on the use of Chinatown Square
as a place of community events and cultural
performances. - Lack of community consultation from the Chinese
Museum, its development partners and City of
Melbourne. - Chinatown Square is the ONLY public space in Chinatown
(City of Melbourne)
THE ISSUE:
Development plans have been submitted to the City of Melbourne that will permanently and negatively affect the space and future use of Melbourne's much-loved Chinatown Square.
The development plans will involve the removal and relocation of the Gingko Tree and the Dr Sun Yat-sen statue, and the construction of a new, imposing stairwell and elevator entrance to a subterranean development beneath Cohen Place. Details of the development have been scant and not publicly advertised to the local and wider community. This is despite the fact that such a development will reduce the public space available at Chinatown Square, affecting its important use as a cultural and community hub.
Chinatown Square, as it is affectionately known by locals, is a small public space in the heart of the world's oldest Chinatown.
Chinatown Square serves as a permanent public space and park for Melbourne CBD residents and visitors, and has hosted numerous community events, including the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival, Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, public gatherings, and cultural performances such as Lion Dancing, Dragon Dancing, and Chinese performing arts.
The community and petition are calling for community consultation from the Chinese Museum, its development partners and the City of Melbourne. We argue that community consultation was lacking throughout the process, and details of the development are only now being revealed to the public after investigations by the concerned community.
This petition is calling for Chinatown Square and its function as a civic centre to be preserved, enhanced and recognised, rather than diminished by the installation of a seldom-used stairwell and elevator for a private development and entity.
The ISSUE
Melbourne’s Chinatown, established in the 1850s, is the Western World’s longest continuous Chinatown.
An unmistakable iconic precinct in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Chinatown Plaza, or as Melbourne’s local Australian Chinese community calls it, Chinatown Square, 104-106 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, was established in 1985 as part of the Chinatown Action Plan under the Chinatown Historic Precinct Act 1984.
It is the beloved heart of Melbourne’s Chinatown Precinct and Melbourne’s Chinese community for over half a century is at risk.
Help us SAVE OUR SQUARE - Melbourne Chinatown
Chinatown Square is a place celebrated for its cultural significance, it plays a vital role as place of community gathering and celebration.
Prior to its formal establishment, it was a carpark - the location of grassroots traditional festivities held by Melbourne’s Chinese Australian community including Chinese New Year before this festival was celebrated by all Victorians on Russell Street.
Measuring a mere 229sqm, nestled behind Her Majesty’s Theatre, Chinatown Square is a designated Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ) in the City of Melbourne (CoM).
It has the same hierarchical designation as City Square and Federation Square.
It is the only open space within the Chinatown Precinct for all Melburians to enjoy.
Chinatown Square was opened at the same time as the Chinese Museum, it was designed to complement this institution. Over time it has developed into the true civic centre of the Chinese community.
The Square hosts numerous free grassroots festivities, memorial commemorations and gatherings annually, held by long standing community organisations within the Precinct.
On the 27th of August, the 50th anniversary of Little Bourke Street’s four iconic Gateway Arches and the first time Chinatown was named Chinatown in 1976.
Chinatown pulsed with vibrant performances by the Chinese Masonic Society (CMSlions) and the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne (CYSM) Lion and Dragon troupes, 100 volunteer youth members in a breathtaking display of living heritage.
It was a day of joy, attended by hundreds of locals and visitors, underscoring the importance of this iconic location as a centre for cultural exchange and community activities.
On the 26th of September, CMSlions held our 42nd annual Mid Autumn Festival gathering crowds of over 800 in a display of traditional lion and dragon dance, kung fu demonstrations, traditional chinese music and children’s interactive activities; culminating in a parade down Little Bourke Street to our headquarters on Waratah Lane, followed by all the audience.
The Museum of Chinese Australian History has submitted a planning permit to the City of Melbourne, proposing an extensive and ambitious redevelopment. It poses a significant threat to this long held and essential community focal point, Chinatown Square.
https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/planning-permit-register-search-results?permit=TP-2024-709
This application includes plans to excavate two storeys below Chinatown Square for it’s sole usage, a designated Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ); using Chinatown Square as a second entrance to the Museum by installing a new stairwell and lift access and reconfiguring the Square as it’s lobby; connecting this subterranean space via further excavation beneath Cohen Lane and develop a seven-storey extension above the existing Museum building (four storeys).
