Next stage of Queen Victoria Market revitalisation to create 400 jobs

The next stage of the Queen Victoria Market revitalisation in Melbourne will soon get underway and the almost $40 million project is anticipated to create up to 400 jobs during its construction. 

The City of Melbourne is investing $35 million towards the project to deliver a new Trader Shed and Northern Shed facilities at the market and another $4.5 million to deliver a major refurbishment of the existing Food Court. 

“The revitalisation of the Food Hall and new Trader Shed and Northern Shed facilities will employ around 400 workers, in addition to another 500 workers already building the Munro development and restoring the market's heritage sheds. These stages of the market renewal program will deliver 900 jobs for our city at a time when we need them most. 

“Businesses throughout the City of Melbourne have been hit hard by COVID and major projects such as the Queen Victoria Market renewal are critical to create local jobs and support our economic recovery,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said. 

The new concept designs as well as plans for the Food Hall upgrades are going to be considered at a meeting of the Future Melbourne Committee together with planning applications for the Trader Shed and Northern Shed. 

“Traders have told us that the existing Food Court, which was built in the mid-1990s, is outdated and limits the potential to grow their businesses. 

“This upgrade will include an improved dining area including more seating, flexible layout, cooking demonstration area, greenery, new flooring and roof,” Lord Mayor Capp said. 

The new Trader Shed and Northern Shed facilities will feature logistics, storage, waste and recycling facilities, customer toilets and dedicated trader toilets, showers and meeting rooms for the market's 2,000-strong workforce. 

Heritage Victoria approved the heritage permits for both sheds in December 2020. 

“The Trader Shed and Northern Shed will deliver important safety, efficiency and sustainability improvements,” the Lord Mayor said. 

Subject to necessary approvals, construction on the Food Hall, Trader Shed and Northern Shed is due to commence in early 2022. 

“Queen Victoria Market is one of our most iconic destinations and we are committed to its renewal because this project creates hundreds of jobs now and will help attract more shoppers for decades into the future. 

“Investing in the market is about delivering upgraded facilities for traders and customers to help local businesses thrive again and bringing back the buzz to one of our most important tourist destinations,” the Lord Mayor said. 

The Queen Victoria Market revitalisation project also includes a $30 million heritage shed restoration and new community facilities, event spaces and affordable housing as part of the Munro development. In addition, the Munro car park is set to be opened for use by 1 July 2021 and followed by new retail and hospitality later this year. 

Source: City of Melbourne; Inside Construction; Architecture AU