MidCoast Council has developed a new draft Market Policy to support the sustainable operation of regular markets taking place on public land.
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Under the draft policy, market operators are required to collaborate with council, local residents, the business community and other agencies to ensure consideration is given to the physical space markets occupy and the people and businesses surrounding them.
The policy relates to all regular markets taking place throughout the MidCoast region, on council owned land, or Council controlled public land – including farmers markets.
Festivals and ‘one-off’ community based events and fundraisers such as annual markets and fetes occurring once a year, along with markets taking place on private land, will be excluded from this policy. They may, however, be subject to a separate approval process such as a special event or development application.
The draft policy has been placed on public exhibition and community feedback is sought.
“Markets contribute socially, culturally and economically to our region,” council’s coordinator of economic development and events, Robyn Brennan said.
“Most are run by volunteers and help support a range of great community causes.
“We hope the new policy will assist by providing a consistent approach to managing regular markets across the region, clearly outlining requirements about the use of our public spaces and supporting market organisers to run a successful event for the benefit of the whole community.”
The draft policy says council may impose restrictions on smoking in public areas including lands used for markets.
It says generally day markets will operate between 8am and 5pm and night markets between 5pm and 9pm with an hour bump in and out either side. Applications to vary these hours of operation will be assessed on demonstrated community benefit.
Markets may only operate on weekends and public holidays, the draft policy states Applications to vary these days of operation will be assessed on demonstrated community benefit.
For further information head to council’s website www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Have-Your-Say where you can view the document and provide feedback until January 2, 2019.
