News

• 2009-10-02 - Market preferred builder announced

  Bovis Lend Lease is the preferred builder for the design and construction of the new wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market at Epping, Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas announced today.

  Mr Pallas said the bidding process had clearly demonstrated the confidence of the construction industry in Melbourne Markets relocation project.

  “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action now to invest in vital infrastructure that is creating thousands of jobs and providing a boost for the local economy as we continue to build for Victoria’s future,” Mr Pallas said.

  “This is yet another important milestone in the delivery of what will be an outstanding facility at the 133 hectare Epping site.

  “The new Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market will ensure the ongoing viability of the wholesale markets, which is crucial to sustaining Victoria’s $11.8 billion agricultural sector.

  “This Government is committed to supporting the wholesale market as an essential link in the distribution channel for fresh produce and a vital part of the Victoria’s infrastructure with an annual turnover of more than $1.6 billion.”

  Mr Pallas said the new market would offer vastly superior facilities and logistical arrangements for wholesalers, growers and retailers.

  “On a busy day up to 4000 wholesalers, growers and retailers use the current market supplying thousands of restaurants, supermarkets and local grocers throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria,” he said.

  “This new market project will be a great boost for the market community and all those who benefit from a bigger, better Melbourne Wholesale Market.”

  During construction it is estimated that around 600 jobs will be generated and $870 million injected into the Victorian economy.

  The new relocated market, situated just off the Hume Highway, will deliver:

  • An efficient, competitive and accessible market;
  • A vastly improved occupational health and safety environment for market users; and
  • Significant growth opportunities for Melbourne’s north through the expansion of warehousing and related transport services.

  Following contractual close, the builder is expected to start works by the end of 2009.

• 2009-08-14 - Two bidders remain for new markets construction project

  Bids for the construction of the new wholesale markets at Epping have closed with two companies in the running, Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas announced today.
  

  Mr Pallas said Baulderstone and Bovis Lend Lease had submitted detailed proposals to design and deliver the construction project at the 133 hectare Epping site, which will be the new home of the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market.

  “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action now to invest in vital infrastructure that is creating thousands of jobs and providing a boost for the local economy as we continue to build for Victoria’s future,” Mr Pallas said.

  “This is an important milestone in the establishment of the new market and clearly demonstrates the confidence of the construction industry in our capacity to deliver major projects in Victoria.

  “This project provides the base for a strong and viable central wholesale market. The Melbourne Markets relocation will deliver benefits across the state through vastly improved facilities and logistical arrangements for wholesalers, growers and retailers.

  “During the construction phase, it is estimated that 600 jobs will be generated and around $870 million will flow into the Victorian economy.”

  Mr Pallas said the markets were an essential link in the distribution channel for fresh produce and a vital part of the Victoria’s infrastructure with an annual turnover of more than $1.6 billion.

  “The relocation project will ensure the ongoing viability and relevance of the markets as an essential link in the distribution channel for fresh produce in Australia by developing a new, efficient and integrated trading environment,” he said.

  The new relocated market, situated just off the Hume Highway, will deliver:
  • An efficient, competitive and accessible market;
  • A vastly improved occupational health and safety environment for market users; and
  • Significant growth opportunities for Melbourne’s north through the expansion of warehousing and related transport services.

  The preferred bidder for the design and construction of the new market will be announced later this year with works to commence by the end of 2009.
  

• 2009-04-29 - Melbourne markets project moves forward

  Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas has announced a shortlist of companies to take on the $300 million project to relocate the Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market from its current Footscray Road home to Epping.

  Mr Pallas said three companies – Baulderstone, Bovis Lend Lease and Thiess – had been asked to submit detailed proposals to design and deliver the construction project.

  “The Brumby Government is committed to creating jobs and ensuring the best outcome for a strong and viable central wholesale market operation at Epping,” Mr Pallas said.

  “The relocation will deliver benefits across the state through vastly improved facilities and logistical arrangements for both growers and retailers as well as up to 600 new Victorian jobs as part of the construction project.

