The idea was rejected by council on the grounds that it would steal business from the commercial shops on Banna Avenue and conflict with the existing Rotary Markets on Sunday.

The proposal was put forward by several fruit and vegetable growers who currently have stalls set up at the Rotary Club’s Sunday markets at the Griffith Showgrounds.

The idea was put to council by Ray Pagano, who said that stallholders simply weren’t able to sell enough produce at the Sunday markets.

“Current stallholders, mainly those that sell consumables, are not selling enough at the current Rotary Markets to warrant attending on Sundays as it has not been as busy as it was in previous locations,” Mr Pagano said.

Dianna Dissenga is another one of the stallholders who thinks a Saturday market would help both growers and tourists.

“I think local markets near the vicinity of the main street will benefit the town, increase tourism, educate consumers, and enhance the shopping experience in Griffith,” Mrs Dissenga said.

It was opposed by Rotary Club’s Brian Saintly who said the plan was “naive” and would take away from the club’s Sunday markets which were doing well in his view.

“While there’s been some ups and downs, in general we have the public flocking there,” Mr Saintly said.

“Every year now for the last 10 years we’ve been giving away between $50 to $60 thousand to local charities. 

“It’s working and we’re making the money out of it to give to the community and our view is if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”

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