A PLAN to open community markets at the Capalaba Park n Ride has collapsed, with the successful tenderer now looking for a Brisbane site.
Disappointed Capalaba MP Don Brown, who had pushed for the markets to be set up, said Redland City Council had killed off the project by trying to charge too high a price for operator Greg Amos.
Mr Brown said he was told by Mr Amos that he would have to pay $40,000 in town planning fees to set up the markets.
Capalaba councillor Paul Gleeson said Mr Brown was wrong and the development application fees quoted for the proposal were $10,442, not $40,000.
Cr Gleeson said what was sought was essentially a shop site for an industrial-zoned property which constituted a change of use and a subsequent doubling of the base shop fee of $5221.
Mr Amos said council initially sought to charge him nearly $40,000 but later reduced this to $10,442.
“I have no issues with the council,” he said. “It was a town planning matter.
“...I had to get my own town planner for advice as well as paying council fees and it did not work out.
“I would have had to pass on costs to stall holders and given it was a community markets, it wasn’t what we wanted to do.”
In August Mr Brown announced that a lease would be signed with Mr Amos for the site which had plenty of parking, public transport, a central location and was away from residents and the noise of setting up in the early hours of Sunday.
Mr Brown said even with the payment of council charges, Mr Amos had no guarantee the markets would receive final approval and the money lodged would not be refunded if the application was unsuccessful.
“Therefore he has advised (the Transport and Main Roads Department) that the markets will not go ahead,” Mr Brown said.
“Council moved heaven and earth to rush through the Capalaba College Markets to the extent that it caused major traffic and noise incidents.
“I do not understand why council would not show the same support for these local operators.
“...It is such a shame that Capalaba has missed out on this economic opportunity and great family markets.”
Cr Gleeson hit back, saying all market applications followed exactly the same process.
Fees for markets were assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on purpose, zoning and gross floor area.
The defunct college markets operated on a property zoned for community purposes and their application fee was $4850 in 2014, almost half that of Capalaba Park n Ride Markets.
Cr Gleeson said council also provided guidance on the application as required.
“It was recommended that the customer engage a planning consultant to assist with the application as they have intimate knowledge of the town planning scheme and also suggested a pre-lodgement meeting with council to discuss the merits of the proposal,” he said.
“The customer did not choose to take up these recommendations.”
Mr Amos said he appreciated that council had come back to him with a cheaper plan.
