After a major clean up overnight, the Brisbane Markets® opened yesterday morning for limited trade. The resilience of the Brisbane Markets® community was again on show with the majority of wholesalers working around the clock to open this morning and ensure buyers had access to fresh produce that would today be available on the shelves of local fruit and veg shops.
As the waters recede, site owner Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) now has a clearer picture of what will be required to restore the Brisbane Markets® to full capacity, according to BML Chair, Anthony Kelly.
“We still have a lot of work to do to ensure that Brisbane Markets® is fully functioning, but we know what we have to do and how to do it,” Mr Kelly said. “Our efforts overnight were impacted by ongoing road closures leading to difficulties accessing the site via main arterial roads,” he said.
“Now that there is better access back to the site, we are undertaking essential reinstatement works to clean up and restore all services and warehouses,” he said. “I cannot speak more highly of the efforts shown by BML staff, our contractors and our Tenants in going above and beyond to get the site back up and running. Their strength of character in the face of ongoing challenges is remarkable,” he said.
The Brisbane Markets® site was inundated by floodwaters which reached a peak on-site of approximately 8.0 m AHD on Monday morning, approximately 1 m lower than the 2011 flood peak.
“We learned a lot from 2011. We have flood mitigation strategies and planning in place to allow BML to get the site back up and running as soon as possible,” Mr Kelly said. “The resilience of the fresh produce industry, and in particular, the wholesalers here in the Markets is inspiring. They have moved mountains to ensure fresh produce is on the shelves of local fruit and veg shops,” he said.
James Patrick, National Program Manager for ‘A better choice!’ says this closure has had a significant impact on independent fruit and vegetable retailers in affected areas of QLD and northern NSW.
“Most of these retailers who have been affected are family businesses. They thrive on the support of their community, and these floods come as another blow to the industry after the last two years with disruptions to their small businesses due to COVID restrictions, staff shortages and other unique challenges” he said.
“Independent retailers are resilient, and the last few years are testament to this. It is important that we continue to support these family businesses, as they continue to provide the best quality produce available to their communities and provide the very best service in the industry” he said.
About Brisbane Markets Limited
Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) is the owner of the Brisbane Markets® site, and is responsible for its ongoing management and development. BML provides infrastructure and services to facilitate the marketing of fresh food, flowers and other ancillary products for fruit, vegetable and flower wholesalers, retailers, provedores, secondary wholesalers, food processors, transporters, exporters, industry organisations and market support businesses. More information can be found on our website: www.brisbanemarkets.com.au.
About A Better Choice!
The A Better Choice! program supports over 500 independent retailers and wholesalers across the country who supply more than half of Australia’s fresh produce each year. In Queensland, the A Better Choice! program is run by Brismark and supported by the Brisbane Markets®. More information about A Better Choice! including retailers and wholesalers can be found by visiting www.abetterchoice.com.au
Media Contacts:
Luke Leeson – Communications Manager, Brisbane Markets Limited
M: 0420 314 227 E: [email protected]
Seren Trump – Communications and Marketing Executive, Brisbane Markets Limited
P: 0438 388 111 E: [email protected]
James Patrick – National Program Manager, ‘A better choice!’
P:0425 757 777 E: [email protected]