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Secrecy Still Clouds Market’S Relocation

Melbourne Wholesale Market growers, retailers, wholesalers and transport operators are still in the dark, despite the Bracks Government's announcement today that the market will relocate to Epping.

By Philip Davis - 6th May 2005 - Back to News

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said Labor still had not announced what, if any compensation would be available to the market’s stakeholders for the relocation.

"For the second time in one week, the Melbourne Market has fallen into a black hole," Mr Davis said.

"When the budget was announced on Tuesday, there was minimal information about the relocation other than it would cost the government a total of $300 million.

"The budget didn’t go into any detail about timelines, or progressive funding requirements by government or other stakeholders, compensation for market tenants or transitional arrangements.

"Today’s announcement of the new site is silent on the issue of compensation for market stakeholders who have not rated a mention."

Mr Davis said the relocation bill would be huge and stakeholders want to know what assistance would be available from the Bracks Government which is forcing them to move.

"The president of the Victorian Vegetable Growers Association, Luis Gazzola has estimated it would cost between $60 million and $100 million for the current tenants of the Melbourne Market to relocate to the new Epping site," he said.

"Labor’s Minister for Major Projects, John Lenders, has refused to answer questions about compensation."

Mr Davis said the growers, wholesalers, retailers and transport operators had been anxious enough about the Bracks Government’s lack of consultation and silence on the important compensation issue.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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