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Changes are afoot at a popular central Victorian market after neighbours complained about early morning disruptions caused by stallholders and customers.
From July 1, the Wesley Hill market, near Castlemaine, will open from 9am, instead of its usual start time of 7.30am.
Organisers pushed back the market’s time slot after a group of 28 residents petitioned the Mount Alexander Council Shire to move the Saturday event from its Pyrenees Highway location.
While councillors last night endorsed a shire recommendation the petition be rejected, they also moved a motion the market report back once a report into traffic management was done later this year.
The petition highlighted concerns about early morning noise, parking compliance and rubbish being left behind or placed in residents’ bins.
Market manager Anne Bridgland said the complaints were frustrating.
"We've been there 43 years, it's a long time,” Ms Bridgland said.
“The residents knew the market was there before they arrived.”
But she said the committee was working to ameliorate locals’ concerns, having commissioned a traffic study of the site and asking both police and council workers to enforce parking restrictions in the vicinity.
Ms Bridgland also hoped governments would introduced changed traffic and parking conditions – including a 40-kilometre speed limit and two-hour parking – to keep patrons safe and free up car spaces.
Mount Alexander mayor Sharon Telford said she was pleased parties were co-operating to resolve tensions.
“There has been a lot of community concern, and council have been keen to assist the committee to manage them,” Cr Telford said.
Another location would not considered unless the community again argued it was necessary, the mayor said.
While Ms Bridgland conceded the market grew exponentially since its inception four decades ago, she said no other appropriate place was available for its 60 stalls.
The market’s manager also hoped plans to makeover the Pyrenees Highway lot into a family-friendly play space would also earn residents’ approval.
“We’re planning on doing a lot of preparations on the land there and the hall, to put it back to a place where they can take their kids,” she said.