Council & Business
17 July, 2026
Carisbrook market sent packing after 40 years
Carisbrook Town Hall Market's owners have been blindsided by a notice to vacate they claim had little warning or consultation from council.
Carisbrook Town Hall Market has been forced to close following a “devastating” decision by Central Goldfields Shire Council earlier this month.
A four decade legacy of community contribution came to an abrupt end when business owners Mike and Sally Turton were told to close their market immediately and leave the hall by August 27.
Mr Turton said he has been left in shock following the decision.
“Disbelief they could actually treat you like that,” he said.
In a letter dated July 2, received by the couple on July 7, they were told their use of the hall was “unauthorised”, despite operating since 1986, and to vacate the premises within eight weeks.
The couple said they had only received one call from the council prior, on July 1, informing them they’d have to leave the premises.
The Carisbrook Town Hall is permanently reserved under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 for town hall purposes.
The letter explained under Section 17 of the Act, council has the power to grant licences and agreements, subject to ministerial approval, which are “consistent” with the land’s purpose.
Carisbrook Town Hall Market is a private business which is open the second and last Sunday of the month.
Their role within the community is offering a wide-range of stock, from novelties through to food, far below supermarket prices.
For example, Cadbury chocolate at the supermarket is $8 sometimes going on sale for $4.
Mr Turton said he sells theirs for $3 a block, two for $5, or a carton where each block costs $2.
“That helps people make ends meet and they’re not going to have to buy a tin of cat food,” Mr Turton said.
“Why should your treats stop because your situation has changed?”
Mr Turton said he further discounts stock, or gives it away, to local volunteer-run organisations for events.
“We’re not in a position where we have heaps and heaps of cash that we can give out but we can always help with product,” he said.
Mr Turton is only able to do this, however, because of the low rent he pays to the Carisbrook Historical Society for use of the hall.
Carisbrook Historical Society member Alex Stoneman said the community group was the former committee of management of the Carisbrook Town Hall under the Shire of Tullaroop.
They have a signed agreement with the Turton couple for use of the hall, in exchange for rent, which is about a third of Carisbrook Historical Society’s annual income.
Mr Stoneman said, when Central Goldfields Shire Council formed, their management role continued until the agreement lapsed in 2014 and was never renewed — despite the community group’s repeated efforts.
A draft lease agreement between the organisations from 2019 even raised Carisbrook Town Hall Market’s future as needing discussion.
The historical society said if the town hall was categorised as multi-use, and the market was considered a fundraiser for the community group, they may be able to continue.
However, if they were considered a separate and independent user, the historical society said it could lead to their closure.
“This will need much further discussion,” the historical society’s comments read.
Currently, the council is the committee of management for the town hall and, according to a council spokesperson, they have “deemed [it] necessary” to cease the market’s operation.
“The current use of the hall for the exclusive operation of a private retail business is not consistent with the intent of the Crown Land Reserves Act,” they said.
“The current arrangements prevent community use of the Carisbrook Hall for community activities and events.
“It’s not appropriate that council effectively subsidises a private retail business by allowing it to use the town hall primarily for storage purposes.”
The decision has caused uproar among the local community and beyond.
Bill Gourlay said the market was “essential” because it was affordable.
“It’s beneficial for the people that are struggling,” he said.
“That’s not considered.”
Deb Long said she was on a pension and the market was a “godsend” which helped her treat her grandkids.
“For me as a grandma it’s a great little outlet for me,” she said.
Jenny Blackman said the news was “devastating”.
“[Mike Turton] doesn’t ever expect any accolades. His hearts with the community,” she said.
Ms Long said she couldn’t believe the timeline the Turton’s were given.
Nor did Mr Stoneman who said the couple’s treatment was “disgusting” even if it’s legally correct.
“The letter was really out of the blue ... it’s shabby treatment,” he said.
Ray Jennings said, even ignoring the closure, having to stop trade immediately was a “crap” decision.
