Launching the Market's Five-Year Strategic Plan
South Melbourne Market’s 2026–30 Strategic Plan sets a bold and community-driven direction for the next five years, guiding the Market through its 159th to 163rd years of operation. Rooted in its legacy as a cherished public market since 1867, the Plan reaffirms the Market’s commitment to being a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable destination for locals and visitors alike.
Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, including traders, the Market Committee, and the broader community, the Plan builds on the foundations of the 2021–25 strategy, embedding financial sustainability and operational excellence into everyday decision-making. It responds to global and local trends such as the rise of artificial intelligence, shifting consumer behaviours, climate pressures, and demographic changes, while also addressing the unique challenges of operating within a historic site.
The Strategic Plan is structured around four key priorities:
- A Thriving Market
- Supporting independent traders through fair appointment processes, expanded incubator programs, and a curated retail mix that reflects community needs.
- A Vibrant, Community Market
- Enhancing social connection and discovery through activations, educational programs, and robust community engagement.
- An Authentic, Welcoming Market
- Celebrating cultural heritage, improving accessibility, and fostering inclusivity and safety for all.
- A Sustainable and Resilient Market
- Delivering major capital works (Project Connect), advancing environmental sustainability, and ensuring financial and operational resilience.
Our key focus remains the local community, while also encouraging and promoting visitation from destination shoppers, local workers, families, and tourists. Strategic measures include trader satisfaction, customer satisfaction, financial performance and environmental sustainability performance.