The
big lesson from the federal election would appear to be that voters have become
disenchanted with the major parties and are looking for alternatives even if it
means supporting some of the extreme views of people like Hanson with their
simple one line answers to major issues.
Looking
for one line answers to complex issues is just as much a danger in our very own
market renewal as it is in matters of national importance and there are other
parallels to be drawn here. The protest vote in national politics (the rise of
a variety of independents) is simply a population saying "We don't think
you are looking after us. You haven't come to tell us your plans. We never see
you. You don't seem to consider us."
Is
it possible for outsiders to understand the extreme pressures on market traders
as they battle a retail revolution with a major renewal thrown in to the mix?
Small business entrepreneurs are used to taking risks. That is the essence of
the risk/reward equation. But it only works when the risk and reward are within
reach and right now the reward seems further away. QVM management cannot be
expected to guarantee traders futures although they can be expected to
recognise the impact of renewal and ease
the way. This is a joint venture.
There
is some suggestion that QVM are prepared to consider the difficulties that
traders are facing. We understand that discussions with Victoria St. shops
include joint responsibility for their temporary relocation while construction
goes on. It is these one to one discussions that have the best chance of
meeting the real needs of both parties.
Renewal
is bringing with it lots of difficulties, but we all look forward to the end
result of a market that is better placed to meet the needs of the next 100
years - short term pain for long term gain. The short term pain can also bring
opportunity and the chance to try out new things. As we re-arrange things to
accommodate renewal, we can consider changes to trading hours, how stalls are
set-up and a myriad of other retailing components. Moving Fruit &
Vegetables to M shed raises a whole new dynamic for the top end. Will proximity to the car park mean greater opportunities for F&V? Will L shed
become the most desirable location for Specialty Traders who cater to the needs
of locals? There are opportunities here.
But
we need to learn from the federal election. The sharing of information in this
latest round of consultation at QVM has not been great. A single meeting with
Trader Representatives last Thursday and a large dose of rumouring is simply
not sufficient for such a critically important event as the first stage of
implementation. QVM and the City need to devote resources to trader engagement and
information sharing right now, and the closer we get to timely one-to-one
information sharing the better. This is a joint venture.