Camberwell Sunday Market could reopen soon, Boroondara Farmers Market opens Saturday
For years, it was the place to be in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs if you were after a bargain on a Sunday. Now organisers of this popular market are gearing up for a return to business. Here’s what to expect when it reopens.
Inner East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Organisers of the Camberwell Sunday Market have already started planning for a return to action after the State Government announced non-food and drink market stalls are allowed to open from June 1.
Eager to “get it open as soon as possible” — possibly even as early as June 7 — organisers are waiting on further clarification from the Government as to what would be needed for that to happen.
Market manager Paul Myers said he was excited at the announcement, but it came sooner than he thought.
“I miss the market as much as anyone else, I’ve been doing it for the last 17 years,” he said.
“Victoria’s done a fantastic job and I think the Victorian people have done a fantastic job, we just need to keep it going and we want to do our part, too.”
Mr Myers said a lot was needed to go right for the market to open.
“I don’t think it will be opening in full swing,” he said.
“There will need to be monitoring of the crowd and whatever requirements the DHHS specify.”
The Sunday market, which is run by the Balwyn Rotary Club, usually has about 380 stalls and attracts between 5000 and 7000 visitors.
Mr Myers envisages reopening with only permanent stall holders to ensure spaces between stalls, for foot traffic to only go one direction and visitors could have a time limit in the market.
Twice as many volunteers would also be needed from the four other Rotary clubs which support the market to ensure social distancing, stallholders would need to restrict the amount of people at their stall and everyone would offer sanitiser.
“The permanents are eager to get back into it because a lot of them make their living out of the market, it’s their only income,” Mr Myers said.
“But most of our permanent stallholders are older, so we have to consider that.
“We don’t want to endanger anyone or be responsible for any coronavirus upswing.”
It also needs to be co-ordinated with Boroondara Council and Camberwell Traders Association.
The council’s city planning director, Shiran Wickramasinghe, said a decision would be made once directions were issued by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer regarding social distancing measures, visitor limitations and other controls required to safely operate the market.
“The council recognises the importance of the city’s markets to the community,” he said.
“However, the health and safety of our community is our absolute priority.
“The council is supporting each market manager to assist them to meet their regulatory obligations pertaining to their market.”
MORE NEWS
INNER CITY DOG LOVERS TO SCORE NEW PARK
ISOLATION INSPIRATION FROM WESLEY COLLEGE STUDENTS
CAMBERWELL HIGH’S TOP GRADUATES
The Camberwell Fresh Food Market has continued to operate during the shutdown, while the Boroondara Farmers Market, run by the Glenferrie Rotary Club, is reopening on Saturday.
The council is working with Camberwell Rotary Club on a plan to reopen the Hawthorn Makers Market at a date to be determined.
Search on for spookiest homes in Victoria
We’re on the hunt for the most grand Halloween-themed decorated homes in the state. Know a standout display? Nominate it now.
Stalking crisis: Victim opens up on ‘physical toll’ years later
A Melbourne woman has opened up on the physical and mental toll several years of “relentless stalking” and why she started a nationwide advocacy group.