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Lenders Must End Melbourne Market Secrecy The Bracks Government must initiate an immediate meeting with Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market stakeholders about its forced relocation, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said today. By Philip Davis - 25th July 2005 - Back to News Mr Davis said the Minister for Major Projects John Lenders must end the secrecy and meet with representatives from the Victorian Chamber of Fresh Produce Wholesalers, the Victorian Retail Fruiterers Association, the Vegetable Growers Association of Victoria and the Flower Growers and Florists Advisory Committee.
He said the Melbourne Market stakeholders have been kept in the dark about their forced relocation to Epping.
"This is a very important project," Mr Davis said.
"These business people have a great deal of expertise and have expressed concern that the Bracks Government has not properly informed them about what the proposals are – other than a recent media stunt at the Epping site announcing that the market would relocate.
"The stakeholders in the market have heard little else.
"These market operators have significant investments, many of whom have on site fixed assets in excess of $1 million.
"These fixtures cannot be relocated in a practical sense, and the market authority has indicated that leases will not be extended beyond 2008."
Mr Davis said tenants could not see how the relocation would benefit their businesses – all they can see are liabilities.
"The Bracks Government has failed to meet the market stakeholders," he said.
"These business people cannot afford to be left in the dark any longer on this issue.
"In order for market operators to continue to run a viable business, forward planning is imperative.
"This cannot be done while being ignored by the Bracks Government.
"The Minister must organise a meeting with the stakeholders as soon as possible."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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