Apple’s controversial plan to build a new Apple Store in Melbourne’s Federation Square appears to have got the green light to go ahead, after a Greens motion in the Victorian Parliament to revoke planning amendments for the store was resoundingly defeated in the Victorian Parliament.

The plan has been controversial because it involves demolition of the existing Yarra Building – seen by some as Australia’s ugliest building, by others as an important link for the Aboriginal community, given that it contains  an Aboriginal cultural centre

Despite two Liberal MPs criticising the plan, and one saying it was a bad decision that would “destroy Federation Square”, the State Opposition sided with the Government on the matter.

The move to revoke the deal was voted down 34 to 4.