Emergency services conducted a mock disaster training exercise at the soon-to-be-completed Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market in Epping yesterday.
The exercise, which also involved Whittlesea council, Northern Hospital and Epping Plaza staff, was designed to replicate responses that might be required to deal with a terrorist threat or fire.
Victoria Police, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Ambulance Victoria, VicRoads, Highway Patrol Management and retailers also took part.
Whittlesea police’s Acting Inspector Rudy Marsilli said the exercise was aimed at ensuring emergency services had their bearings in the enormous market complex.
“There will be a minimum of 6000 people working there between midnight and 6am, and it’s a big task getting to know where everything is,” he said.
A Melbourne Market Authority spokeswoman said the major trading floor and the National Flower Centre buildings were all but complete.
Contracts have been finalised for the last part of construction at the Epping warehousing site.
The spokeswoman said some parts of the warehousing facilities were on track for completion before the end of the year.
The market is due to formally open midway through next year.
