The City of Melbourne will continue its investment in the Queen Victoria Market precinct, with a consultation process to be considered for a new Market Square, civic building, and linear park for Franklin Street to further enhance the iconic site.
The next steps for the market precinct follow Council’s landmark partnership with Lendlease to deliver the $1.7 billion Gurrowa Place development in the Southern Precinct – attracting thousands of new residents, workers and visitors, and generating more than $1 billion in economic activity.
At Tuesday’s Future Melbourne Committee meeting, councillors will consider a public consultation process on all three of these key components of the Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal program.
If endorsed, Council will invite residents, businesses and visitors to have their say on the design and use of these new public assets.
At 1.8 hectares, Market Square will become one of the largest public spaces in the city. Melburnians will be invited to share their thoughts on the use of the site – including spaces for play and events to complement the traditional market experience.
A new civic building, currently known as the Queen’s Corner Building, will deliver important amenities and support the activation of Market Square. The community will be encouraged to have their say on how this new space could be used.
Councillors will also consider releasing the draft concept designs for consultation for a revitalised Franklin Street – including a new 1,250m2 linear park, the size of three basketball courts.
As part of an agreement struck between Council and the State Government in 2014, Franklin Street will be realigned to unlock the Gurrowa Place development. The proposed designs have been developed to make it easier for people to move between the market precinct and the CBD – maintaining access for vehicles, while improving safety and accessibility for all road users.
Council will listen to and consider the feedback of residents and traders on the proposed designs.
Together, a new Market Square and a revitalised Franklin Street will deliver much-needed public open space in one of the city’s fastest growing neighborhoods – creating welcoming spaces for visitors and the local community to enjoy.
If endorsed, community consultation will begin on Wednesday 12 July. Activity will ramp up over the coming months – starting with a pop-up session at the Queen Victoria Market on Saturday 15 July.
It will build on significant previous engagement, including the Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal Master Plan and the Market Square Charter.
For more information, visit Participate Melbourne.
The transformation of Franklin Street is part of the $100 million Transport and Amenity Program – a partnership between the City of Melbourne and the State Government.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Sally Capp
“We’re asking for the community’s thoughts on the next stages of our Queen Victoria Market precinct renewal – including the new Market Square, a multi-purpose civic building and the transformation of Franklin Street.”
“These projects complement the $1.7 billion Gurrowa Place development, which will bring together residential and affordable housing, student accommodation and office space – forming a key part of Council’s commitment to the future of the beloved Queen Victoria Market.”
“These projects will cement the future viability of the market for traders, boosting visitation and improving the way Melburnians experience this precinct.”
“This neighbourhood is expected to be home to 20,000 new residents and even more visitors in the next two decades, which is why we encourage our community to have their say on our plans – and what they’d like to see in this space.”
Quotes attributable to Environment portfolio lead Councillor Rohan Leppert
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the community to have their say on the biggest new public open space in Melbourne.”
“The design and development of Market Square will convert a major grey space in the CBD into a vibrant, green open communal space.”
“We know how rare it is to be building a large new park in the heart of any city. We want to ensure we get this right, and so encourage all Melburnians to have their say.”
“The proposed Franklin Street transformation would feature around 40 new trees – delivering 40 per cent canopy cover, in line with our Urban Forest Strategy.”