Maryville Residents Action Group spokesperson Alison Gilson spoke at a Newcastle City Council public voice committee last Tuesday, November 10 ,on the impacts the markets could have on the suburb.

Ms Gilson said markets were not wanted in the area.

“We have collected more than 2700 signatures and letters from residents opposing the markets in the exhibition period,” she said.

“We support our village and our lifestyle.”

She spoke about the community’s concerns about the markets generating traffic gridlock, pollution and rubbish.

Ms Gilson said the other options to go on the site from the developer, which included a recycling warehouse and affordable housing, did not satisfy what the residents see for the future of Maryville.

She said the community wanted to see townhouses go into the Hannell Street site.

“Ideally, we would like the site to become medium-density housing.” Ms Gilson said.

“The vision for Maryville is housing. We don’t want it to be affordable housing – just housing full stop.”

Newcastle businessman Con Constantine has proposed the markets for an old wool shed in Hannell Street.

At the public voice meeting, Constantine Development Group spokesperson Jock Graham said if everyone was opposed to the markets then he was happy to discuss an alternate use for the site with the council, the community and all relevant stakeholders.

Mr Graham said he would meet with Compass Housing to discuss an affordable housing project.

He said the group wanted the council to defer the markets proposal until state reviews of Newcastle’s industrial lands and local environment plan were finished for the site.

The Newcastle City Council was scheduled to discuss the markets proposal at last night’s Tuesday, November 17, council meeting.