The future of a popular hinterland market that was abruptly cancelled last month still hangs in the balance.
Early this month, market organisers Donna Klease and Paula Wright advised the community with “heavy hearts” that the Mapleton Country Market had been suspended until further notice.
The duo have run the market for the past five years and volunteered their time to support the Mapleton Community Hall, where the monthly markets were formerly held.
The pair also founded the Hinterland Market Trail – a collaboration between six market delegates from across the Glass House Mountains and Sunshine Coast hinterland.
“The hall itself is controlled by a private trust,” Ms Klease said.
“The current trustee advised us to attend a meeting on the afternoon before our April market and informed us that they didn’t want the markets anymore.”
After discussions around options for the duo “taking on the markets themselves by hiring the hall and paying the public liability”, the markets were officially cancelled.
She said the stallholders and community were “devastated” upon hearing the news.
“Everyone is really upset … the community is upset because they currently can’t come to our local hall, which is a community asset,” Ms Klease said.
“We have increased the amount of stallholders over the years, who advised us they had the best sales so far this year at the last market.
“Our whole goal was and is to promote our beautiful area and bring people in to help boost the economy. It’s just a lovely connection for the community, so it’s a terrible outcome.”
At a loss, the organisers turned to the Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA) for support and began pursuing alternative options to continue the market.
At the MADCA May meeting there was a massive outpouring of support for the markets and its organisers from the 100 concerned attendees.
MADCA president Max Standage has since met with Sunshine Coast Division 10 Councillor David Law about holding the market in the Mapleton Lilyponds car park and verge.
“MADCA has now lodged an application with the council’s Community Land Permits Team seeking approval for us to use the Mapleton Lilyponds for our valued community event,” Ms Klease said.
“We are still hoping to get an answer soon.
“It would be wonderful – there’s an area there for musicians, and other community groups have given their support for extra gazebos and tables and chairs.”
With a temporary arrangement to hold the May market at the Mapleton Men’s Shed falling through, organisers and the MADCA have since approached the Mapleton State School as a potential option.
On Tuesday, Ms Klease said they were thrilled to get the news the school had given them approval for a temporary market, to be held this Saturday, May 27.
She thanked the MADCA and its members, the Blackall Range Lions Club, the Mapleton Men’s Shed, the Mapleton State School and MP Robert Skelton for their support.
“We thank our valued volunteers for their help over the years, the stallholders, not-for-profit groups and the locals for your support and hope that some solution may be possible for the community,” she said.
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A Sunshine Coast spokesperson said the council received a community markets application from MADCA on May 11, seeking approval to operate the Mapleton Country Market at the Mapleton Lilyponds on the fourth Saturday of every month.
“The Community Land Permits Team is working closely with MADCA to progress the application as quickly as possible through the assessment process to continue to support this long-standing community market,” the spokesperson said.
They said key considerations with any community market and/or event on council-controlled land was to:
- ensure the health and safety of any other person using council-controlled land;
- ensure that the activity is operated in a manner that will prevent harm to the environment; and
- maintain the amenity of the area where the activity will be conducted.
“Council recognises the many benefits that the Mapleton Country Markets provide to the hinterland community and visitors, along with economic support they provide to small business operators,” they said.
“All event management requirements must be addressed and in place before a market application can be approved and begin operation.”
For more information on the application process and holding an event on council land visit council’s website.
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