Council reiterates support for Eat Street

Published on 23 October 2017

The City of Launceston is a supporter of food vans operating in High Street.

City of Launceston General Manager Michael Stretton said that the Council had invested in infrastructure upgrades to support the vans at High Street, such as increasing the waste management capacity on site and the installation of irrigation.

Mr Stretton said recent media reports that the Council had made a decision regarding the future of "Eat Street" were incorrect.

"Today's agenda item at its Strategic Planning and Policy Committee meeting was aimed at informing aldermen about the issues surrounding food vans operating in Launceston and providing a forum in which they could discuss those issues," Mr Stretton said.

"There are several aspects that need to be discussed, such as the safety of pedestrians crossing High Street, speed limits, sight distances for vehicular traffic and the capacity of the Council to maintain the grass in the area.

"But I just want to reiterate that Council strongly supports the idea of food vans. Anyone who frequents High Street of an evening will know that they bring a sense of vibrancy to the area and of course we want to see that vibrancy flourish, and for people and their families to continue enjoying the food van culture."

Mr Stretton said that council staff are currently considering the arrangements for High Street following comments from aldermen at today's SPPC meeting.

"Obviously with our $9 million North Bank project due to come online later in 2018, there is an opportunity for food vans to be considered as part of that precinct," Mr Stretton said.

"There are some issues to be addressed such as pedestrian safety when the food vans are operating, as well as the impact the vans and their patrons have on the park in St Georges Square over a seven-day-a-week operation.

"We firmly believe that the food vans should be left to operate in that area with only the minimum of regulation needed to ensure public safety is prioritised."

The draft interim mobile food van policy is expected to go before Council at its ordinary meeting on Monday, October 30.