PDF:  April 2015 Epping flower market UPDATE

Four months to go!

Target opening date announced – 3 August 2015

Access to the new Market

All businesses going to the new Market (i.e. have committed to a licence, a lease, a parking permit for Epping) will soon be sent a letter asking them to formally notify the MMA of the business principal and a ‘business nominee’.

A ‘business nominee’ is the person in the business who has authorisation to issue access cards to principals, directors, employees, contractors and consultants of a market business.

To provide this information, the business will need to return the form included in the letter to the MMA by the advised due date.

Once this has been done and accepted by the MMA, employees can begin the process of getting an access card. The next step will be for individuals to complete the online induction. The online induction will be similar to the one you did for the West Melbourne Market and will cover topics such as access, safety, finding your way around and emergency procedures.

The online induction will be available in May. To learn more about getting your access card, go to the ‘Market Relocation’ tab and look at the ‘Orientation and Site Induction’ page of the MMA website.

Market operating rules

The current By-Laws in place at West Melbourne have been reviewed and are being replaced with new operating rules as part of the transition to the new Market at Epping.

Many of the changes to the way we operate have already been introduced at West Melbourne, so everyone can get used to the rules before the move.

The new operating rules at Epping will be linked to leases, licences and access cards.

Based on feedback from the Advisory Committee and market community in 2014, the rules were revised and new operating rules are being released this month. You will be able to see the new operating rules on the MMA website.

There are two main changes in the new version of the operating rules:

1. Enforcement is linked to access cards. If you receive five or more demerit points over two years, you won’t be able to access the market.
2. An appeals process has been created, so if you don’t agree with an alleged breach of the rules you can appeal.

Recycling management at Epping

Recycling isn’t just good for the environment, it’s also good for your business.

The two main reasons we’re working towards increased recycling are to:

• have a cleaner, greener Market
• minimise the cost of operating the Market – and therefore the cost to Market tenants, increasing cost effectiveness and competitiveness.

How will it work?

At your stand, you’ll sort waste into seven recycling streams:

• Organic
• Cardboard
• Polystyrene
• Plastic
• Shrink wrap
• Timber
• General/mixed

There will be ‘satellite recycling stations’ for you to drop off the sorted waste. These will be close to both the fruit and vegetable and flower market.

To make sure we’re all doing the right thing and separating waste, these stations will be monitored by CCTV cameras and Market Relations Officers.

If you don’t sort your waste into the recycling streams or illegally dump waste or leave any waste on the ground, you’ll be charged a landfill disposal fee and be issued demerit penalty points under the new operating rules.

Bulk or palleted produce can be delivered directly to the Recycling Centre, or separated waste can be collected from your licensed area for a fee.

We’ll give you some more information about the recycling process over the next couple of months so you’ll be ready when we transition to the new Market at Epping.

Flower market site visits

Following on from the success of the site visits in March and a high level of interest, we’re working towards offering more flower market site visits. Keep an eye out for the flower market circular email for information about site visits at the end of April.

To book:

• Call MMA on (03) 9258 6100
• Email info@melbournemarkets.com.au

 Flower market parking

Around 200 florists and around 60 flower market stand holders submitted parking Expressions of Interest (EOI).

Following site visits to the new Market at Epping and your feedback, we’ve made some changes to the parking.

All van and car parking will be on the southern side of the flower market building. Trolley hire has been moved to this side of the building and the speed humps will be removed to allow trolley access to cars and vans.

The northern side of the flower market building will be for rigid truck parking.

Florists have requested additional options of ‘reserved uncovered car/van’ and ‘reserved uncovered rigid truck’ parking, and this is being provided. The pricing for these options is outlined in the table below.

Generally unreserved, uncovered parking is the most cost effective and hassle free option for most florists. If visiting the Market twice per week in a car/van this averages $3.95 per visit.

Parking arrangements are being finalised and are being discussed with the Advisory Committees. Parking allocations will be advised by letter in May.

* Car park adjacent to administration building, before Gate 1 entry. Forklifts and trolleys do not have access to this car park.

For florists considering casual parking (uncovered bays only), there are two options:

Option 1

$11.50 per day option provides you with a car/van park outside the Market (in front of the Administration Building) using a ticketed pay and display system, similar to some major shopping centres. You won’t be able to take a hand trolley to this area. For example, it may only be suitable if you’re purchasing a very small quantity of flowers once per fortnight
or less, or for employees working very casual hours.

Option 2

$23 per day option gives you a car/van park inside the Market, in the unreserved parking area. You can take a hand trolley to this area. You’ll need to make sure you’ve got credit on your access card to pay for parking, similar to a CityLink account. We’ll give you some more information about how you can do this closer to the move. For example, this type of parking may only be suitable if you are buying large quantities of flowers once a month or less.

Getting ready to move

We’re less than four months out from the relocation to Epping. You need to start preparing for the transition now.

By being prepared, you are setting your business up for success at the new Market at Epping.

Below is a checklist of things you should aim to have ticked off over the next couple of months. This is just to get you started, and is not a full list – you’ll need to think about the needs of your business.

Flower stand checklist

Complete (if required)

Complete (if required)