THE community market at Newtown Square faces closure after a development application lodged by the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre was rejected by Marrickville Council.

The application, had it passed, would have seen the market grow to 50 stalls, operate year-round and sell hot food.

Speaking at a Development Assessment committee meeting - attended by eight of Marrickville's 12 councillors - on Tuesday night, Liberal councillor Mark Gardiner said the market was an inappropriate use of council land and had begun to compete with retailers on King St and Enmore Rd.

SHOULD THE MARKET STAY OR GO? Comment below.

media_camera Newtown community market is threatened with closure.

"I am very aware that the market operates as a fund raiser for the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre and I am sympathetic to the needs of the centre and endorse the good works that it does," Cr Gardiner said.

"However the key aim of the centre - to seek to create a more inclusive, resilient, vibrant and self - reliant community - can in my view best be achieved by ensuring that the future of retailers in King Street, Enmore Road and the surrounding area is protected, that business thrive and prosper and offer employment opportunities to local residents."

Clr Gardiner won a majority vote with the support of Mayor Victor Macri (Independent), Deputy-Mayor Emanuel Tsardoulias (Labor) and councillors Chris Woods (Labor) and Rosana Tyler (Liberal).

Labor councillor Sam Iskander and Greens councillors Sylvie Ellsmore and David Leary voted to keep the market open.

Newtown Neighbourhood Centre , who were also involved in a successful campaign to save Newtown Festival last year, appealed the decision earlier today, granting the market a stay of execution until a full council meeting. The market is expected to open as usual on Saturday.

Clr Ellsmore called the plan an "election brain explosion" and noted that the motion came on the same day the Liberal party announced they would not preference the Greens in the upcoming Federal Election.

“The move to shut down the popular Newtown markets and send in enforcement officers was an outrageous and heavy-handed action," she said.

“The Greens support a vibrant community strip, and cancellation of the markets will cut funding for important community projects.

media_camera Newtown Neighbourhood Centre CEO Lisa Burns. Picture: Phil Blatch

Newtown Neighbourhood Centre CEO Lisa Burns said her organisation have submitted an appeal and had been "overwhelmed by support from our friends in business."

"We don't think people are aware of all the facts and we hope that common sense will prevail," she said.

Clr Ellsmore said she hoped the community would support the market.



“We strongly welcome the appeal, and we encourage local residents to come down to the markets on the weekend to show their support," she said.



At this stage it is unclear whether the market will operate this weekend.

More to follow.