Status quo for Moruya markets

The Saturday morning markets at Riverside Park in Moruya will continue to be operated by Moruya Country Markets.

Following an open tender process that saw Moruya Country Markets and Moruya Rotary competing for the five-year lease to use Riverside Park for the markets, Eurobodalla councillors voted in a confidential session at their meeting on Tuesday 23 February to grant the license to Moruya Country Markets.

Council also voted to grant SAGE Moruya a five-year lease to continue their Tuesday afternoon farmers market at Riverside Park.

Mayor Lindsay Brown reminded councillors and the large crowd in the public gallery that the expression of interest process was a legal requirement necessary to demonstrate that Council had followed a clear and transparent process for issuing new five-year licences, as required by the NSW Government’s Crown Lands department.

“I realise it has been a fraught time in the community with two respected local organisations vying to run Moruya’s Saturday markets,” he said, “and I am pleased Council has been able to provide certainty for this vital aspect of Eurobodalla’s social fabric.

“Our markets stimulate economic growth by encouraging shoppers from out of town and giving local primary producers an alternate outlet for their produce. It is essential they can continue with confidence and the support of the whole community.”