Mobile Food Vending Vehicles
Food Trucks and Food Vans
Council supports the operation of Food Trucks and Food Vans (Mobile Food Vending Vehicles) across our LGA in a variety of ways.
The operation of MFVVs is governed by the Randwick Mobile Food Vending Vehicles Policy and is also supported through the “Eat Drink Play” Food Truck events each year, and through the invitation to participate at a wide range of Council events throughout the year.
In terms of general operations, Food Truck and Food Vans can operate outside of events in the following ways:
Itinerant Model - operating across the Randwick City Council LGA
Mobile Food Vending Vehicles that have Randwick Council Local Approval and Temporary Food Premises (TFP) Approval can trade throughout the LGA on eligible roads and in car parks, within the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Codes) 2008, with the hours of operation limited to between 7am and 10pm (or 7am to 7pm if operating in residential zones). Excluded areas include
- State Roads
- Beaches and National Parks
- Council parks and reserves (unless with prior written Council approval or as part of a Council event)
- Any distance within 200m of an established food business including but not limited to restaurants, cafes, sporting kiosks, takeaway businesses and Council-approved fixed sites for MFVVs.
- A limit of no more than three MFVVs in a car park at any one time. This refers to council owned carparks and not on road car spaces.
A Local Approval issued as a Notice of Determination with conditions allows the MFVV to operate across the LGA - the “Itinerant” model.
From 1 July 2025, MFVVs with a up to date TFP, will pay an annual fee of $1,081.00 as per the 2025-26 Fees and Charges for Open Spaces & Beaches for a Local Approval. The Fees and Charges can be found here on pages 31 and 32.
This Local Approval Application Form must be submitted OVER THE COUNTER at 30 Frances St, Randwick. The form must be accompanied with payment, to be made via cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS. Please include all attachments such as Insurances along with the application form on submission.
Fixed Site Model
Registered MFVVs are also able to apply to Council to trade at designated fixed sites currently for an ongoing period of 30 days between the hours of 7am-10pm, up to 7 days a week.
The aim of the Fixed Sites program is to offer longer term tenure at a site, where the Food Truck or Van can create a regular offering, contribute to activation of the local area, and activate our public spaces in a way that supports and complements the local businesses.
Selection of MFVV’s for the fixed sites will be on rotation and will be via an online Expression of Interest form
The current fixed site endorsed by Randwick City Council locations are:
Applications each month are assessed by Council on the following criteria:
- Food Quality and Variety
- Customer Experience
- Mobile Food Vending Vehicles Policy
- Compliance and Safety
- Sustainable practice and impact
- Aesthetics and Branding
- Complementary Offerings
Fixed sites are located no less than 200m from established food businesses.
The fees associated with the fixed site model are $1,680.00 per month (between April and November (“off-peak”) (incl. GST) whilst during December to March (“peak’), the fees are $2,240.00 per month (incl. GST) at all locations.
Other MFVVs are not permitted to trade within 200m of an occupied fixed site.
It is essential to submit an Expression of Interest for a fixed site three weeks in advance each month to allow ample time for the selection process, invoices to be paid and approvals to be issued.
Approved Fixed Site operators must ensure that their vehicle is removed at the end of each day, and that all rubbish is removed and taken off site with the vehicle. It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure the area surrounding the site and the site itself is left in good condition at the close of trade.
For more information, please refer to the policy here
FAQs
GENERAL
What documents do I need before I can apply to trade as an Itinerant or Fixed Site MFVV?
MFVVs require a copy of their Public Liability Insurance worth $20,000,000 and a valid Temporary Food Premises Registration and a Local Approval.
Can I operate at a fixed site without itinerant approval?
No, all MFVVs require an Itinerant Approval before they can apply for a Fixed Site Approval.
Can I trade in a park?
No. This policy does not permit any public trade on any parks or green spaces. All MFVVs are to be trading on a council approved car park or road, and within state road rules and Council parking restrictions.
