The Victorian Government is continuing to ensure success at the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market at Epping with two independent reviews concluding the market is operating efficiently and effectively.

The work was undertaken to ensure that the trading environment at the Market supports Victoria’s horticulture industries to be globally competitive, highly productive and sustainable.

A review of the market’s financial and operational performance was undertaken by KPMG, while a technical review of the market’s central cooling plant was undertaken by ISECO Engineering Services Ltd.

While some opportunities for improvement were identified in both reviews, the market’s overall operating costs were found to be comparable with central wholesale markets in other states. The market’s central cooling plant was also found to be working efficiently.

KPMG interviewed 32 market stakeholders as part of the consultation process. Those interviewed comprised mainly tenants, senior managers from the Melbourne Market Authority (MMA) and other market users.

The Victorian Government committed to undertake a root-and-branch review of the market after tenants raised concerns about the cost of doing business at the market, and how the market was being managed.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes has asked the MMA to report back on the implementation of the review’s recommendations to track how they are being carried out.

The reports into the market’s operations and central cooling plant can be found on the Agriculture Victoria website.