Thursdays QVM
Advisory Committee meeting covered a number of issues and we will attempt to
list the key points before official minutes become available.
Chinese/Lunar New Year – at our last
meeting we asked that the City of Melbourne consider name changing Chinese New
Year to Lunar New Year in view of the other nationalities involved in this
celebration. We have been advised that the term Chinese New Year will be used
again in 2017 but then reviewed for 2018.
Renewal Program Update: Project
director, Joanne Wandel gave a brief rundown indicating that the first stage
of implementation is still expected by mid year. Final best offers on the Munro
site construction project have been received. Amendment C245 objections will be
heard by an independant panel.
Marketing Update: A number of marketing
initiatives were mentioned and we will wait for the official minutes before
listing but special reference was made to Chinese tourism on the back of CoM
marketing plans.
Trader
Representative Ivano Guseli presented the results of discussions with
traders to determine the impact of Chinese tourism and indicated that there
were strong responses in categories like opals, declining responses in Ugh
Boots, and virtually no response in categories like photography. Chinese
tourism is often painted as a key ingredient for Melbourne retailers but there
are question marks over its relevance at QVM. We do know that organised tours
for Chinese tourists often bypass QVM.
The
CoM Winter Marketing campaign is about to get underway including a focus on
food and markets.
The
Australian Tourism Exchange event will take place mid May on the Gold Coast
and QVM will be represented as they attempt to establish links with ITO’s
(Inbound Tourism Operators).
Operation Update:
Stall Spreading – Management and
traders are keen to formalise a policy. Feedback from traders has been received
and the results of a survey have been published. The next step will be to
discuss options and organise a meeting of interested traders to formulate
policy recommendations. All participants were congratulated on the speed and
professionalism of this process so far.
Christmas Holidays 2016 – Christmas Day
falls on Sunday this year with Boxing Day on a Monday and Tuesday becoming a
public holiday in lieu. Some doubts were expressed about the ability of food
traders to obtain supplies for Tuesday trading. General Merchandise
representatives expressed a view that the Tuesday would be designated a normal
trading day for the top end at this busy time of year.
Critical Response Meeting – as a follow
up to the discussion on emergency procedures we have been advised that a
critical response team will evaluate the QVM precinct.
Plants In Boxes – the neglect of plants
in planter boxes will be addressed by including the care of plants in this year’s
cleaning contract. Temporary arrangements will be made until that contract is
finalised.
Extreme Heat Policy: Marina Levitsky
assured representatives that a draft letter detailing the new policy would be
emailed that day.
Trader Assessment Criteria: Management
have trial tested a possible new format for trader assessment. A meeting of the
sub-committee including Trader Representatives will be held shortly to further
test the format and agree on a draft proposal.
Trader Election Update: Discussions on
a new electorate break-up for the election of Trader Representatives detailing
13 electorates each with 2 representatives (only one to attend meetings). The possibility of an imminent
Federal Election has meant that the Victorian Electoral Commission is unable to
conduct a trader election before the end of August.
Next Meeting: Thursday 28th
April 2016.
