Here is a summary from the trader's workshop on 18th March involving Fruit
& Vegetable Traders.
SUMMARY – Wednesday
18th March 2015 Trader Discussion Group #7: Fruit & Vegetable
Provided below is
a summary of the key messages and themes discussed at the trader discussion
group held on the 18 March 2015
Note: these
comments may have been paraphrased to reflect a range of similar comments
associated with a single theme or issue.
Strengths of the draft master plan
Public seating in
Market Cross
Improved
amenities, toilets, parents room
Managing waste,
including fish waste
Eco-initiatives –
solar panels on roof etc
Weaknesses of the draft master plan
Not enough
replacement customer and trader car parking.
Difficult to
access tram stop on Elizabeth Street with a trolley.
Unrealistic
expectation to move people from cars to public transport, given
existing transport
is at capacity.
Intersection of
Elizabeth Street and Therry Street needs to be thought through
to minimise
potential conflicts.
Bus station needs
to be closer to the tourist hub.
Priorities for final master plan
Car parking –
consider parking validation schemes and other forms of loyalty discounts for
customer parking.
Market needs many
more car parks than it has now.
Respond to the
needs of weekly shoppers who have lots of shopping and need a car.
Retain heritage façade
on Munro Site.
Keep the deli,
meat, fruit and veg together in Quarter 1.
Improve pedestrian
comfort within the market environment, cooler on hot days
and warmer and
drier on cold/wet days.
Focus on families.
Improve climate
within the sheds, for example ceiling fans (whirlies).
Access to power.
Dealing with
OH&S issues.
Other key considerations
Move of wholesale
market to Epping may increase need for more storage and refrigeration at QVM.
Will traders be
forced to trade longer days/hours? Will there be additional fees
associated with
additional trading hours?
Careful management
of construction activity.
Clarification of
whether car park numbers include trader parking?
Selection of
street trees to consider pollen and impact leaves dropping on traders, as well
as shade.
Need to promote
both night AND day markets.
One participant
suggested the market needs 5000 car spaces.
Shuttle bus to
transport people to train station/other car parks.
Need to increase
the frequency of cleaning the market.
City of Melbourne
staff need to experience first-hand how the market works.
Distribute food
vendors throughout all parts of the market for better food access.