The Northern Midlands Council were in discussion about the issue as they had been receiving many requests from mobile food vendors as they wish to operate within the region.

Most requests have been made for Longford, and the council said that vendors attend the Longford Village Green once every one or two weeks. 

Northern Midlands mayor David Downie said “we wish to be encouraging” of food trucks in the region.

The council agreed that food vans should be encouraged to conduct business within the region, but that a process for issuing permits to ensure that it complies with the Vehicle and Traffic Act needed to be implemented.

RELATED NEWS:

The Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 states that a person cannot set up a stall, stand, or vehicle on a public street without a permit. 

The City of Launceston recently set their fee schedule for mobile food vendors at $1,000 for a six month license, and $150 for four hours, which cannot be issued more than twice per annum.

The City of Hobart Council charge a permit fee of $2,500 per annum, and $750 for three months.

The Northern Midlands Council made the decision to set the annual permit fee to $300, and to set a six month or one-off permit at $150.

This makes it a much cheaper option for mobile food vendors to operate in the Northern Midlands municipality.

The council will write to all known mobile food vendors in the Northern Midlands region to ensure they are aware of these changes, and will allow a two month grace period to get their permits in order.

It was recommended to the council that they re-examine the policy in six months to gauge any feedback on the matter.