Market’s budget birthday wishes

SESQUICENTENNIAL celebrations are key components in Dandenong Market’s budget for the financial year ahead.
The Dandenong icon turns 150 next year and is set to return a $1.25 million profit to City of Greater Dandenong – up from $1.2 million the previous year.
Councillors approved the annual plan, which they deemed confidential and did not release in full, at their 25 May meeting.
The available report said Market Sundays continued to grow in 2014-’15, as did the Dandenong World Food Fare attendance.
The market also finished stage one of its Market Square refurbishment in the past 12 months, rolled out new branding and introduced a regular market tour.
In the coming year market management will work on Market Square’s second stage, designed to transform the eating area and meeting place.
It will also work on developing the southern car park or Southern Deck, including introducing pop-up events and planning an alfresco dining area and family zone.
Dandenong Market will celebrate its 150th birthday on 10 October next year and is planning several community events and celebrations in the lead-up.
There is to be a Dandenong Market book, a photographic essay highlighting the market’s regional and historical significance that will focus on how residents and market shoppers lived.
The market will install a permanent photographic exhibition and will bury a time capsule on 10 October following a campaign for suggested contents.
It will review and detail plans for expanding cool storage infrastructure, which is in high demand pending Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market’s relocation in August this year.
The market will continue to host the Dandenong World Fare, Emerge in the South East, Family Sustainability Festival, school holiday craft programs, free Sunday entertainment and Christmas activities.