The application does not refer to any of the grassroots events held, the cultural significance of Chinatown Square, nor did they consult extensively with the community prior to submission.
If this permit is granted the whole footprint of Chinatown Square, this PPRZ, will be unable to host grassroot events by the community of any significance.
This redevelopment plan threatens the very essence of Chinatown Square by eliminating the open space that has been integral for cultural celebrations and gatherings for decades.
The Chinese Museum is only one stakeholder of many.
The City of Melbourne has an obligation to preserve and enhance Public Space and Recreation Zones (PPRZ) for ALL for Melburnians.
This area is not just a Square; it is a place where traditions are upheld publicly; where our elderly gather to reminisce and where the young learn about their rich heritage for decades.
We believe the development should be carefully balanced and considered whilst preserving significant cultural and historical places, particularly for communities of diverse cultural heritage.
Melbourne is celebrated internationally as leading city that embraces diversity, and our spaces must reflect our values, preserving the historical and cultural significance that infuses them with life.
The redevelopment of Chinatown Square MUST have thorough consultation and consideration with all community, to safeguard this cherished public space Chinatown Square (PPRZ) for current and future generations.
Instead, we propose an active revitalization plan that maintains and enhances the Square’s open space above and preserves it below ground; enhancing its existing structures, improving access, facilities and propose public recognition of the long standing community organisations within the Precinct and create greater amenity for Chinatown Square as a PPRZ traditionally used for community purposes and by the public at large.
By improving rather than replacing, we honour the great privilege and forethought our civic leaders and officials established in 1985 via the Chinatown Action Plan and the cherished memories that Chinatown Square holds for all while acknowledging the need for accessibility enhancements.
We urge the responsible authorities the Board of the Chinese Museum; the Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece; the Councillors of the City of Melbourne; the State of Victoria and the Commonwealth Government and associated developers, to pause and critically reassess the current development plans.
A community consultation process that includes the voices of locals, cultural groups and stakeholders should be initiated to ensure that any future changes honour the history, culture and deep community significance of Chinatown Square.
Preserving this invaluable space honours the past, it secures a bright and inclusive future for Chinatown Square.
Help us ensure it remains a vibrant and welcoming location for grassroots cultural celebrations, festivities and gatherings and continues as an open space and PPRZ for all Melburnians.
The ASK
Sign this petition and share
help us
SAVE OUR SQUARE - MELBOURNE CHINATOWN and call for the preservation and enhancement of Melbourne’s Chinatown Square, a designated Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ) in the City of Melbourne for future generations and all Melburnians to freely enjoy.
A message from the Chinese Masonic Society of Melbourne, established in the 1850s, whose contributions to Australian and Chinese Australian communities is unwavering.
To our community,
The Chinese Masonic Society (CMS) is a long-established Chinese community organisation in Melbourne and in that capacity objects to Planning Permit Application TP-2024-709. CMS has concerns about whether the plans adequately reflect the needs and views of the relevant community stakeholders.
This application was put forward by the Museum of Chinese Australian History, and includes plans to excavate two-storeys below Chinatown Plaza, a designated Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ); using the public space as a second entrance to the Museum; limit access to Cohen Place, and develop a seven-storey extension above the existing Museum building (four storeys).
Whilst funding and development into our Chinatown is important and necessary, CMS believes meaningful stakeholder consultation is required to ensure improvements to the Museum or the public square take into account community concerns and preserve public access for everyone.
As such, this petition is to demonstrate that We, the local community, stakeholders, and other interested parties, object to this development of the Chinese Museum, Chinatown Plaza, and Cohen Place unless proper consultation is undertaken to achieve an outcome that benefits all.
We are custodians of Chinatown Square, a place of longstanding historical and community significance, and its character and accessibility should be carefully considered for future generations and the broader public.
It was designed to complement the Museum by our past civic leaders and a deep privilege that must be maintained.
