Councillors, council staff and the public gallery were in danger of suffering from motion sickness as multiple motions, amendments, foreshadowed motions and even foreshadowed amendments to foreshadowed motions, were tossed around council chambers in the tumultuous storm of debate over the Bega markets.
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Market organiser SCPA (South Coast Producers Association) wanted approval from council to hold weekly markets for up to 40 stalls rather than the fortnightly markets currently permitted. The matter was deferred at a council meeting in August 2015 for a report resulting in council staff recommending approval for weekly markets. However, the rock towards which the good ship HMAS BVSC was headed is known as Littleton Gardens.
The gardens, particularly its new grass, was uppermost in some councillors’ minds with concerns that 40 market stalls every week would damage the grass. It led Cr Tony Allen to suggest council needed to “tread warily” and Mayor Michael Britten to say he didn’t think it prudent to allow 40 market stalls every week.
Cr Keith Hughes pointed out the markets already had permission for 40 stalls a fortnight.
“It is manifestly wrong to suggest an amendment because they might damage the gardens,” he said in response. “Farmers markets enhance rather than damage and draw people into town. I think it’s a real slap in the face if they can’t be weekly.”
As the hurricane of amendments and foreshadowed motions flew across the chambers, director of planning and environment Andrew Woodley twice attempted to throw out a lifeline, pointing out while the conditions of consent could be varied, councillors should not remove the current basic approval for the markets.
Cr Sharon Tapscott spoke for everyone when she said “I am finding this hard to follow.”
It was third time lucky for Cr Hughes as he finally got his chance to put a successful motion to approve the weekly markets, which was greeted with relief from the gallery.