ISSUE 57 — MAY 2021
The Future of Purchasing the Market with Industry Investment Chairman’s Update (As seen in the FMA 2021 Yearbook) The Fresh State board are currently focused on projects that will change the future of not only the Melbourne Market, but the Fruit and Vegetable industry in Victoria.
Market Sale – as the only government owned Central Market left in the country, it’s no secret that Fresh State has made several attempts to encourage the government to review to current ownership structure of the Melbourne Market. Under a privatised model, other Central Markets around the country have achieved significant growth and we feel that the same could be achieved here at the Melbourne Market. While still very early in the process, it has been encouraging to see that the State Government has been open to looking at what shared goals could be achieved under a privatised model. Like in your own states, family businesses here in the Melbourne market, both generational and new, are the heart and soul of the market. Businesses want to continue to invest in their own future, and we think that the current ownership model is holding back much of that further investment. The example that I often use is the difference between renting a house or buying as house. Like us, the current government too want a prosperous, thriving Central Market in Victoria, with ongoing investment, innovation and even more importantly, long term sustainability of the industry. Given our shared goals, we have faith that our positive discussions will result in an outcome that benefits all stakeholders.
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