Farmers market continues to call Victoria Square home

Local growers and producers will continue to call Victoria Square home each week as part of the Cambridge Farmers Market, following Council approving their licence to occupy the reserve land.

The Hamilton and Cambridge Farmers’ Markets Trust has operated under a resource consent for a number of years. However, a condition to obtain a licence to occupy has not been enforced to date.

The new licence to occupy covers a five-year term, with two rights of renewal of five years each. The initial annual licence fee is $13,260.

Council’s property services manager David Varcoe said the popular market is an asset to the Cambridge community.

“As the land is a recreation reserve, we have to follow what is set by the Reserves Act, which includes that all requirements are met.”

“In recent years there has also been discussion around the appropriate rate for the market to use the reserve land, and we have worked with the organisers and agreed to a commercial rate based on conditions met within the Reserves Act aligning with our fees and charges schedule.”

The charge relates to temporary occupation of reserve land for commercial use and is currently set out in the schedule at $255 per day. The fee will be reviewed annually.

“The market has been a part of Saturday activities in Cambridge for a number of years, with its first formal resource consent dating back to 2008. Local farmers and small businesses thrive at this market, and we’re happy to have them continue to call Victoria Square home,” Varcoe said.

Market organisers will continue to work with other land lessees, the Cambridge Cricket Club. The market will occupy the southeastern corner of the reserve, sharing the space during the cricket season.

A condition of the licence is to ensure the area is kept clear of any litter and waste after each use.

A portion of the fees will cover general maintenance of the market’s footprint on the Square.