Case Studies

The Original Eumundi Markets

Design Feature

Type of project
Placemaking
State
Queensland
Location
Regional
The Original Eumundi Markets were established in 1979 and continue to play an important role in encouraging and promoting healthy food behaviours in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast region. The market promotes locally handmade products and services, which ensures that local businesses are supported and continue to prosper in a commercial environment.
Supporting community health
The Original Eumundi Markets are an excellent example of a local, small-scale approach to more effectively sharing facilities, improving the accessibility and availability of fresh food, and promoting sense of place in the community.
The Eumundi and District Historical Association (EHA) operates the Original Eumundi Markets every Wednesday from 8am to 1:30pm and every Saturday from 7am to 2pm in the centre of Eumundi on Memorial Drive. Over the years, several independent organisations, including the Eumundi and District Community Association, have also set up other market operations adjacent to The Original Eumundi Markets, making the overall Eumundi Markets now the biggest artisan market in Australia. The Eumundi market community has grown to more than 600 stalls and boasts an annual visitation of 1.6 million people.

The Original Eumundi Markets have a number of primary aims including:
Supporting Healthy Food Environment – to provide customers with regular supplies of fresh food and access to improved nutrition. The markets support healthy eating as healthy food is made both available and accessible as part of the planning and design of the precinct. Healthy food is available as there is excellent density and variety of food supply relative to the size of the Eumundi community. Healthy food is accessible as the market is located in the centre of town which encourages use with many residents in close proximity.
Sustainable Shopping Experience – to ensure that the Original Eumundi Market’s green credentials are maintained. In conjunction with a local school, the markets have created a worm farm to process all compostable waste generated by the market and for the school to re-sell the organic fluids and castings to raise much-needed funds. The market also supports plastic bag free packaging materials, with the compostable waste used to keep the resident worms happy.

Community Facility – to recognise a responsibility to nurturing new businesses in their formulative years. The markets achieve this through providing the community with a cost-effective public forum for test marketing and trialing of new products and services, unique to the Sunshine Coast region.

Sense of Place – to foster community capacity and social capital. The markets achieve this through providing opportunities for casual social interactions between neighbours and building connections through the sharing of locally produced goods.
Project team
  • Market Management: The Original Eumundi Markets (OEM) company owned by Eumundi and District Historical Association (EHA)

Project cost
Unavailable
Health value
  • Supporting healthy food consumption.
  • Improved physical and mental well-being in market patrons through incidental physical activity, social interaction, and contact with nature in an enjoyable, productive environment.
  • As the location of market is in the centre of town, it encourages visitors to walk to and from the market.

Economic value
  • Boosting tourism/visitation to the Sunshine Coast hinterland area.
  • Increasing employment opportunities for local artisans, craftspeople, and food and produce vendors.
  • Showcases model for shorter food supply chains to provide nutrient dense foods locally, supporting local food security.
  • Develop local artisan talent, bring external investment into the area.

Environmental value
  • The Original Eumundi Markets promotes sustainable transport modes, and as such, operates shuttle buses directly from visitor’s hotel or apartment. Public transport is also available to and from the site.
  • Only compostable packaging is available for patron usage.
  • Comprehensive waste management policies cover compost bins, recycling and landfill. This includes signs throughout the market encouraging visitors to use bins provided.
  • Conducting regular waste audits consciously controlling carbon output.
  • The markets make use of a worm farm in partnership with the local state school at Eumundi.
  • The markets are promoted as a cigarette butt free area with the ‘Keep Australia Beautiful Council’ by designating specific smoking areas containing butt bins.

Social value
  • Opportunities for community members of various generations and backgrounds to share educational, health-promoting and fun experiences together.
  • Creates a sense of place and pride for the Eumundi area.

Use value
  • Providing a facility for patrons to engage in healthy behaviours.
  • The market is user-friendly for people with different abilities. There are disabled bathrooms in all amenities as well as wheelchair access ramps.

References

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