New trustees committee to advise troubled Queen Victoria Market project could be expanded

A new body to oversee the troubled $250 million Queen Victoria Market redevelopment could be expanded, with a number of prolific Victorians floated to join the push.

A NEW body to oversee the troubled redevelopment of the Queen Victoria Market could be expanded.

The proposed QVM Committee of Trustees is based on an election pledge by Lord Mayor Sally Capp.

The committee will be an advisory body in addition to the market’s four-person board of management, and a 40-member “people’s panel” that has just released a report on options for the market’s future.

QVM BOARD MARGINALISED IN BID TO REVIVE $250M PROJECT

MARKET FACES NEW HURDLE IN CONTAINER LANEWAY PLAN

PEOPLE’S PANEL REJECTS KEY ELEMENTS OF MARKET PLAN

Artist's impression of a new market pavilion for the original Queen Victoria Market renewal project.

The panel’s report rejected key elements of the council’s $250 million redevelopment plan, prompting some councillors to privately concede that the current project is dead.

It followed Heritage Victoria knocking back the council’s bid to put trader facilities and carparking under old sheds, which were to be restored.

In a report to a council meeting on Tuesday, City of Melbourne CEO Ben Rimmer has recommended that councillors consider expanding the proposed trustees committee from 10 to 13 members.

This would include five trader and three community representatives.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp (left) pledged to set up a new advisory body for the market.

Consultant firm SHK was engaged to vet expressions of interest for the roles and has recommended six community and nine trader candidates for consideration.

Names include deputy chair of state agency Development Victoria Tony De Domenico, whose previous positions include executive director of the Urban Development Institute of Australia state division.

Development Victoria deputy chair Tony De Domenico is a candidate for the QVM Committee of Trustees.

Other community candidates include Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation CEO Ian Hamm and Jean Hailes For Women’s Health CEO Dr Vanda Fortunato.

Among the trader candidates are fishmonger George Milonas and cafe owner Fleur Studd.

There were more than 40 applications for trustee positions, with four deemed “entirely unsuitable”.

If approved by tomorrow’s council meeting, the trustees will each be paid $200 per meeting.

Cr Capp will chair the committee, which would also include a further two councillors and two independent nominees.

The QVM board’s new chair is public relations guru Jane Fenton, while 3AW’s “Mann about Town” David Mann will remain on the board as market ambassador.

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