Melbourne city council to spend record $244.7m on infrastructure blitz

The Queen Victoria Market’s shed roofs are set to undergo a big change under a record $245 million building blitz by City of Melbourne.

Restoration of Queen Victoria Market will feature in a record $244m infrastructure spend planned by City of Melbourne. Picture: Sarah Matray

Restoration of Queen Victoria Market sheds and redevelopment of an inner city recreation centre feature in a record $244m infrastructure spend planned by City of Melbourne.

The delayed QVM renewal project will get $50m over the next year, with $13m to be spent on heritage shed work due to be finished in late 2022.

About 800 solar panels will be fitted on shed roofs to help power the market, while $11.3m will go on new facilities such as a trader and northern sheds.

A new visitor carpark in Queen Street is due to open in July, allowing the existing one to be turned into a 1.75 ha plaza as part of the market’s $250m redevelopment.

Hundreds of solar panels will be installed on Queen Victoria Market’s roofs. Picture: Mark Stewart

Amid criticism that the council has previously botched the rollout of key projects, a record $244.7m infrastructure program will be a highlight of Tuesday’s city council budget.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the investment in 2021-22 would create more than 2800 jobs and set the city up for prosperity and liveability “for generations to come”.

“Every tradie working on a site across the city provides opportunities for local traders – whether it’s a coffee and a sausage roll in the morning or an after work beer with their crew or a visit to a nearby physio,” she said.

“We are delivering 900 jobs across the Queen Victoria Market precinct renewal alone.”

More than $114m million will go on new infrastructure such as footpaths and roadways, at least $44m on renewing assets, and $72.3 million on upgrade and expansion works.

The Greenline project will be allocated $1m for designs.

“We’re upgrading roads including Albert and Clarendon streets in East Melbourne, Epsom Road in Kensington, and Bourke and Lonsdale streets in the city,” the Lord Mayor said.

Ms Capp’s signature Greenline project will be allocated $1m for designs, but the $300m linear park plan will need state, federal and private funding to get off the ground.

Also in Tuesday’s council budget is $10.2m towards the $42m redevelopment of Kensington Community Recreation Centre, and $1.8m towards the upgrade of Brens Pavilion in Royal Park.

The recreation centre will have an eight-lane pool, gym and three indoor sports courts.

Several current projects like upgrades for Southbank Boulevard, Enterprize Park and the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders streets have been significantly delayed.