大家好,
洪门民治党（Chinese Masonic Society，CMS）是墨尔本一个历史悠久的华人社区组织。CMS对规划批文申请 TP-2024-709 表示反对。此批文目前的规划是否充分反映相关社区利益相关者的需求与意见CMS表示关切。
该申请由澳大利亚华人历史博物馆（Museum of Chinese Australian History）提出，内容包括：在唐人街广场（Chinatown Plaza）地下开挖两层——该区域被指定为公共公园及休闲区（Public Park and Recreation Zone，PPRZ）；将这一公共空间作为博物馆的第二个入口；限制前往 Cohen Place 的通行；以及在现有四层博物馆建筑之上加建一座七层的扩建建筑。我们认同，为唐人街提供资金支持并推动发展是重要且必要的。然而，CMS 认为，有意义且充分的利益相关者协商是不可或缺的，以确保对博物馆或公共广场的任何改善，都能够充分考虑社区的关切，并维护所有公众的通行权。
本“联名请愿书旨”是为了表明：当地社区成员与利益相关者及其他相关人士反对在未进行适当协商的情况下，次批文对唐人街广场及 Cohen Place 进行上述开发。我们希望通过协商能够达成一个惠及各方的结果。
CMS 身为唐人街广场的守护者，深知这一空间所承载的悠久历史、深厚的社区意义及独特的文化环境价值。我们认为，唐人街广场的历史特色、整体环境及公共可达性，应当得到充分尊重与审慎考量，以确保这一重要的公共空间能够为子孙后代及广大公众长久保留。
唐人街广场由我们过去的市政领袖规划及设计，旨在与华人历史博物馆相互呼应、彼此配合，是墨尔本华人社区历史发展与文化传承的重要组成部分。这不仅是一项珍贵的历史遗产，更承载着社区共同的记忆与责任。我们有责任守护并延续这份历史遗产，使其能够继续服务社区，并为未来世代所珍视。
DISCLAIMER:
We'd like to clarify to those signing that when you are donating to this petition, the money is going towards change.org's network to keep amplifying this petition.
The money will not be donated to us to fight this planning application by the Chinese Museum. Please be mindful of that before donating!
Change.org is an internationally recognised petition platform that helps make REAL change. Donations to amplifying the petition helps us reach more people.
Thank you for supporting this cause, please share widely.
596
The issue
Introduction:
- The Chinese Museum’s development proposal
(TP-2024-709) seeks to excavate 2 floors beneath and
install a new stairwell and lift in the heart of
Chinatown Square (Cohen Plaza). - Significant changes to the public square (PPRZ),
including the removal and relocation of the Gingko
Tree and Dr Sun Yat-sen statue. - Significant reduction in usable public space as a
result of the new lifts and stairwell to 100sqm from
229sqm. - Permanent impact on the use of Chinatown Square
as a place of community events and cultural
performances. - Lack of community consultation from the Chinese
Museum, its development partners and City of
Melbourne. - Chinatown Square is the ONLY public space in Chinatown
(City of Melbourne)
THE ISSUE:
Development plans have been submitted to the City of Melbourne that will permanently and negatively affect the space and future use of Melbourne's much-loved Chinatown Square.
The development plans will involve the removal and relocation of the Gingko Tree and the Dr Sun Yat-sen statue, and the construction of a new, imposing stairwell and elevator entrance to a subterranean development beneath Cohen Place. Details of the development have been scant and not publicly advertised to the local and wider community. This is despite the fact that such a development will reduce the public space available at Chinatown Square, affecting its important use as a cultural and community hub.
Chinatown Square, as it is affectionately known by locals, is a small public space in the heart of the world's oldest Chinatown.
Chinatown Square serves as a permanent public space and park for Melbourne CBD residents and visitors, and has hosted numerous community events, including the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival, Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, public gatherings, and cultural performances such as Lion Dancing, Dragon Dancing, and Chinese performing arts.
The community and petition are calling for community consultation from the Chinese Museum, its development partners and the City of Melbourne. We argue that community consultation was lacking throughout the process, and details of the development are only now being revealed to the public after investigations by the concerned community.
This petition is calling for Chinatown Square and its function as a civic centre to be preserved, enhanced and recognised, rather than diminished by the installation of a seldom-used stairwell and elevator for a private development and entity.
The ISSUE
Melbourne’s Chinatown, established in the 1850s, is the Western World’s longest continuous Chinatown.
An unmistakable iconic precinct in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Chinatown Plaza, or as Melbourne’s local Australian Chinese community calls it, Chinatown Square, 104-106 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, was established in 1985 as part of the Chinatown Action Plan under the Chinatown Historic Precinct Act 1984.
