Mary-Lou Howie.

Mary-Lou Howie.Credit:Stefan Postles

“Fixed stalls are not part of traditional market operations,we would lose the sense of an open-air market,” said Friends of Queen Victoria Market president Mary-Lou Howie.

Ms Howie also said replacing the open-air car park would “kill the market”. Ms Howie,whose father was a trader at the market,said she often filled the boot of her car twice during her market shops.

She said the new car parks would not be appropriate for market shoppers and traders depended on the convenience of the existing car park.

“Without the car park the market will shrink,” Ms Howie said. The market is Melbourne's"old city"she says,"and all cities protect their old cities. Not us.”

An image of the latest proposed redevelopment of Queen Victoria Market.

An image of the latest proposed redevelopment of Queen Victoria Market.

The latest redevelopment proposal,which will seek in-principle support from Melbourne City councillors next Tuesday night,is part of a $280 million renewal of the site.

The council wants to redevelop the market to ensure it provides a brighter future for the produce and retail centre,parts of which have high vacancy rates.

Apartment development means an extra 22,000 residents will live nearby within five years.

The latest proposal will include centralised waste facilities in Queen Street north and loading facilities,trader storage and amenities and waste management for the Meat and Fish Hall at the G shed site.

Shoppers were out in their droves early on Christmas Eve.

Shoppers were out in their droves early on Christmas Eve.Credit:Michael Bachelard

This was a recommendation made by a “people’s panel”,a group of 40 traders,customers and residents,established by the council to help guide it on decisions related to the market.

Economist Marcus Spiller,whose company SGS Economic and Planning completed the business case arguing for a major redevelopment of the market,last year said Queen Victoria Market was “suffering an incremental decline”.

“If you go through the market on any day but Saturday,you will see stalls with hessian shrouds over them - almost like coffins,” he toldThe Age.

SGS found the latest option to be considered by councillors “costs the least to implement,is the only option likely to pay for itself financially and has the most manageable delivery risks”.

It found that for every dollar spent on the option being considered,$7 would be generated in overall economic benefits.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne said he was pleased the council was protecting the market's heritage while providing an upgrade to secure its future viability.

"The market is a massive tourist attraction and for locals it's part of our community,” he said.

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