From last week until the end of March, the regular Saturday Airlie Beach Markets, and subsequent Cruise Ship Markets, will be relocated due to Whitsunday Regional Council undertaking ground works at the existing site.
The turf on the Foreshore went through a revitalisation project in 2019, however, due to the increase usage of the grass, including evening events, Council movie nights, weekly markets, and Cruise Ship markets, Council have been unable to retain a suitable standard for the turf.
This recent turf management works looks to improve the health of the turf, by improving weed management, targeted fertilisation, and alleviating soil compaction.
Director of Community Services and Facilitation with Council, Julie Wright said that “Council urgently requires to undertake turf management works at the Airlie Beach Foreshore with aerating, fertilising plus a treatment to reduce Crow’s Feet, which is rampant throughout the foreshore.
“It was originally planned to move the markets to a temporary location on Council land, the block behind the foreshore which was used during the original foreshore development in 2019,” explained Ms Wright.
“Originally the works were to commence in mid-December but after discussions with the Lions as market organisers, it was mutually agreed to delay the turf management program until January 15.
“Council will review the condition of the foreshore in early March before advising a date when it will be reopened to host the markets.”
Helen Toy, the Lions Airlie Beach Community Market Manager, said the community attendance at the markets was still consistent.
“Most of the stallholders remembered when we previously had to relocate the markets, so this is nothing new,” she said.
“Unfortunately, this new site does not have car access, so it did mean more work for the stallholders to set up and pack down their sites, and some stallholders have decided to not return to the markets until the usual site is back up and running,” Ms Toy explained.
The Airlie Beach Markets will be held on the vacant lot, off Coconut Grove on the vacant land beside Port of Airlie, while the works are completed.
