Food truck access expands across Brisbane
As part of a new Schrinner Council program, food trucks and coffee carts have been granted access to operate at more than 100 sites across Brisbane.
Food trucks and coffee carts now have access to operate at more than 100 sites across Brisbane under a new program from the Schrinner Council.
The Brisbane Food Trucks and Coffee Carts Program will offer operators more flexibility while also bringing more choices to residents.
Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the new program would allow for Brisbane residents to better enjoy Brisbane suburbs and neighbourhood parks.
“Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital, and our Food Trucks and Coffee Carts Program will make our great parks and playgrounds even better,” Schrinner said.
The old program allowed businesses to operate at only 13 sites. Under a one-tier system, businesses paid $2130 in permit fees per year. An additional $465 design assessment fee was also required, which has been scratched from the new program. This program is still accessible to operators for a temporary permit fee until the new program is up and running.
The new program, which officially launches July 1, will operate under a three-tier system. Each tier offers different levels of access to more than 100 Council-approved sites.
Sarah Hutton, the Chair for Customer Services in the Civic Cabinet, said this new program would allow for small business to trade with more flexibility.
“We’re backing mobile operators while still protecting nearby bricks-and-mortar businesses with sensible trading rules,” said Hutton.
New sites have been decided based on council assessments and feedback from local councillors. The approved locations avoid sites near existing businesses offering similar food and coffee products.
Stay informed, daily
For a yearly fee of $450, first-tier businesses have access to operate in neighbourhood parks, or 22 per cent of total available sites. Tier 2 is for larger parks with better facilities, making up 80 per cent of sites for $1650 per year. The third-tier grants 100 per cent access across the city to sites with the greatest foot traffic and exposure, for $2200. Each tier also requires a $160 assessment fee.
Some Tier 3 locations include sites at the City Botanic Gardens, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Mt Coot-tha and New Farm Park.
With the program also comes a new website and booking platform. The new site will allow cart and truck owners to book sites up to six weeks in advance. It also comes with a map so customers can easily find and track their favourite food trucks and carts.
Hutton said that the new program would strengthen Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s most small business-friendly city.
“Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital, and this is about helping people enjoy great food and coffee in the places they love to relax,” Hutton said.
