26 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Byron markets are on the move

Latest News

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Other News

Queer family visibility

Did you know that, statistically, if you’ve met a redhead, you’ve also met a trans person? Over 800 trans and gender diverse people live in the Byron Shire, which includes at least 200 children. They’re often a bit hidden though, so come on down and celebrate with them this Trans Day of Visibility!

Safety and preparation saves lives on the water

A large number of boaters are expected to hit the water over the Easter long weekend and Marine Rescue NSW is reminding boaters to be prepared and log on to the Marine Rescue NSW app.

Premier yet to respond to Albo’s offer of disaster recovery funds

Northern Rivers community groups are renewing calls for the NSW premier to formally ask the Commonwealth to fully fund the region's 2022 disaster recovery.

A health check as Medicare turns 40

If you’ll forgive the earnest tone, I’d like to propose a toast. To a friend who’s almost always there when you need them most. To a system that aims to treat people fairly and respectfully. 

Casuarina cricketers too strong for Mullumbimby Brunswick in grand final

Mullumbimby Brunswick Cricket Club (MBCC) had a very successful season finishing second on the ladder at the end of the home and away season with 13 wins and 4 losses, but fell short of winning the grand final against the Casuarina Crocs.

Floodplains

We need a serious talk about development on floodplains with more creativity and sophistication. The recent discussion about development...

Fresh and local produce at the Byron Farmers Market. Photo supplied.

Byron Bay’s monthly community market and the weekly farmers market are to be temporarily relocated for six months while the Byron bypass is being constructed.

From July the community market will move to the beachfront and the farmers market will move to the Cavanbah Centre, and locals and visitors who love the markets are urged to continue the great tradition of their monthly poke around artisan stalls or doing their weekly shop and buying produce.

Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson says the Byron markets are great cultural icons of the community. ‘They are amazing economic incubators and all councillors are strong supporters of the markets and the fabulous businesses that trade there,’ he said.

The operators of both markets have been working closely with Council for months, trying to find alternative sites for the markets.

‘Staff and market operators have gone through an exhaustive process to find temporary sites, on either council-managed or private land, that will accommodate stall holders and visitors and the beachfront and Cavanbah Centre are seen to be the most viable venues available,’ said Richardson.

Community Market stall holder Megan Campbell says it is a welcome relocation of the much-loved local market to Byron’s beachfront. ‘We’re looking forward and feel united to be bringing the very best we have to offer,’ she said.

Market manager Kate Hardman says that she is delighted to have an outcome that all stakeholders are satisfied with and believes the beachfront option was a clear frontrunner, as it ticked all the boxes from the start. ‘I’m really happy to see that the move to Byron beachside was supported unanimously by the Byron Markets Stallholder Relocation Committee,’ she said. ‘The location can accommodate all regular stall holders.

‘Although we’d prefer not to have to move, the decision to relocate to the beachfront is an exciting opportunity to revive the community market in this iconic location.’

Mayor Richardson said that when you balance the constraints of the temporary sites with cancellation of the markets for six months, the move is the best option.

‘Market stalls are businesses providing regular incomes for people and families, many of them locals, and to cancel the markets would have a huge impact on their livelihoods.

‘Change is difficult for people but this is only short-term so I am hoping that local residents and regular market goers will make a conscious decision to continue to support the markets, and the stall holders, as they have done for years.

‘Keep supporting, keep loving our markets and keep the tradition of a great experience alive,’ he said.

The markets will move back to the Butler Street Reserve in February 2020.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Mr Mayor. Would it be too difficult to change the state of affairs regarding the maintenance and remediation of the current Butler Street Reserve?
    So once the markets return to their Home it would be lovely to see them returned to a nice green clean space that is gravel free.

    How’s this for an idea, the Community Centre and Council get it together to pour some money back into the gravel pit to make it a showpiece.

  2. The Byron Beach Front is a great Environmental Icon in its own right, and has been regenerated for years and years by residents and volunteers.

    Having a monthly market in this fragile location is a truly idiotic idea, only to be matched by the Butler St bypass, yet another travesty foisted on to the Shire by this ‘having an identity-crisis’ Green Council.

  3. An environmental concern is that compression of the grounds be minimised, as this has a huge bearing on water penetration to all tree root systems.
    No-one wants to see these trees die off, in this already fragile landscape.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.