This two storey brick building was constructed in 1919 specifically for female patients, with a ward on the top floor with 20 beds for chronic cases. The issue of venereal disease was a major public health issue that was brought into sharper focus by the First World War. Rates of infection were high amongst civilians before the war, but the diseases were not dealt with by the public health authorities with the same intensity as tuberculosis and other deadly diseases. 7,000 men presented for treatment at the nearby men's clinic in just five months in 1917. It is estimated that up to 10% of the Melbourne population was syphilitic, with much higher rates for hospitalised children , with testing revealing infection in up to 35%. At least 30% of blind children in institutuutions are known to have been blinded by syphilis.

This clinic in Little Lonsdale Street was a dedicated facility that allowed women to come into the city after hours for treatment. It was beleived that suburban clinics wound not be used becuase of local stigma attached to the disease. The building is owned by Vicotria University and they have applied for a permit form the Minister for planning to demolish the building and erect a 30 storey tower.

April 2012 We have spent eight days in March and April at Planning Panels Victoria supporting the City of Melbourne in its submissions ot the Panel. We have been supported by expert legal appearances by Greg Tobin of Harwood Andrews Lawyers, and our heritage expert Rohan Storey gave written evidence. The panel report is not expected until June.

December 2011 The City of Melbourne has asked the Minister of Planning for a Panel to consider the submissions made in response ot the study. We expect a Panel would sit in the first half of 2012.

7 June 2011 Fantastic news! City of Melbourne Future Melbourne Planning Committee received the report recommending adding 98 buildings to the heritage overlay. There has been extensive media coverage in The Age, Sunday Age and Melbourne Leader.

The recommendation is expected to go on formal exhibiiton shortly.

4 December 2010 We are very pleased that the City of Melbourne is finally taking action. Firstly, they have commissioned a Heritage Strategy which will outline the projects that need to be undertaken in order to bring heritage listings across the municipality up to date, and which is due to be completed in the first half of 2011. This has several components: the Strategy, including an Environmental History and Statement of Significance.

Secondly, an urgent 'gap' study is being undertaken of about 100 individual buildings within the CBD. Most have been previously recommended for a heritage overlay but some additional places have also been suggested by us. A consultant has been appointed to examine all the buildings, and the building owners have been informed.

Thirdly, a Built-Form review.This review is wide ranging, and started at the beginning of 2010 prompted by concerns with the number of tall buildings on small sites proposed, and permitted. A reference group was formed (including mainly City of Melbourne and DPCD representatives), and it has been looking at various aspects of the planning scheme, since Built Form controls and guidelines can be found in many places, not just Local Policy 22.01 Urban Design in the CCZ. We understand that this review will also look at all the height limits in the CBD. Refer to the City of Melbourne's website for more details.

Even though Melbourne's CBD is the location of some of the most important and impressive buildings in Victoria, the range of buildings that are protected by City of Melbourne heritage controls has not been updated since 1984 - that's more than 25 years!

As a result, many buildings that most people would believe are protected are not, especially many Art Deco and Mid Centruy Modern places; but notable buildings from earlier eras have also been missed. There are even concentrations of buildings that would make excellent new heritage precincts.

The attached letter outlines the issues and documents many of the unprotected places in the CBD.

The Lord Major responded with a promise to begin a Heritage Strategy, which is very welcome.

Little Lon Precinct

May 2011 The precinct is now officially protected by a Heritage Overlay.The MCC has refused a retrospective permit for Nathan's warehouse, so perhaps it can be restored to its original appearance. Unfortunately Heritage Victoria have allowed the extensive alterations to Leitrim's Hotel, which will see all but the front and side walls retained, and a five storey building inserted, changing the skyline of the precinct fundamentally.

February 2011 With no objections received, the heritage precinct is to be approved by the MCC next week. A proposal for extensive upper level additions to the Leitrim Hotel is however subject to a Heritage Victoria permit, and the original face brick of Nathan's Warehouse was recently rendered over without a permit.

July 2010 Responding to a request by the Trust that the MCC consider protecting this row of buildings, the Melbourne City Council 'Future Melbourne' committee - planning subcommittee, met on 5 July 2010, and accepted the recommendation for Heritage Overlay protection. The MCC has now asked the Minister for an interim control, and will then advertise a Planning Scheme Amendment. Given the obvious importance of this row of 19th and early 20th century buidlngs, as outlined in the report by heritage consultant Graeme Butler & Assocs commissioned by Council. heritage protection should be the end result. This would be the first heritage listing instigated by the MCC for over 20 years.

February 2010 Amongst the unprotected heritage buildings in the city is this row between Bennetts Lane and Evans Place in Little Lonsdale Street near Exhibition. The streetscape is considered one of the few intact remnants of the ‘little lon’ area, Melbourne’s 19th century underbelly, peopled by society's "outcasts", the very poor, aged, infirm or criminal, and home to many brothels. The former Exploration Hotel on the corner of Evans Lane was one of the many pubs that dotted this section of town, and the pair of terraces adjacent were built as accommodation attached to the hotel and are amongst the few residential places remaining in the central city. The elaborate 1888 'Leitrim hotel' would have provided more cheap accommodation. Nathan's Warehouse on the corner of Bennetts Lane, and the other warehouse in the middle of the block (1912) were part of the transformation of the area from low-cost accommodation to light industrial uses, especially the Chinese furniture making industry.

Equity Chambers 472 Bourke Street

February 2011 The building, complete with permits, has been put up for sale.

July 2010 The building has been added to the Victorian Heritage Rgister. A permit is being sought from Heritage Victoria for the development. Details here. Read recent articles in The Age - an opinion piece by Greg Barns (a part-time tenant in the building) and by Jason Dowling.

March 2010 We have been advised that this development for conversion into apartments will retain the existing building and all the main significant interiors, including the Art Deco lifts, though not the office interiors on the upper floors. Six levels of new apartments are to be added above the roof, and a new 18-storey section is to be added at the rear of the site.