Melbourne makes its love of food trucks official

‘Pop-up’ dining will become a permanent feature in the City of Melbourne with five street eating food precincts opening up early this year under a new Council policy.

Ensuring Melbourne remains Australia's culinary capital, the City of Melbourne is courting Victoria's best food trucks to sign up.

Following a year-long trial across several locations, the City of Melbourne consulted with businesses, residents and 65 food truck operators to establish some new and long term sites.

Under Council's new 'Food Truck Policy' the permanent sites will be on:

• St Kilda Road (NGV/Arts Centre)
• Peel Street (Queen Victoria Market) and
• three new sites along Flinders Street near the Yarra River: Lez Erdi Plaza, Rebecca Walk and at the underpass on the corner of Spencer and Flinders Streets

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the new sites along Flinders Street will attract additional foot traffic to the area which will be a major boost for businesses in the vicinity.

"Some of the 17 trucks will be fixed for several years and others will rotate monthly, offering diners a wide variety of cuisines," the Lord Mayor said.

"Melburnians love food trucks and trying something new, which is why I'm sure this policy will be a success.

"We also appreciate good food in Australia's culinary capital which is why we will only be accepting 17 of the best food trucks we can identify."

The City of Melbourne has already received more than 500 requests for a food truck permit. The 'Food Truck Policy' selection criteria will include healthy food options, high quality presentation, a commitment to sustainable practices and a strong social media following to direct food van fans to these precincts. Vendors will be chosen through the normal council process via a panel of five City of Melbourne staff.

Expressions of interest to operate at a food truck location under this new policy will open soon. Permit fees will vary from $200 to $1700/month depending on the location of the site. The fee is linked to pedestrian numbers at the site and the commercial rental costs of trading areas adjacent to the proposed food truck locations.

The Lord Mayor said all sites will operational by March 2017.

"The 17 successful food trucks will be spoilt for customers during Melbourne's 'Marvellous March' with crowds from the Moomba Festival, Grand Prix, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival, Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Melbourne Queer Film Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival," the Lord Mayor added.​​

Councillor Kevin Louey, Chair of Council's Economic Development portfolio, said the new policy would help invigorate these precincts and ensure the city keeps pace with the food truck trend that is sweeping across greater Melbourne.

"Visitors to Melbourne want variety and this is exactly what this policy provides. People can now visit any of these sites and know they will get to experience street food culture without having to leave the CBD," Cr Louey said.

Food truck locations from March 2017

St Kilda Road, outside NGV and Arts Centre

• Two permanent trucks and two rotational trucks
• Open Sunday to Thursday 6am to 9pm and Friday to Saturday 7am to 11pm (may be extended during events)

Peel Street, adjacent to Queen Victoria Market

• One permanent food truck and two rotational food trucks
• Market days only – Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm

Lez Erdi Plaza, Yarra River north bank (near Signal)

• One permanent food truck and two rotational vans
• Open Sunday to Thursday 7am to 9pm and Friday to Saturday 7am to 11pm

Flinders Street Rail Underpass (Rebecca Walk)

• Four rotational food trucks
• Open Monday to Wednesday 7am to 7pm and Thursday to Saturday 4pm to 10pm

Flinders Street Rail Underpass (northwest corner of Spencer Street and Flinders Street)

• One permanent food truck and two rotational vans
• Open weekdays 7am to 7pm and weekends 10am to 10pm.

For more information, visit the City of Melbourne's Food Truck page​.