Queen Victoria Market to undergo maintenance blitz for paths, lighting

A MAINTENANCE blitz has been proposed to give the city’s heritage-listed Queen Victoria Market a facelift and City councillors are expected to sign off next week on a $770,000 spruce-up.

A MAINTENANCE blitz has been proposed to clean up and give the city’s heritage-listed Queen Victoria Market a facelift.

City councillors are expected to sign off next week on a $770,000 spruce-up. Work on the 140-year-old, council-owned market will include:

REPAIRS to pedestrian pathways;

LIGHTING upgrades; and

FAST-tracking the general maintenance program of drain-cleaning, painting and back-of-house mechanical repairs.

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET ATTACK PLANS REVEALED

MARKET REDEVELOPMENT REJECTED BY HERITAGE VICTORIA

The extra cash will be part of Town Hall’s revised 2018-19 budget to be considered on Wednesday.

The Queen Victoria Market will undergo a major overhaul. Picture: Tony Gough

The council is also committing the first $1 million from its previously announced $8 million Trader Connect Program, which aims to help stallholders during the disruption of the proposed redevelopment.

The original $250 million renewal project was stalled by Heritage Victoria, which refused to allow the dismantling and rebuilding of the century-old sheds, but the council is determined to work on another proposal.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp met traders’ representatives yesterday and confirmed her commitment to proceed with a development.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp at Queen Victoria Market. Picture: Sarah Matray

“Renewal of the Queen Victoria Market is one of the key projects under way at the City of Melbourne,’’ Cr Capp said.

“We are committing nearly $20 million in 2018-19 to update the ageing market facilities while preserving the unique heritage that makes the market so special to locals and visitors alike.’’

Cr Capp said the renewal program would retain the traditional open-air market and ensure its long-term viability.

The market’s own annual budget also includes increased marketing and promotion spending.