The Melbourne Market performs a vital role as a central market in the wholesale distribution of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers and is a hub in the national distribution system for fresh produce, providing industry with essential logistic and scale efficiencies. The Cooper Street, Epping site in Melbourne’s north was acquired by the Victorian Government for the creation of a new fresh produce trading and distribution precinct including the relocation of the existing Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market and National Flower Centre currently located in Footscray Road, West Melbourne.
The $300M relocation is one of the largest infrastructure projects being undertaken in Victoria and includes: a 67,000m2 Fruit and Vegetable Market Building featuring a buyers walk (mall), traders stands, stores and offices as well as retail and food services tenancies; the 7,000m2 National Flower Centre; and a 2,400m2 Administration facility containing the Market Authority and Market Tenants Association. In addition to these major precinct buildings, the project also features a 37 hectare hardstand area for the movement of produce and parking facilities as well as individual services, storage and utility buildings.