Latest plans for Queen Victoria Market redevelopment revealed

Melbourne City Council in its latest plan for the $250m redevelopment of the Queen Victoria Market have revealed a major revamp of parking and a new centrepiece to add more “colour and excitement” to the famous landmark.

More parking spaces are promised for the Queen Victoria Market.

One thousand carparking spaces will be guaranteed under the $250 million redevelopment of Queen Victoria Market.

And extended trading hours at the market will start in late October, with an extra hour of shopping for three days a week.

Melbourne City Council has released its latest plan for the icon’s refurbishment, which is due to be completed in 2025 — years after initial estimates.

An overview of the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment.

The QVM board wants 1000 dedicated parking spaces at the market — 500 at the so-called Munro site on Therry St and 500 at a southern development site near Franklin St.

It will cost about $25 million to put the spaces at the southern site, which is to be redeveloped with towers in a deal with a private developer.

At a meeting next Tuesday, city councillors will also consider approving an extra $4 million for storage and refrigeration within traders’ stalls, bringing the total cost to $10 million.

A render of the proposed Munro site redevelopment next to Queen Victoria Market.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said loading and recycling facilities were planned for Queen St to improve safety and logistics for traders.

“In the morning, traders would unload their produce before the area becomes a dedicated plaza where customers can enjoy food and entertainment,” she said.

Traders will have access to undercover loading docks, secure storage, toilets, showers, lockers and meeting rooms at a revamped G Shed costing $22 million.

The centrepiece of the redevelopment will be the 1.5ha Market Square on the site of the current main carpark.

“This means more spaces where people can relax, attend community festivals and enjoy all the colour and excitement of the market,” Cr Capp said.

The market redevelopment will include more people-friendly spaces.

Under new trading hours from October 29, the market will be open from 6am-3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 6am-4pm on weekends.

Speciality shops will open at 9am.

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QVM CEO Stan Liacos said the new trading hours were overwhelmingly supported by traders.

“We need to … curate the market to better meet the expectations of modern, fickle spoiled-for-choice customers,” he said.

Restoration of market sheds will take place between 2020-2024, while Market Square East is due to be finished by the end of 2022.

Meat and fish hall, and dairy produce hall restoration is booked for 2024, with all works to be completed by the end of 2025.

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@JMasanauskas