Construction Crews Demolish Interior of Palace Theatre Before Heritage Decision

It's been a David and Goliath battle from the very start, but it seems Goliath has finally made his size known — construction crews have this afternoon been found secretly demolishing the interior of the much-loved Palace Theatre. Though most mourned for the Palace back in June when the owner's lease ran up, many have still been fighting the good fight trying to get the venue heritage listed. After all their good work, the site was set to be reviewed for heritage protection from Melbourne City Council shortly. Now, much of what they were fighting to protect has been destroyed.

Though the new owners, Jinshan Investments, are yet to obtain a demolition permit, it seems they're free to do as they see fit with the building's interior. Nearby businesses have reported the rubbish skips have been out the front all week, and construction workers have been spotted hauling out huge slabs of plaster and moulding that has been in place since the early 1900s. One worker told The Age that they were carrying out orders as the site was to be turned into apartments.

City of Melbourne councillor Rohan Leppert was one of the first to speak out by calling the police to the scene. "There is no permit to demolish the building, and the owner knows that the Council and Government considers the interiors to be of significant heritage value," he said. "[It's] sheer vandalism."

Protestors from Melbourne Heritage Action and Save the Palace Theatre are currently on site too. "We asked to see a copy of the demolition permit and were asked, 'who the hell are you?' and 'where's your badge?'" the group said on their Facebook page. They are now reporting that the demolition crew told police they were "removing plaster to check sprinkler systems".

A snap protest has been called for 6pm tonight at The Palace. "[It's] a visual sign to the people who can turn this around that this IS NOT ON!" their Facebook post read. "While there is still something to save you all need to get off your arse and down to the Palace ... The people of Melbourne need to join together to make some damn noise."

Outside the @Palace_Theatre at 6pm - make some noise! These cultural vandals need to be stopped and the decision makers must do something

— Save the Palace (@SavethePalace13) November 20, 2014

It may be a fairly sad last resort, but if you've ever loved the venue it's time to get your arse up to Bourke Street. Do it for that incredible gig you snuck into when you were 17; do it for the first dates and the late nights and all the amazing bands that have played there over the years; do it for the goddamned principle of the thing.

Photos via Melbourne Heritage Action.