It is the beloved heart of Melbourne’s Chinatown Precinct and Melbourne’s Chinese community for over half a century is at risk.
Help us SAVE OUR SQUARE - Melbourne Chinatown
Chinatown Square is a place celebrated for its cultural significance, it plays a vital role as place of community gathering and celebration.
Prior to its formal establishment, it was a carpark - the location of grassroots traditional festivities held by Melbourne’s Chinese Australian community including Chinese New Year before this festival was celebrated by all Victorians on Russell Street.
Measuring a mere 229sqm, nestled behind Her Majesty’s Theatre, Chinatown Square is a designated Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ) in the City of Melbourne (CoM).
It has the same hierarchical designation as City Square and Federation Square.
It is the only open space within the Chinatown Precinct for all Melburians to enjoy.
Chinatown Square was opened at the same time as the Chinese Museum, it was designed to complement this institution. Over time it has developed into the true civic centre of the Chinese community.
The Square hosts numerous free grassroots festivities, memorial commemorations and gatherings annually, held by long standing community organisations within the Precinct.
On the 27th of August, the 50th anniversary of Little Bourke Street’s four iconic Gateway Arches and the first time Chinatown was named Chinatown in 1976.
Chinatown pulsed with vibrant performances by the Chinese Masonic Society (CMSlions) and the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne (CYSM) Lion and Dragon troupes, 100 volunteer youth members in a breathtaking display of living heritage.
It was a day of joy, attended by hundreds of locals and visitors, underscoring the importance of this iconic location as a centre for cultural exchange and community activities.
On the 26th of September, CMSlions held our 42nd annual Mid Autumn Festival gathering crowds of over 800 in a display of traditional lion and dragon dance, kung fu demonstrations, traditional chinese music and children’s interactive activities; culminating in a parade down Little Bourke Street to our headquarters on Waratah Lane, followed by all the audience.
The Museum of Chinese Australian History has submitted a planning permit to the City of Melbourne, proposing an extensive and ambitious redevelopment. It poses a significant threat to this long held and essential community focal point, Chinatown Square.
https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/planning-permit-register-search-results?permit=TP-2024-709
This application includes plans to excavate two storeys below Chinatown Square for it’s sole usage, a designated Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ); using Chinatown Square as a second entrance to the Museum by installing a new stairwell and lift access and reconfiguring the Square as it’s lobby; connecting this subterranean space via further excavation beneath Cohen Lane and develop a seven-storey extension above the existing Museum building (four storeys).
The application does not refer to any of the grassroots events held, the cultural significance of Chinatown Square, nor did they consult extensively with the community prior to submission.
If this permit is granted the whole footprint of Chinatown Square, this PPRZ, will be unable to host grassroot events by the community of any significance.
This redevelopment plan threatens the very essence of Chinatown Square by eliminating the open space that has been integral for cultural celebrations and gatherings for decades.
The Chinese Museum is only one stakeholder of many.
The City of Melbourne has an obligation to preserve and enhance Public Space and Recreation Zones (PPRZ) for ALL for Melburnians.
This area is not just a Square; it is a place where traditions are upheld publicly; where our elderly gather to reminisce and where the young learn about their rich heritage for decades.
We believe the development should be carefully balanced and considered whilst preserving significant cultural and historical places, particularly for communities of diverse cultural heritage.
Melbourne is celebrated internationally as leading city that embraces diversity, and our spaces must reflect our values, preserving the historical and cultural significance that infuses them with life.
The redevelopment of Chinatown Square MUST have thorough consultation and consideration with all community, to safeguard this cherished public space Chinatown Square (PPRZ) for current and future generations.
Instead, we propose an active revitalization plan that maintains and enhances the Square’s open space above and preserves it below ground; enhancing its existing structures, improving access, facilities and propose public recognition of the long standing community organisations within the Precinct and create greater amenity for Chinatown Square as a PPRZ traditionally used for community purposes and by the public at large.
By improving rather than replacing, we honour the great privilege and forethought our civic leaders and officials established in 1985 via the Chinatown Action Plan and the cherished memories that Chinatown Square holds for all while acknowledging the need for accessibility enhancements.
We urge the responsible authorities the Board of the Chinese Museum; the Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece; the Councillors of the City of Melbourne; the State of Victoria and the Commonwealth Government and associated developers, to pause and critically reassess the current development plans.
