Upgrades to revitalise Camberwell Fresh Food Market

The Camberwell Fresh Food Market is set to receive an exciting upgrade, including new dining spaces, which the whole community can enjoy.

The works will include the construction of a new accessible indoor dining space with mobile device charging pods, as well as the creation of an outdoor seating area complete with wooden dining tables and benches.

The outdoor seating area will be located near the northern entrance of the market building.

The upgrade to the market comes following a community survey and consultation which asked customers what they loved most about the market and what improvements they would like to see.

The responses from the survey and research from the Boroondara Community Plan 2021–31 has helped Boroondara Council to design the accessible indoor dining space and the outdoor dining tables and benches.

“The upgrades will improve the current offering and support the future of the market, while helping to preserve the iconic heritage building,” a statement on the Boroondara Council website reads.

The market’s refurbishment works will begin in early September and are expected to be completed by late November, depending on weather conditions.

The Camberwell Fresh Food Market has a rich history in the precinct. Originally a horse carriage factory, it became a produce market in the 1930s to service the market growers of the area. In 1992, a serious fire damaged most of the market and stallholders had to trade from a temporary premises while it was being repaired.

In 2002, the market underwent a refurbishment and opened its rear wall to the car park, allowing for better access. Even though the market has undergone various transformations over the years, it still retains its heritage, with many of today’s stallholders second and third generation family-run operators that continue to trade in the traditional market style.

Camberwell Junction manager Kerry Daly said the new upgrades to the market would be a boon for the shopping precinct and the local community.

“The Camberwell Fresh Food Market is a major drawcard for the Camberwell Junction precinct and is well loved by locals and visitors. This upgrade will no doubt improve the look and feel of the market but also offer the community something extra to enjoy as they complete their shopping,” she said.

“This is also a great way to honour the history of the market, and the upgrades will allow current and future generations to appreciate this iconic site.”

From late 2022, the public toilets at the Camberwell Sunday Market will also be open on Sundays when the Camberwell Fresh Food Market building is usually closed.

The upgrade project is supported by the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.

All images (artist’s impressions) courtesy of Boroondara Council.