Kiama Council Clarifies Rules for Local Markets: What Stallholders and Organisers Need to Know

What the Kiama Council CEO Statement on Local Markets Means for Stallholders and Market give me this as text only, copy paste remove coding Operators Local markets play a vital role in regional economies across Australia. They support small businesses, activate public spaces, attract visitors, and strengthen community identity. Recently, Kiama Municipal Council published a CEO statement regarding local markets, addressing concerns around market operations, approvals, and governance within the local government area. This article summarises the key points from the original statement and expands on what it means for stallholders, market organisers, and councils operating within regulated public spaces. Background: The Kiama Council CEO Statement In its official communication, Kiama Municipal Council clarified its position on the operation of local markets within the municipality. The statement emphasised that markets conducted on public land must comply with existing council policies, approval processes, and legal frameworks. The CEO highlighted the council’s responsibility to ensure that events and markets: Operate lawfully and transparently Do not conflict with existing approvals or licences Meet safety, insurance, and risk management requirements Align with community expectations and council obligations The full original statement can be accessed on the Kiama Municipal Council website: Kiama Municipal Council – CEO Statement Regarding Local Markets https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Council/News/CEO-statement-regarding-local-markets Why Councils Are Increasingly Scrutinising Market Operations Across NSW and Australia more broadly, councils are under increasing pressure to manage public land responsibly. Markets, while popular, are complex operations involving: Large public gatherings Temporary commercial activity Food safety and public health considerations Traffic, noise, and waste management The Kiama statement reflects a broader national trend: councils are tightening oversight to ensure that market operations are fair, compliant, and accountable. What This Means for Market Organisers For market organisers, the key takeaway is clarity. Councils expect organisers to: Hold valid approvals or licences for the land being used Maintain appropriate public liability insurance Operate within agreed dates, times, and formats Be transparent in their relationship with stallholders Organisers who assume informal or legacy arrangements will continue indefinitely may face challenges. Councils are increasingly reviewing historical permissions and ensuring they align with current policy frameworks. What Stallholders Should Pay Attention To While council communications are often directed at organisers, stallholders are not immune from the consequences of non-compliance. Stallholders should consider asking the following questions before committing to a market: Does the organiser hold council approval for this market? Is the event insured and compliant with local regulations? Are food safety and vendor requirements clearly communicated? Markets that operate without proper approvals may be cancelled at short notice, leaving stallholders out of pocket and without recourse. Community Impact and the Balance Councils Must Strike The Kiama CEO statement also highlights the difficult balance councils must strike. On one hand, councils want to support local business, tourism, and community events. On the other, they are legally obligated to manage risk, ensure fairness, and prevent misuse of public land. This balance is not unique to Kiama. Similar discussions are occurring across metropolitan, regional, and coastal councils nationwide. What This Signals for the Future of Local Markets The broader implication of the Kiama statement is that the future of markets will be shaped by: Stronger governance and clearer approval processes Greater accountability for organisers More formalised relationships between councils and market operators Increased expectations around professionalism and compliance For well-run markets, this environment can be positive. Clear rules provide certainty, protect reputable organisers, and give stallholders confidence that markets will operate as advertised. Final Thoughts The Kiama Council CEO statement serves as a reminder that markets are not informal pop-up activities — they are regulated events operating within public and commercial frameworks. For stallholders and organisers alike, understanding council requirements is no longer optional. Transparency, compliance, and communication are becoming essential pillars of sustainable market operations. As councils across Australia continue to refine their approach to markets, those who adapt early will be best positioned to thrive. Source: Kiama Municipal Council, “CEO statement regarding local markets” https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Council/News/CEO-statement-regarding-local-markets