Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Rachel WESTAWAY (Prahran) (10:13): Prahran Market is one of the true jewels of the Prahran community. Famous across Melbourne for generations, it has been so much more than just a place to shop; it has been a meeting place, a local landmark, a home for small businesses and a living expression of the character, diversity and energy of our community. It is something that as locals we should be immensely proud of and equally committed to preserving. It is a foundational part of our plan to revitalise Chapel Street precinct. From the fresh produce and the artisan cheeses to the butchers, the bakers, the florists and speciality retailers, Prahran Market embodies the spirit of local enterprise.

At a time when so many local businesses are under pressure. our priority should be to protect, promote and strengthen places like Prahran Market, not cast uncertainty over their future. The market is an irreplaceable and non-negotiable element of our community. Its value cannot be measured simply in land use or in development potential. It belongs to the community; it has for 162 years, and that is how it must remain. I want to place on record my unequivocal support for Prahran Market, its traders and its customers, my local constituents. Prahran Market is more than a plot of land. For locals it is an extension of our homes, and you cannot put a price on that.