A new public space larger than Federation Square would replace the open-air carpark at Queen Victoria Market under the latest proposed redevelopment of the 141-year-old landmark.
Melbourne City Council has now abandoned plans to dig beneath four of the market’s heritage sheds to create three levels of underground car parking and a service area for traders.
The latest proposal would still deliver 1000 car parks for market customers, which has long been a contentious issue, but they would be contained within a 38-storey apartment tower on the corner of Queen and Therry streets and a future development site on Franklin Street.
Lord mayor Sally Capp said once the new car parks had been built the existing asphalt car park would be turned into the biggest public square in Melbourne.
The 1.5 hectare civic space – to be called Market Square – would be used as a venue for community festivals, farmers' markets and other events and provide a place where people could eat.
None of the proposed works will disturb the 6500 bodies that lie buried beneath the market in what used to be the Old Melbourne Cemetery, which is believed to be an archeological treasure trove.
Heritage Victoria last year rejected the underground parking lot, saying it could not be assured the market's heritage sheds could be returned to the site in their original condition.
The heritage authority also believed the fabric of the 19th century market – the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere – would be irreversibly altered if it went ahead.
Cr Capp said while this was disappointing, the council wanted to move on and address the challenges facing the market while maintaining its heritage.
But a part of the latest proposed revamp - a $6 million plan to have storage and refrigeration at fruit and vegetable stalls – could also raise some concerns.
Mary-Lou Howie.Credit: Stefan Postles
“Fixed stalls are not part of traditional market operations, we would lose the sense of an open-air market,” said Friends of Queen Victoria Market president Mary-Lou Howie.
Ms Howie also said replacing the open-air car park would “kill the market”. Ms Howie, whose father was a trader at the market, said she often filled the boot of her car twice during her market shops.
She said the new car parks would not be appropriate for market shoppers and traders depended on the convenience of the existing car park.
“Without the car park the market will shrink,” Ms Howie said. The market is Melbourne's "old city" she says, "and all cities protect their old cities. Not us.”
An image of the latest proposed redevelopment of Queen Victoria Market.
The latest redevelopment proposal, which will seek in-principle support from Melbourne City councillors next Tuesday night, is part of a $280 million renewal of the site.
The council wants to redevelop the market to ensure it provides a brighter future for the produce and retail centre, parts of which have high vacancy rates.
Apartment development means an extra 22,000 residents will live nearby within five years.
The latest proposal will include centralised waste facilities in Queen Street north and loading facilities, trader storage and amenities and waste management for the Meat and Fish Hall at the G shed site.
Shoppers were out in their droves early on Christmas Eve.Credit: Michael Bachelard
This was a recommendation made by a “people’s panel”, a group of 40 traders, customers and residents, established by the council to help guide it on decisions related to the market.
Economist Marcus Spiller, whose company SGS Economic and Planning completed the business case arguing for a major redevelopment of the market, last year said Queen Victoria Market was “suffering an incremental decline”.
“If you go through the market on any day but Saturday, you will see stalls with hessian shrouds over them - almost like coffins,” he told The Age.
SGS found the latest option to be considered by councillors “costs the least to implement, is the only option likely to pay for itself financially and has the most manageable delivery risks”.
It found that for every dollar spent on the option being considered, $7 would be generated in overall economic benefits.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne said he was pleased the council was protecting the market's heritage while providing an upgrade to secure its future viability.
"The market is a massive tourist attraction and for locals it's part of our community,” he said.