A family food truck business is keen to set up shop in parks and gardens in Brimbank and Melton but is struggling to obtain the appropriate council permits.
Conan Gomes, who runs the Big Cook Little Cook food truck with his dad, Raymond, and other family members, has been trying to get permits from Brimbank and Melton councils to operate the food truck in the area for the past two months but has yet to receive a response.
Mr Gomes said the family had been able to get a permit from Maribyrnong council within a week.
“They [Brimbank] haven’t rejected it, but I’ve been told it’s going to take a bit of time to go through the processes and see what other councils are doing,” he said.
“Their first concern is that it’s going to affect local businesses … our argument is that we’re usually far away from local businesses. We tend to go to a park or a lake where people can sit down and eat.”
The Big Cook Little Cook truck, currently serving a range of Indian-influenced dishes but soon to regularly rotate its menu, has parked for the past month at Yarraville Gardens and Whitten Oval.
Mr Gomes is keen to introduce the truck’s food along Lake Caroline, at the Taylors Lakes Community Centre and parks and gardens around the area.
Melton planning and development acting manager Michael Tudball confirmed that the council had met Mr Gomes, and his permit request was under consideration.
“Council has not granted permits to other food trucks previously and is reviewing this request in light of increased interest from food truck operators to determine an equitable process for everyone,” Mr Tudball said.
Brimbank city development director Stuart Menzies said the council had not received any formal permit applications or requests from the Gomes family.
Mr Menzies said that to successfully obtain a permit, the family would need to be registered on the statewide Streatrader system and would need both a mobile trading permit and a health permit from the council.
Mr Menzies said the council did not allow roadside trading “to ensure the safe and fair use of streets, roads and footpaths”.