Can my MFVV be a detachable trailer?
This Policy does allow trailers as defined as a MFVV, but it must remain mobile and therefore attached to the towing vehicle at all times.
How long does it take to be approved?
You should receive approval in roughly 2 – 3 weeks to trade itinerantly, whilst it takes around 1 month to be accepted for a fixed site. Therefore, it is essential to submit an Expression of Interest for a fixed site by the first week of the previous month to the date you want to operate.
Where can I trade?
Restrictions and guidelines are in the MFVV policy
You can trade on any car space that is not within 200m of an existing business or fixed site (Clovelly carpark, Yarra Bay or Fisherman’s Road Boat Ramp car park, Malabar, as long as you abide by the parking rules of the space. Trading itinerantly means that you may have more than 1 itinerant food truck in your vicinity as long as you abide by parking and road rules.
Please note there is a limit of 3 MFVVs allowed in any public car park.
Please refer to the below map for reference or download it here.
For the Fixed Site model; please see current locations here
What times can I trade?
Between 7am – 10pm, subject to parking rules. However, in residential areas the permitted times to trade are 10am – 7pm
What if my MFVV is larger than a car space?
Your MFVV must be no larger than 11m, and you must park your MFVV as efficiently as possible, by taking the least amount of carspaces. However, if there are ‘parking withing bays only’ signs present, your MFVV must not cross any marked parking lines.
FIXED
Is there a limit to the number of Fixed Sites that an operator can apply for each month?
The Mobile Vending Vehicles Policy’s principle of Fairness and Equity ensures fair and equitable access to designated spaces, avoiding monopolistic practices and complementing existing businesses. In general operators are encouraged to apply for one site per month, to ensure our community can enjoy diverse mobile food offerings throughout the LGA.
Can Fixed Site applications be made for multiple months and for any future date?
Under the current system, operators are welcome to apply in advance for any month at their choosing and at any available Fixed Site. However, assessments will be conducted monthly - at the end of the 1st week of the preceding month. This is in line with the Policy’s Principles of Fairness and Equity.
Can I hold an event or activation next to my MFVV?
Not without further approvals. Your annual Local Approval (Notice of Determination) and monthly Fixed Site Approval only allow you to trade with no additional furniture or signage permitted outside of your vehicle.
If you want to expand your MFVV operation to any adjacent area (such as a public park or greenspace) for an event you will need to first apply via this link to book an open space for approval. Please be aware your approved vehicle must adhere to the MFVV Policy road and parking restrictions at all times during the proposed event, and must have a current Local Approval and Temporary Food Premises permit.
Can I trial a fixed site before I apply?
No, we do not allow trials for fixed sites.
What documents do I receive when I am permitted to trade?
Council issues you a ‘Notice of Determination’ which is valid to the end of the Financial year and needs to be provided at any time to a Council officer when trading.
Please see the links below to the Fixed Site and Itinerant application forms.
Please note the Itinerant Local Approval Application Form must be submitted OVER THE COUNTER at 30 Frances St, Randwick. The form must be accompanied with payment, to be made via cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS. Please include all attachments such as Insurances along with the application form on submission.
ITINERANT
What does Itinerant mean?
The itinerant model is a model that enables MFVVs to trade throughout the LGA at any permissible location. This means your MFVV can trade at as many locations as you would like as long as abide by parking rules and the MFVV policy
How much does it cost to trade itinerantly now?
From 1 July 2025, MFVVs with a up to date TFP, will pay an annual fee of $1,081.00 as per the 2025-26 Fees and Charges.
How long does the Itinerant approval last?
The approval is valid until June of 30th each year
Is there a limit to number of itinerant applications allowed per operator, each year?
Currently there is no set limit to the number of itinerant applications allowed per operator, per annum. Multiple applications received from a single operator will however be considered in line with the Policy’s principle of Fairness and Equity; ensuring fair and equitable access to designated spaces, avoiding monopolistic practices and complementing existing businesses.