Cranbourne North residents Steve Beardon and John Foley are meeting with management of the Cranbourne Homemaker Centre to discuss holding a trash and treasure market in the car park. 54089
By Bridget Cook
THE push for a market in Cranbourne has gained momentum with experienced marketer John Foley joining the drive.
The Cranbourne North resident has joined local resident and former Casey councillor Steve Beardon in the campaign to get a market up and running in Casey.
While there has been some discussion over which type of market would suit the area best, Mr Foley said he believed a trash and treasure market would work best.
“What I have been chasing for four years is a Saturday, ordinary trash and treasure market,” he said.
“That would appeal to everyone across the board.”
Mr Foley has spent more than 20 years as a market vendor.
“I still have a lot of contacts and made a lot of friends during that time,” he said. “I would have at least 100 stall holders that would be happy to come to Cranbourne and start a market off.”
Mr Foley and Mr Beardon have scheduled a meeting with the management of the Cranbourne Homemaker Centre, on the South Gippsland Highway, to discuss the possibility of holding a market in the car park.
Mr Beardon pushed for a market to be brought to Cranbourne during his time on the council.
Mr Beardon said he would ideally like to secure Craft Markets Australia (CMA) to bring their market to Cranbourne, to alternate with a trash and treasure market.
“Imagine that, fun, festivals and a carnival atmosphere, every month, all year round,” he said.
Mr Beardon said a market would boost tourism, trade and bring enjoyment to many local families.
“Some of the benefits would be massive fund-raising opportunities for local clubs, pre-schools, potential crowds of up to 10,000 a month visiting the market and spending dollars in Cranbourne,” he said.
Mr Beardon has called on the council to get the ball rolling again on the possibility of bring a market to Cranbourne.
The City of Casey is supporting the call.
City of Casey economic development manager David Wilkinson said the council was continuing its discussions with CMA and the Cranbourne Turf Club about the possibility of a market operating at the Cranbourne Racecourse.
“Discussions have been taking place over the past 12 months and the council is hopeful of an agreement while considering a number of options,” Mr Wilkinson said.
CMA general manager Allison Dillon said if CMA was to bring a market to Cranbourne it would not be a monthly market.
“We don’t want to saturate the area, we would look at maybe having a seasonal market rather than monthly,” he said.“If a monthly market is what the community wants, then we’re not the company for you.”
Ms Dillon said CMA has held two markets in Cranbourne over the past 10 years, and they didn’t take off.
“A seasonal market could fit into our schedule,” she said. “We have to protect our other seven markets across Victoria.”
