Urgent Call for Submissions
Deadline for submission 10am Tuesday 13 April
Urgent call for submissions to the Future Melbourne Committee meeting Tuesday 13 April 2021 re planning permit applications.
Points to chose from for your submission:
1. New sheds
These will not benefit either traders or existing customers. In fact, they will seriously inconvenience both groups and function to the detriment of current market operations.
Contrary to the planning documentation, these operational changes were NOT supported by the Peoples Panel. In particular with regard to the Traders Shed, the Peoples Panel argued against ‘gold plating’ trader facilities.
The proposed infrastructure, storage and operational changes suggest a ‘shopping centre’ operational model. Traders will be forced to store goods and perishables in the new sheds.
The plans show no appreciation of the way the market works and how it is different to a shopping centre e.g. (quote) ‘the unorganised and cluttered appearance of the Market and stock infers that improved storage and facilities are necessary.’(p58).'
The changes will restrict the hours and movement of traders. The northern shed would cut off traffic access from Queen Street. Traders would have to load and unload produce at designated times.
Centralising delivery, unloading and re-stocking of fresh produce is appropriate for a supermarket in a shopping centre, not a market with multiple traders.
2. OH&S
There is no known history of OHS risk with the present market operations.
In fact, the new facilities will increase risks, for example moving goods across Queen St from the Trader Shed storage to the other sheds in market operating hours.
The new Munros carpark is unsuitable for vans. Where will traders leave their vans during the day after they have unloaded?
How will they separate pedestrians and vehicles in the new Munro’s underground car park?
3. Logistical conflict
The provided planning documentation acknowledges there may well be an Increase in logistical conflict.
Quote ‘The reduced delivery points and restricted loading hours …seek to consolidate loading by reducing the number of loading areas in and around the Market ... and reduce the number of forklifts moving around the Market. This will improve the traffic and parking network around the market.'
It will be a logistic nightmare to manage traders all trying to load and unload in Queens St in fixed times – outside trading hours which commence at 6am.
Quote: ‘Two loading zone spaces will be provided for traders with vehicles required to enter and unload at a 45 degree angle. These spaces are advised to be designed in accordance with Australian Standards and will be able to accommodate vehicles up to 12.5m (Heavy Rigid Vehicles).’ ...Plus waste collection vehicles.
However P46 of the Delegated Planning Report for the Northern Shed admits … ‘it is noted that there are a large number of vehicles that arrive to deliver to the market and the provision of two spaces may not be sufficient to accommodate all the loading requirements. This however is an internal operational issue which has no doubt been assessed by QVM and therefore is left for their determination and resolution of any issues. ‘
And P56 'The planned changes to the delivery operations do not resolve logistics issues. This is a matter for the managers of the Market to consider. ‘
4. Impact on traders’ businesses:
There is not one reference in the planning documents to the impact of the scale of these works on traders’ businesses during construction.
Considering the effects of Covid and the current works on the market having been drastic.
There is more reference to the impact of the works on trees than the impact on traders (p61 Northern Shed Report)
5. Would refusal really affect reasonable economic use of the place?
The renewal program was initiated in 2014, in a vastly different climate in the city.
The Business Case for renewal dates from 2017 with an update in 2019. Thinking through the consequences of Covid on the city, its businesses and its residents before committing to this?
The assumption is that the future development of Franklin Street (the Southern Site) is viable in the current indeterminate situation? What happens to the promised 500 additional car spaces if it doesn’t go ahead?
There were over 120 objections from the public to these structures. The documentation supplied for the planning application does not do them justice.
6. Mayor Capp makes much of the short term construction job creation (900? 400?)
how many jobs will be lost as a result of the changes to market operations driving traders away?
7. Cause of QVM’s decline
Decline of the market is not due to poor infrastructure but by the ongoing management attempt to change it. As the planning documentation explains, the ‘changing character of market operations’ and ‘future events ensuring an economic future for the market’.
The documentation states that this proposal is '. (p.58).’
What other purposes? These proposed new sheds foreshadow changes to the market operations and purpose, with many fewer traders in a ‘boutique market’ and an entertainment precinct.
8. ‘The removal of the car parking spaces along Queen Street will help reduce car reliance within the immediate surrounds. This is supported by abundant public transport providing access to and from the Market’ P55
‘the closing of roads in the area (Franklin St) and restrictions on traffic will make it harder for current market patrons to access the market. Historically 50% of visitors to the day market came by car. Even locals. People in cars buy more goods’
It was once again very evident over Easter – with much trading conditions, especially in General Merchandise – how dependent the Market is on its country and suburban customers. How does public transport and removal of 73 accessible carparking spaces help these crucial customers?
Nevertheless, on P54. ‘The removal of car parking and introduction of pedestrian focused landscaping is supported as it will enhance the Market experience and enjoyment.‘
How will eliminating convenient parking enhance the market experience? What kind of successful business deliberately tries to piss off its best customers?
See link below to access Council documentation:
Deadline for submission 10am Tuesday 13 April
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