Traditional Wurundjeri owners doubt Queen Victoria Market project over burial ground fears

THE Wurundjeri people have voiced their concern about the redevelopment of Queen Victoria Market over fears for an Aboriginal burial ground, throwing a major part of $250 million project into doubt.

THE Wurundjeri people have voiced their concern about the redevelopment of Queen Victoria Market, throwing a major part of $250 million project into doubt.

The Wurundjeri Council fears works will disturb an Aboriginal burial ground beneath the current car park.

The revamp has planned a public “market square” for that 1.5ha section of the site.

The city council has said works would be carried out with respect, and would minimise disturbance of the graves.

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The Queen Victoria Market car park. Picture: Hamish Blair

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But traditional owners say the council was not meeting the needs of the indigenous people.

“Consultation between the City of Melbourne and traditional owner groups has resulted in a perception that the City of Melbourne is reluctant to adapt plans in accordance with the needs

of the traditional owners,’’ a statement from Wurundjeri Council has said.

“Wurundjeri Council are now opposing the current plans for the development of the Queen Victoria Market, which we collectively fear will disturb the burial ground.”

Much of the market is on the site of the Old Melbourne Cemetery.

The graveyard, in use from 1837 to 1854, is the resting place of the remains of about 10,000 people, including indigenous people and the original burial site of the city’s founding father, John Batman.

A map of the Old Melbourne Cemetery, currently the site of the Queen Victoria Market. The red line indicates the location of the proposed underground operations.

The Aboriginal burial ground is to the south of the site towards Franklin St.

A Town Hall spokeswoman said the council was working with traditional owners on a more fitting recognition of the Old Melbourne Cemetery.

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“Interpretive elements such as artwork and other landscape features will also be developed to recognise the site’s significance, as well as business opportunities for traditional owners and other Aboriginal enterprises,’’ she said.

The change of heart is a major setback for Town Hall, which is still waiting for heritage approval for dismantle and reconstruct Sheds A to D, built between 1878 and 1922.

Heritage Victoria has extended its review because of the high number of objections.

The proposed Peel St lift and entry at the Queen Victoria Market. Pic: Grimshaw Architects

“The Heritage Council has allowed a further 60 days for Heritage Victoria to assess the application regarding the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment due to the complexity of the application,’’ a statement said.

Submissions to Heritage Victoria revealed concerns about the proposed “renovation” of sheds A to D.

Doubts have also been raised about plans to excavate beneath the sheds to allow for the construction of three levels of underground storage and car parking.

Construction of a glasshouse-style pavilion, which had been planned to house traders being disrupted by the redevelopment, was originally to have begun in October.

But that has now been ­postponed to some time in the first half of this year.

Last year, the council-owned market posted an ­annual loss of $2.3 million.

This prompted further calls from traders for a shake-up of the Queen Victoria Market’s board of management.

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@IanRoyall