Brimbank council has adopted a new three-phase plan to tackle the ongoing issue of illegal footpath trading on Alfrieda Street in St Albans, which it said has escalated significantly, especially on weekends.
The plan, estimated to cost $360,000, will be carried out over a nine-month period with the third phase acting as an ongoing response to the issue.
Council said the plan recognises the complex circumstances driving informal trade that may include cost of living pressures, housing insecurity, alcohol or drug dependency and barriers to formal employment.
The plan also highlights that unregistered footpath trading may be a cultural norm among some migrant communities, particularly among older community members.
The first stage of the plan, running over three months, will focus on educating and connecting unregistered food traders with outreach programs using cross-cultural communication tools.
This engagement campaign will be carried out throughout the nine-month plan, and ahead of a targeted, intensive compliance program which will be implemented in phase two, also running over three months.
The intensive program will involve a consistent compliance officer presence on Alfrieda Street between 11am to 7pm on weekdays and 11am to 5pm on weekends, with an evaluation of the program to be carried out at the six-week and 12-week marks.
In part three of the plan, two new permanent compliance officers will be hired to patrol and control activity in the street alongside police.
During the September council meeting, Cr Duyen Anh Pham said the issue of illegal footpath trading is multifaceted.
“…While often treated as a compliance issue, [illegal footpath trading] drivers and impacts are broader and more complex. Council responds in co-operated, culturally appropriate engagement and explanation to ensure enforcement efforts address language barriers, generational differences and unfamiliarity with local law enforcement procedures,” Cr Pham said.
Cr Joh Bauch said illegal trading is also a health concern as well as a criminal matter.
”…Some food being sold may have potential health risks and not be prepared or stored in accordance with the relevant health regulations,” Cr Bauch said.
“Illegal footpath trading undermines the legitimate small businesses in St Albans that already exist and is illegally congesting council-managed footpaths, and are hazards for pedestrians especially for the disabled and the elderly.
“And I remind again, our community, selling or even purchasing these stolen goods is a crime.”
Cr Bauch also highlighted that limited police resources has made it more difficult to combat the illegal trading in St Albans.
As part of the plan, council will also advocate for increased police resourcing.
Brimbank Local Area Commander, Inspector Matthew Bui said police continue to run targeted operations in the area to address the community’s issues.
“We know the sale of stolen goods in our streets is a huge concern to the local community and businesses. That’s why we are targeting it from both a plain clothes and highly visible capacity,” Inspector Bui said.
“We also utilise the powers under the designated area declaration which is in place for St Albans for a year. These powers allow officers to issue banning notices to people for up to 72 hours if they are causing trouble or behaving in an anti-social manner.”
Inspector Bui said police regularly employ specialist resources such as the Public Order Response Team, Dog Squad and Transit Police to patrol Alfrieda Street with local police.
