About the Market
Serving the neighbourhood since 1864
Prahran’s Market is Australia’s longest serving Market. Affectionately known as ‘the foodie’s market’, the produce-centric approach has always been at the guts of what we’re about. Having seen times of both recession and renaissance, the history of this place is as fascinating as the community it serves.
GOVERNANCE
Prahran Market is owned by the City of Stonnington and governed by an independent Board of Directors appointed for their skills and experience. Prahran Market Pty Ltd (PMPL) operates under a Head Lease and Management Agreement with Council, which sets out responsibilities, reporting milestones, and KPIs to ensure transparency and performance.
Council’s role is primarily as landlord and asset manager, ensuring the Market’s infrastructure is maintained, safe and compliant. PMPL manages the day-to-day operation of the Market, trader relations, and visitor experience.
The Market Management Office is located on the first floor and is open every day except Monday.
FROM THE CHAIRPERSON
“Over the last year, we have laid the foundation for a positive future for Prahran Market. In response to our changing local community, we’ve given people a reason to return — a destination they can take pride in.
Now, our attention turns to the future vision for the Market, including the masterplan design and the investment required to ensure we remain relevant as a community food market.
With my fellow Board members and our partners at the City of Stonnington, it’s an exciting time to be part of this transformation.”
Kate O’Sullivan, Chairperson
FROM THE CEO
“Prahran Market is iconic, but together we must continue to invest and evolve our offering to ensure it delivers what the community needs and wants.
We want Prahran Market to hold a special place in the lives of locals — a place that goes far beyond shopping to become a true community hub that people are proud of.
Prahran’s Market. Eat it up!”
Noel Dempsey, CEO
MEET THE DIRECTORS
KATE O’SULLIVAN
Chair and Non-Executive Director
Experienced executive and board member with a demonstrated history of working in the sports, racing and entertainment and hospitality industries. Skilled in strategy development, executive coaching, sales and marketing management, budgeting and commercial operations and business planning.
LIHINI HAYSMAN
Non-Executive Director
A strategic management and finance professional with over 30 years’ experience catalysing and driving performance and growth in diverse environments, including private and public organisations within retail industries and local government. Purpose-driven, with a demonstrable ability to collaborate and provide effective direction and constructive action.
GEORGE KARABASTSOS
Non-Executive Director
George is a C-Level Executive with CEO/COO level experience over a 25+ year career, including Company Directorships and Executive Leadership roles at Top 50 ASX companies, Private Equity Groups and Private CO’s. Through various asset management and property investment roles, George developed extensive knowledge and capability across a broad range of disciplines (including asset management, leasing, marketing, retail design, master planning, development feasibilities, due diligence, acquisitions) and management of key investor, joint venture and multi stakeholder relationships.
ROBERT CLIFFORD
Non-Executive Director
Robert is the Founding Director of Alto Cibum Consultancy. With more than 25 years’ experience, he is an expert in entrepreneurial sales, marketing and the development of innovative hospitality concepts. Rob began his career with Hyatt International across Perth, Canberra and Macau, later becoming General Manager of the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre before leading EPICURE, Australia’s largest boutique catering brand, where he championed sustainable food practices. Rob holds multiple board positions and has served as President of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce, advancing international trade connections.
READ ABOUT THE MARKET HISTORY
SUSTAINABILITY
We are proud to have been awarded bronze Waste Wise certification in July 2011 from the Metropolitan Waste Management Group. This award recognises our commitment to ongoing improvement in sustainability practices in waste minimisation and resource efficiency, and it’s a continued focus of development for Prahran Market
ORGANIC GREEN WASTE & FISH OFFAL
Our Gaia food waste machine was installed early 2017 and recycles all our fish offal (95 tonnes annually) and green organic waste (166 tonnes annually), turning it into a rich garden food via a dehydration process.
Around 700,000 litres of water is evaporated from the green waste during the dehydration process which is captured and then diverted to our harvested water system where it is then used to flush toilets in the public bathrooms.
WATER
Water usage reduced from 45 mega litres (2005/06) to 20 mega litres (2025) which equates roughly to 401 domestic sized swimming pools saved annually. Water reduction has been achieved by: the installation of pressure reducing valves trader education sessions, the installation of hot and cold sub water meters in each tenancy so they can monitor their usage, rain harvesting systems (70,000 litre capacity) toilet upgrades – including water efficient pans, urinals and tap-ware, locating and repairing underground leaks, improved cleaning techniques, trigger nozzles and water monitoring systems.
ORGANIC RECYCLING
Chicken, fat and bone – roughly 323.5 tonnes is taken off-site annually for processing. It is then used in animal foods or pressed for oils.
CARDBOARD
140 tonnes of cardboard is recycled annually. This is then recycled into other products. We also recycle our office paper and air-conditioning filters and printer cartridges.
COOKING OIL
Around 4,000 litres of used cooking oil from our Traders is recycled and processed into bio-fuels.
ELECTRICITY
With installation of time clocks, sensors and energy saving lamps throughout the site, we have reduced our peak demand usage from 315Kw in 2019 to 125Kw in 2025. In addition, the Market implemented a full upgrade to low energy LED lighting within the complex in August 2022.
GAS
Major upgrades to our boiler system have resulted in a major reduction to our gas usage. The new boiler system is far more efficient and produces less emissions. We have also upgraded the gas heaters in the fruit and vegetable hall to more efficient units.
PARTNERSHIPS
SecondBite redistributes surplus fresh food to community food programs around Australia. Food is donated by farmers, wholesalers, markets, supermarkets, caterers and events. This high-quality surplus food is redistributed to community food programs that support people who are homeless, women and families in crisis, youth at risk, indigenous communities, asylum seekers and new arrivals.
Each year Prahran Market Traders donate fresh food to SecondBite, which would have instead gone to landfill. SecondBite collects the food and redistributes it to over 1,000 agencies (including local agencies, Prahran Mission, The Prahran Adventure Playground and Sacred Heart Mission) and thousands of people who are homeless or living in disadvantaged circumstances.
