Queensland Premier David Crisafulli marked his government’s first year in office with a grassroots visit to the Mapleton Country Market on Saturday, 26 October, joining local MP Marty Hunt to meet stallholders and community members at the popular hinterland market.
The visit, which coincided with the market’s Halloween-themed event, saw the Premier spend the morning engaging with the local community, stall holders and meeting market convenors Donna Klease and Paula Wright, Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA) President Peter Gamgee and Vice President Max Standage, and Range Community News representative Ian Stannard.
“It was a pleasure to join Marty Hunt at the Mapleton Country Markets over the weekend to listen to locals about the issues for the local community,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“This community embodies everything that makes regional Queensland special, which is why we will continue to deliver A Fresh Start with safety where you live, health services when you need them, growing our economy and a plan for Queensland’s future.”
The Premier praised the market’s volunteers and local businesses for contributing to the vibrancy of the Sunshine Coast region. “It was great to thank the volunteers who run these iconic markets and the local gym adding to the vibrancy of this beautiful part of the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
Community Engagement at the Heart of Visit
The visit was part of Mr Hunt’s regular “Conversation Stations” initiative, which provides opportunities for constituents to raise concerns directly with their elected representatives. The Premier spent approximately 45 minutes at the market, chatting informally with locals and stallholders.
“It was great to have the Premier in Mapleton on Saturday, meeting locals and hearing firsthand what matters most to our community,” Mr Hunt said. “Together we’re focused on delivering real outcomes that make a difference for our region. There’s a lot happening here in Nicklin.”
This marks the Premier’s fourth visit to the Nicklin electorate, highlighting the importance of the marginal seat ahead of future polls.
Premier Takes Interest in Local Producers
Among those who spoke with the Premier was local stallholder Chris, who discussed the quality and size of fruit produced this season. The conversation touched on the successful year for local growers and included a brief discussion about the pineapple display at the Ekka.
Chris said the Premier “listened to all stall holders until his time ran out,” adding that he appeared “very interested in the pineapple industry.”
“He is truly interested in small local communities, not just the cities,” Chris observed.
A Thriving Community Market
The Mapleton Country Market, which has been granted a three-year permit by Sunshine Coast Council, continues to be a vital hub for the local community. Operating from the Mapleton State School grounds, the market hosts 52 stallholder sites in the car park area, with more than 60 stallholders rotating through the market.
Funds raised by the market go towards supporting the MADCA Community Grant, ensuring that the market’s success directly benefits the wider Mapleton community through local initiatives and projects.
Market convenor Donna Klease emphasised the importance of community engagement. “We want to have a place where all residents and their families can meet up and spend some time having a barista coffee, hot food as well as free live music and our outstanding stall holders’ products,” she said.
The market has made a conscious decision to keep site fees affordable, with Wright noting they are “probably one of the cheapest on the coast and hinterland for stall holders” to ensure accessibility for new and smaller artisans.
Supporting Local Business
The market attracts a healthy mix of local residents and visitors from outside the region. Recent marketing efforts, including flyers distributed through information centres and bed and breakfasts, along with active social media presence and coverage through radio and news outlets, have helped boost visitor numbers.
However, stallholders face challenges, particularly rising public liability insurance costs, which Wright identified as the main concern for regular market participants.
“We value our volunteers so much, if we didn’t have them supporting our market then we wouldn’t have a Mapleton Country Market,” said Market Convenor, Paula Wright. “New volunteers are always wanted and so valuable to our local community.”
State-Level Recognition
The Mapleton and District Community Association welcomed the Premier’s visit as recognition of the hard work undertaken by market organisers and the vibrant community spirit that makes the market special.
“We were thrilled to welcome Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to our local market this morning,” MADCA said in a statement. “It’s fantastic to see our local community and the hard work of our market organisers recognised at the state level.
“The Premier’s visit to Mapleton was part of a broader day of community engagement in the Nicklin electorate, which also included a stop at Sunshine Mitre 10 in Nambour.
The Mapleton Country Market operates regularly, providing a vital meeting place for the hinterland community and showcasing local produce, crafts, and food. For more information, visit the market’s Facebook page or the Hinterland Tourism website.
The final market of the year will have a Christmas theme and be held on Saturday 22nd November. The first market of 2026 will be on the 28th of February.
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