The markets at the Flour Mill aren’t just somewhere to buy bread and flowers. Our 2026 community survey, and two independent place audits, show what they’re really doing: turning people who live near each other into people who know each other.
93.0% of people surveyed indicated they want the Sunday Market and the Food Festival to continue, and among Flour Mill residents, those most directly impacted, that rises to 95.0%. The people who overlook the bump-in, and hear the music throughout the event, are the most enthusiastic group we have.
That same hyper-local group is also showing up. 96.0% of Flour Mill residents reported having attended the Sunday Market in the past year, up from 67.1% in 2022, when we began recording the information.
In addition to our own internal survey (conducted in October 2026), in June 2026 we asked Inhabit Place, an independent place auditing company to observe a Sunday Market using the Gehl Institute’s public life method, counting what people did rather than what they remembered. Over four hours they recorded 2,014 people. Of those interviewed, 68.2% had a conversation, 54.5% recognised someone, 30.4% were there for the first time. Every single one said they felt safe in the area and at the event.
“We go to every market we can because we enjoy the opportunity to chat to neighbours (much harder to do in the chaos of daily life in the corridors and lifts when we’re usually rushing off to school or to cook dinner).” — Flour Mill resident, 2026 survey
“These events are amazing! I have never lived in a more connected community. I have met so many new people through the markets and the festival nights - I have increased my social world and network. I feel this is a true community and that I am part of something important. Living here is so important to me because of the ways in which people are involved outside of living in their apartments. Please please continue these events!!” — Flour Mill resident, 2026
“The night markets are my favorite because everyone is relaxed after a long day, enjoying yummy food and great music. Even in instances when my kids are sick and I can’t attend, I open the balcony and enjoy the atmosphere and music. The community just comes together, from young kids to elderly people.” — Flour Mill resident, 2026
This is what good placemaking does, and it isn’t unique to Summer Hill. Research across 113 apartment developments in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth found that residents who use their shared outdoor spaces do more "neighbouring", and that neighbouring protects against loneliness (Kleeman et al., 2023).
A good space, a reason to use it, & neighbours who know each other.
The Sunday markets are the reason.