Duncraig: Poynter Farmers Market to expand

THE Poynter Farmers Market in Duncraig is expanding.

The market currently runs every fortnight within the quadrangle at Poynter Primary School and is organised by the school’s P&C, with funds raised going back to the school.

In December, the City of Joondalup received a 34-signature petition requesting the council approve 16 more stalls at the market.

Then at last month’s council meeting, councillors considered a request from the P&C for development approval to increase the stalls from 20 to 30 (not 36), for the use of a portable amplifier or megaphone for announcements and the occasional busker and to formalise on-street parking along Griffell Way and Poynter Drive and the school oval for overflow parking.

The proposal was advertised to 70 nearby landowners and residents, with 22 submissions received, of which 21 were objections.

Concerns raised included a potential increase in traffic, verge parking and noise from allowing amplified sound.

However, City officers recommended the application be approved, subject to conditions.

“It is considered the modifications proposed will not detrimentally impact the amenity of nearby residents and that the markets can be managed so as to appropriately minimise the impact of any potential increase in traffic and parking,” a council document said.

“The development provides the locality with the opportunity for engagement and a sense of community that is not afforded to many other local communities.”

Market organisers currently provide signage and parking attendants at each event, which will continue.

Since 2011, the City has received and granted eight requests for amplified sound to support buskers.

This new development approval will mean the market will have flexibility for students to perform at the market without the need to get separate written approval.

“A review was undertaken of the City’s records which identified that no complaints had been received from adjoining or nearby landowners in relation to noise from the market, including on those days where separate permission had been granted for the use of amplified sound, since the market had commenced operation,” a council document said.

Organisers have also indicated they do not intend to provide 30 stalls on each market day but it gives flexibility to have additional stalls on special occasions without having to seek approval each time.

At the council briefing, Poynter Primary School principal Keyla Jeffers said the P&C had been “successfully running” the market for the past five years.

“In five years, many things have changed but what hasn’t is the support and community spirit the market brings to Poynter Primary School and the suburb of Duncraig,” she said.

“There is a thing the market brings to our community; if I could bottle it, I would.

“If I could bottle it, there would be many more markets springing up everywhere, as we get asked very often how we do it.

“This thing the market brings to Poynter Primary School is palpable.”

At the meeting, P&C president Pam Birnie said organisers were continuously working to ensure the market had as little impact on Saturday mornings as possible.

“I invite neighbours to contact me with any queries or problems and I will do my utmost to come up with a solution that is agreeable to all,” she said.

“We hope this request will help to reduce the additional burden of paperwork associated with previous additional stall applications.”

The application was unanimously approved.