FAQs

In November 2018, following a Notice of Motion(External link), Council committed to a review of food truck policies that would consider identifying appropriate locations for mobile food vending; identifying spaces in need of activation and diverse food options and developing a process in which mobile food trucks and vans could trade on public land.

The draft Policy and trial provided the community with new opportunities while supporting food trucks and vans to be flexible and adaptable in the way they trade. Mobile food vending is one way to encourage people to visit an area, increase vibrancy and increase enjoyment of public land by community.

The draft policy will guide where and how these businesses can trade in different locations.

The trial started on 14 March 2022 and ended 14 March 2024

Currently, we don’t have a Policy that allows vendors to regularly trade on public lands. The vans and trucks you see around town are either at specific events (Council or private), or they may be trading on private land such as in car parks, petrol stations etc. There are a few vans that currently trade on public land such as Flagstaff Hill in Wollongong. These have been approved via an open formal quotation process. They have a licence agreement and pay a licence fee for this use.

Both food trucks and vans are able to sell food and drink. Typically, vans may be smaller and sell drinks and/or desserts, or pre-prepared food such as coffee vans and ice cream vans. Food trucks often are preparing food or cooking food on site for sale. Both are permitted under the Policy.

Specific locations were selected as part of the trial. From Stanwell Park to Windang, the locations chosen were public open spaces that are under Wollongong Council ownership or management. They were close to playgrounds, beaches, walking tracks and recreation spaces. They included (from North to South):

• Stanwell Park - Stanwell Park Beach Carpark
• Coalcliff - Coalcliff Beach Carpark
• Coledale - Sharkies Beach Carpark
• Bellambi - Bellambi Harbour
• Towradgi - Towradgi Park
• Fairy Meadow - Thomas Dalton Park Carpark
• West Wollongong – Roy Johanson Park
• Wollongong – Neville McKinnon Park
• Farmborough Heights – Milingaa Park
• Port Kembla – Gallipoli Park
• Dapto – Dapto Skate Park
• Kanahooka – Kanahooka Park
• Berkeley – Holborn Park
• Windang – Windang Boat Ramp
• Primbee – Purry Burry Park

The locations were considered and assessed according to criteria, including:

• Public spaces in need of diverse food options and activation.
• Where possible, near public spaces that have toilets, bins and spaces to sit.
• Closely located to public places where local community and families may already visit or spend time at.
• Distance from existing businesses and residences.
• Safety and access.
• Space to park and serve.

There have been specific locations identified as part of this mobile food vending trial. These went through a selection and assessment process to make sure they were suitable for this type of activity. If you have suggestions or ideas about different locations, please leave your comments in the feedback form.

Now that the trial has ended we are seeking community feedback on your experience of the mobile food trucks and vans at the different locations. You can complete an online feedback form here. 

You can also: 

• Email engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au(External link)
• Phone (02) 4227 7111
• Write to General Manager, Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821 Wollongong DC 2500

After the survey has closed, all feedback will be considered by the project team and inform the continuation of the mobile food trucks and vans. 

The website will prompt you to sign in to take the survey, but you can complete with just an email address and screen name. If you receive the following message whilst trying to sign in ! Email address in use this means you have previously registered with our engagement platform using that email address and you will need to sign in with a password to complete the survey. If you'd prefer not to sign in, you can use an alternative email address to take the survey or share your thoughts by: 

• Email engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
• Phone (02) 4227 7111
• Write to Engagement Team, Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821 Wollongong DC 2500