High-profile restaurateurs pen open letter objecting to new injecting room proposal

High-profile Melbourne restaurateurs have written to the Andrews Government over plans to open a safe injecting room on Bourke Street.

Almost 40 concerned traders have signed an open letter calling on the state government to rethink the latest CBD site being considered for the facility.

Press PLAY below to hear why traders object

Co-owner of Grossi Restaurants, Elizabeth Rodriguez, says there’s concern the facility will lead to “an increase in inappropriate behaviour and … crime and violence”.

“Imagine young children walking through those parks and picking up a syringe that’s been inappropriately left behind there,” she told Tony Jones, filling in for Neil Mitchell.

THE OPEN LETTER:

Re: Serious Concerns relating to the proposed site of the Supervised Injecting Room

Those in need should always have access to appropriate and safe support. But a supervised injecting room should not be located at the Salvation Army on Bourke Street or anywhere in the CBD.

While the welfare of drug users is one consideration to be made, this should not be to the detriment of the safety and wellbeing of workers, commuters, residents, customers and visitors.

Young children jumping off the trams with their friends and family excited for ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Mary Poppins’ or ‘Mamma Mia’. Flocks of schoolchildren coming out of Parliament Station or walking up Bourke St to visit the centre of our state’s democracy. Tourists from all over the world who have come to our city for their iconic Melbourne experience, visiting one of the many restaurants, cafes and shops just a few short steps away from the front door of the Salvation Army on Bourke St. A proposed site for the injecting room.

We must ensure our employees, guests, suppliers, and all those accessing the precinct at all times of the day and night are safe. Any increased risk to their safety and wellbeing is simply not a risk we can accept.

The Bourke Hill precinct encompasses some of the city’s most historic buildings, unique streetscapes, vibrant laneways and large open public gardens, many of which have been permanently protected by the Victorian Government. It is at once a residential, theatre, entertainment and cultural precinct. It is of aesthetic, architectural, historic, scientific and social significance to the City of Melbourne and Victoria.

The area is characterised by its community, multi-generational contributors to the fabric of what is quintessentially Melbourne. Individuals and businesses who have created experiences that today belong to everyone in Melbourne, Victoria and beyond. This critical part of our heritage must be protected for current and future generations.

Injecting rooms are not without significant impact to the safety and amenity of the surrounding communities, and this is well documented. The ramifications would be felt across our city and would damage our reputation nationally and internationally.

People who work, live or employ people in the city, and all people who visit and use our city, should be able to do so in a safe and peaceful way.

There is no doubt that Melbourne is in the fight of its life to revitalise and reinvigorate our magnificent city after the enormous challenges of the past few years. The custodians of Melbourne have committed themselves wholeheartedly and in every way to this endeavour, to ensure we continue to foster a city culture we are all proud of for generations to come.

We are fighting for a Melbourne every Victorian can be proud of, but the future of our city is at risk if this injecting room proceeds.

Signed by:

Richard Lodge
Owner
Lupino

Karlton Huang
Director
Marais Enterprise Pty.Ltd

Tracy Watson-Sivakumar
Director
Bar 1806

Vignesh Sivakumar
Director
Bar 1806

James Bandara
Director
Bar 1806

Fab Nicolao
Executive Group General Manager
Lucas Restaurants

Liz Rodriguez
Owner
Grossi Restaurants

Guy Grossi
Owner
Grossi Restaurants

Michael Kennedy
Chair
Coalition of Residents’ and Business
Associations Melbourne (CoRBA)

Courtney Ludlow
Operations Manager
Bottega

Denis Lucey
Director
Bottega

Antonio Raneri
Director
American Tailors

Sebastiano Giacobello
Director
American Tailors

Hiromi Yu
CEO
Marais Enterprise Pty.Ltd

Simon Hartley
Resident
803/31 Spring Street
Melbourne 3000

Simon Hartley
Becco
11-25 Crossley Street
Melbourne 3000

Carmelo (Mel) Bazzano
Owner
Alpha barbers 201 spring st

Hanni Akkawi
Director
Skematics

Alana Bascombe
Owner
Bar Carlo

Victor Navani
Owner
Nandos

Carmel Dwyer
Owner
Bourke Street Newsagency

Rinaldo Di Stasio
Owner
Di Stasio Cittá

Mallory Wall
Owner
Di Stasio Cittá

Rafael Camillo
Resident
President
Resident 3000

Peter Minatsis
General Manager
Le Meridien Melbourne

Alexander Angelopoulos
Owner
Café Excello

David Zeimer
Property owner
Bourke and Crossley Street

Helen Zeimer
Property owner
Bourke and Crossley Street

Vicki Malaspina
Owner
The Spaghetti Tree

David Malaspina
Owner
Pellegrinis

Seven Yousef
Jack Barbers

Natasha Firman
General Manager
Longrain Melbourne

Carmel Molony
Director
Bard’s Apothecary

Matthew Molony
Director
Bard’s Apothecary

Jane Tschappeller
General Manager
Punch Lane Wine Bar & Restaurant,
Juliet and Waygood

Mike Patrick
Owner
Fancy Hanks

Con Christopoulos
Owner The European, Melbourne Supper Club, City Wine Shop, Siglo, Angel Music Bar and Butcher’s Diner

Image: Google Maps