Lord Mayor Robert Doyle today unveiled the Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal Draft Master Plan, outlining an exciting vision for Melbourne’s favourite market.
"In 2013, Melbourne City Council committed to the largest investment in its history: up to $250 million to renew the Queen Victoria Market (QVM) precinct.
"After 18 months of speaking with traders and the community about what the renewal might look like, we now have an ambitious master plan which will bring the market into the 21st century while preserving its unique character and heritage.
"It will retain what we all love about the market, such as the fresh meat and produce and speciality shops, while facilitating a contemporary retail offer, new public spaces and the realignment of Franklin Street to create an important East-West connection."
The Lord Mayor said the Draft Master Plan includes options for acknowledging the market’s history, enhancing facilities for traders and market visitors, providing open spaces and places for events and dining, improved parking options and better access for pedestrians, cyclists and commuters.
"I invite the community to have their say on the draft plan which divides the seven-hectare market site into four quarters, each with its own unique characteristics, opportunities and potential future use.
"The quarters intersect at the Market Cross, a new meeting place in the heart of QVM."
The Lord Mayor said works would be staged and conducted as a collection of many projects rather than a single one to minimise disruption and ensure business continuity.
"Depending on the scope of the projects, it is estimated that the renewal could generate 9000 new jobs at the market, 12,000 jobs in the surrounding precinct and thousands of construction jobs," he said.
Councillor Stephen Mayne, Chair of Council’s Finance and Governance Portfolio, said the strategic purchase of the Munro site for $76 million last year, and an agreement with the State Government to realign, improve and develop Franklin Street were key factors in shaping the Draft Master Plan.
"The purchase of the Munro site has been a game-changer. It gives us more options when we look at locating car parking and community facilities within the market," Cr Mayne said.
"This is the third and most critical round of community engagement to date. We’ve laid out a vision for each of the market quarters, but we need to test that vision with traders, shoppers, visitors and residents of the precinct to find out what’s important to them," Cr Mayne said.
The City of Melbourne will be conducting community engagement on the Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal Draft Master Plan from Monday March 2 to Sunday 29 March, 2015.
People can have their say at the Engagement Hub on Queen Street at the market, or online at participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au.
Once consultation on the Draft Master Plan is complete, Council will consider a final master plan for adoption later this year before work commences on detailed design.
In coming months, Council will also consider a planning scheme amendment to implement built form controls in the market precinct.
For more information, see participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au or visit the engagement hub at 452 Queen Street at the market.