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Future public open space

Artist impression showing the tree-lined market square busy with people sitting in the open space, walking and cycling. Next to the square a busker plays violin and people are seated at cafe tables.
​​Artist impression of the future ​​Market Square.
The City of Melbourne is creating a new 1.8 hectare public open space in the heart of the city.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Market Square charter and Aboriginal place name 

At a Council meeting on 30 June 2020, councillors unanimously endorsed a charter as the framework for the new open space to inform the design and guide future management and operations. It also endorsed the development of an Aboriginal place name for the space in consultation with Traditional Owner groups. Read the committee paper, resolution and minutes​​. 

The Market Square Charter will guide decision making on the activities, uses and management of the new space and is an important tool to ensure the intended vision is realised and protected. It also o​utlines that as part of Melbourne's open space network the new space will need to respond to the public recreation needs of the community it serves. This includes a space for reflection, relaxation, and informal recreation, and allows for people to come together for activities, events, social and community exchange. ​

​Project overview

  • The two stage process to deliver Melbourne's new meeting place commenced from mid-2021 as 500 car spaces shifted to a new carpark at the Munro development. 
  • The second stage will be completed once further carparks are delivered at the Southern Site from 2024. ​

Community engagement

The charter consolidates a range of community input and priorities for Market Square to define the unique characteristics and requirem​ents for the space, including the site’s tangible and intangible heritage values, reflected in the National, Victorian and Aboriginal Heritage listings.

The community engagement process for the charter included the community priorities for open space, shared through the 2014-15 Master Plan process; the continued consultation with Traditional Owner groups, traders, and other key stakeholders such as the City of Melbourne Parks and Gardens Advisory Committee; and the community engagement in October 2019 which provided an opportunity to test and validate the previous ideas identified for Market Square, and seek other items for the development of the charter.

Findings from the October 2019 Participate Melbourne survey reinforced community support for transforming the current Queen Victoria Market customer car park into an inviting civic space for the city’s growing population. Respondents viewed respect for and fostering of Aboriginal voices and connection to place as most important (81 per cent), followed by involving and celebrating Melbourne’s diverse communities; encouraging community events and activities that support inclusion, well-being and belonging; and providing a place for informal recreation (more than 70 per cent). These priorities are now reflected in the charter.

Learn more about the community engagement findings at Participate Melbourne.​

​Background

The transformation of the Queen Victoria Market customer car park into Melbourne’s newest public open space is a key project of the market precinct renewal. It is also part of an agreement between the Victorian Government and City of Melbourne to support the revitalisation of the market precinct. 

Since the Council adoption of the QVMPR Master Plan in 2015, Council decisions and QVMPR project delivery have reaffirmed the commitment to deliver this new open space for Melbourne while also ensuring the replacement of at least 720 car parking spaces elsewhere in the precinct. ​ ​

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