Wednesday park markets holding up

Market forces in Eumundi can at times be confusing, but the Wednesday market on the park terraces run by the Eumundi and District Community Association are holding up well enough in tough trading times.

And according to EDCA president Kent Hartshorn, while their stallholders are feeling the pinch from the economic downturn, they operate free from the disharmony swirling around the other community-based market.

Regardless of anyone’s view on the Eumundi and District Historical Association (EHA) market that operates nearby – but separate to the EDCA on Wednesday – there is an open stallholder discontent with the EHA management style.

This came to a head with the summary dismissal of two stallholder group representatives without a reason given or resort to an appeals process.

But many visitors to the nationally-famous markets walk through the two market environs blissfully unaware that, not only are there physical demarcation lines, but a different way of doing business.

Mr Hartshorn believes none of the EHA market disquiet has impacted on their market operation, which continues to pour many thousands of dollars back into the Eumundi community.

Mr Hartshorn, a former Maroochy councillor, said the EDCA market convenor Louis Formosa and the committee had a good working relationship with their market people.

“We haven’t had any real problems, and I don’t think the EHA issues have impacted on our stallholders,” he said.

“I think the downturn in trade is just part of the current economic climate which moves in cycles,” Mr Hartshorn said.

“The crowds are still coming to the market, but keeping their hands in their pockets, which is the trend everywhere.

“It will be good for the town when the economic cycle picks up again.”

Mr Hartshorn said the EDCA had provided a tremendous boost to the town, raising more than $700,000 for the local aquatic centre and providing $1.2 million for the recent purchase of land for a much-needed retirement village.

He praised the formation of the Eumundi Combined Community Organisation, made up of the EDCA, the EHA and the Eumundi Chamber of Commerce, for helping put the best interests of the town first.