2015-02-03 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             3 FEBRUARY 2015


REPORT
On 27 April 2014 Council received a proposal from the Noosaville Business Association Inc. (NBA)
to conduct a monthly night market on Friday nights between the hours of 5.00pm-9.00pm. The
markets proposed were to be organised and operated by the Noosa Farmers Market (Organiser).
The application required closure of Thomas Street between Mary Street and Gympie Terrace,
Noosaville from 3.30pm to 10:00pm.

Council reviewed the proposal and in May 2014, Council requested that the NBA conduct
community consultation in relation to the impact of monthly markets on the local community prior
to submission of a formal application and Council consideration. Over the intervening four months,
commencing June 2014 the NBA and the Organiser undertook a number of consultations with
stakeholders including:
1. All businesses in Thomas Street including the Homemaker Centre and surrounding businesses
   in Gympie Terrace; and
2. Local residents in surrounding streets.
In July 2014 Council informally discussed the market concept and agreed to a trial (consisting of
three markets) subject to formal application being made by the NBA.

Feedback regarding the market proposal was received from the Homemaker Centre Body
Corporate (HCBC) at the time to the effect that although it was largely supportive of the market
concept, it could not support the proposal due to car parking concerns. As a result Council
requested further information from the NBA regarding the parking strategy.

The main provisions identified in the parking strategy provided by the NBA and the Organiser were
listed as follows:

   Shuttle bus for stallholders from AFL Grounds.
   Signage at both entrances to Homemaker Centre (HC) car park stating “no market parking”.
   Traffic controllers at both entrances to enforce “no market parking”.
   Resort visitors would likely walk to markets.
   Local residents to utilise local streets and parking further away then walk to market etc.

This information was then provided to the HCBC which after consideration, acknowledged it was
satisfied with the parking strategy as above.

On 18 September 2014 Council received a formal market application from the NBA. This followed
completion of consultation by NBA and the Organiser with Thomas Street traders, HC traders, local
residents etc.

Subsequently on 22 October 2014 a market permit was issued by Council to the NBA for a trial of
three monthly markets, after which time a review would be undertaken by Council into market
operations to ascertain whether the markets would be permitted to continue. The trial period
expired in December 2014. Subject to a satisfactory review of the permit to be undertaken after
the three month trial, the permit could be extended for a further six months to 30 June 2015.

First market – 24 October 2014
In summary:
a)   Parking signs were erected;
b)   No traffic controllers present at HC entrances as had been agreed;
c)   Stallholders and market patrons utilised the HC car park;
d)   Due to delay with the issue of other operational permits, the market arrangements were not
     fully in place contributing to parking issues; and
e)   HC car park was full.


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