A community consultation process that includes the voices of locals, cultural groups and stakeholders should be initiated to ensure that any future changes honour the history, culture and deep community significance of Chinatown Square.
Preserving this invaluable space honours the past, it secures a bright and inclusive future for Chinatown Square.
Help us ensure it remains a vibrant and welcoming location for grassroots cultural celebrations, festivities and gatherings and continues as an open space and PPRZ for all Melburnians.
The ASK
Sign this petition and share
help us
SAVE OUR SQUARE - MELBOURNE CHINATOWN and call for the preservation and enhancement of Melbourne’s Chinatown Square, a designated Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ) in the City of Melbourne for future generations and all Melburnians to freely enjoy.
A message from the Chinese Masonic Society of Melbourne, established in the 1850s, whose contributions to Australian and Chinese Australian communities is unwavering.
To our community,
The Chinese Masonic Society (CMS) is a long-established Chinese community organisation in Melbourne and in that capacity objects to Planning Permit Application TP-2024-709. CMS has concerns about whether the plans adequately reflect the needs and views of the relevant community stakeholders.
This application was put forward by the Museum of Chinese Australian History, and includes plans to excavate two-storeys below Chinatown Plaza, a designated Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ); using the public space as a second entrance to the Museum; limit access to Cohen Place, and develop a seven-storey extension above the existing Museum building (four storeys).
Whilst funding and development into our Chinatown is important and necessary, CMS believes meaningful stakeholder consultation is required to ensure improvements to the Museum or the public square take into account community concerns and preserve public access for everyone.
As such, this petition is to demonstrate that We, the local community, stakeholders, and other interested parties, object to this development of the Chinese Museum, Chinatown Plaza, and Cohen Place unless proper consultation is undertaken to achieve an outcome that benefits all.
We are custodians of Chinatown Square, a place of longstanding historical and community significance, and its character and accessibility should be carefully considered for future generations and the broader public.
It was designed to complement the Museum by our past civic leaders and a deep privilege that must be maintained.
大家好,
洪门民治党（Chinese Masonic Society，CMS）是墨尔本一个历史悠久的华人社区组织。CMS对规划批文申请 TP-2024-709 表示反对。此批文目前的规划是否充分反映相关社区利益相关者的需求与意见CMS表示关切。
该申请由澳大利亚华人历史博物馆（Museum of Chinese Australian History）提出，内容包括：在唐人街广场（Chinatown Plaza）地下开挖两层——该区域被指定为公共公园及休闲区（Public Park and Recreation Zone，PPRZ）；将这一公共空间作为博物馆的第二个入口；限制前往 Cohen Place 的通行；以及在现有四层博物馆建筑之上加建一座七层的扩建建筑。我们认同，为唐人街提供资金支持并推动发展是重要且必要的。然而，CMS 认为，有意义且充分的利益相关者协商是不可或缺的，以确保对博物馆或公共广场的任何改善，都能够充分考虑社区的关切，并维护所有公众的通行权。
本“联名请愿书旨”是为了表明：当地社区成员与利益相关者及其他相关人士反对在未进行适当协商的情况下，次批文对唐人街广场及 Cohen Place 进行上述开发。我们希望通过协商能够达成一个惠及各方的结果。
CMS 身为唐人街广场的守护者，深知这一空间所承载的悠久历史、深厚的社区意义及独特的文化环境价值。我们认为，唐人街广场的历史特色、整体环境及公共可达性，应当得到充分尊重与审慎考量，以确保这一重要的公共空间能够为子孙后代及广大公众长久保留。
唐人街广场由我们过去的市政领袖规划及设计，旨在与华人历史博物馆相互呼应、彼此配合，是墨尔本华人社区历史发展与文化传承的重要组成部分。这不仅是一项珍贵的历史遗产，更承载着社区共同的记忆与责任。我们有责任守护并延续这份历史遗产，使其能够继续服务社区，并为未来世代所珍视。
DISCLAIMER:
We'd like to clarify to those signing that when you are donating to this petition, the money is going towards change.org's network to keep amplifying this petition.
The money will not be donated to us to fight this planning application by the Chinese Museum. Please be mindful of that before donating!
Change.org is an internationally recognised petition platform that helps make REAL change. Donations to amplifying the petition helps us reach more people.
Thank you for supporting this cause, please share widely.
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Petition created on 12 October 2026