The City of Melbourne has released plans for a $35 million investment in Queen Victoria Market that will deliver upgrades to essential services for traders and make the market a safer place to work and shop.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said two new proposed facilities will allow the market's 600-plus traders to run their small businesses more efficiently, while preserving the unique traditions and theatre of the market.
"Our top priority is to protect everything that is great about the market - for shoppers, traders and all Melburnians," the Lord Mayor said.
"The market's 2000-strong workforce currently does not have any dedicated facilities and the market is struggling to meet modern health and safety standards.
"The upgrades will improve logistics, storage, waste and recycling facilities and will deliver new toilets, showers and meeting rooms for workers at the market."
Economic analysis conducted in December 2019 found inadequate and outdated facilities compromised the market's security, safety and compliance with occupational health and safety and food safety regulations.
"Independent research clearly shows the market needs significant investment in new infrastructure to meet modern standards. This was also a key recommendation from the 2019 People's Panel, which included traders.
"We have heard the feedback from traders to upgrade facilities at the market to improve safety for themselves, workers and customers."
The Lord Mayor said the current meat and seafood delivery building, built in the 1980s, will be redeveloped into a new Trader Shed with dedicated loading docks, a three-level basement with climate-controlled storage and improved waste and recycling facilities.
"The time traders spend setting up, packing down and transporting stock will be reduced, so traders can spend more time at their stalls and interacting with customers."
In addition to the Trader Shed, a canopy structure known as the Northern Shed is proposed for the northern end of Queen Street. This will provide an undercover loading dock during delivery times as well as centralised waste and recycling facilities for the entire market.
"Both structures have been designed to complement the market's wonderful heritage sheds and buildings," the Lord Mayor said.
"During busy market hours, the area of the market in Queen Street is set to be transformed into a more welcoming space that is safer for pedestrians - and families - and that improves the connection between the upper and lower market."
The upgraded waste and recycling facilities across both buildings will make the market more sustainable by reducing the amount of food waste being taken to landfill.
The City of Melbourne has submitted planning and heritage applications to the responsible authorities. Subject to approvals, further work will be undertaken with traders on detailed design and operations with staged works expected to commence in 2021 and facilities to be operational in 2024.
