Project Connect

Project Connect

• Why are we doing this?

  For more than 150 years, South Melbourne Market has been at the heart of community life. It is where people shop, connect, discover local makers and support independent family-run businesses.

  Project Connect is a long-term investment in the future of the Market. It responds to ageing infrastructure, compliance requirements, congestion, limited public space and the changing community needs, while protecting the Market’s role as a working market and being a loved and trusted community destination.

  The project will deliver essential upgrades including accessibility improvements, additional bathrooms, enhanced public spaces, a new north facing retail precinct and better facilities for traders, ensuring the Market continues to serve the community into the future.

  The project is being designed to support the Market's heritage, independent trader community and authentic market atmosphere while ensuring it remains relevant and accessible for generations to come.

• What will the project deliver?

  The project will deliver essential upgrades that improve safety, accessibility, and customer experience, while preserving the authentic market atmosphere that locals know and love.

  Project Connect will deliver:

  ·         Essential accessibility and compliance upgrades

  ·         Improved and additional toilets and amenities

  ·         Regrading of some internal aisles

  ·         Wider footpaths and increased public space on Coventry Street

  ·         A revitalised York Street frontage and retail precinct

  ·         More public seating, greenery and community spaces

  ·         Improved efficiencies in the Market Loading Bay and enhanced storage and facilities for traders.

  ·         Improved access to the rooftop carpark with a new stair and lift combination on York Street.

• How can the community provide feedback?

  Community feedback has played a vital role in shaping Project Connect to date, building on consultation undertaken since 2019.

  As the project progresses, the community will continue to be updated, with an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft designs in November 2026.

  In late 2023, the City of Port Phillip and South Melbourne Market hosted a community and trader engagement program to inform the community about the project, the non-negotiable asset compliance works required and to seek feedback on improving the public realm and visitor experience. 

  We asked about your preferences around when the Market is open, how you use the Market, how the proposed changes will impact you, and how you think we can improve public space around the Market.

  Public dining spaces, seating and the use of natural materials were the attributes rated as most important for public realm improvements.

  Click here to read the summary report of the Help Shape the Future of South Melbourne Market community engagement.

  In November 2026, we will be engaging with our community and traders again to hear feedback on the draft concept designs and hear preferences around the new York Street retail precinct.

  Feedback from the community and traders will be carefully considered alongside technical studies, operational requirements and project objectives as the draft designs continue to be refined. The engagement findings will help inform the final concept designs for Project Connect.

  A summary report of the feedback received, and the key themes identified during the engagement period will be shared with the community in early 2027.

• When will the works be happening?

  Works are scheduled to commence from mid-2028, with the full Project Connect program expected to be delivered in stages through to 2032. The timing of individual works will be confirmed as designs, approvals and staging plans are developed.

• Will the Market need to close while works are happening?

  The Market is expected to continue trading while Project Connect works are delivered.

  Works will be staged to minimise disruption wherever possible, with planning focused on maintaining customer access, supporting trader operations, and keeping the community informed as the project progresses. However, some traders or areas of the Market may need to close temporarily while critical works take place in these areas.

  As with any major project in a busy public place, temporary changes to access, loading, parking, or movement around the Market will be required. These changes will be communicated clearly and as early as possible before works begin, with signage, wayfinding and communications in place to help customers navigate the precinct.

   

• What will this project cost?

  Council approved capital investment of $30million in its 10-year budget to deliver major compliance works and broader customer and trader experience improvements through Project Connect. This includes additional external public space for seating and pedestrian movement and additional back-of-house improvements beyond what is deemed compliance requirements to continue to support our traders in what are aged and very constrained spaces. This investment will help futureproof the Market as a safe, accessible, and inclusive community destination.