Billionaire beef baron takes on Rivermakers Markets, Colmslie, amid permit, parking claims

Council has criticised a new eastside market after claiming it went ahead without a permit, amid complaints about nightmare traffic and parking. But organisers say they have legal rights to continue and downplayed a billionaire beef baron’s claims about his cattle.

Council has criticised organisers of a massive eastside market after claiming they went ahead with the inaugural event at Colmslie on Brisbane’s eastside without a permit.

Billionaire beef baron Trevor Lee’s son also said they were furious after nightmare traffic meant three trucks could not get to their neighbouring Australian Country Choice (ACC) abattoir, which he claimed could have created an animal welfare issue if there had been hot weather.

But Goodwill Projects director Mark Power said he was told by Council officers only days before Sunday’s inaugural Rivermakers Market that it believed the event was not permitted.

Mr Power, who has many years’ experience hosting markets across the southeast, including at Milton, said he told Council his legal advice was the land zoning permitted a market.

However, after seeking further legal advice he scrapped plans for a weekly market and has cut it back to monthly with the next event scheduled for August 18.

The crowd at the inaugural Rivermakers Markets.

Mr Power said he “owned’’ responsibility for monster traffic jams on The Junction and Lytton road approaches and parking nightmares, saying the crowd far exceeded even his most optimistic projections.

“It’s a reflection of the fact that it is the only area in Brisbane without a market and the area’s demographics are also changing,’’ Mr Power said.

“This is a remarkable location for a market. It’s only 35m from the Brisbane River, there’s shade, toilet facilities, there are 600 car spaces — more than the former QUT Carseldine markets.

“If you look at the West End markets, traffic and parking are very challenging there.

“Our rule is that you can expect crowds will halve for the second market and halve again for the next as people find their routine.

“That said, we will have more traffic control in place next time. There was traffic control on Sunday (the July 21 opening day) but it was just that there were many more people than we expected.’’

Many people loved the markets.

ACC has operated an abattoir near the market site for decades and has long opposed residential and lifestyle developments nearby.

Founder and beef billionaire Trevor Lee, married to prominent socialite Kerry Craig-Lee, waged a years-long, bitter planning court battle with recycling billionaire Balfour Irvine’s Rivermakers precinct after complaining about the opening of a TotalFusion mega gym.

He eventually lost the court case, where the two tycoons faced off in a courtroom.

But ACC won a fight against a popular slow-cooked meat food outlet.

Mr Lee’s son Anthony, chief executive officer of ACC, said they were concerned about markets traffic affecting cattle truck access to their abattoir.

“Traffic congestion caused by an unlicensed market on Sunday meant three B-double trucks of cattle could not get through to our site,’’ he said.

“This is a serious animal welfare issue. Those animals spent an extra three hours penned up in the trucks without access to water.

“If this had been summer, some of those cattle would have died.

“Also, our regular workers, the maintenance team, could not reach the site.

“If there had been an on-site emergency, people could have died.

“Multiple packaging trucks also couldn’t get through.’’

The event included live entertainment and 150 vendors.

But Mr Power downplayed his concerns, saying he had tried to negotiate with Mr Lee for many weeks.

“There were no trucks on the day (he knew about). We’re talking about six hours on one Sunday every month,’’ he said.

“He has told me their concern is not what is happening now but what will happen in a decade’s time.

“I think they need to realise the area is evolving. The XXXX brewery at Milton has had to learn to live with its neighbours as well.’’

Brisbane Civic Cabinet Chair for City Standards, Sarah Hutton, said Council officers wrote to both the land owner and the market organisers on July 8 “warning they did not have approval to operate markets at this location’’.

“Unfortunately, the organisers chose to proceed anyway, causing major traffic congestion and safety problems,’’ Cr Hutton said.

“This site is within one of Brisbane’s busiest heavy industrial precincts and there’s obvious safety issues with having thousands of people trying to access markets from a road used every day by huge B-double trucks.

Billionaire abattoir owner Trevor Lee. Source: Supplied

“It’s very concerning organisers didn’t tell stall holders their markets weren’t approved.

“Council officers will continue to work with all stakeholders.’’

Hundreds of locals took to community Facebook pages about the inaugural market, most praising the food and other stalls.

But many complained about traffic, parking, Council parking inspectors issuing fines and unleashed dogs.

Janene posted: “I saw at least three dogs who appeared overwhelmed by the crowd with one big dog being carried by their male person. Poor thing was scared.’’

Another posted: “Can’t wait to go back again. It’s such a fun and huge market with heaps of good food.’’

Maggzmatautia wrote: Traffic, parking is literally a nightmare. Need patience, but food is yummy.’’

Deb14r said: “Was a bit crazy today but a really nice market. Parking/traffic is a nightmare and loads of poor people got parking tickets.

“We parked about 1km away in a residential area and walked in.’’

Thousands of people flocked to the market, praising the food and stalls but planning the traffic and parking.

Daz posted: “The traffic jams caused on Lytton Rd and Junction Rd were insane.’’

Pandaonthereg said: “450 carparks is a massive shortfall considering there is no other way to get there other than by car.

“If (organisers) were there and had eyes you would know you need at least double that. Great concept, sadly poorly executed.’’

Rickwillaus posted: “Epic fail. No parking, no traffic control, poor layout, no room. Just a terrible location and set up.’’

Emily wrote: “Awesome market and view bit car parking was terrible and it actually caused congestion out onto the main road, which resulted in quite a bit of road rage and aggression.

“We were delayed by 30 minutes trying to get in and out and questioned if it was worth it for next time.’’

Livelifewell64 said: “Way too many dogs there which was dangerous for older people to trip over. Parking was a nightmare even at 7.30 in the morning.’’