At a meeting of traders and management on Tuesday afternoon
a preferred option for the QVM car park was discussed which could have
significant implications for trader operations.
Approximately 20 Specialty Merchandise traders attended a
meeting at the first floor meeting room, cnr Queen & Franklin Sts. The
meeting was addressed by CEO, Jan Cochrane-Harry and Fiona Whitworth from CoM.
The current preferred option from QVM is for an underground
car park under A, B, and C sheds. This option meets a number of management
aims. Firstly it allows the current car park to keep operating and meets the
commitment given to traders for uninterrupted customer parking. Secondly it
keeps parking as near as possible to the actual trading areas of the market in
contrast to some of the other off-site options. Thirdly it keeps car parking on-site
and under the control of QVM.
Much discussion took place about the option including an
alternative car park arrangement presented by trader, John Magno, which
involved a car park under the Franklin St. triangle and a separate underground
facility for unloading and services under Queen St. It was considered that the
Queen St. option had merit.
If the A, B, C shed option is adopted it will involve a
lengthy construction period and disruption to traders. It is anticipated that
traders displaced by construction works would still be accommodated in the top
end with possible additions like marquees on Queen St. Obviously there would still
be compromises to fit everybody in. Much needs to be considered and discussed if
this is to be a viable option for all parties.
We are about to enter stage 2 of the renewal consultation
phase and we can expect car parking and construction impacts to be high on the
agenda. If traders have not already engaged in this process we suggest they
prepare to engage in the next stage. These are very important issues that will
impact on how we do business at QVM.