The
Future Melbourne Committee met at town hall last night and unanimously approved
the latest QVM Infrastructure and Car Parking proposals.
The
torturous process of renewal, held up by Heritage Victoria’s refusal to
allow the underground construction, is now back on track with a new proposal
for storage, waste, and service facilities.
Queen
St. will become the site of three new facilities with underground components,
while Fruit & Vege traders will be asked to help design in-stall dry and
refrigerated storage for their area.
Car
parking will be split between the Munro site (500 spaces) and a new building at
the Southern end of the market (up to 500 spaces). The current car park will
remain in operation while these sites are constructed.
A
number of concerns were raised about the distance of the Southern (Franklin
St.) car park facility from the main market and it was pointed out that we
would need to continually review our car parking over the years of construction
while considering innovations like click’n’collect to assist some of our
time-poor customers.
All
this will be progressed over 6 years and still fit within budget and the
requirements of the state government agreement.
In
the meantime, the associated Munro development will progress while maintenance
and other works will be conducted on our heritage sheds across the site and of
course String Bean Alley will receive its upgrade this year.
There
was a common theme in the room at Town Hall last night - We have taken too long
with this renewal - it is time to move on and get it done. Fortunately Council
delivered on that sentiment.