Markets Mornington Peninsula: Mount Martha Farmers’ Market cancelled
A popular farmers market will not restart this year while a much bigger event in the same location was granted a permit. Here’s why.
South East
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A spat over lawn has forced Mount Martha Farmers Market to close.
The monthly market – on hold since March because of COVID-19 – was called off indefinitely on Thursday after heritage restrictions limited the number of vehicles allowed on site.
The market was held on the parade lawn at Mount Martha House which is listed in the Victorian Heritage Register.
A new Heritage Exemption Permit from Heritage Victoria was required for the event to continue this summer.
The permit allowed only 10 vehicles on the lawn.
Additional vehicles could access the site to unload and set up but could not stay during the event.
Market operator Cassie Duncan of Sustainable Table said it was not feasible for stall holders to operate without vehicles to provide cold storage and food preparation.
“We are disheartened by the lack of support we have received, especially in light of how hard hit so many small producers have been during COVID-19 and how critical it is for markets like ours to be able to start up again to provide a safe, outdoor and ethical place to shop,” she said.
Ms Duncan said the zero waste market was low impact with no bins and no rubbish and the site was treated with “upmost respect”
Mount Martha South Beach Market was held on the lawn on Melbourne Cup Day with about 1500 people registering to attend the 50 stall craft and food truck event.
“I don’t understand why it’s okay for 50 vehicles of varying sizes to drive across the lawn twice during bump-in and twice during bump-out, but it is not okay for our small market to have vehicles parked with stalls, which would result in the lawn being crossed just twice, with far fewer vehicles and potential for impact, including safety concerns,” Ms Duncan said.
Mornington Peninsula Shire property and strategy manager Nathan Kearsley said the council had been working with Sustainable Table for months to help the event comply with State Government heritage requirements at Mount Martha House.
“Sustainable Table has indicated that they are unable to amend the market format to satisfy the heritage requirements of the site,” Mr Kearsley said.
“We would be delighted to see the farmer’s market flourish at a more suitable location.”
Stallholders and customers were devastated to lose the farmers market.
“I thought the local council was meant to be all about supporting our local businesses,” Linda Williams posted on social media.
Natasha Shields from Peninsula Fresh Organics, who is currently embroiled in a dispute with the council over her Baxter farm gate – also joined the online debate.
“The shire really doesn’t seem to want small business to survive,” she posted.
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