The Yarra Ranges Council freshened up its rules around roadside and public trading at the 9 December council meeting to better reflect modern day expectations.
Since 2010, the council’s Streets and Roadside Trading Policy has provided management guidelines for the businesses trading in public spaces such as footpaths and roadsides.
But, an increase in food trucks and changes to Australian disability access laws prompted council to replace the old policy with two separate policies: the Roadside and Public Place Trading Policy 2025 and Footpath Trading Policy 2025.
O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child said the new policies clarified the guidelines around pedestrian accessibility for businesses trading in public areas.
“We’ve got to consider the appropriate uses of footpaths and how people will actually display items on footpaths so people with disabilities can actually travel on those footpaths or trail accesses.
“The policy has served us well in previous years. It is the time to review it, of course, and I believe the minor changes that have been made serve us well,” Cr Child said.
The Footpath Trading Policy provides businesses that utilise an area of a footpath clearer expectations to follow when it comes to pedestrian access.
For example, a restaurant with outdoor dining on a footpath has clear guidelines on where it can place signage and tables without blocking pedestrian flow.
The number of roadside trading permits for food trucks have nearly doubled from 15 to 28 since 2010, which prompted better clarification surrounding the rules for roadside traders.
This included similar guidelines surrounding signage and other elements such as appropriate clearances for parking and traffic.
Chandler Ward councillor Gareth Ward said the new policies provided “clear, modern rules” for businesses in the Yarra Ranges.
The council consulted with traders throughout November 2023 to March 2024, with further engagement being undertaken from 14 April to 18 May 2025 with the broader community.
The Disability Advisory Committee also approved of the changes.
The motion was carried unanimously.
