Q-Vic Market land grab on the rise

The proposal for the redevelopment of the Queen Victoria Market site released today is more or less the same as before. No alteration.

Whilst the Council claims it is undertaking community consultation the fact is they are pushing ahead with their preferred option, funded by a developer land grab

The proposed hiving off of land and the extension of Franklin Street is huge mistake and short term thinking. They just wasted 3 million dollars destroying La Trobe street now they want to redirect that traffic past the market's southern edge, along Franklin Street and past the City Baths causing a major traffic problem at the intersection of Franklin and Victoria Streets. (The area of Franklin Street, between Swanston Street and Victoria Street, should be closed off and handed over to RMIT to develop as outdoor urban community space.)

The reduction in available land on the southern side of the market is also a lost opportunity.  This site could accommodate low-rise lane shopping development and a stepped roof-top outdoor plaza with coffee shops and community entertainment spaces and an underground car park that would enhance the market precinct and allow for staged development.
 
The development of a high rise tower block on the southern end will loom over the market and limit its potential as a real vibrant community space,

If they need Money for the project than ask the State Government to payback the $50 Million that Jeff Kennett acquired from the Council  for the Federation Square project,  the value of which no longer appears on the council assets register.