EY Sweeney conducted the trader survey last month and received feedback from 266 market traders on their current and future storage and amenity needs.
City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the trader survey was one of 14 recommendations made by the People's Panel appointed to consider the critical infrastructure needs of the market.
"We asked traders what storage and facilities they need. They've confirmed we need to get on with the renewal to make it easier and safer to trade at the market," the Lord Mayor said.
"More than half of all market traders said having more storage would make it easier for them to run their business. Currently traders lack access to basic things like power, running water, storage, refrigeration and adequate facilities for food waste and other rubbish."
The survey reinforces previous trader feedback during engagement for the 2015 Master Plan for the precinct.
Fifty-three per cent of fresh food traders said they need more access to water while 20 per cent needed improved waste water collection. Seventy-three per cent of general merchandise traders said they require access to electricity.
The results showed:
- 52 per cent of traders said more storage would make it easier to operate their businesses.
- 44 per cent said they believed they could sell more products if they had more storage.
- 42 per cent of traders require additional storage in the future, of these 79 per cent said they need more dry storage, 33 per cent said they need more cool rooms and 19 per cent said more freezer storage was needed.
- Only two per cent of traders said they would need less storage in the future.
- 38 per cent of fresh produce traders require on-site truck parking.
- 63 per cent of general merchandise traders need car parking at the market.
The Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal aims to create a safer and more efficient delivery and stall set up process for traders, access to better facilities, including separate toilets, and separating forklifts and trucks from customers and traders. More open space is also part of renewal.
"We need to safeguard the market's future by making it easier and more viable for traders to run their businesses and provide better amenities for customers," the Lord Mayor said.
The People's Panel report was presented to Council on 10 December 2018. Councillors will soon consider a report on the provision of market infrastructure at G Shed and in Queen Street, and car parking in the market.