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Draft Food Vendor Policy & Management Guideline

Project Overview

online community engagement

The Rural City of Murray Bridge is inviting community feedback on the draft Mobile Food Vendor Policy and Management Guidelines, which propose a more flexible and streamlined approach to mobile food vending across the region.

Mobile food vendors will continue to require a permit to trade on Council land or roads and all operations must meet food safety, public safety and amenity standards.

Key updates in the updated draft Policy and Guidelines include:

  • A more flexible approach that identifies preferred locations, while allowing Council to assess applications across the wider council area on their merits

  • Removal of the former fixed list of approved sites, with applications assessed against clear safety, amenity and business impact criteria

  • Introduction of a 200-metre separation requirement from fixed food businesses offering the same product while they are open, replacing the previous “reasonable distance” approach

  • Defined operating hours with seasonal variation, and a maximum stay of 24 hours at a single location, whether trading occurs or not

The draft Policy and Guidelines commenced operation on a trial basis in December 2025, with the trial running until April 2026. A review, informed by both the trial outcomes and consultation feedback, will be presented to Council in June 2026.

The draft Mobile Food Vendor Policy and Management Guidelines are available on the right hand side of this page and paper copies can be found at the Local Government Centre and the Murray Bridge Library.

Feedback on the plan and policy can be provided via:

  • council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au

  • Post: Rural City of Murray Bridge, PO Box 421, Murray Bridge SA 5253

Consultation closes 5pm Tuesday 7 April 2026.

  • Please provide feedback on the Draft Mobile Food Vendor Policy Guidelines

    The Rural City of Murray Bridge is inviting community feedback on the draft Mobile Food Vendor Policy Management Guidelines, which propose a more flexible streamlined approach to mobile food vending across the region.   

Project Document Library

Consultation Timeline

  • icon
    Trial Commenced

    The draft Policy Guidelines commenced operation on a trial basis in December 2025, with the trial running until April 2026.
  • icon
    Consultation Closes

    The trial and consultation closes 5pm Tuesday 7 April 2026. 
  • icon
    Presentation to Council

    A review, informed by both the trial outcomes consultation feedback, will be presented to Council in June 2026. 

Key Updates

Key updates in the updated draft Policy Guidelines include:

Defined operating hours with seasonal variation, a maximum stay of 24 hours at a single location, whether trading occurs or not.

route

Introducing a 200-metre separation requirement from fixed food businesses offering the same products while they are open.

A more flexible approach identifies preferred locations and allows Council to assess applications across the wider council area on their merits.

FAQ

Council recognised mobile food vendors as valued small businesses that should not face unnecessary bureaucracy. The new draft Mobile Food Policy and Management Guidelines have been reviewed by Council and a trial period is taking place to gain feedback on the new process.

The purpose of this initiative is to trial new application processes for mobile food vendors, to receive meaningful feedback from vendors and monitor the response from the community. The new draft Mobile Food Policy and Management Guidelines aim to:

  • Clarify where mobile food vendors are appropriate and under what conditions
  • Provide a clear process to assess and grant permits
  • Support vendors to operate in a way that complements existing food and beverage businesses
  • Ensure vendors positively contribute to the experience and amenity of our public spaces
  • Encourage mobile vendors in locations that support activation of valued public spaces

Yes, the outcomes of the review will be directly communicated to our existing mobile food vendors and businesses and a public report will be tabled to a Council meeting.

Yes, Council staff will survey businesses before the conclusion of the trial period and that feedback will be included in the report to Council.

Council will seek feedback on levels of engagement and the ease of use of the draft Mobile Food Vendor Policy and Management Guidelines. Feedback will also focus on the impacts of the trial, including any improvements to the activation and vibrancy of locations where mobile food vendors operate.

A report will be tabled to a public Council meeting, along with an updated version of the Mobile Food Policy and Management Guidelines. Council will consider any changes as a result of the trial and adopt the Policy and Guideline.

Desma Morris | Unit Manager Property and Procurement

council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au

08 8539 1100

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Who's Listening

  • Desma Morris
    Unit Manager Property and Procurement

     

    For any enquiries or further information regarding the Draft Food Vendor Policy and Management Guideline, please contact Desma Morris using the details provided below. She will be happy to assist with your questions.

     

    council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au

    08 8539 1100