06 November 2007

ELLERSLIE FARMERS’ MARKET WILL NOT GO AHEAD

Tilda Bostwick has been looking into the logistics of setting up a Farmers’ Market in Ellerslie over the last six months.  This great green idea has been supported by the local Business Association and the Community Board as a healthy way to enliven the community and surrounding businesses on  Saturday mornings.

Unfortunately, as she got close to lodging the resource consent application it became clear that the proposed venue would be difficult to secure without great cost.  With the help of the local Rotary Club and an experienced planner Ms Bostwick confirmed that to use the carpark and public square outside the Ellerslie Memorial Hall would require a change of zoning to the site.  Sadly it would almost certainly involve a notified consent and traffic engineer’s report sending the costs up to at least $8,000. 

Although disappointed, Ms Bostwick is philosophical, “One option would be to use a privately owned venue which although cheaper would be less visible.  At this stage I am urging all of the people who have encouraged and supported me to visit the markets that have recently opened in the neighbouring suburbs of Greenlane and Parnell.”

Parnell have been through a lengthy resource consent process and opened their Saturday morning Farmers’ Market behind the Jubilee building on Nov 4th while the Auckland Farmers’ Market (a mixed produce and craft market) being held in the Alexander Park stables on Sundays between 10 and 4pm has been running successfully for a month now.

Contact: Tilda Bostwick 580 2580