This page aims to keep our Market community up to date on any onsite projects, local construction works or other events that may impact your visit.
Upcoming Projects
Over the next few years, we will be revitalising the South Melbourne Market asset to improve customer and trader experience, visitor safety and connection to our local community.
South Melbourne Market continues to thrive in the local community and at 156 years old, it is operating within ageing infrastructure.
Compliance
The Market has a range of works planned over the next few years to address some of its long-term challenges including compliance with updated building regulations, Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requirements, and visitor safety. This includes more toilet facilities, accessible options to access the rooftop carpark, regrading non-compliant aisles within the Market and reducing conflict between traffic and pedestrians.
Project Connect
As it moves into the future, planning and additional investment through Project Connect will ensure it continues to deliver a sustainable, safe and inclusive market experience for years to come.
While undertaking these compliance requirements, we will also be designing and implementing some improvements to retain the Market’s charm and history, ensuring it remains an authentic community market for our locals.
This may include widening the Market’s footpaths to improve pedestrian flow outside the Market, increasing public space and providing more seating.
To read more about the project and next steps, click here.
The Market’s Cecil Street restaurant precinct is currently undergoing works to improve safety and compliance. The project includes installation and upgrades of services including gas, drainage, water and electricity, and the installation of new fire sprinklers.
Works will commence in September with completion scheduled for November 2024.
During this time, we would like to inform our customers of some interruptions onsite while these works take place:
- Restaurants will remain open for dine-in and takeaway during the construction phase, however there may be some changes to their opening hours on non-Market days. Plan ahead by checking the restaurant’s websites or calling ahead.
- A partial road closure will in place on several days throughout the course of the works. This road closure will only affect the northbound lane of Cecil Street, between Coventry and York Streets and signage and traffic controllers will be in place to direct traffic as required.
- As with any construction project, noise and vibration impacts are expected from sources including machinery and power tools. To reduce the impact to our Market and community, major works will take place outside of Market trading hours and sound levels monitored at all times.
Should you wish to provide feedback or would like more information regarding this project, please visit the Market Office in Centre Aisle.
For immediate questions or concerns regarding the onsite works, contact the City of Port Phillip Projects Team on 0466 867 569.
One of the capital improvement projects identified as a requirement to address building compliance at the Market is the installation of an additional egress stair from the Level 1 carpark to the York Street carpark in case of emergency such as fire.
This project will see minor disruptions within the York Street carpark, with the majority of works taking place on non-market days. It will also include the relocation of accessible car spaces from the York Street carpark to York Street. The City of Port Phillip Council will relocate the two accessible car spaces located in the north-east corner of the carpark to York Street near the Deli Aisle entrance, with this currently planned to take place in November 2024.
This build of the stairs is currently scheduled for delivery in early 2025, with further details on the project to be shared as they are confirmed.
South Melbourne Market is currently implementing a range of improvements onsite as part of our Traffic Management Plan, which aims to improve safety, vehicle movement and customer experience.
Some of these improvements include:
- New boom gates at the entry and exit of our loading bay to improve patron safety in busy vehicle areas.
- New line markings and signage on Coventry Street to provide designated loading bays and safe positioning of vehicles.
- New traffic signals in the laneway adjacent to the Coventry Childcare Centre and light rail to support forklift and vehicle movement.
- Warning lights installed at the entrance of Centre Aisle (at Coventry and York Streets) to indicate when forklifts and vehicles are exiting.
- Installation of scissor fencing to allow for temporary footpath closures and pedestrian rerouting at each end of Coventry Street during trader delivery periods (non-market trading days/hours).
Should you have any questions or would like further information about the Market’s Traffic Management Plan improvements, contact us.