The Rotary Club of Goulburn is pushing to hold just one market in Montague Street each month and helping the Lilac City Festival committee in the process.
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Rotary member Neil Penning told Tuesday night's council meeting that two monthly markets on the thoroughfare were 'unsustainable' and called for further discussions between the parties.
Councillors deferred any firm decisions until these talks could occur but gave in-principle support for the Lilac organisers to hold their event on the thoroughfare.
Mr Penning's comments came in response to a Lilac Festival committee request to again run markets on Montague Street on the first Saturday of the month. Secretary Jennie Gordon wrote that proceeds had historically funded the annual festival but this income had disappeared over the past year.
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The Lilac markets were formerly held in Belmore Park, then Montague Street, followed by Goulburn Public School. But they had not been held at the school for most of 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
"The location provides an ideal market site and opportunistic stall inspection for any passing locals and tourists," Ms Gordon wrote.
"Most of our stallholders are local people from Goulburn Mulwaree and Upper Lachlan Shire areas."
Council general manager Warwick Bennett had recommended support for the Lilac initiative, which would run between 9am and 1pm on the first Saturday of the month. The committee would have to be responsible for traffic management and lodge a road closure application.
The Lilac markets were held in Montague Street up until 2013 when the council withdrew support, amid continuing tensions with the committee. Now, with new faces on board, it is looking for a fresh start.
But Mr Penning argued in open forum there was a better way to financially assist the festival, at the same time fulfilling Rotary's service mantra.
"Rotary has a long history of helping people, and now with, if it's as simple as the Lilac Festival needing money, we're keen to consider assistance," he said.
He told The Post that it was "not about competition but cooperation" and pointed out Rotary was a not-for-profit organisation.
Rotary had built up its Montague Street market, held on the second Saturday of the month, from an average 25 stalls before 2020 to 54 in the past three months.
"The most we've had is 60 and it's a phenomenal turnaround," he said.
"We firmly believe all the foundational work we've put in over the past six years has come together."
While few were former Lilac stallholders, most were locals selling their produce and hand-made items. He believed the quality had lifted substantially.
Mr Penning maintained there was a "sustainability level" in Goulburn and two markets a month in Montague Street would impact numbers for both parties.
"Our experience is that the most bang for your buck is in having one. It doesn't matter who does them," he said.
Rotary secured council approval to hold its event in Montague Street after 2013. In 2016, this non-exclusive arrangement was extended until 2023.
Mr Penning said he was not opposed to any one group holding the monthly markets but sustainability was key.
"We (Rotary) have a long history of trying to help the Lilac Festival," he said.
Funding arrangements for the festival would be negotiated.
Seeking direction
Lilac Festival committee president Cr Carol James declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in the matter but stayed in the room during debate. She is also a Goulburn Rotary member.
She said with an AGM coming up on February 18, the committee needed certainty on whether Montague Street markets were a fundraising option.
"I just wanted in-principle support if the committee decides that the markets are they way it wants to fundraise," Cr James told The Post.
"This year will be the 70th festival and we need a good amount of funds to make it special. If we had $40,000 that would enable an amazing amount of attractions.
"...We can't lose it and I'd like to see some fresh faces on the committee and some new ideas."
Two discussions had already occurred with Rotary about a cooperative arrangement, which had not reached agreement.
But Cr James said she was open to meeting with the group again and working cooperatively.
"I think they've done an amazing job in lifting the market's quality. Their enthusiasm has also grown with the Rotary Clubs' merger. We want them to continue to boom," she said.
The results of discussions between the parties will be brought back to the council.
Meantime, Cr James is calling for nominations for the Lilac committee to be lodged with her by February 11. Forms are available at her real estate office at 126 Auburn Street, Goulburn. The AGM will be held at the Goulburn Workers Club on February 18.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
