DISTRICT fruit, vegetable and seafood farmers have backed a push to establish a new market on the Cairns waterfront to rival iconic Rusty's.

And the Government-owned corporation that controls the site says it could happen.

The Network for Sustainable and Diversified Agriculture, the Mareeba District Fruit and Growers Association and Australian Tropical Foods yesterday joined the push to establish a produce precinct on Trinity Wharf near the cruise ship terminal.

First suggested by Cairns Regional councillor Alan Blake, the proposal gained further support last night when the boss of Cairns Ports said he would consider any commercially viable proposal for a produce market to operate within Cityport’s Heritage wharf precinct. "Such a proposal would have to be consistent with the Cityport Masterplan and could not impinge on port operations in any way," chief executive Neil Quinn said.

Earlier yesterday, NSDA president Chris Gloor – whose organisation has about 500 farmer members and is holding a $65,000 State Government grant to find a market site – told The Cairns Post Trinity Wharf would be an ideal location.

"With more and more people moving to Far North Queensland and a burgeoning interest in local produce including organic, permaculture and bio-dynamic there is a demand for another market," he said.

Mr Gloor said the market could sell Far Northern fish, chicken and beef and other products such as preserves, energy bars, wine, cheese chocolate and coffee as well as fruit and vegetables.

A 2003 Eco-Fish study proposed the establishment of a Fisher’s Wharf on the waterfront, featuring a seafood market, with cafes, liquor outlets, sushi bars and a maritime training facility to be funded by a private/government partnership.

"The 2003 Fisher’s Wharf proposal would enhance a local food market," Australian Tropical Foods spokeswoman Nola Craig said.

Mareeba District Fruit and Growers Association chairman Joe Moro backed the proposal but said it needed to be different from Rusty’s.

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