Preserve Middle Park Village

Welcome to the community fundraising platform set up to raise money to challenge Port Phillip Council's decision to grant a planning permit for an open-air rooftop music venue on top of the Middle Park Hotel (MPH).

The pub operator, Australian Venue Co (AVC), is seeking approval to host 200 additional patrons on a new open-air rooftop music venue involving DJs and live music up to 7 nights a week. AVC is a high-volume, alcohol-focused pub group backed by KKR Private Equity, a large global financial investor. AVC owns The Espy in St Kilda.

To date, more than 700 local residents have signed an online petition opposing the development. Overwhelming concerns of residents include excessive noise from an open-air rooftop music venue and 200 extra (560 in total) patrons decanting onto our streets late at night.

The matter will be heard at VCAT over six days during March 2023.

A formal community association called ‘Preserving Middle Park Village Inc.’ has been incorporated, to coordinate opposition at VCAT to this open-air rooftop music venue. The Association has retained the services of an experienced barrister specialising in planning law. We will also engage technical experts such as acoustic engineers to present a clear case that residents are united in opposition to this open-air rooftop music venue.

To overcome this threat to our village community, we ask for your support by clicking on the “Donate Now” button.

We wish to send a strong message to the owners and the operators of the MPH and Port Phillip Council that residents value a peaceful night’s sleep.

If you would like to be kept informed of developments in the campaign please send an email to [email redacted] and ask to be added to the mailing list.

We look forward to tabling a compelling case at VCAT in March 2023.

Many thanks – Adrian, Helen, Odette, Matthew, Paul and Joanna