Council draws up new contract for Redcliffe Jetty Markets

Many are outraged by a local council’s decision to hand the contract for one of southeast Queensland’s biggest seaside markets to a new operator.

Redcliffe Jetty Markets.

Despite running the markets for 10 years Moreton Bay Regional Council has decided to hand the contract for the popular Redcliffe Jetty Markets to new operators.

The council advertised the tender for the markets in February.

At the time it said it was looking for “experienced” market operators.

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Council decided on Tuesday to not hand the contract back to Market and Events Management Australia (MEMA), who have operated the markets for the past 10 years.

A Moreton Bay Regional Council spokesman said the contract had been awarded to Goodwill Projects.

The group operates the Brisbane City Markets, Milton Markets, Kuraby, Carseldine and Nundah markets.

“They were the leading tenderer based on an evaluation of the four submissions received and Councillors supported the officer’s recommendation to award Goodwill Projects the contract,” the spokesman said.

They will take over the running of the markets from September.

In 2019 Moreton Bay Regional Council approved MEMA’s plans to expand the footprint of the Jetty markets.

Not all business owners were in favour of the decision.

MEMA posted a lengthy post on the Redcliffe Jetty Markets Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon.

A large crowd at the Redcliffe Jetty Markets.

“From our beginnings in 2009 taking over the management of a very small market in the Anzac Place Parklands we have had a vision to create an iconic ‘must do’ event for Redcliffe and the Moreton Bay Region.

“From this humble beginning we have been passionate and professional on delivering our vision which saw us navigate through the effects of The Global Financial Crisis, the massive streetscaping project along the Redcliffe foreshore and the constant influx of other venues trying to capitalise on what we had grown to deliver being Australia’s premier seaside market.

“We’re currently the number one weekly tourist event in not only the Peninsula but the southeast region. This is something we’re extremely proud of.”

They organisers said that over the years they had donated more than $300,000 to community organisations including Cancer Council Queensland, local schools, Rockin 4 the Homeless and Redcliffe Surf Lifesaving.

In less than an hour it gained more than 200 comments.

Some market goers said it was “sad” news, other said it was “absolutely ridiculous”.

Several other people even went as far as to say they would start a petition against the decision.

They said: “Words are hard to find at this current moment however, we would like to thank everyone that has been involved or supported our vision from day one.

Redcliffe Jetty.

“This includes all our vendors, staff, musicians, volunteers and subcontractors.

“From the bottom of all our hearts again, thank you to all the stallholders and public that have supported our efforts.”