Byron Markets was awarded a five-year licence to run the Lennox Head market in January 2021 but they are calling it quits at the end of March after just two years.
‘Byron Markets regrets to announce that we’ve made the difficult decision not to renew the licence for the Lennox Community Market, effective after its final market on Easter Sunday, 31 March 2024,’ said Graham Double, Markets Manager, Byron Markets in a recent media release.
‘We have faced significant challenges for over two years to make this market a success and unfortunately finances have not been sufficient to sustain the market.’
Ballina Shire Council (BSC) awarded the Byron Community Centre the five-year licence for operation of the Lennox Head market after calling for expressions of interest.
What does the community want?
‘Whilst the closure of the market is not something that has been planned, it does present an opportunity for Council to complete scheduled field improvements at Williams Reserve,’ a BSC spokesperson told The Echo.
‘It is anticipated that these improvements will commence in September 2024 following the end of the winter sports season. In the meantime, future community market activity on Williams Reserve will be considered through a review of the management framework for the reserve. We will be looking to undertake this work in the second half of 2024.’
Mr Double expressed his appreciation for both the Lennox Head Community and stall holders who had made the market possible.
‘We extend our gratitude to all who contributed, especially our valued stallholders, and look forward to community spirit thriving at our Byron markets: Community, Beachside and Twilight.’
What does the Lennox community want?
Well, given Council staff have suggested that the market closure is now an “opportunity for Council to complete scheduled field improvements…” perhaps Council might like to ask the Community (including ALL rates payers who fund the Council), if they would like their market back under the shade of the melaleucas beside the lake, given the council have completed improvements to that area.
We had a farcical situation before the markets were moved where a few “claimed” the ecology was being ruined by the markets…while they supported the removal of the beautiful melaleucas’ as part of those “improvements”. Thank goodness the trees were saved from the Council chainsaws, but not without a fight. Apparently, there is no ecological issues having the markets within the reserve…..mmm.
We also had a few new residents complaining about the “noise” once a month. Fair enough, you can’t please everybody.
But look at the benefits and noises lost….the noise of locals socialising while buying fresh produce from local farmers sans ASX shareholder profits, kids laughing, a musician playing at the northern end of the lake hundreds of metres away, all primarily in the shade of the wonderful melaleucas.
The local stall holders cared, the locals cared…..but now, many locals care less about a market that was partly in a black tar car park, but entirely under the blazing sun. And now “finances have not been sufficient to sustain the market” so they are headed for the abyss.
Many predicted same.
Apologies if I’ve thrown some shade, but in the shade is where the markets belong and I’m sure it can return to the lake with appropriate measures. That said, my single opinion matters little.
How about we let the ENTIRE community judge what is best for the community and we can re-learn some diplomacy skills to accommodate the needs of most (not all) within reason?
After it was moved from Lake Ainsworth it never had any charm. Lucky to have lasted this long.