Flower Market Circular, Edition 38 – 11 July 2016

In today’s Flower Market Circular, we ask have you paid your parking permit renewal? Plus details on the licence fee annual increase and what you need to know about the upcoming Flower Market Open Morning. 

At the Market   

Parking permit renewals now over due – don’t risk losing your parking allocation

All 2015/16 parking permits stickers have now expired. All current parking permit holders were issued with new 2016/17 permits enclosed with their quarterly invoice in early June.

Invoices were due for payment by 30 June 2016. If your account remains unpaid, you must take the following actions immediately to avoid losing your allocated parking bay and risk restricted access to the Market.

1. Make sure your 2016/17 permit renewal for this quarter is paid in full.
2. Remove old (rectangular) permits from your vehicle and replace with your new 2016/17 (oval) permit.

Please note, parking permit stickers are not valid until payment has been made. In accordance with operating rule 11.3 (a) a person parking on Market land must display a valid parking permit authorising the vehicle to park in that parking bay.

If you would like to speak to someone about your account, contact a member of our customer service team Monday to Friday form 4:00am to 11:00am on 9258 6123 or email customerservice@melbournemarket.com.au.

Your feedback in action – changes to the Flower Market

We’re listening to feedback from the Flower Advisory Committee and Flower Market users. Here’s some new changes we’re implementing as a result of your feedback:

• Roller doors at the east and west ends of the Market to be open every Monday to Saturday. Doors will remain at half-mast during trading hours.
• Flower buyers can now use stand holder undercover bays (with the permission of the stand holder) for collection and loading of goods.
• Lock in the disabled toilet has been fixed.

If you have a suggestions or feedback for the MMA, you can send it to our dedicated email address submissions@melbournemarket.com.au.

Licence fee annual increases

On July 1,  licence fees increased by 4%. This is as per licence agreements and the quarterly invoice from July reflects this increase. This equates to $95.67 (including GST) per quarter based on a 6 day licence.

This is consistent with previous 4% annual increases incurred at West Melbourne. However, instead of occurring on 1 January, they now occur on 1 July. As a result of this change in date, stand licence fees have not been subject to a fee increase for 18 months. The next increase is scheduled for 1 July 2017.

Traditionally, all other general Market fees (e.g. access cards, parking) also increase by a fixed 4% each year. However, no increase on general Market fees (e.g. access cards and parking) will be applied in 2016.

View the updated schedule of fees.

Warehousing Opportunities at the Melbourne Market

Consolidate your operations to increase business efficiency at the Melbourne Market.

A range of warehouse opportunities are now available.

Buildings 5 and 6

Three 95sqm warehouses will be ready for occupation on 1 September 2016. Please review these documents for all relevant information and complete the registration of interest form by 31 July 2016 to avoid disappointment.

Head to the website to view the location plan and information pack.

Building 7

A modern purpose built warehouse is planned to meet the needs of both sellers and buyers in the Market. Review the draft plan and the registration form on the website.

Complete the registration of interest form by 31 July 2016.

A number of warehouses, from 45sqm, in this building are anticipated to be directly accessible by light commercial vehicles.

The building is forecast to be completed late 2017, subject to demand.

For more information or to discuss your requirements contact Matt Elliott on 0448 908 821 or email via Matthew.Elliott@melbournemarket.com.au.

Theft of vehicles from the P1 car park

Recently several vehicles have been reported stolen from the P1 car park during trade. Remember, do not leave valuables in vehicles and lock you car.

The MMA are increasing surveillance in this car park. As an interim measure, you can still park in P1 for free for the first 90 minutes, however you will now be required to visit the security control room (next to Gate 1) to validate your ticket (as opposed to the ticket machine).

This will limit unwanted visitors to the car park as they will be required to visit security to exit the Market free of charge.

If you see something, report it to security by calling 0408 334 555 or 000.

Site maintenance

Disabled toilets in the Market. 

During this week, all disabled toilets in the Market will have a new locking mechanism installed.

The works will take place outside of Market trading hours and will be progressively installed. This should cause minimal disruption to Market users.

If you require access to a disabled toilet during this time, you can contact the Help Desk to help you locate your nearest rest room on 0437 006 459 or you can download the Melbourne Market Navigator App and select the ‘amenties’ function to find your nearest disabled toilet.

Industry News

Flower Market Open Morning – Saturday 23rd July 2016 from 5:30 am

This morning will provide a first-time buying experience at Epping with the support of seasoned Market professionals.

The event is only open to those working within the Flower industry and are yet to visit Epping. To date, the event has attracted over 10 potential flower buyers – each visitor could become your new customer.

The open morning consists of a guided tour of the trading area, introductions to all participating stand holders and concludes with a hot drink with question time. Each visitor will also receive a gift bag as well as free parking.
Want to get involved?

Visitors to the Flower Market will each be receiving a voucher redeemable on the morning of the visit.
The voucher entitles the user to receive $10 off on purchases of $25 of more from participating stand holders.

If you would like to add your business to this list of offers, contact Genevieve at Flowers Victoria on 9207 5621.

If you are one of the stand holders already listed on this voucher, please help us gauge the success of this event by collecting any vouchers redeemed at your business and returning them to either Genevieve or Jan on the morning of the tour.

We’re keen to hear your feedback following the event, so stay tuned for your chance to provide us with feedback. .

Your success is our success!

If you know any florists who could benefit from attending, bookings can be made via https://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=207366

This initiative by C the Market is supported by Flowers Victoria and the MMA.

What to do if you, or someone near you, needs medical attention on site. 

If you, or someone you work with is injured on site, it’s important you seek medical attention immediately.

All Market relations officers are trained in first aid, however if you require a paramedic, Market users should call 000 immediately followed by Market security.

000 operators may ask you critical questions regarding the patients welfare, appearance or breathing. It’s important to stay with the injured Market users and respond to any questions from 000 operators or Market relations officers.

The flow chart below may assist you with what to do if you, or someone near you becomes injured on site.

Quick Tip

Have you downloaded the free Melbourne Market Navigator App?

Finding traders and retailers in the Market is easy with the free smartphone app – the Melbourne Market Navigator.

It features step-by-step navigation and maps to help you find locations around the Market, including stores, stands, warehousing, and parking bays.

The app also features a comprehensive business directory to help make your visits to the Market quick, easy and efficient.

Key Dates

Flower Market open morning

• 23 July

Buildings 5 & 6 available warehouses open for inspection

• 19 July
• 27 July
• 8 August

Warehouse EOI closes

• 31 July

Ask the MMA

If you’ve got a question for the MMA email it tosubmissions@melbournemarket.com.au.