Restaurateur Chris Lucas has been named Melburnian of the Year and says he aims to use the award to set out a “bold vision” for the city, including demolishing parts of Flinders Street Station and building a new riverside precinct. Lucas, who owns 12 Melbourne restaurants including Chin Chin and Maison Batard, says the redevelopment could be funded by the private sector.
Lucas described the station as "the largest, most derelict, unused building in the city" and proposed putting the rail lines underground to open up space for hotels, restaurants, and a convention centre linked to the Melbourne Convention Centre. "Melbourne needs to get its mojo back," he said, describing a "once-in-a-century transformation stretching from the MCG and Melbourne Park, through our arts precinct, Federation Square and the Yarra River, to a magnificently renewed Flinders Street Station all the way down to the Yarra." He said he had discussed the idea with the state Labor government, which was "just not in that headspace", and the opposition, which was "open-minded" about it.
The committee, chaired by the City of Melbourne's Sarah Quon, selected the top three nominees in each category, and Lord Mayor Nick Reece and chief executive Alison Leighton chose the winner. Reece said Lucas had helped make Melbourne one of the great food and hospitality destinations and contributed hugely to the economy through his employment of 3500 people. “It wasn't that many years ago that Melbourne was in a very bad place,” Reece said. The award, which in previous years recognised Melburnians involved in charity or advocacy, went to a businessperson for the second year in a row, following Mecca founder Jo Horgan in 2025.
Lucas's victory came ahead of author Helen Garner and former Comedy Festival head Susan Provan. Provan said she was unaware she was being considered, and Garner was also in the dark. Garner responded: “Melburnian of the Year? WTF? Never heard of it. Nothing to say about it.” Lucas, who was highly critical of former premier Daniel Andrews during the COVID-19 lockdowns, said his views were not politically motivated. He said: “Whoever locked me down, I was going to rally up against.”
Lucas is preparing to open two new restaurants this week and said his proposal would be the largest urban renewal project in Australia, creating tens of thousands of jobs.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Lucas's proposal could reshape Melbourne's central transport hub and create a new riverside precinct.
- The debate over public-private funding and whether such a transformation is feasible will be a key issue for the upcoming state election.
- Lucas's win signals a shift in the city's recognition towards business figures driving economic revival.
Background
Flinders Street Station is Melbourne's oldest and busiest railway station, a heritage-listed building that has long been a subject of redevelopment talk. Lucas is a prominent restaurateur with a history of speaking out on city issues, including during the pandemic lockdowns. The Melburnian of the Year award is run by the City of Melbourne.
Key Perspectives
Chris Lucas: Calls for a "once-in-a-century transformation" demolishing parts of the station and building a private-sector-funded precinct with hotels, restaurants and convention space.
Labor government (as reported by Lucas): "Just not in that headspace" regarding the proposal.
Opposition (as reported by Lucas): "Open-minded" about the idea.
What to Watch
- Whether the opposition adopts the proposal as a policy ahead of the election.
- Any feasibility study or private-sector interest in funding the redevelopment.
- Public reaction to the plan, given the heritage status of Flinders Street Station.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedRestaurateur Chris Lucas was named Melburnian of the Year.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Restaurateur Chris Lucas has been named Melburnian of the Year”
- SupportedLucas proposed an overhaul involving demolishing parts of Flinders Street Station.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “He wants to demolish parts of Flinders Street Station”
- SupportedLucas said the redevelopment could be funded by the private sector.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “He says the redevelopment could be funded by the private sector.”
- SupportedLucas described Flinders Street Station as “the largest, most derelict, unused building in the city”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “which he describes as “the largest, most derelict, unused building in the city””
- SupportedLucas proposed putting the rail lines underground to open up space for development.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “if it were rebuilt with the rail lines put underground, opening up the space for development.”
- SupportedLucas said, “Melbourne needs to get its mojo back.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Melbourne needs to get its mojo back,” he says.”
- SupportedLucas described a “once-in-a-century transformation” stretching across Melbourne.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Imagine a once-in-a-century transformation stretching from the MCG and Melbourne Park, through our arts precinct, Federation Square and the Yarra River, to a magnificently renewed Flinders Street Station all the way down to the Yarra.””
- SupportedLucas said the state Labor government was “just not in that headspace” and the opposition was “open-minded” about his idea.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Lucas has broached his vision with both the Labor government – which is “just not in that headspace” – and the opposition, which is “open-minded about it”.”
- SupportedReece said Lucas contributed to the economy through employing 3,500 people.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Reece says Lucas has helped make Melbourne one of the great food and hospitality destinations and contributed hugely to the economy through his employment of 3500 people.”
- SupportedLucas said, “Whoever locked me down, I was going to rally up against.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““I’m telling you that 100 per cent. Whoever locked me down, I was going to rally up against.””
- SupportedGarner responded, “Melburnian of the Year? WTF? Never heard of it. Nothing to say about it.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Melburnian of the Year? WTF? Never heard of it. Nothing to say about it,” Garner says.”
- Partly supportedLucas’s victory came ahead of both Helen Garner and Susan Provan.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “two sources who asked not to be identified so they could speak freely said author Helen Garner was shortlisted and Susan Provan, who headed the Melbourne Comedy Festival for 30 years, was longlisted.”