Future of Little Big Markets site uncertain

Mayor Stuart Crosby (second from left) joined council staff at a stall promoting the possible changes to 384-410 Maunganui Rd at The Little Big Markets on Saturday. Photo: ROSIE DAWSON-HEWES

The future of the park The Little Big Markets is held at is currently up for debate.

The land, at 384-410 Maunganui Rd, is owned by council, which is considering selling some or part of it to further reduce debt.

Mount Library, Mount Plunket Preschool and Zespri are also on the parcel of commercially-zoned land which will potentially be sold.

Council staff were joined by Mayor Stuart Crosby and councillor Matt Cowley hosting a stall at The Little Big Markets on Saturday, to encourage submissions from the public, which Little Big Markets director Rachelle Duffy says is the most important aspect of this process.

"It would be good for people to make submissions, so stallholders can explain what impact the markets has on them and their income, or people can explain what the markets means to them, or schools that we deal with and how it impacts them, so council has a range of examples of what The Little Big Markets means to the community."

She says it's awesome council is consulting the public about the decision.

"This is really good that council are doing this, in terms of actually wanting to know what the public has to say. They are actually going to great lengths to hear those points of view."

Rachelle says changing sites is inevitable, as the building site for Zespri's temporary offices has already reduced their 150 stallholders by one-third.

"Chris and I would love to keep that space forever and ever, amen, but it's already changed for us," she says.

However, she is upbeat about the change, saying it's a chance for the markets to grow and find a new site to call home.

"We've already said to council 'you need to give us a new place to go to', but it needs to tick all the boxes."

She says the key is that their next site needs to be permanent, not a band-aid fix that will mean moving again.

"Now it's about where we can go next... Yes, it's sad, but now let's just find a really awesome solution," she says.

Council will also hold open days for submissions at Mount Library today and on February 26, from 11am till 1pm.

Submissions close at 4pm on March 2.

- To have your say, go to www.tauranga.govt.nz. Hard copy submission forms and consultation booklets are available from Tauranga City Council's Willow Street office and Mount Library.