Traders, customers and community to be given say on QVM renewal

Under the proposal, a Committee of Trustees would be created to provide the highest source of strategic advice to Council on both the $250 million renewal program and the strategic operations of the market.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the need to give traders, customers and the community a greater say in the market renewal program and the future direction of Queen Victoria Market were priorities that formed a central part of her recent election campaign.

“The proposed Committee of Trustees puts traders, customers and the community at the absolute heart of strategic decision making for our beloved Queen Victoria Market,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This is an important opportunity to review and enhance Council’s approach to Queen Victoria Market, to provide strong trader, customer and committee representation for the renewal.

“The Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal Program is critical to the market’s future and we need to ensure that it has the best possible operating model, to not only deliver the program, but to better engage with, and get the views and ideas of, those directly involved,” the Lord Mayor said.

The proposed Committee of Trustees, to be chaired by the Lord Mayor, will have ten members comprising three market traders, two community representatives, two independent nominees and a further two councillors.

The Committee would have the highest possible standing as a source of advice. “While Council has been very well served by the QVM Pty Ltd Board, these new arrangements will mean that traders, customers and the broader community are more directly represented.”

It is also recommended that strategic decisions on operations of the market and the market renewal program be brought closer together under the proposed new model. This recognises that renewal is the major strategic influence on design and planning for future market operations.

The Lord Mayor said the current governance arrangements for the market work well in a business as usual environment but, in the context of market renewal, it makes sense to have greater trader, customer and community input into strategy and planning for the future of the market.

“I am pleased that recently appointed Queen Victoria Market CEO Stan Liacos will continue to be responsible for the operations of the market, playing a vital leadership role on site with traders, customers and the community, and he will now link more closely with Council while renewal is underway.”

The Lord Mayor said the proposed model recognises there is no one more knowledgeable than the 650 stallholders who are the heart and soul of the Queen Victoria Market.

“We’ve listened to what is important to traders and I believe that this Committee addresses their concerns about not being represented in both the renewal and operation of the market,” the Lord Mayor said.

An independent expression of interest process will be conducted to appoint trader, community and committee members. Committee members will be appointed by Council.

Given the role of the Committee of Trustees, management has recommended Council facilitate a smaller QVM Pty Ltd Board including not replacing Directors retiring at the next Annual General Meeting.

The Lord Mayor acknowledged the current Board members for their contribution and passion for the market – particularly Chair Paul Guerra, who she said had shown great leadership during his time at the helm of the market.