West Torrens Council rescinded its decision not to renew traders’ leases at the Brickworks Markets in Torrensville, and has decided they will consider a range of options that may still include a lease for the traders. The fate of the traders at the Brickworks Market will be revealed on November 30.
The outcome will have a detrimental effect on South Australia’s Greek community not only because many traders are Greek Australian, but because the elderly in the West Torrens Council area rely on the Brickwork Markets for cheap fruit and vegetables.
“There are a lot of Greek traders but not only that, many of [Greek Australian] pensioners do their shopping at the Brickwork Markets as it has cheap fruit and vegetables,” says concerned MP Steve Georganas, adding on a Sunday morning, the markets are filled with the elderly in our community doing their weekly shopping. He said it’s paramount we support the traders in this to ensure the survival of the markets.
West Torrens Mayor John Trainer called the special council meeting on Thursday night hoping votes from the full 14-member council would change the decision and give traders a chance to operate alongside the new shopping centre. Earlier this month, councillors had voted 6-4 not to offer a new lease to the Brickworks Markets Traders Association, opting to instead look at other uses for the land.
Senator Nick Xenophon and Labor Member for Hindmarsh Steve Georganas joined in the fight to save the Brickworks Market traders from eviction and were instrumental in urging the West Torrens council to rescind their original decision.
As it stands, the West Torrens Council is concerned at the cost of refurbishing the many stalls of the markets and without council support, the future for the traders looks grim. Woolworths – who have earmarked the site – said they want to work alongside the market, according to Mr Georganas.
“Woolworths has said they only want the front part – the South Road end – and they want the markets to stay,” Mr Georganas tells Neos Kosmos.
Established in 1983, the Brickworks Markets have developed into Adelaide’s premier market with a great variety of attractions and activities. The markets are built around the historic and heritage-listed Brickworks “kiln” and landmark chimney.
“The Brickworks Markets is an icon in the western suburbs and it would be a pity to lose it,” he added saying it would be a “tragedy to see the Brickworks Markets disappear”.
