WATTLE Range Council could heavily restrict mobile food vendors in Beachport over the summer period as it works to form a policy on the issue.
Council is currently investigating mobile food trading across the Wattle Range district following community concern over the relatively unrestricted industry which allows vendors to operate freely.
A public meeting was held in Beachport last month to discuss the divisive issue as the summer holiday period approaches.
Councillors Kevin McGrath, Peter Dunnicliff, Sharon Cox and council development services director Steve Chapple attended the forum, which was discussed at last week’s council meeting.
Cr Dunnicliff said while there was often a grey area with community issues, the public meeting was “black and white” with residents on both sides of the debate.
“To put the whole legislation into one sentence, council needs to provide places for food vans or it is open slather,” he said.
“Otherwise they can go anywhere.
“I think by the end of the public meeting we gathered that a suitable place and times needed to be found for an available food van in Beachport.
“The committee is getting a lot of information from residents now, they will collate that.”
Council chief executive officer Ben Gower said other towns would not be affected by mobile food vendors to the same extent as Beachport because of the seaside town’s swell in tourism over the Christmas period.
“We will make sure communities understand what the legislation means and what we can and cannot do to control food vans,” he said.
“The legislation effectively says that if council does not put restrictions in place for mobile food vendors across the whole council area then they are free to trade whenever and wherever they like.”
Council has foreshadowed a recommendation at next month’s meeting to identify locations at each township in the region where it would be appropriate for mobile food vendors to operate.
The policy may potentially restrict mobile food vendors during the December holiday period.
