Mandurah's council chambers were full to overflowing at the May 25 Ordinary Council meeting.
Many were there in protest against what they saw as the Council being "intent on destroying" the Mandjar markets.
A petition of 2,157 signatures was presented by Councillor Dave Schumacher, asking for the City to reinstate the markets on the eastern foreshore "without the currently imposed restrictions".
This refers to the market being changed from weekly to fortnightly and vendors having restrictions placed on selling food and drinks.
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In response to questions raised by Cr Schumacher at the April 27 meeting about the reasons for the restrictions, officers said it was because there was "on-going tension" between bricks and mortar food and beverage businesses in the CBD and the market's offering.
The written response also stated that because of the markets' previous use of the eastern foreshore on a weekly basis from October through to May, "other event and activation opportunities are either limited or always needing to work around these activities".
It was also "expected that this situation may become even more significant" after Stage 1 of the Waterfront Redevelopment was finished.
Mayor Rhys Williams said he understood this was an emotional issue for many, but assured the gallery that no decision on the market's future had been made yet.
He reminded everyone that deputations could be made at the July meeting when a report reviewing the market and its future would come before Council for consideration.
