Curtain call for Kylie and friends

Kylie, Edna and friends might have to find another place to live if MAB’s NewQuay Central development proceeds.

The Minister for Planning Matthew Guy has still not made a decision on whether to allow MAB to build a 15-storey hotel in the Waterfront City Piazza.

The piazza is currently home to a number of art installations celebrating Australian entertainers – including an 11-metre mosaic wall mural celebrating the nation’s greatest entertainers and statues of Dame Nellie Melba, Graham Kennedy, John Farnham, Dame Edna Everage and Kylie Minogue.

Known collectively as Variety Entertainers of the Century, there are also 100 bronze plaques in the pavement dedicated to the 100 hottest Aussie stars of last century.

However, Variety’s general manager Rod Dalglish was unaware of MAB’s plans for a hotel at the site.

Mr Dalglish said it would be a “tragedy” if any of the artwork was destroyed or lost.

A MAB spokesperson said:  “MAB is formulating an art strategy for NewQuay Central, however we have not made any decisions regarding the existing artwork.”

“It is possible that if the development proceeds, the existing artwork may need to be relocated,” the spokesperson said.

“However, it is our preference that it be retained in NewQuay or Harbour Town.”

MAB bought the land from ING Real Estate Development and last August announced plans to develop the site.

Variety is a children’s charity which had its roots in the local entertainment industry and was intimately involved in commissioning and directing the art.