“You don’t close a business down like that,” he said.
“After 40 years? Give me a break.”
Carisbrook Lions Club president Jefferson Hoober agreed, calling council’s move “crazy” and unfair.
“It’s going to be another loss to Carisbrook and sadly we’ve got enough losses in our community already,” he said.
“The blanket has been pulled out from underneath their feet.”
However, Mr Turton said he wasn’t thinking of himself but the “domino effect” among local community groups.
“All these people you’re letting down,” he said.
Carisbrook Lions Club’s Christmas with Us event offers connection, lunch, and a present to around 300 people on Christmas Day.
Mr Turton provides the club’s presents at minimal expense.
Mr Hoober said, without the market, people would go without.
“Christmas might be a little bit sadder this year without presents,” he said.
“There’s no way us as a club can afford to go out and buy them.”
Mr Hoober questioned where the councillors were when this decision was made.
Councillor Anna de Villiers, whose ward includes the market, said they weren’t included.
She said the decision was operational, included in the powers of the CEO Peter Harriott, and didn’t involve consultation with councillors.
Cr de Villiers said they were first notified on June 2 via email.
“Officers have spoken to the proponent over the phone, and a written notice will be served early next week, to cease operating a business from the premises immediately,” the email said.
Cr de Villiers said she felt “set up” and “railroaded” by the decision.
“I’m disappointed, extremely disappointed, because I’ve been working tirelessly for six years to gain some trust and confidence of the community,” she said.
“Council destroyed everything I worked for ... in that community.
“I’m angry.”
A council spokesperson said their hope is to increase the community’s uses of the hall.
“We hope to expand the range of users and increase the level of community use for recreation, arts, culture and social activities including weddings, functions and events when the commercial storage is removed,” they said.
Currently the side rooms are used by the Carisbrook Mercury and Carisbrook Historical Society, which are expected to continue, with the main hall filled by the market.
Mr Stoneman said they’ve been trying a similar plan to council for years but the hall’s facilities are “hopeless” and in need of repairs.
“They’ll go to other facilities that are much better equipped,” he said.
Mr Turton said, in the last 25 years, fewer than five groups have wanted to rent the hall.
Mr Stoneman said the hall needed repairs which may cost millions.
Central Goldfields Shire Council even investigated the scope and expense of repair in recent years, in the Town Halls Package, but deferred it because of “consultant liquidation and budget constraints”.
Those same budget constraints are ongoing, and expected to get worse, as council works to get rid of their $5.5 million lingering deficit.
Mr Stoneman said the implications of council’s financial position and a meeting with council officers gave a different impression of their plan.
“If it remained empty that would be [their] preference,” he said.
Mr Jennings, alongside other community members, were concerned with this possibility.
“It’s going to be another swimming pool,” he said, referring to the Maryborough Outdoor Pool which has been shut since 2022 due to funding.
Council did not respond to questions on Mr Stoneman’s claim.
However, Cr de Villiers agreed.
“They’ve demonstrated it with Maryborough Town Hall. They’ve done it,” she said.
Mr Stoneman also said he told council officers it would be “highly appropriate” if the Turton’s were involved in any discussion on the future of the hall.
“We were told that was unnecessary,” he said.
Central Goldfields Shire Council did not comment on this claim.
Since the closure became public, Mr Turton said it has been “humbling” to see the community’s support.
“It almost brought you to tears but you’ve got to be stoic,” he said.
Mr Turton said he didn’t need medals, or recognition, instead he just liked “quietly” helping people.
“It’s not rocket science, it’s just common decency,” he said.
Yet Mr Turton repeatedly said he thought he was letting the community down by closing — even though the decision wasn’t his own.
“I also feel if you’re not doing it you’ve let people down. You don’t want to let people down,” he said.
Despite this, the community support did get one message through.
“In a way it’s people quietly saying we think you do a good thing. Isn’t that what you want in life? Just to be a good person,” he said.