The following editorial appeared in CBD News last week -
"By Stan Liacos
CEO Queen Victoria Market
In my first four months as CEO of Queen
Victoria Market I have heard many and varied views about how to “save our
market”.
The one common theme that has come
through however is the need for some degree of market upgrades and business
adaptation. This is what I have taken
from my conversations with our 600-plus, increasingly-frustrated traders.
The task now is for traders, City of
Melbourne, market board and staff to decisively embark on this journey
together. And locking in a prosperous
future for our traders will only occur if we adapt to better satisfy the modern
demands of customers – be they locals or tourists. The much-publicised restoration of the
market’s heritage sheds is, therefore, only one part of the vision for the
market.
The many conversations that I have had
to date reinforce to me that with much of the broader public debate about the
market so far focused on its heritage status, what is often lost on people is
that the real challenge to “save” our iconic market is bringing the “business
of the market” into the 21st century.
No change is not an option for a market
in need of renewal and nor is standing still in any way going to save the
market for future generations.
Victorians love the cultural and
physical heritage of the market and preserving it is a must. But, unless we
make improvements to the operation and trading formats of the market to meet
current community standards and expectations, it will surely not prosper into
the future.
As much as everyone loves its unique
character, we must remember this is a working market and not a museum. Let’s not confuse nostalgia with heritage
preservation.
And as one of the world’s oldest
continually operating markets, it is showing its age – not only in its physical
facade, but in the antiquated facilities which fail to provide separation
between dangerous forklifts and pedestrians, efficient storage for traders, power
and water supply, hygienic waste facilities and modern toilets.
Making the business of the market work
also means shifting the way we do business.
This includes revisiting market trading hours to meet contemporary
consumer demand and align with current and emerging retail trends. It is imperative we trade into the early
evening, particularly, for instance on Thursdays and Fridays, to regain lost
market share.
The market is a vital piece of living,
breathing infrastructure at the centre of the revitalisation of the north and
north-west of the CBD.
Market renewal is not just important for
the market itself but to serve the inner city that is experiencing high-density
population growth as Melbourne rapidly approaches a population of five million.
Renewal of the market car park will also
allow its transformation into a fabulous 1.5 hectares of new public open space,
the largest addition to public space in the city since Birrarung Marr, an
extraordinary opportunity for Melbourne.
This will occur once our 720 current
spaces are transferred to the recently-approved “Munro” development immediately
adjacent to the market and, in part, underground or elsewhere within the market
precinct.
The new park will allow new community
activities, events and gatherings that will bring new life and excitement, as
well as opportunity for peaceful reflection at other times, on the doorstep of
one of the world’s great markets.
And, upgrade of the market also provides
a catalyst for the broader revitalisation of the inner city by improving the
connections and vibrancy between the central CBD, North Melbourne and West
Melbourne.
We can preserve the treasured heritage
buildings and ensure the physical sustainability of the market into the future,
but we must acknowledge that change is an important part of the story. Since its inception in 1878, the market has
gone through continual renewal and evolved to change with the times.
All involved in the task of market
renewal are determined to ensure the voices of market traders and customers are
heard as we assist the City of Melbourne with innovative renewal plans with
Heritage Victoria, so our market will be prosperous and enjoyed by generations
to come."