POLICE and Redland City Council are working with Chandler Markets owners and Capalaba State College to ensure the new venue at the school will be safe for the market’s first day in Redlands proposed to be on September 7.
Police met with council officers and Capalaba State College senior campus principal Lachlan Thatcher on Thursday to discuss plans for a 400-bay car park and traffic safety.
Residents from School Road, bordering the college, said they were concerned the Sunday morning market would create parking and traffic problems on residential roads.
They also complained that market operator Mark Fairbairn had bulldozed trees on school property without taking adequate safety precautions and before council approval.
However, Capalaba State College Senior Campus principal Lachlan Thatcher said the school gave Mr Fairbairn permission to chop down trees, including a “dangerous” ghost gum.
He said the school did not need planning permission to build its car park and was only awaiting council approval for markets to be held on the vacant school field.
“They (the markets) had permission to remove trees but I was a bit surprised at how many were taken,” Mr Thatcher said.
“The market owners want as many trees as possible to create a good atmosphere and there will be no trees chopped down for the car park and we will plant hundreds of natives along the border.”
Mr Thatcher denied claims the bulldozing was done without adequate safety precautions.
Council said it was aware of residents’ concerns including traffic, access, noise and safety and would only approve the application for the markets if it was satisfied all were addressed.
The application includes about 300 stalls and 400 off-street car parks on school grounds.
“At this point in time, the application is not properly made as required by the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and, as such, council has requested additional information from the applicant,” the council said.
If the markets are granted council approval, they plan to start operating at 7am on September 7 from the Capalaba State College grounds in School Road, Capalaba.
