Site Operations COVID-19 continued to provide its own set of challenges as the border closures remained in WA until March 2022. The mandatory vaccine requirements were enforced across the state leading up to the border removals. The government had classified the Perth Markets as a critical site due to its food distribution function. First and second inoculation dates were enforced and persons not complying were not allowed to enter the site in the interest of the safety of market users. The borders re-opened in late March 2022 which led to the introduction of COVID-19 to the broader community of WA. Most operations over the period were impacted with the loss of staff from COVID-19. The site has maintained its operations and the traders have continued to trade despite this backdrop. Sustainability Waste Management was centralised through the waste transfer station circa 2011 and has serviced the site well. A majority of the organic matter brought to the facility is diverted from landfill and recycled into organic products such as fertiliser or soil conditioner. A change of waste management contractor occurred this year with the engagement of Cleanaway. This change gives PMGL access to a new recycling initiative by FGS. Their organic recycling utilizes Black Soldier Fly larvae which can recycle organics, including waste contaminated with plastic, that would previously have gone to landfill. FGS's new Muchea facility is currently being built and will come online in 2023. Site Infrastructure and Maintenance Service providers to the Markets operation were also affected from the COVID-19 impacts, particularly site cleaning. The existing cleaning company, who had commenced in August 2021, did not have the depth of staff required to fulfill its contract requirements. The cleaning contract was terminated in April 2022 with a new contractor who had sufficient capacity was appointed at the same time. The site cleaning improved overnight, with continuous improvement the focus. PMGL has upgraded all the access control points on the site to include the provision of Bluetooth credentials to replace the manual access cards. The Bluetooth credential is loaded onto the market user’s mobile phone, and this becomes the virtual access card. The existing access cards will be removed into the future with the Bluetooth credentials providing the service. Weekend Markets The Weekend Markets had its own set of challenges operating in a pandemic environment. Public Venues in general had varying restrictions put in place on how they could operate and comply with heath directions and public markets were no exception. Mandatory vaccination was a condition of entry to the site, and this extended to include the Weekend Markets. The public attendance numbers were impacted from the initial closure due to lockdowns, the mandatory vaccine requirement, and the general avoidance of public gatherings. The Weekend Market attendance numbers were reduced in comparison to pre COVID-19 numbers. PMGL provided free entry for 6 weeks, but this had little impact on growing the attendance at the time. Boot sellers have been welcomed back to the Sunday Market after a number of years absence. PMGL has secured access to insurance, providing the opportunity for second-hand traders to sell their wares. Introduction of activations such as buskers, face painters and themed markets has also commenced. 7
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