Upgraded Holy Trinity College market opened

Governor for Western Highlands, Wai Rapa, Australia's Ambassador for Gender Equality, Michelle O’Byrne and Australian High Commissioner, Ewen McDonald with the new water tanks at Holy Trinity College Market.

HOLY Trinity College Market, a key trading hub in Mt Hagen, now has better shelter and improved water supply, following a locally led upgrade supported by the PNG–Australia Partnership and the Western Highlands Provincial Government.

Located within Holy Trinity Teachers College, the market gives local growers a regular place to sell fresh produce and serves local communities and more than 1,000 students, staff, and visitors from nearby educational institutions.

Before the upgrade, market users – particularly women, who make up 95 per cent of the market’s vendors – had limited protection from sun and rain and no reliable water source. The newly covered facility and four water tanks now provide shelter and 9,000-litres of water for drinking, washing produce and keeping the area clean, helping vendors trade more consistently, attract customers and earn steadier incomes.

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ewen McDonald said the Holy Trinity upgrade showed how locally led partnerships could deliver practical improvements for communities.

“Holy Trinity College Market is an important place for students, staff, families and local growers, especially women vendors who sell produce here each day to support their families. Through the PNG-Australia Partnership, Australia is pleased to support improvements that respond to local priorities and contribute to better services and stronger livelihoods,” High Commissioner McDonald said.

The Holy Trinity Market upgrade is among 14 water security structures completed in Western Highlands. 

The Western Highlands Provincial Government co-contributed K1 million to the overall project. Sites were selected by the Western Highlands Provincial Working Group, which brings together provincial leaders and programme partners to identify local priorities, guide consultation and oversee delivery.

Across Papua New Guinea, the PNG-Australia Partnership under the Australia Papua New Guinea Subnational Program (APSP) has delivered more than 200 water security structures in markets and schools in Western Highlands, Morobe, East Sepik, Bougainville, Western and Northern.