There
is nothing like a few concept drawings to give you a feel for a new project and
now that plans for the Munro site have been revealed we can make a better
assessment of its likely impact.
The
Munro site has been the subject of intense discussion since it was purchased by
the City of Melbourne and linked with the development of the Queen Vic Market. There
have been various planning meetings and some fairly strident opposition from
those claiming that a high rise development on the site will impact unreasonably
on a traditional retail market.
The
spread of our CBD is inevitable. How a traditional retail market fits in with
the changes around it is the challenge in front of everyone associated with QVM.
While many city markets around the world have disappeared or changed
substantially, the decision has been made to keep QVM pretty much in its
current form. That is a great start.
So
how will change impact on QVM? At the level of a major nearby development it is
difficult to know. At a micro level we have seen the introduction of things
like ATM machines in the middle of aisles. The clash of old and new has worked
brilliantly, allowing customers to enjoy modern banking conveniences without
losing the charm and romance of a market.
Is
a high-rise on Munro’s going to damage the Queen Vic Market? If the level of
development can range between doing nothing and blanketing the entire site with
monolith high rises this design seems to choose middle ground. There is one core
structure, the setback is substantial, and the Queen St end of the site stays
comparatively low level.
What
about the height? Should the high-rise be the standard 100 metres for this
area, or should it be the asked for 196 metres? Presumably the extra height
adds to the profitability of the whole project but does it matter otherwise?
Victoria’s Planning Minister, Richard Wynne, has expressed some reservations about the height
of the tower while Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, has pointed out that the height of the proposed tower was
less important than its bulk, claiming a 100-metre tall structure across the
length of the site would be much more intrusive.
Mr Wynne recently approved the 322 metre Crown
Casino hotel development on Southbank so height certainly doesn’t seem to be an
issue elsewhere in the city.
In
a sense the Munro development brings market surroundings up to the class of the
market itself. The market is a wonderfully preserved piece of 19th/20th
century building design and deserves quality surroundings.
Key features of the Munro development include:
·
market customer car parking
·
new open space and laneways
·
a 120-place childcare facility
·
maternal, child health and family services centre
·
56 affordable housing units
·
a community centre, kitchen, artist spaces and city room gallery
·
a hotel and residential apartments
·
retail in keeping with the market precinct.
A
key component is the underground market car park that allows the current asphalt
car park to be converted to public space. Few traders are likely to
complain about a 300 room hotel, residential apartments, and 56 housing units providing
a ready source of customers on their doorstep.
The
Munro project is now at the approval stage. We can expect plenty of politicking
and plenty of debate before a final conclusion is reached although that should
happen soon. Most traders will be grateful that we now have a better look at
the design. We would expect a variety of views about the development and
certainly welcome yours.