Hundreds sign petition for a bunnings in Federation Square

Australians have rallied behind a petition to have a Bunnings Warehouse erected in Melbourne’s Federation Square instead of a proposed new Apple Store.

Nearly 1500 believe the hardware store is ‘the one and only retailer’ suitable for the prestigious spot.  

The Victorian state government approved a plan last week to demolish The Yarra building in Federation Square, announcing it would be replaced by a ‘global flagship’ Apple store.

Nearly 1500 Melbourne residents have signed in favour of a Bunnnings Warehouse being erected in Federation Square instead of the state Governments plan for an Apple store

The Yarra building includes the Koori Heritage Trust, a group that promotes Aboriginal rights and celebrates their culture.

Melbourne resident Nick Price started a Change.org petition, saying an Apple store would be ‘a blatant abuse of a precious public space.’ 

‘It rubbed me up the wrong way,’ he told 3AW.

‘I thought what would be better, what would be more Australian than having Bunnings Warehouse at Fed Square.’

Hundreds have praised Mr Price for his bold move and joined him in his mission to stave off the development of the giant Apple store. 

Residents are outraged after the Victorian state government approved a plan to demolish The Yarra building in the city's award-winning Federation Square 

Residents are outraged after the Victorian state government approved a plan to demolish The Yarra building in the city’s award-winning Federation Square 

‘Who needs apples in the city. We want snags in bread,’ one supporter wrote. 

Several more expressed how much they’d appreciate easy access to a cheap Bunnings sausage sizzle in the heart of the city.

‘Bring on the sausage sizzle, great tourist attraction and culture in one place!.’ 

‘I would be down for a snag in fed square.’ 

‘We need a building that is timeless and classy.’  

‘Bunnings is an important part of Australian culture and should be given the center stage.’  

The Federation Square group announced last week a Global Flagship Store for the tech giants would replace the old Koori Heritage Trust hub 

The Federation Square group announced last week a Global Flagship Store for the tech giants would replace the old Koori Heritage Trust hub 

‘When I’m in the CBD I always need lumber and lawnmowers more than USB cables and iTunes gift cards.’ 

The Federation Square group was accused of ‘selling out’ after it unveiled the design of the Flagship Store – a large hut-like building fitted with big glass windows.

‘This isn’t just any regular Apple shop – as a Global Flagship Store and Apple’s most significant store in the Southern Hemisphere, the space will host workshops, classes, and live music events,’ it said in a statement.

‘The project will create nearly 500 square metres of new public space in Federation Square and connect Federation Square with the Yarra River and Birrarung Marr through the construction of a building which takes up less space than the current Yarra building it will replace.’

The group unveiled the design of the Flagship Store, a large hut-like building fitted with big glass windows

The group unveiled the design of the Flagship Store, a large hut-like building fitted with big glass windows

Melbourne locals have been less receptive of the plans, nicknaming the site ‘Apple Square’ and labeling the move ‘disgraceful’. 

‘Fed square is an escape within the city, don’t put big commercial shops in it,’ one person said.

‘Seriously? You’re getting rid of the Koorie Heritage building to replace it with a commercial retail building? That’s just disgraceful,’ another Twitter user replied.

‘Corporate sellout of one of the city’s few icons. Looks pretty ugly too if that’s the real drawings. Very disappointing,’ a person said commenting on the design of the building.     



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