Angry traders revolt over Queen Vic Market redevelopment, say they are being left out of consultation

TRADERS at Queen Victoria Market are in open revolt at the $250 million plans to redevelop the landmark site.

TRADERS at Queen Victoria Market are in open revolt at the $250 million plans to redevelop the landmark site.

More than 100 stallholders have abandoned the market and they say business has slumped by 20 per cent since the redevelopment process began.

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Queen Victoria Market traders, from left, Leah Moore, Ben Moulton, Luke Graczyk, Robyn Faulkner, Albert Renwood and Iris Zhang in A Shed. Picture: Ian Currie

Eight stallholders on the 12-member Traders Representative Committee have suspended their membership, saying their voices were being ignored and their livelihoods endangered.

Frustrated traders have now gone public because they say their views were being dismissed and the management of the council-owned market was misrepresenting their views back to Town Hall. In a litany of claims, traders say:

SECTIONS of A, C and D sheds are empty on trading days, including the usually busy weekend;

THEY have not been consulted over plans to redevelop the market, nor how they might survive during the five-year construction period; and

PROMISES of long-term tenancies have not eventuated in writing.

An artist's impression of the ‘glasshouse’ market pavilion for the Queen Victoria Market renewal project. Pic: City of Melbourne

Luke Graczyk, who sells eggs and honey in the organic produce section, said traders in the sheds were dissatisfied with their treatment.

“There’s a complete lack of consultation,’’ Mr Graczyk said.

And K Shed trader Robyn Faulkner said one or two businesses a week were leaving because of the uncertainty.

“We have no bloody idea what management is doing,’’ she said.

The traders who have stayed on the committee are from the deli and food hall and are mostly unaffected by the revamp. The market has had four chief executives in the past five years.

The most recent, Malcolm McCullough, lasted 14 months and quit suddenly in July.

Board chairman Paul Guerra is the acting CEO.

Mr Guerra said market management engaged with traders informally daily and through regular structured sessions.

“We know that the renewal program is causing concern for some traders,’’ he said.

“We remain committed to continuing to work with all traders to ensure they are across the details of renewal and the daily operations of the market.’’

A Queen Victoria Market laneway.

Queen Victoria Market’s entrance.

Mr Guerra said trader numbers often fluctuated, with day market numbers down about 4 per cent on last financial year.

He also disputed claims over leases saying last year all traders were given certainty of tenure in writing until 2021.

“We are committed to finding a place for all existing traders within the market during and after renewal.’’

The market, which has been operating since 1878, is the state’s most popular tourist ­attraction with 10 million visitors a year.

The Queen Victoria Market sheds will be preserved in the redevelopment. Picture: Aaron Francis

Traders fear the market, Victoria’s most popular tourist destination, will lose its appeal during the redevelopment ­period and in the process many businesses will go to the wall.

The market redevelopment will cost $250 million to revamp the existing sheds and car park, plus another $400 million to overhaul the Munro site bounded by Thierry, Queen and Franklin streets.

Many traders have signed community memberships with the National Union Workers to rally support.

Empty space at Queen Victoria Market. Picture: Ian Currie

NUW assistant national secretary Paul Richardson said traders felt they were being ignored.

“Many traders feel angry as they watch fellow traders weighed down by insecurity leaving the market every week,” Mr Richardson said.

“The people who have made QVM what it is for decades are being blocked from contributing or standing up for their rights.’’

A City of Melbourne spokeswoman said traders had been consulted widely.

“Council has engaged with business owners to develop the $8 million trader support program and fund to help them operate, grow and innovate their businesses throughout the renewal program,’’ the spokeswoman said.

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