The critical facilities, Trader Shed and Northern Shed were shaped by the 2018 People’s Panel and will transform the day to day operations for traders and enhance the market experience for shoppers and visitors.
The Queen Street streetscape will also be upgraded, connecting the lower and upper market transforming the roadway into a pedestrianised area with places to gather, eat and relax. Underground water reuse and stormwater tanks will also be installed.
Works to construct Trader Shed commenced in mid 2023.
Background
Independent research carried out in 2017 showed that significant investment in new infrastructure to meet modern safety and sustainability standards was needed to ensure the market could not only survive, but thrive into the future.
The 40-member People’s Panel, including 15 trader representatives, customers, residents and interested stakeholders helped shape how best to deliver critical market infrastructure in four locations.
Detailed plans were developed after Councillors unanimously endorsed moving forward with the next stage of plans to revitalise Queen Victoria Market by providing new infrastructure at a Future Melbourne Committee meeting on 17 September 2019. The plans are also supported by the Board of Queen Victoria Market Pty Ltd.
Planning permit process
Councillors unanimously endorsed planning applications with conditions for the Trader Shed and Northern Shed at a Future Melbourne Committee meeting on 13 April 2021.
Planning applications for the two purpose built traders facilities were submitted to the City of Melbourne Planning and Building Branch on 5 February 2020. View the applications:
Heritage permit process
On 3 December 2020, Heritage Victoria issued two permits with conditions (P30767 and P32629) for the proposed facilities in accordance with the process dictated by the Heritage Act 2017. Read the media release from 2020.
The City of Melbourne made applications for the two purpose built trader facilities to Heritage Victoria on 5 February 2020. Following feedback from Heritage Victoria, the Trader Shed building design was modified to ensure the proposed buildings better complement the market’s heritage character and provide more facilities for customers and traders.