Perth Metropolitan Markets

The Perth Metropolitan Markets were a fruit and vegetable wholesale markets located at 840 (Lots 500-504) Wellington Street in West Perth from 1929 to 1989, when they moved to their current site in Canning Vale.[1]

The markets were originally established at Roe Street, Perth, at the western end of the railway station (regularly referred to as the "Old Markets"),[2][3] with a more comprehensive market constructed on a 111-acre site, bounded by Wellington, Sutherland and Market Streets by the Metropolitan Market Trust.[4] The Trust was established by the Government in September 1927. The Wellington Street Markets were formally opened on 14 June 1929 by the Deputy Premier of Western Australia, John Willcock.[5][6][7][8] The site incorporated an auctioneering area (72,750 sq ft), meat markets (2,400 sq ft) and egg and poultry markets (9,900 sq ft).[9] The site also included a public restaurant, post office and several bank branch offices.

By the 1950s protective restrictions on road transport by the Road Transport Regulation Board were being lightened, and more trucking of produce into and away from the markets was beginning to have effect on Wellington Street.[10]

The closing down of various freight services on the Western Australian Government Railways system as it was changed to a bulk freight operation, and its new brand and style of operation,[11][12] saw the location of the markets and proximity to the central business district and the high land values as a problem.

Various reviews and changes to processes at the markets were occurring prior to the closure.[13]

In 1990, the Metropolitan Market Trust changed its name to the Perth Market Authority and in 1989 the Authority relocated the markets to a site in Canning Vale.[14]

The original market site has since been redeveloped and is the site of Watertown Brand Outlet Centre[15] and the offices of the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia.

  1. ^ Perth Market City Historical Photo Gallery
  2. ^ Roberts, L. S; Western Australia. Audit Dept (1973), Metropolitan Markets : a history of events leading to the formation of a central public market in Perth, Western Australia, Audit Dept, retrieved 5 March 2017
  3. ^ For instance - the report - "Metropolitan Markets". Gnowangerup Times. Vol. 1, no. 15. Western Australia. 25 January 1913. p. 3. Retrieved 5 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia. is referring to the old 'Metropolitan Market' at the railway station
  4. ^ "Metropolitan Market Trust". The Sunday Times. 23 October 1927. p. 11. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  5. ^ "Metropolitan Markets". The West Australian. Perth, WA: National Library of Australia. 13 June 1929. p. 16. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  6. ^ "New Markets". The West Australian. Perth, WA: National Library of Australia. 14 June 1929. p. 22. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  7. ^ "Metropolitan Markets". Western Mail. Perth, WA: National Library of Australia. 20 June 1929. p. 45. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  8. ^ HRRC (1929), Opening of the Metropolitan Markets, West Perth, Friday 14 June 1929, retrieved 5 March 2017
  9. ^ "Metropolitan Markets". The West Australian. Perth, WA: National Library of Australia. 16 August 1928. p. 18. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  10. ^ Western Australia. Transport Board (1956), State Transportation Co-ordination Act 1933-1954 : notes for general information, Paterson Brokensha, retrieved 5 March 2017
  11. ^ Affleck, Fred (1978). On Track: The Making of Westrail, 1950–1976. Perth: Westrail. ISBN 0724475605. OCLC 6489347.
  12. ^ Dyson, D. J; Ellis, R. J; Western Australia. Transport Board. Economic Research Section (1961), Report on motor truck operating costs : report prepared by the Economics Research Section of the W.A. Transport Board, W.A. Transport Board, retrieved 5 March 2017
  13. ^ Longson, Ian; Deukett, Marion; Western Australia. Marketing and Economics Branch (1981), A review of fruit and vegetable market reporting at the Perth metropolitan markets, Western Australian Dept. of Agriculture, Marketing and Economics Branch, ISBN 978-0-7244-9357-9
  14. ^ Rogers, Steve; Metropolitan Market Trust (W.A.) (1989), The Metropolitan markets : the heartbeat of Perth, 1929-1989, Metropolitan Market Trust, retrieved 5 March 2017
  15. ^ "Getting here". Watertown Brand Outlet Centre. Retrieved 8 March 2017.