Neighbours gingerly accept night markets
Colleen Hodges says she is resigned to the Onehunga Night Markets opening but will be keeping a watching brief on how it goes.
A night market is set to start in the Dress-Smart car park in Onehunga in February, giving rise to neighbourly concern over noise, traffic, rubbish and other potential issues.
Auckland Night Markets runs markets in Pakuranga and Glenfield and is setting up an Onehunga version to run every Thursday night.
Around 40 food stalls and 60 other stalls will set up and offer their wares from 6pm to 10pm.
News of the market prompted dismay from some living across from Dress-Smart’s Church St entrance who only learned of the new addition to the Onehunga evening scene through reports in this newspaper.
Mrs Hodges and several Church St neighbours had a lot of questions around the new market and say they should have been consulted or at least informed.
Auckland Night Market manager Paul De Jonge says he meant to do a letter drop explaining to residents what was in store but never got around to it before advertising went out.
Mrs Hodges says a meeting with Dress-Smart management last week has eased some fears though.
Residents had been given the numbers of those connected to the market and would be free to make contact.
‘‘They apologised for not being in touch,’’ she says. ‘‘We’re feeling better. ‘‘I think they’re going to have to absolutely stick to the rules they have been issued with,’’ Mrs Hodges says.
‘‘We’re just going to have to wait and see, that’s what it comes down to.
‘‘It’s no use getting too uptight because we have to live with it.’’
The residents had been assured there would be security in place, ample toilets provided, professional cleaners engaged and the Church St entrance to DressSmart – opposite their homes – would be blocked.
Dress-Smart manager Gaylene Powell says she is confident there are enough measures in place to ensure the markets won’t be a disruption.
The market will be held further inside the car park with access from Bray Rise. Dress-Smart will provide car parking and vehicles will be directed to enter from Arthur St. A comprehensive management plan is in place, along with resource consent conditions.
‘‘There have been some really excellent responses, and a real little buzz – it’s great,’’ Mrs Powell says.
She will be available to discuss issues that may arise but suggests people with concerns go to the market organisers first.