The regulation of food vans in designated areas in the Launceston municipality will again be discussed at the City of Launceston’s meeting on Monday.
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Alderman Darren Alexander will ask the council to draft a planning scheme amendment which regulates the use of mobile food vans within defined areas of the CBD and the district centres of Kings Meadows and Mowbray.
“In light of the number of food vans that are now continually being seen throughout Launceston CBD and surrounds, and the possibility of food vans operating on private land, I consider it is very important that the City of Launceston have a policy protecting our business ratepayers and providing the business community an even, open and transparent playing field in any business in our city,” Ald Alexander wrote in the council agenda.
He would like to see council officers draft the amendment and then bring it to a council workshop as a preliminary to formal submission for decision at a council meeting.
In light of the number of food vans that are now continually being seen throughout Launceston CBD ... I consider it is very important that the City of Launceston have a policy protecting our business ratepayers.
- Alderman Darren Alexander
In March the council discussed safety concerns at Launceston's Eat Street location at St George’s Square.
A range of safety measures were discussed and agreed to be put in place while food van vendors were operating.
It included a speed limit decrease to 20km/h, a limit of five food van sites and allocated van parking with a gap of 20 metres and no car parking between the vans.
The interim measures were due to be in place until September 30, while council officers investigate alternative sites to locate ‘Eat Street’.
At the time Ald Alexander said he has been approached by other business owners who struggled to compete with the food vans.
“I have had people say to me ‘maybe I should shut down and just own a truck’ ... so I think we should have those conversations about also protecting those [brick and mortar] businesses,” he said in March.
“I think there is room in this society and our community to have both those things but it is important that we engaged with all stakeholders.”