At their latest meeting Lithgow City Council endorsed that a Mobile Food Vendor Vehicle Policy to be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days.

The matter will then be reported back to Council should submissions be received, or any changes are proposed following exhibition.

If no submissions are made or changes proposed, the policy will be adopted.

A report by Team Leader Environment & Health Richard Holz stated the Mobile Food Vendor Vehicle Policy had been developed to regulate Mobile Food Vendor Vehicles within the Council area.

"The number of such vehicles in the area has increased in the past 12 months mainly due to COVID restrictions on outdoor events," the report read.

The policy will require vendors to obtain an approval from Council unless considered exempt development. The Policy will allow for approvals under Section 68 of the Local Government Act to be issued to vendors for a period of 12 months.

"Under the proposed policy approval will be required when food vehicles are operating on Council owned land or on land under the management of Council," the report continued.

This includes Council road reserves.

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Approval will not be required when food vehicles are on private property and operating as part of a Development Consent or within the provisions of the SEPP (Exempt & Complying Development Codes) 2008.

"It should be noted that on occasions there is concern about these activities taking some of the market for established businesses," Mr Holz said.

"This isn't necessarily the case however because they often occupy a different niche and present a different retail offer to the public beyond the established businesses."

Exhibition of the policy will allow for these considerations to be tested with the public.

Andrew Muir said that food vendors tend to find it easier to park in other businesses car parks since they don't need to comply since it is an exempt area.

"Having mobile food vendors in the area was particularly tough on local businesses, especially during COVID, so hopefully having this policy will help them," he said.

Councillor Wayne McAndrew said it was important that Council seeks clarification around which roads they will have control over.

"There were vendors on River Lett Hill but Council moved them on and that is a main road, so it is important we know our position," Mayor Ray Thompson said.

The Policy will assist Council in ensuring food safety standards are followed and aid in reducing road safety risks on Council roads.

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