Market stallholders revolt over council’s ‘shocking’ fee hike

Traders at a popular Sydney street market are up in arms over a proposed sharp increase in stallholder fees they fear could force them to leave.

Stallholders at Chatswood Mall Market are in a bitter dispute with Willoughby Council after they discovered hire fees for food stalls would increase to $592 a day from July – up $222 on the current charge of $370.

The Chatswood Mall Market operates each week from Thursday to Saturdays.Credit: Facebook/Chatswood Mall Market

Fees for non-food retailers will increase from $140 a day to $224.

The decision has left some traders weighing up the “difficult decision” to either increase prices or leave the market altogether.

Cherry farmer Mohamad Hamdan, who travels six hours from Young to sell fresh produce at the market each week, said he was stunned by the proposed increase.

“To get the email from the council about the price hike was shocking. We pull in close to 400 customers who come specifically for our produce and we’re now considering whether it’s feasible for us to continue,” he said.

“The council should be here to help the traders. This job is meant to be a passion. I love farming and the atmosphere of being in the city with the customers and the smiling faces but, as a country kid, I’m starting to feel the threat of a city.”

Stallholders are also up in arms over new terms and conditions imposed by the council, which include having to reapply for their market positions every six months. Stallholders will not be eligible for refunds on prepaid fees if they call in sick.

Martin Brown, who has sold plants at the market for two and a half years, accused the council of price-gouging.

“I’ve had stalls at markets across Sydney for a decade and no other market has charged as much as this – not even close,” he said.

Martin Brown, of Martin’s Gardens, is worried about a proposed fee hike for Chatswood Mall Market.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

“Markets are supposed to be about the vibe of the community, but instead we’re on our toes because we don’t know if we’ll still be able to operate in six months.

“I don’t want to be in a position where we feel like having to fight it out just to secure a space. Instead of being treated like people, it’s like we’re being treated like cattle.”

Opponents of the hike have pointed out the fees far exceed those charged by other councils, including the $153 fee at Mosman Market and $270 at Glebe Markets.

In a statement, a Willoughby Council spokeswoman said the council had met with traders and was “examining feedback” before making a final decision on the proposed increase.

“Council is very thankful for the contribution that stallholders make to the culture and vibrancy of Chatswood [and] we are committed to listening to their concerns and identifying an equitable outcome,” she said.

Stallholder Sari Bardi, who runs the Greek Corner eatery, is among the traders urging the council to rethink the fee hike, which she said came without any prior consultation.

“After a decade of loyalty and hard work, it just feels like we’re being pushed out,” she said.

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