Melbourne Market Authority (MMA) has completed a large undercover parking extension and solar panel installation, set to improve the Victorian site’s energy efficiency.
As a key part of the food ecosystem of Melbourne, the MMA’s continued investment in infrastructure at the Epping site aims to continuously increase value for their stakeholders and market users. The project also sits firmly with MMA’s commitment and ongoing efforts for sustainability. The canopy and installation is an environmentally sound design and includes solar energy generation.
Wiley designed and delivered the $13M brownfield investment in December 2021, having kicked off in April 2021. This delivery was three months ahead of schedule, despite challenging conditions with the pandemic and operating on a live site. This project was another successful partnership between the two organisations, with Wiley having delivered the design, construction, and project management of MMA’s new produce warehouse tenancies in 2020.
Melbourne Market Authority CEO, Mark Maskiell, said “Turning on our rooftop solar panels is an exciting milestone. Once the entire project is complete, the market will host a 10 megawatt rooftop solar panel system, which will be one of the largest rooftop installations in Australia.”
This project included:
- Six individual canopies spanning 2.2 hectares in size
- 100 rigid parking bays and 200 loading bays
- 5,432 solar panels resulting in a 2.40-megawatt Solar PV System to support onsite energy demand
- 8,200,000 litres of rainwater catchment capacity per year
Wiley Managing Director, Suzie Wiley was delighted to work with MMA again on a project that aligns with Wiley’s sustainability values.
“We are honoured to have partnered with the MMA as they continue to improve the site and their environmental footprint,” Suzie Wiley said.
“It is important to look at leaders like MMA who are actively working to improve their sites for both economic and environmental positive impact.”
Continuous trading is vital to the success of the markets and their tenants to ensure they can supply greater Victoria with fresh produce, regardless of Melbourne’s unpredictable weather conditions. The undercover area expansion has reduced the effects and hazards caused by inclement weather, on both the traders and their food products.
A key feature of the design extending the undercover area, is the use of minimal columns supporting the structure. This design element ensures the safety of all people on site, allowing vehicle and human traffic to move efficiently and safely. The solar installation will reduce ongoing electrical demand and costs, allowing MMA to operate in a sustainable way well into the future.
Link to video: https://youtu.be/Kjh7dY2xwYc
Link to images: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/2kuebolm534yuez20txfv/h?dl=0&rlkey=a9lpudyzhbamlutj24fj5moud
Media enquiries: Brett Wiskar, Chief Future Officer at Wiley | 0488 689 042| brett.wiskar@wiley.com.au
About Wiley
At Wiley, we believe in making a difference and creating a better future. Wiley has been building things for people to work, manufacture, grow, learn, and play in since 1918. We have evolved into an energetic and diverse project delivery company with experts across the full construction process, spanning design, engineering, consulting, technical advice, and construction. We deliver sophisticated projects for many industries including Health, Food, Education, Defence, Energy, Water & Infrastructure and more.
Read more about Wiley here: https://wiley.com.au/
About Melbourne Markets Authority
Melbourne Markets Authority is Victoria’s wholesale fruit, vegetable and cut flower trading centre, one of six central fresh produce markets in Australia.
Operating from a purpose-built facility on a 67-hectare site at Epping, the Market provides the critical link between growers, wholesalers, retailers, and the fresh produce supply chain.
More than 4,000 businesses use the Market as a base, buying and selling fresh produce in the early hours of the morning for distribution across Victoria and Australia.
Read more about Melbourne Markets Authority here: https://melbournemarkets.com.au/
