November 14, 2026 — 11:30pm

Restaurateur Chris Lucas has been named Melburnian of the Year, beating out contenders including author Helen Garner and former Comedy Festival head Susan Provan.

Lucas, who owns and operates 12 restaurants in Melbourne, from lavish four-storey Maison Batard to boisterous Flinders Lane venue Chin Chin, says he aims to use the award to set out a “bold vision” for Melbourne.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece with Chris Lucas at the Melbourne Town Hall. Lucas has been named Melburnian of the Year. Simon Schluter

He wants to demolish parts of Flinders Street Station, which he describes as “the largest, most derelict, unused building in the city”, and build over the rail yards to create a riverside precinct extending from the MCG to the Banana Alley vaults on the Yarra.

“Melbourne needs to get its mojo back,” he says.…