A popular Noosa market has been forced to “tidy up” its documentation to meet the scale of the weekly event and help future-proof it for years to come.
Running in Noosa for 21 years, the market has provided a vital connection between local consumers, farmers and producers, as well as becoming a “trendy” past-time for people of all ages.
The Noosa Farmers Market takes place every Sunday morning at the Noosa AFL grounds on Weyba Road, Noosaville.
Stalls include fresh organic produce plus a variety of dairy, meats, condiments, bread, health products and food.
Shane Stanley and Ishtarlia Stanley-McVinnie began the weekly market as a way to provide quality local produce to local consumers. It has since grown to include click-and-collect and delivery services.
However, in October 2022 Noosa Council issued an advisory letter to Mr Stanley, which identified the use of the space as non-compliant with the development approval conditions.
In response, a development application has been submitted to the council that seeks approval for minor changes to the current Negotiated Decision Notice that was issued in January 2008.
The application, prepared by RG Strategic on behalf of Mr Stanley, proposed to amend the site plan to reflect the current number of stalls, plus extend operating hours and outline parking options.
Noosa Council’s development assessment manager, Patrick Murphy, said an application was required to ensure the market’s operations aligned with the existing approval.
“It was determined by staff that the market was operating in breach of several conditions of the existing approval,” he said.
“We have just received the application, which is under initial review.”
Mr Stanley told Sunshine Coast News the current documentation was 15 years old and did not specifically outline an area size or how many stalls could operate at the market.
“(The council) believe (the market has) got bigger. They are looking at paperwork that is 15 years old, but because it is so popular we thought we better follow it up,” Mr Stanley said.
“It’s always operated the same, it has not got any bigger and we haven’t increased the space.
“Council’s intention is to bring it all into line. We will work with them to get a good outcome for the community.”
The application seeks to establish the site plan as 5380sqm, which would allow space for 90 stalls.
Mr Stanley said it currently operated at a maximum of 85 to 90 stalls depending on the season and the weather.
He said there were no future plans to expand stall capacity beyond that number.
“I think in the long run, (Noosa Council’s) idea is to figure out how to deal with future growth, if any, but there are no plans from us to include more stalls in the future,” he said.
“Maybe they are looking at in 15 years’ time what will this look like.”
The application will also seek to extend the operating hours time by one hour, from 6am to midday, to reflect its current opening times.
Current documentation only allows the market to operate between 7am and midday.
Regarding concerns from the council on traffic congestion, the application said there was ample space to allow for visitor vehicles, also noting the nearby cycling and walking networks, plus bus stops.
“It has been demonstrated over the 20 years of operation there is ample space provided for car parking,” the application said.
“An aerial photograph of the markets on a busy day (shows) available spaces excluding AFL parking areas.”
Mr Murphy said public consultation will be part of the assessment process as part of the application.
“A report will be prepared presented to council for final consideration,” he said.
The Noosa Farmers Market site is located within the Recreation and Open Space Zone under the Noosa Plan 2020.
The space for the market is leased from the Noosa Australian Football Club Inc, with a current agreement in place until at least August 2031.
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