  “There was a good response to the call for expressions of interest demonstrating the confidence of the construction industry in the strength of the fundamentals of the Victorian economy and the government’s decision to get on with the job.”

  Mr Pallas said the wholesale markets are a vital part of the state’s infrastructure with an annual turnover of more than $1.6 billion.

  “The relocation project will ensure the ongoing viability and relevance of the markets as an essential link in the distribution channel for fresh produce in Australia by developing a new, efficient and integrated trading environment,” he said.

  The new relocated market, which will be situated on a 133 hectare site just off the Hume Highway, will provide:

  • Excellent road access to Melbourne and regional Victoria
  • Vastly improved occupational health and safety for market users
  • Greater efficiencies through the co-location of the trading area and ancillary facilities on one site.

  Construction is expected to be later this year.
  

• 2008-12-11 - Industry confidence in market relocation project

  The construction industry has indicated its confidence in the Brumby Government’s $300 million Melbourne Markets relocation, with a number of companies registering their interest to take on the project.
  Acting Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas said 11 companies had registered their interest in the project to relocate the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market from its current Footscray Road home to a new 133 hectare site in Epping.

  “The Brumby Government is taking action to invest in vital infrastructure for Victoria that is creating jobs and new business opportunities and helping to meet the current global economic challenges,” Mr Pallas said.

  “This is a great response from developers and demonstrates the confidence of the construction industry in the strength of the fundamentals of the Victorian economy and the Brumby Government’s decision to get on with the job.

  “Our commitment to the Melbourne Markets relocation will deliver benefits across the state through vastly improved facilities and logistical arrangements for both growers and retailers as well as up to 600 new Victorian jobs as part of the construction project.”

  Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said the construction industry’s interest was welcome and it further demonstrated confidence in the Brumby Government’s commitment to address the needs of Victoria’s fresh fruit, vegetable and flower growers and retailers.

  Mr Pallas said thorough planning and concept design work had been completed and the registrations of interest were an important first step in a three stage procurement process.

  Detailed submissions will be required during the next two procurement stages.

  The new relocated markets situated just off the Hume Highway, will provide:

  • Excellent road access to Melbourne and regional Victoria;
  • Vastly improved occupational health and safety for market users; and
  • Greater efficiencies through the co-location of the trading area and ancillary facilities on one site.

  Calls for expressions of interest will open on 16 December 2008. Construction is expected to begin in mid to late 2009.

• 2008-12-02 - Call for registration of interest on markets project

  Acting Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas today called for registrations of interest from the construction industry for the $300 million Melbourne Wholesale Market relocation project. 

  Mr Pallas said thorough planning and concept design work was completed and he encouraged developers to register their interest in the exciting project in Epping.

  “The Brumby Government is taking action to invest in vital infrastructure for Victoria that is creating jobs and new business opportunities and helping to meet the current global economic challenges,” Mr Pallas said.

  “We are committed to the Melbourne Markets relocation that will deliver benefits across the state through vastly improved facilities and logistical arrangements for both growers and retailers.

  “This construction project will create up to 600 new Victorian jobs. The industry can take confidence in this project, the planning work and concept design is complete to meet the needs of our fresh fruit and vegetable growers and retailers following thorough consultation.”

  The project will relocate the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market from its current Footscray Road home to a new 133 hectare site in Epping, with the Brumby Government providing $300 million for the development.

  Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said today’s announcement was indicative of the Brumby Government’s strong support for the new Melbourne Markets, which is a major investment in the state’s primary industries.

  “The call for registrations of interest is a clear indication that the Brumby Government is taking action and getting on with the job,” Mr Helper said.

  “This further demonstrates our commitment to successfully relocating the Melbourne Markets to the Epping site as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

  The new relocated markets situated just off the Hume Highway, will provide:

  • Excellent road access to Melbourne and regional Victoria;
  • Vastly improved occupational health and safety for market users; and
  • Greater efficiencies through the co-location of the trading area and ancillary facilities on one site.

  Registrations of Interest close on 9 December 2008. Construction is expected to begin in mid to late 2009.