Jeff Kennett critical of ‘people’s panel’ to consider stalled Queen Victoria Market redevelopment

A RIFT has emerged among City of Melbourne councillors over the way forward for the troubled Queen Victoria Market redevelopment, as the market’s future viability was questioned.

QUEEN Victoria Market’s future viability has been questioned as city councillors tonight voted to appoint a “people’s panel” to vet the $250 million redevelopment plan.

The panel motion was strongly opposed by Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood, who pleaded with councillors to stop wasting time and money and get the stalled project done.

“If we fail to take the leadership positions which our ratepayers expect from us, then this project fails,” he said.

Former premier Jeff Kennett said the people’s panel was a bureaucratic cop out that could jeopardise the city icon’s future.

“It’s death by a thousand cuts,” he told the Herald Sun.

GLASS LIFTS PLAN FOR QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET

MARKET REVAMP REJECTED BY HERITAGE VICTORIA

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET BOARD MARGINALISED IN SHAKE-UP

Artist's impression of market pavilion proposal for the Queen Victoria Market renewal project.

“The market is a wonderful place but it is in desperate need of being modernised and upgraded.”

“At some stage people are elected to make decisions.”

Last month, the council approved a new committee of trustees chaired by Lord Mayor Sally Capp and including trader representatives to oversee the development dogged by heritage issues.

But tonight’s meeting added more red tape by giving the green light to a people’s panel comprising 28 traders, customers and community members, as well as 12 invited “key stakeholders”.

Cr Capp said the panel would give a voice to those most impacted by the redevelopment — the traders, shoppers and community members.

“Engagement needs to be at the heart of how we go about this process,” she said.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp and Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg during a recent visit to Queen Victoria Market.

But Cr Wood told the meeting the market redevelopment process had already taken five years involving more than 50 council resolutions, two independent business cases, so councillors should not waste time with another drawn-out consultation.

“The QVM renewal project is not just about the market, it’s about knitting together the CBD and city north, and providing 1.5ha of open space to the 20,000 residents who will call this area home,” he said.

“The business case is predicated on a doubling of the tradeable floor area — this is a critical point we need to keep on reminding ourselves of,” he said.

Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood opposes a ‘people’s panel’ to look at Queen Victoria Market issues.

Cr Wood said the council should give priority to consulting Heritage Victoria to resolve its concerns over proposed heritage shed works, before submitting a revised permit application in December.

Cr Susan Riley said that $1 million had already been spent on consultation and the council needed to get on with fixing the market.

“I just can’t come to terms with another consultation process,” she said.

Cr Beverley Pinder said the issue was about the livelihood of traders, and everyone should work together to renew the market without the need for a people’s panel.

“Let’s not throw the good work out, let’s build on it,” she said.

The council’s master plan is opposed by a well-organised protest group, while Planning Minister Richard Wynne has also raised concerns about heritage issues.

The people’s panel motion passed 7 votes to 4.

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