Queen Victoria Market must perform as a public space too, urban design expert says

THE Queen Victoria Market has to evolve to be part of a modern Melbourne much like Fed Square did more than a decade ago, an urban design expert says.

The Queen Victoria Market, known affectionately as the ‘Vic Market’. Picture: Hamish Blair

THE Queen Victoria Market has to evolve and be part of a modern Melbourne, the city council’s urban design expert says.

Speaking at a planning hearing reviewing the future of the site, professor Rob Adams expanded on his vision to transform the space, much like Federation Square did more than a decade ago.

“The time has come for the Queen Victoria Market — as Fed Square did 15 years ago — to perform as a public space, as well as still being a market,” Professor Adams said.

The council produced a masterplan last July proposing a redevelopment of the seven-hectare site and overhaul the much-loved market.

At a Planning Panels Victoria hearing yesterday, Professor Adams outlined the council’s rationale for the proposed makeover.

“We’ve put together what we think will take the market forward for the next 10 to 15 years.”

Professor Adams said the market, which has been operating continuously at the northern edge of the CBD since 1878, was now part of the central city.

The plan is to overhaul some of the retail areas and reclaim the car park for public space.

The council now has access to the Munro site, south of Thierry St, for a potential car park.

The market has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the council since 1996.

It has been nominated for inclusion on the Australian National Heritage List.

Professor Adams said it was vital to retain the authentic nature of the market and respect its heritage.

This issue has been a sticking point with traders and shoppers who oppose the plan, saying the planned development would destroy the heritage feel of the market and threaten the future of the 820 businesses that operate there.

The seven-day hearing continues tomorrow.