Queen Victoria Market redevelopment opponents unveil their own plan

OPPONENTS of Queen Victoria Market’s $250 million redevelopment aren’t giving up on the Melbourne icon, unveiling their alternative plans for the heritage site. SEE THE PICTURES

A ROOFTOP park and a 1100-seat amphtitheatre are part of a bold alternative for the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment put forward by opponents of the city council’s $250 million proposal.

Phil Cleary, who ran on a “Save The Market” ticket against Lord Mayor Robert Doyle in last year’s election, said their plan did not destroy the heritage of the 1878 market and was more sympathetic to traders.

Opponents of the Queen Victoria Market development have unveiled an alternative plan for the site.

The group says their version of the redevelopment will preserve the market’s heritage.

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The unveiling of the the alternative plans for the heritage site come even though the council last month received planning endorsements from the state government.

“It’s not too late to change,” Mr Cleary said. “Our plan must be accepted by the Andrews Government.

“Our plan has no destructive excavation and no ripping up of these heritage sheds.”

The alternative project is to build a two-and-a-half storey car park on the existing Franklin St car park, with a sky park and amphitheatre on top.

The council’s plan for the carpark, which covers an indigenous burial ground, is to create open community space.

A market has been at the site since 1878. Picture: Michael Klein

The alternative plan, drawn up by West Melbourne architect John McNabb, would also include restoration and weatherproofing of the market sheds.

Water harvesting and a food ingester to recycle waste for energy and compost are also part of the plans, the costs of which would be released in a few days.

Mr Cleary said most stallholders supported the plan because the council and market management had delivered nothing but uncertainty.

The proposal does not address the redevelopment of the Munro site on Therry St.

It comes as construction work on the new-look Queen Victoria Market could start as soon as next month.

Work on the council’s planned greenhouse structure on Queen St could start next month.

Artist’s image of the proposed Munro site redevelopment. Picture: Supplied

Premier Daniel Andrews last month announced that the five-year redevelopment of the site could proceed with heritage and height controls cleared.

The neighbouring Munro building site will also undergo a $400 million development. A height limit of 125m has been set for the site on Therry St.

The council and developer PDG wanted a 60-level tower but that was trimmed to 40 storeys.

Construction work on the greenhouse-style market pavilion on Queen St is expected to start next month. The structure will cater for market traders dislocated when work on the main market starts in March.

About 10 million people visit the market every year, and is regarded as Victoria’s busiest tourist attraction.

Read more: Seven of Victoria’s best farmers’ markets

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@IanRoyall