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Kiama Seaside Markets, cars parked near the walkway and Councillor Yasmin Tatrai. Photos: Supplied
Dispute flares over Seaside Markets share K Paul Suttor
iama Business Network will meet disgruntled business owner next week over a dispute on the Seaside Markets’ impact on local trade. Councillor Yasmin Tatrai moved a motion at Tuesday night’s Council meeting over concerns the markets were taking revenue from local businesses. Her motion was defeated with Mayor Cameron McDonald hopeful the issue could be resolved between KBN, which runs the markets, and a group of business operators who want stricter restrictions. According to Council’s Spendmapp data, revenue rises by 25% in the town centre when the markets are on a Sunday - there have been 14 this year with two to come.
Cr Tatrai believes the data needs to be examined further as she believes market vendors are making profits while local shops are suffering. She has tabled a petition with more than 100 signatures and Council staff are reviewing the document. KBN president Cathryn Lyall said there was no data to suggest the markets had a negative impact on local shops. Lyall told Council’s open public forum on Monday that the markets were beneficial for the town while Tourism and Economic Advisory Committee member Ryan Rievely, CEO of travel platform Smartvisit, voiced objections over their impact. KBN ensures more than 90 per cent of stall holders are from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven and the products
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they sell are of a high quality. Lyall said there are only four food trucks each market as well as around five warm food options like crepes, and one coffee van, and they have reduced the number of culinary stalls in the past year. KBN allows 1-2 community groups to have a free stall at each market for sausage sizzles or to run raffles. “KBN is committed to working collaboratively and respectfully with both Council and our local businesses,” Lyall said. “Our goal is to nurture a vibrant, inclusive and economically resilient Kiama business community, and we will look forward to engaging directly with our local businesses on this matter.” Cr McDonald said Council had a clear policy on markets and this was “not a matter for Local Government”.
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“Our data has shown Market day is a very good day for local business across the LGA. We understand that it has been pretty tough for small businesses, coming off the back of a cold and rainy winter season, with increasing costs in rents, employment, utilities and outgoing costs. “It can be difficult running a small business so we definitely want to be in there and supporting our local businesses. KBN has a fantastic board and group of volunteers that are very skilled and always seek to promote and sustain and support local business.” Cr Tatrai was saddened that she did not receive sufficient support for her motion, which called for CEO Jane Stroud to conduct a thorough review of the markets and consider relocating them to venues
like the Leisure Centre, Gainsborough Oval or Werri Beach. “I respect the decision of Council but I’m personally disappointed by the vote. A hundred people signed that petition, which is a big thing for people to do, and I support those local businesspeople. “I feel like I’ve let them down. Why can’t we have a market that benefits the community? Why does it have to be so big? Why does it have to have competing foods. “Businesses in Kiama pay rent and work very hard day and night to run their businesses so if it’s not an issue for Council who is it an issue for? Some business owners are reporting 60% losses. That is staggering.” Cr Tatrai claims stall holders are breaching the rule which permits one car per tent and they are damaging the park
and surrounding trees, and impinging on the pathway around the shoreline. Rieveley, whose career includes 20-plus years specialising in destination marketing and tourism technology, has written to Councillors detailing his dismay at the markets detracting from local shops. He said the markets are “pushing out locals and higher-spending consumers who spend more at our bricksand-mortar businesses”. “The additional spend generated on market days which KBN so loves to promote is largely being captured by people from outside our LGA who operate the market stalls and who sell trinkets manufactured overseas or other items which compete with what is already offered in town.”
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