Interest sought in year-round Aireys Inlet Market

THE Surf Coast Shire will seek expressions of interest to run the Aireys Inlet Market all year round.

In August last year, the shire entered into a 12-month interim licence agreement with Libby Waldren PR to hold 14 markets at the Anderson Roadknight Hall, and the council reviewed the operation of the market at their May 22 meeting.

The council noted the successful operation of the market over the past 12 months, and that a survey had found the market had a positive economic and social impact on the community, but opportunities may exist to improve the scheduling to attract more people to Aireys Inlet during the quieter months and strike a balance between permanent and temporary businesses operating during peak season.

As a result, the council resolved to begin an expression of interest process to find parties interested in operating a market at the Anderson Roadknight Hall under a three-year licence agreement (with two further options of two years each) and holding up to 17 markets per year.

Officers originally recommended that at least one but no more than two markets can be held per month, but the council added an exemption for January, which can have a maximum of four markets.

Stalls will be capped at a maximum of 50 per market, with at least 90 per cent of stall holders being based in or originating from the G21 region.

There were several questions about the proposed changes to the licence during public question time, including from existing market operators Libby and Mic Stapleton, who argued the lower number of visitors in Aireys Inlet during winter meant a market held at that time would not be viable.

In response, shire general manager of culture and community Chris Pike said markets would drive visitation to Aireys Inlet in winter.

“Ultimately an expression of interest process will let us know if a market operator is out there who believes it is viable to run a winter market and under what conditions.”