The crafty idea to transform the Flinders Street Station ballroom

The Salvation Army wants to open up the disused Flinders Street Station ballroom for Melbourne’s needy.

Major Brendan Nottle told 3AW Breakfast the neglected heritage-listed ballroom could be home to a craft market.

The idea is for disadvantaged people to sell arts and craft, jewellery, photography, clothing and keep the proceeds of what they sell.

As part of the bid, there would also be crisis accommodation at the station for those who sleep rough in the area.

‘You’ve got people who are homeless, you’ve got people with mental health issues,’ he said.

‘You’ve got people that are asylum seekers, they are sitting around the fringes of our city, often when when we come across them they’ve got amazing skills and they are just sitting dormant.

‘We thought let’s try and set up and arrangement where we can really nurture those skills.’

Jenny Smith, the CEO of the Council to the Homeless Person, told Tony Jones on 3AW Mornings she welcomed the idea.

‘Being homeless isn’t safe, it’s a very dangerous thing,’ she said.

‘Keeping  people safe is a big priority, any proposal that might get some people off our streets is a very positive thing.’

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said she’s not ruling anything in or out when it comes to uses for the historic ballroom.

Station restoration works begin next week.

Ms Allan said the $100 million upgrade is the top priority.

LISTEN: Salvation Army’s Major Brendan Nottle on 3AW Breakfast with Peter and Kate