Community Groups and Charities

About the Community Space

• Layout

  The spaces can accommodate a trestle table and chairs, which can be provided by the Market on request. 

• Period of Use

  The stall is available on a short-term basis of one day and up to two weeks, as agreed to by the operator and the Market.

• Rent

  The Community Space is free of charge. As the stall is for non-commercial activities “Community Groups” may use the stall without incurring rental fees, provided they meet the selection criteria.

• Uses

  Their flexible nature allows the spaces to be used in a multitude of ways, including but not limited to:

  • retail outlet for Not for Profit (INFP) groups who sell products that support their cause
  • gallery or residency space for emerging or non-commercial artists
  • engagement space for community or not-for-profit groups (NFP) to promote their cause, with the potential capacity for occasional mini-workshops and fundraising
  • engagement space for community or NFP groups who need a venue to accept material (not financial) donations at specific times of the year

  The Market is open to other suggestions for uses of the space.

• What is a Community Group

  For the purpose of the use of the spaces, all groups entitled to use the spaces are referred to as 'community groups'.

  Broadly speaking, these are groups that operate not for commercial gain but for the purposes of benefiting the community in some way.

  Examples of community groups include, but are not limited to:

  • charitable organisations such as the Red Cross or Sacred Heart Mission
  • local sporting groups or wellbeing groups such as walking and tai chi groups
  • local interest groups such as camera clubs, painting groups, historical societies
  • service clubs such as Lions, Rotary, RSL, Legacy
  • local volunteer groups that assist the disadvantaged such as Meals on Wheels and Men's Shed
  • local service groups such as Neighbourhood Watch, SES, emergency services, 
  • junior community groups such as Scouts and Girl Guides
  • senior citizens' groups such as U3A, My Aged Care
  • multicultural groups
  • environmental and sustainability groups
  • special projects such as bushfire appeals.

• Selection Criteria

  For the purposes of selection, a community group must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • registered not-for-profit
  • registered non-government
  • registered charity
  • informal association such as a neighbourhood group or non-commercial interest group. 
  • student-led group from an educational organisation
  • operating under the auspices of the City of Port Phillip Council such as divisions within Council or groups organised or funded by Council.

  Preference will be given to local (South Melbourne) groups, followed by groups from the City of Port Phillip.

  Please note that the Community Space does not accept organisations wishing to promote religious or political agendas.

  Applications to use the stall can be made via an online form which will be assessed for suitability by Market Management.

• Terms and Conditions

  • The Community Space is available for periods of one day and up to two weeks although this may be negotiated at the discretion of Market Management.
  • Community Space operators must adhere to Market Rules. However, an exception may be made regarding hours of operation in the case of Community Groups staffed solely by volunteers.
  • Duration of pop-up is determined by Market Management and is non-negotiable.
  • Community Space operators are responsible for bumping in and out and setting up or dismantling any displays, goods or other items to be used during their pop-up in the space. Market staff are not available to assist with this.
  • Any goods and chattels brought into the space by the group renting it are the sole responsibility of that group. Market Management takes no responsibility for loss or damage of items belonging to the operators of the space.
  • Public Liability Insurance is provided by the Market but this only covers damage to the stall fittings and to third parties, this is customers and visitors to the Market.
  • Where food is to be sold, it must be pre-packaged and the stallholder must have a valid Streatrader statement of trade. No preparation or cooking is allowed on site.
  • The operator must operate within the boundaries of the stall and are not to conduct activities commercial or otherwise elsewhere in the Market, such as handing out flyers, spruiking or asking for donations.
  • Any costs incurred from damage to the space or damage or loss of its fittings must be borne by the stallholder. Stallholders must complete a checklist regarding the condition of the stall and its fixtures when bumping out and will be charged accordingly if any item is damaged or missing.