Following the recent public forum regarding the Kiama Markets, I am speaking on this matter as a concerned resident, a member of the Kiama Tourism Economy Advisory Committee and as someone with more than 20 years’ experience in the tourism industry as a founder and CEO of a global tourism technology business.

It is on this basis I am expressing my opinion.

I am writing today in support of local, Kiama main street retailers and hospitality businesses whose concerns regarding the impact of the Kiama Markets are not being adequately addressed by either Council or the Kiama Business Network.

Specifically, as most of these businesses have expressed through signing a petition to such effect:

• The Kiama Market operation has a material negative effect on trading during the their most important operating periods (Weekends and Sundays);
• The visitors to the Kiama Market push the limits of the town well beyond its capacity in terms of public facilities, and more specifically, parking; and
• The economic benefit generated by visitors to the market is enjoyed mostly by businesses which are not based within the Kiama LGA; and
• The inconvenience and crowds created by the markets keeps away locals and other higher-value visitors from the town, the core customers of our bricks-and-mortar businesses.

Why should residents of Kiama be concerned about this matter?

When our businesses fail so does our town!

We rely on the health and welfare of retail and hospitality businesses to not only provide us with that great cup of coffee and sumptuous meal but also to pay rates and create employment so that we can get the services we need and enjoy a wonderful living environment.

More often than not we are upset to see our favourite restaurant, shop or café shut down or wonder why the buildings along Terralong Street are either empty or look worn down.

If we want to enjoy the benefits provided by the investment made by these businesses then we need to ensure that we support and look after them.

The markets are only operating 13 or so Weekends/Sundays per annum, this shouldn’t impact on our businesses?

Our businesses can only survive because of weekend trade. - 60% of our retail and hospitality revenue is generated on the weekends.

Losing 13 days (nearly 15% of their core trading days), where these businesses see their revenue decline by 5-60% of their normal takings, is very significant and puts an enormous extra strain on them financially.

I’ve been told that the markets generate additional visitors to Kiama ... is this good?

Kiama is at capacity – as locals we know you are lucky if you find a good a parking spot on any sunny Sunday in Kiama as visitors flock to our seaside to enjoy our award-winning tourism town.

We don’t need the Kiama Markets to add more visitors during these already busy periods.

We should be focusing on attracting visitors who benefit the town the most.

Unfortunately, visitors to the markets are simply strolling through, picking up a few knick-knacks and then drive off.

These are not the visitors we need.

What about the extra money spent during market weekends?

This is not going to our local businesses – the vast majority are reporting losses and hence are speaking out.

While statistics show an increase of about 25% in total spend within our local area on market weekends, much of the money spent during market weekends is NOT going to our local businesses but rather market stall operators from outside our LGA.

Is this not an issue for the Kiama Business Network and not the Council?

The Kiama Council provides the license and guidelines for the operation of the market – as the markets put an enormous strain on our public resources and our local businesses, as the landlord, licensor and regulator, the Council has a duty of oversight and care to our community to ensure that the markets are operated in our best interests.

Kiama Business Network, which operates the market, is an organisation which, despite its name, does not fairly represent the businesses most effected by this activity.

Consider that NOT one of the people that is in a board/leadership position within the Kiama Business Network are engaged in a tourism, main-street retail or hospitality business but rather banking, finance, construction and other white-collar professions.

Given Council’s unwillingness to take action to address the concern of their local retail and hospitality business constituents, we are seeking now a moratorium on the operation of the Kiama Markets for the upcoming summer period.

We do not need more visitors during this period where Kiama is running at capacity and want to give residents, the Council and the Kiama Business Network the opportunity to properly review and propose a solution moving forward which better meets the needs of our residents and our business operators.

A constructive path forward

Kiama deserves a vibrant main street that supports for our residents and those retail and hospitality businesses which invest in our community for the long term rather than those that come in once a month and take only from it.

This issue has been raised before and too often set aside. Many operators cannot afford for it to be ignored again.

Thank you for considering this letter in the public interest.

Sincerely,

Ryan Rieveley