Outsiders
are rightly confused by our market at the moment. On one hand the CoM wants to
spend millions upgrading the market while some of those most likely to benefit
from improvements, its traders, are saying don’t change anything.
A
number of traders made submissions at the Future Melbourne Committee (a key arm
in the City of Melbourne administration) on Tuesday 3rd April in
relation to a planning permit for the proposed New Market Pavilion in Queen St.
Bruce Pham, Greg Smith, Marshall Waters, Rocco Tripodi and Peter Langtry
submitted in favour of the permit while Jenny Pyke and Tim Moore submitted
against.
Of
course it is not just a group of Traders who are putting up the objections.
Outside groups including Friends of the Market, and various “celebrities” are
adding their voices to a popular cause. But is it really popular are we just
strangling the argument? Like many politically motivated activities, including
elections, the split usually ends up roughly 50% for and 50% against, which is
fine if you don’t really want to achieve much. The real need somehow gets lost
in all the different opinions, some informed, some ill-informed.
So
what about the bulk of traders? A trader survey done by market staff some time
ago came up with a “Yes” to Renewal. There will be constant argument about what
type of renewal, and how far we go, but the bottom line is that the majority of
traders realise we need change.
It
is a constant source of frustration to this writer that there are traders who
celebrate every rebuff to QVM and CoM plans (think underground and New Market
pavilion) but then admit they are looking in to an abyss of no action and the
continuing decline of our market. Usually, the only solution they have is to
throw more money at advertising.
Incidentally, a unique market pavilion that showcases the best of what
we have to offer may be the best advertising we have ever had, and that is not
just this writer’s view.
While
traders can’t make up their mind who or what to support, there are two things
clearly happening at QVM.
Firstly,
traders are leaving in increasing numbers. Three left last week and thankfully
none so far this week although one trader is closing his String Bean Alley
business and another has asked if Victraders will advertise their business for
sale. A disturbing number of traders are now saying “I was only waiting around
for renewal. If that is going to be delayed again, then maybe it is time to
move on.”
Secondly,
QVM are clearly preparing for tough times. They are clearing the decks in
middle management, changing roles in upper management, and making sure that the
company that relies on rental income from a depleting number of traders, is
best placed to survive.
One
trader summarised the situation this week as follows - “On the one hand we have
a group of traders, box hire operators, and others who
want to run the market for their purposes, but use somebody else’s money. On
the other hand we have a management who are sick of bashing their heads against
a wall of dissent and are prepared to wait out the process. And then we have a
State Government who will do anything to delay a decision until after the State
election in November. I wonder who are going to be the victims in that little
scenario?”
By Greg Smith
Have Your Say - click here.
