Market striving to return to artisan paradise
Shire tourism
Port Douglas Market is set to stock only handmade artisan goods and services following a review of the popular tourist attraction by Douglas Shire Council.
Councillors voted unanimously in this week’s full council meeting to back the elimination of a “grandfather clause” - a move recommended by council staff following the review - allowing some factory-made products to be sold.
Staff told councillors there were only “a few” vendors selling non-handmade items at the moment, but that would be stopped within the coming months.
The meeting heard the market was the fourth-most-popular tourist attraction in the Shire, and online feedback from travellers showed there was strong support for an artisan-only venue.
Councillors were also fully supportive of the change.
Cr Damian Meadows: “I’m really pleased to see this.”
Cr Michael Rees: “I’m really happy about this.”
Cr Abigail Noli said, however, there were “grey areas” when it came to deciding what was handmade and what wasn’t, as there were “varying degrees of artisan products”.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon had the last word before the unanimous vote of support.
“I think this a great policy,” she said.
“(It will) keep our markets unique.”
The Mayor also said the market was “probably the best in Australia”.
Introduced in 1996, the grandfather clause is a loophole allowing some vendors to sell commercial goods.