Council has negotiated a deal with the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) to undertake up-front costs of $20.5M to renovate the South Melbourne Town Hall. ANAM will lease for 35 years and pay annual rent of $550,000 per year. Importantly Port Phillip City Council will have access to the Town Hall for Council meetings and citizenship ceremonies. The deal is expected to go ahead pending community consultation.

ANAM moved from the South Melbourne Town Hall in 2020 to the Abbotsford Convent, due to the need to undertake building works at the South Melbourne Town Hall with the collapse of internal infrastructure.  

Catherine Sharples, Port Phillip resident, said “This is a wonderful outcome. The town hall has been in deep disrepair since the roof fell in. What a fabulous tenant and contribution to the culture of the local area. Well done to the locals who have been supporting this and to ANAM for getting council over the line”.

The ANAM deal follows extensive discussions over the past two years with the City of Port Phillip Council. The deal will see ANAM contribute $20.5M to the proposed renovation project of the South Melbourne Town Hall. A project that will see the renewal and upgrade of the Town Hall’s public-facing facilities, provide a secure and state-of-the-art home for ANAM for the next 35 years. According to Nick Bailey ANAM General Manager the deal will “ensure the community can access and celebrate this vibrant and significant building for many years to come”.

Cr Christina Sirakoff said “the lease arrangement is a good deal for ratepayers because ANAM will be paying rent and will be responsible for routine maintenance, rates, taxes, utilities and insurance premiums. Council will again be able to hold Council meetings and Australian Citizenship ceremonies along with other civil duties. The Town Hall will once again shine”.