WERRIBEE South farmers are not concerned about delays in relocating the Footscray Road fruit and vegetable market to Epping.
A Victorian Auditor-General’s report tabled in Parliament last week found the project was running years behind schedule, with an operational market at least two years away.
The report also stated the expected cost was more than double the $300million estimated in a 2004 business study about the move.
The relocation was originally scheduled for 2008. But Auditor-General Des Pearson stated: “Issues relevant to the tenants’ decision to
relocate to Epping have not been resolved and they are still not committed to the move.”
Fresh Select managing director John Said believes the delay is not a major problem for Werribee South growers.
Many Wyndham farmers would find it challenging to get their produce to Epping, possibly causing some to leave the market scene, he said.
While conceding facilities at Epping would be better, Mr Said believed most local growers were not fussed by the promise of a new market.
He estimated only between 10 and 20 of the area’s 80 growers were still involved in the market.
Fellow Werribee South grower Mick Fragapane said the delay might give growers time to weigh up their next move.
“I think it will give people an opportunity to get out,” he said. “You have got to be on a reasonable scale to go to the market and many of us here aren’t at the scale any more.”
But John Roach, chief executive of fresh fruit and vegetable wholesalers’ peak body Fresh State, said relocation delays meant growers could not plan for the future.
“What traders don’t know is what their rents will be and they can’t make business decisions.
“The lack of information is frustrating and people can’t plan their businesses.”
