Goodwill Projects hope to grow and expand Redcliffe Jetty Markets

The new operators of the Redcliffe Jetty Markets have shared their plans for the market’s future.

The Redcliffe Jetty Markets are on each Sunday at Redcliffe Pde.

Goodwill Projects will take over the running of the Redcliffe Jetty Markets from September — but the experienced market operator says it will not change the things people love about it.

Moreton Bay Regional Council announced on Tuesday the company, based at Fortitude Valley, was the successful tenderer for the Redcliffe Jetty Markets.

It caused a rift through the community with many not happy with council’s decision to turn its back on MEMA — the group which has run the markets for the past 10 years.

An online petition was started and so far 1790 people have signed it — calling for council to reverse its decision.

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Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said the company’s impressive bid and proven track record delivering successful markets around southeast Queensland gave it the winning edge.

“Tourism is booming in the Moreton Bay Region and we want to know that these markets will grow into the future to become a destination attraction that people around southeast Queensland will travel to enjoy,” he said.

“We received a number of quality responses to the market tender and council officers assessed these against the criteria for evaluation as advertised.

“Officers made a recommendation to council which was accepted and supported unanimously.

“This is a commercial decision about the future of the markets, which will attract even more visitors and continue to bring locals together on weekends.”

Goodwill Projects operate the Brisbane City Markets, Milton Markets, Kuraby, Carseldine and Nundah Markets.

The Redcliffe Jetty markets always draw a crowd.

The group’s director and market co-ordinator Mark Power said they were “super excited” by the news.

He said he could understand why residents and stallholders were concerned by the news the markets would be taken over by a different company.

Mr Power said while he had plans to expand and grow the market he would not change the things people loved — such as the free entry.

“We have great respect for MEMA and what they have done,” he said.

“But in a tender process everyone puts their best foot forward. Our tender submission was over 350 pages long — we put that effort in because we believe Redcliffe, the Moreton region, is one of the fastest growing regions in southeast Queensland and we want to bring in new initiatives.”

Mr Power said these initiatives would include programs designed to give start up businesses a boost as well as opportunities for vendors outside of the region to show off their produce.

“We can’t wait to work with local vendors and businesses,” he said.

“We operate, much like MEMA, a program that is very community based. We let anyone come along as long as they meet the requirements of being safe, healthy, happy, family focused and their stalls are up to code.”

Mr Power does have a strong connection with Redcliffe.

“My grandfather grew up in Margate used to own the Woody Point Hotel, 50 years ago. I’ve been coming to Redcliffe for 30 years, I played sport out there and know the area incredibly well,” he said.

He said he understood the local business community had some concerns about the running of the markets. Mr Power said he planned to meet with the chamber of commerce and local business owners in coming weeks.