"You are killing us Mr Wynne" was the sentiment during an informal discussion between traders and a
management representative over the weekend. As we discussed the difficulties
facing the Queen Victoria Market, the failure of Planning Minister Richard
Wynne, to make his decision on Munro's and the underground facilities at the
market, loomed large.
Mr.
Wynne needs to make a decision on the planning application C245 related to the
height of the Munro site development adjacent to the market. He also needs to
decide on the application for underground facilities under A,B, and C Sheds.
Both are critical to moving forward at our market as we attempt to address the
years of neglect at Melbourne's premier market and a retail revolution that is
causing every retailer across the globe to make changes.
We
have a lot of sympathy for Mr. Wynne. He has many voices of advice. He has the
Melbourne Lord Mayor urging for a decision so the city can manage its twin
investments. He has noisy minority groups campaigning for no changes at our
market while traders generally, and market management are saying we need to get
on with the job.
He
is also a politician with an election not far away and he knows that no matter
what he decides, he will have detractors. Traders can only hope that his
decisions will focus on what is best for the Queen Victoria Market as it
battles the headwinds of change and prepares for the next 100 years of trading.
We
don’t want to add to the pressure Mr Wynne, but we would appreciate a decision
soon. We need to move on. Slow decline can become terminal.