This week City of Launceston aldermen voted to draft regulations in an effort to “level the playing field” between permanent and temporary businesses.

Alderman Darren Alexander drove the motion to ensure businesses with shopfronts were protected.

Entrepreneur Adelaide O’Byrne has operated The Crepe Caravan for about one year.

She said the small collection of food van owners were considerate of other businesses in the city.

Ms O’Byrne and several other vans park at St George’s Park on High Street – creating the city’s popular ‘Eat Street’.

“We’re a kilometre out of the CBD and all the businesses around are closed by 5pm – that’s why we don’t open before 5pm,” she said. 

“We don’t want to step on people’s toes – no one wants to pull up outside people’s shops.”

Ms O’Byrne said van owners complied with the council’s regulations, and suggested the temporary eateries provided “friendly competition” with the city’s businesses. 

“I think they’re two completely different ball parks,” she added.

The City of Launceston is reviewing the operations of vans at High Street.

In March the council voted to implement a lower speed limit when food vans were operating on High Street at St George’s Park.

The interim measure will be in place until September 30 while officers investigate alternative sites to locate ‘Eat Street’.

Ms O’Byrne believes the council will move the vans to a different location, but she anticipates the vans’ popularity will continue.

“It’s still growing and I think it will keep growing,” she said. 

Alderman Alexander cited costs including a TasWater levy, pest control and inspections a “bricks and mortar” business leasing spaces in the CBD faced.

He said vans only paid a single cost to the council.