Mudgee Fine Foods (MFF), the organisers of both the popular Farmers' Markets and Makers' Markets, have announced that they will be relocating future market events to Robertson Park in Mudgee after 25 years at the grounds of the Catholic Church.
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The decision comes after negotiations with the Catholic Diocese over ground maintenance resulted in MFF choosing to end the partnership.
In a press release from Mudgee Fine Foods it says the change has been met with 'overwhelming support'.
"In a move that will bring the 'market back into Market Street', the Mudgee Fine Foods committee's decision to relocate the market has been met with overwhelming support from its members, stallholders and the Mid-Western Regional Council," it said.
Mudgee Fine Foods President, David Sargeant said how 'grateful he is for the support the Mid-Western Regional Council continues to provide and how encouraging this has been for Mudgee Fine Foods, particularly in relation to the upcoming changes.'
"The relocation also acts as a nod to the towns historic roots, with Robertson Park identified in the regions first Town Survey as Mudgee Market Square back in 1883."
- Mudgee Fine Foods President, David Sargeant
He continues to say that it fits with Council's plan to make that area of town more of a 'tourist precinct.'
Ahead of the MFF announcement, St Mary's Catholic Church released a statement saying they were 'saddened' by the loss of the events on the grounds of their church.
"The Catholic Parish of St Mary of the Presentation, Mudgee met with the Chair and Manager of Mudgee Fine Foods Markets in March, to renew the agreement for the use of the church yard in Market Street, Mudgee to hold the MFF markets," it said.
"Unfortunately, the MFF representatives have decided not to renew the arrangements after an agreement could not be reached on the restoration and maintenance of the Church surrounds."
The diocese also said in the release that the costs and time required to maintain the grounds after each markets was increasing and that MFF representatives were not willing to cover those increased costs.
"The grounds are maintained by volunteers, and as the drought continues, the Parish has endeavoured to keep them as well maintained as possible. However, the impact of the extra foot traffic associated with the monthly MFF Markets has taken its toll," it said.
"Over the past 15 years, St Mary's Parish has been happy to provide the church grounds for the market, and during this time, the Parish has kept the charges to MFF at the same amount of $10 per stall holder."
Diocesan Financial Administrator, Mr Patrick Cooper said, "The MFF representatives asked the Parish to commit to considerable works between markets to improve the church grounds, but were not able to contribute to those additional costs or provide additional volunteers to assist," Mr Cooper said.
"The Parish is keen to continue the existing arrangements, with a small increase in the financial contribution, to recognise the changes in costs over the past 15 years. However, the MFF representatives were firm in their resolve that they could not continue with the partnership, given the Parish's inability to fund the requested works on the grounds,"
Mr Cooper expressed his disappointment in not being able to reach an agreement and that the MFF Committee has chosen to 'discontinue our partnership.'
The Mudgee Farmers' Market is held on the third Saturday of each month from 8:30am to 12:30pm. The next market will be the first to take place at Robertson Park on Saturday 20th July.
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