To market, to market
Thank you for the article on the upcoming tender decision for the Riverside Park weekly market. You article brought forward several points that were not known to the public.
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What concerns me is why Rotary feels the need to take over the administration of the Saturday market and “grow” it.
The quotes from various people could be construed as criticism of the way the market is currently run.
If this is true, how have the members and management managed to build the best weekly market on the South Coast?
How do they donate thousands of dollars to charities and community groups?
How do they contribute more than $80,000 pa to Eurobodalla Shire Council in fees?
How can they afford TV advertising, which also promotes the town?
The market is owned by the stallholders. They vote in the management committees and attend AGMs and meetings.
It’s obvious they are satisfied, as not one needed to attend the recent AGM to change anything nor make a complaint.
Stuart Whitlaw states “there was supposed to be a street of (produce) stalls but nothing came of it” and there were restrictions on growers entering.
SAGE’s proposal required the relocation of a row of established stallholders (including producers who also enjoy good business at Tuesday’s Farmers Market).
The stallholders were not inclined to relocate so, under the democratic process, the proposal was rejected. No restrictions were placed on produce stalls being allocated empty sites.
Tony Jaggers
Moruya
‘No’ to scratching a living
Country markets draw people into town to the benefit of the entire town.
The Moruya Chamber of Commerce has often campaigned against Moruya Country Market (MCM), contending it draws business away from shops.
When moving to Riverside Park, the market capped stalls at 140 to appease such contentions.
Whilst this frustrates those who feel left out, it allows 140 stalls an opportunity to make a living, rather than 300 scratching a living.
During winter, trade slows down for many. There are only so many footpaths. The sculpture end has poor drainage and often flooded.
Chamber’s full support of the Tuesday Farmers Market is fine, but is also a humbug attitude after being so critical of MCM.
The farmers/chamber consortium is being directed by newcomer SAGE, in a campaign to gain control. Rotary has submitted a tender for the Park lease. Rotary are opportunistic front men for the new “go get” consortium. Shame!
Despite all combined assurances and “farmers’ visions”, MCM will inevitably morph into another Rotary “anything goes” market: quantity not quality, higher fees, more stalls, competition for shops.
(This will) erode, diminish established standards that make MCM the wonderful variety market it is, with many local quality handcrafts.
Established 35 years ago, MCM has its own identity, a soul – the most successful Saturday market on the South Coast. thanks to all members and the wonderful locals and visitors who enjoy the market every Saturday.
It is a democratic market owned by the stall holders.
Brian Smith
Moruya
Look west, young councillors
In response to Allan Brown (Time to Move on, Bay Post, November 11), the ERA is not promoting an amalgamation with Palerang Shire; we are demanding ratepayers be part of the decision-making process sweeping NSW.
Six councillors have taken it upon themselves to dictate to ratepayers what they think is best for us and have refused to mention amalgamation.
Bega and nearby councils are on their way to forming a bigger council, taking advantage of a $15 million infrastructure grant.
To our north, larger councils loom. To our west, five to six councils will in all probability be amalgamated.
Eurobodalla risks becoming a “droplet” council surrounded by a sea of “super” councils. Who will be in the best position to lobby the NSW government and make their voice heard? Who is most likely to prosper?
When a minister suggests we look to the west, ERA considers great merit in consideration of a merger between Queanbeyan, Palerang and Eurobodalla.
The Palerang mayor demonstrated the self-serving nonsense he and the six ESC councillors are peddling as rational debate about amalgamation.
He declared he knew all about amalgamations, having witnessed the amalgamation of Tallaganda and Palerang, which he declared a “disaster”.
Unfortunately for him, that “disaster” produced the Palerang of today which, in the same breath, he declared is super fit and ready to face the future as a proud stand-alone council.
If, as Mr Brown, the Mayor and our six councillors believe, there is an “increased price to the residents”, ERA says “prove it”.
Where is the detailed business case for and against amalgamation? Where is the case for knocking back our share of $15M worth of infrastructure, noting that ESC needed and will need further special rate rises?
When will residents be allowed to participate in what happens to them?