CAPALABA’s College Markets will continue to operate at their School Road address, despite not having approval from Redland City Council.
The markets, which opened at Capalaba State College on September 7, have been operating as a temporary event under state legislation.
They were forced to relocate from Chandler’s Sleeman Centre when plans for a velodrome were unveiled in March.
However, before they can operate as a permanent event, Redland council must approve a development application which was lodged, but incomplete, last month.
Council officers said the application failed to include adequate information on traffic, noise and drainage.
Market owner Mark Fairbairn said due process was followed and dismissed claims by Capalaba ALP state candidate Don Brown that laws were breached.
Mr Brown claimed residents were not adequately consulted and called for state and local politicians to hold a public forum.
“They have cut down trees, laid down bitumen and installed electricity infrastructure – how can this be temporary?” Mr Brown said.
Mr Fairbairn said his company submitted a development application before opening the College Market but was still gathering necessary information for council assessment.
He said the first four weeks of operation had proved successful with more than 5000 people attending each market and more than 300 stallholders, of which about 90 were from Redland.
“These markets are providing local jobs and are a great boost to the local economy,” Mr Fairbairn said.
He said he could hold 22 markets at the school under a temporary event permit and was not required to consult residents under council’s permanent permit requirements.
Mayor Karen Williams, who played a crucial role in bringing the markets to Redland, said council consulted residents with three letterbox drops.
But she said council was restricted in what it could do as the markets were on state property.
Capalaba councillor Paul Gleeson said allowing the markets to operate before granting a development application meant officers were better equipped to assess any “real issues” such as traffic, parking, drainage and noise.
He said he was considering erecting “no parking” signs on Burns Street, to appease residents.
Capalaba MP Steve Davies said the college had worked to ensure 600 on-street car parks were available for weekly patrons of the market.
Mr Davies said he had also ensured the markets did not open before 8am and stallholders were not allowed to set up before 7am.
