Food truck operators have blasted a new process that blocks a majority of operators from trading in the popular Yarraville Gardens.
Expression of interest (EOI) documents show Maribyrnong council is seeking offers above $3250 to obtain any of the 10 “special” permits providing exclusive access to the gardens site from next Tuesday.
Twenty “standard” permits for other areas will be sold for $2500. However, these permits do not allow trucks to trade at Yarraville Gardens, even if no “special” permit holders turn up.
Operators were notified of the change in process last Wednesday and given seven days to apply.
Maribyrnong Council has defended the new permit system, however Dos Diablos operator Bill Jacobs said the ‘“rushed” process was flawed and unfair, and was driving a wedge between operators by auctioning off the permits to the highest bidder.
“It’s been very distressing to have a seven-day turnaround. A lot of us work 80-hour weeks and haven’t even had a chance to look at the documents.”
Forced out by greed
White Guy Cooks Thai operator Max Porritt said council “greed” was forcing operators out of the area. “It’s pretty much turned into a bidding war,” he said. “In six months it will be dead down there.”
Council sustainable development director Nigel Higgins defended the seven-day application deadline, saying a number of expressions of interest had already been received. Mr Higgins said the fees had been based on the fees of the previous year.
Mr Higgins said discussions and meetings have been held with some food van operators over the last six months advising them of the EOI process being implemented, but that “it is not appropriate to identify any particular operators”.
“As part of the EOI, if operators want to enhance their success in obtaining a special permit they have the opportunity to offer a higher price,” he said.
Mr Higgins said the Council has received a large number of enquiries from interested parties wanting to obtain permits to operate within Maribyrnong.
In October 2014 Maribyrnong Council introduced a six-truck limit on Yarraville Gardens following concerns about the amount of rubbish being generated by customers of up to 20 vans.
This was later relaxed to a ten-truck limit, open to any operator with a permit.
***UPDATE: Mr Higgins said that following feedback, Maribyrnong Council has extended the Expression of Interest deadline to 5pm Friday, December 4.
“Letters and emails will be sent on 26 November advising of this extension, and this updated information will be made available on the Council’s website.” ***
