Like
pieces of a jigsaw, evidence has been mounting of a plan to create an
events/mixed use space on the site of J,K,L, and M sheds at our Queen Victoria
Market.
Back in
February 2012 the MCC attempted to have J,K,L, and M sheds heritage listing
re-classified to allow their possible removal. At last Tuesday nights Council
meeting a document was tabled which seems to indicate the intention to house a
$25m community centre on the site of J,K,L,M. That community centre is not
scheduled for construction until 2019. A lot can happen between now and 2019
but it is interesting to get a view of Council's intentions.
Establishment
of a community or events space should not come as a surprise because it has
been a regular feature of recent market renewal projects across the globe.
Creating multi-use spaces is seen as a key part of re-inventing markets to
allow for 24 hour, 7 days a week, operation. If JKLM sheds are converted for
multi use, it doesn't necessarily preclude some sort of market stall operation
as well, although some stall displacement is likely.
At
yesterdays Trader Advisory Committee meeting Trader Representatives registered
their extreme disappointment that Council did not see fit to advise us of their
intentions. Management/Board/Council have repeatedly claimed that no renewal
plans have been decided on and yet this community centre proposal seems to make
it clear that specific plans are in the pipeline and those plans impact
significantly on four key trading sheds.
Have Your Say - click here
