Rivermakers Markets in Colmslie halted until 2025 after Council war

A hugely popular farmers market in Brisbane’s eastside will be put on pause until an unspecified date in 2025 following a stoush with council which received a single complaint.

Maddy Ross market manager and Georgia Rowe vendor with their fresh produce at Rivermakers Farmers and Artisan Markets. Picture: Patrick Woods

A hugely popular farmers market, the first on the eastside, will be halted until next year after a stoush with Brisbane City Council which received a single complaint from a billionaire neighbour.

Rivermakers Markets was held just two times, in July and August, before the shock announcement on Thursday afternoon, September 5, that it would not return until an unspecified date next year.

Goodwill Projects, which organised the event at Colmslie overlooking a scenic stretch of the Brisbane River, has also run a swag of other markets across the southeast for many years.

Director Mark Power announced in July, after the inaugural event, that he had cut back plans for a weekly market to a monthly gathering following the dispute with council.

He conceded there were traffic and parking problems due to the huge turnout.

The August market ran much more smoothly with only minor traffic delays.

But he denied council’s claim that he did not have a permit, saying monthly markets were permitted under the site’s zoning.

Maddy Ross market manager and Georgia Rowe vendor with their fresh produce at Rivermakers Farmers and Artisan Markets. Picture: Patrick Woods

The neighbouring Australian Country Choice abattoir lodged a complaint with council, believed to have been the only one, before telling media outlets that the traffic at the July event had meant trucks carrying live cattle could not enter its property.

Billionaire ACC owner Trevor Lee has for several years been locked in a bitter feud with Balfour Irvine, a billionaire recycling magnate who owns the nearby Rivermakers site where the markets were held.

At one point they ended up in the Planning and Environment Court after Mr Lee unsuccessfully tried to block the TotalFusion mega gym being built at the Rivermakers precinct.

“Rivermakers, which has quickly become one of southeast Queensland’s premier farmers markets after just two weeks of trade, has made the difficult decision to postpone future markets until 2025,’’ Goodwill Projects said in a statement.

“This pause comes as we clarify the statutory approvals in response to a singular complaint by a neighbouring business.

Balfour Irvine at the Rivermakers site in 2021. Picture: Richard Walker

“Our priority remains removing any future uncertainties and resuming trade as a family-focused farmers market.

“The market and the neighbouring businesses are not mutually exclusive.

“This was clearly demonstrated in the second week of trade following the popular opening day.

“We look forward to working with the council and the State Government in realising the best use of this location — in this case for six hours on a Sunday morning.’’

The statement went on to thank the hundreds of stallholders but said the decision “while disappointing, will ultimately benefit everyone involved’’.

Local Morningside ward Councillor Lucy Collier said it was disappointing Rivermakers Markets needed to make the decision.

Councillor Lucy Collier. Picture: Liam Kidston

“It is extremely unfortunate that Council couldn’t work proactively with these market organisers to sort these issues out,’’ she said.

“I still strongly believe that Council should be working proactively to solve these issues with the organisers, not shutting them down.

“Despite my repeated requests, including raising the matter in a recent Council meeting and writing to the CEO of Brisbane City Council, I’ve not had any briefing from Council on these markets.’’

Rivermakers said in a statement that it also was disappointed at the postponement until 2025.

“We are proud we have been able to support thousands of families accessing fresh produce and handmade goods from local farmers and craftspeople in this cost of living crisis,’’ a spokesman said.

“We will continue to work with council and other stakeholders to resolve issues that have stopped this market from being a regular much-needed event for the local community.’’