The saga of Victoria’s wholesale produce market’s relocation from Footscray to Epping drags on, with growers, wholesalers and retailers battling red tape, rising costs and insufficient parking.
Vegetable Growers Association of Victoria president David Wallace said three growers had decided against moving to Epping in the past month alone, citing rising charges for warehousing, rent, parking and electricity.
He estimates the market will lose about 10 per cent of its fruiterers, many scared off by a 12 per cent hike in stall rents.
“A few growers are going to try to split costs by sharing warehousing space, but that’s a difficult thing to do,” Mr Wallace said.
“Everyone’s trying to run their own business. Most people will go for the first 12 months and reassess after that.”
One fruit and vegetable wholesaler, who did not want his name reported, said he and his brother would not relocate to Epping because it was prohibitively expensive.
“My brother and I are in our 60s. I don’t want to spend $500,000 and then have to spend the next 10 years working out there to recoup it,” he said.
About a dozen casual stallholders at Footscray will also shut up shop come August 3 when Epping is due to open, because it won’t offer casual stands.
Milla’s Farm Direct sales manager Michael Savvas says his company and 12 other businesses in the same boat are considering class action against the market authority. Market spokeswoman Corinne Said said growers without a stand at Epping can sell though an agent.
