News

What you told us about the Activation of Council Land Policy

2 July 2024

Between 19 March and 30 April 2024, we heard from 60 community members via the online survey, 43 submissions (dropped pins) on the social map, 3 written statements, 2 direct submissions to Council officers, and 3 phone calls, about their views to help inform the draft policy.

Support for additional mobile businesses in Bayside

Additional mobile vending locations were generally well received with 62% of respondents either strongly or somewhat supporting the initiative (strongly support was the most frequent response with 40%, 24 respondents). 32% of respondents either strongly or somewhat opposed, and the remaining 6% were either neutral or not sure.

Many of the respondents 75% (45) had previously purchased food, drinks or an experience from a mobile business. Most used mobile vendors on weekends, 55% (33 respondents) and on public holiday, 23.33% (14 respondents). The most popular services previously used were food & beverage 86.67% (39) and ice cream 71.11% (32).

The 3 most popular services from respondents were:

  • Mobile food & beverages vendors 68.33% (41)
  • Coffee 66.67% (40)
  • Ice cream 46.67% (28).

Feedback also showed the majority of respondents were likely to use a vending service in all seasons: summer 80% (48), winter 71.67% (43), autumn 66.67% (40), and spring 65% (39).

The 5 most popular locations respondents wanted new mobile vending sites were:

  • Along the foreshore
  • Around sportsgrounds
  • Close to playgrounds or older adults equipment
  • In commercial/industrial areas\
  • Near dog parks.

Participants also had the opportunity to drop a pin on a social map on the consultation’s Have Your Say page to identify locations they would like experience mobile vendors. The most popular locations were along the foreshore between Brighton to Sandringham 70.73% (29), and Bayside reserves 29.26% (12).

Concerns raised about additional mobile businesses

Reasons respondents opposed or expressed concerns about the proposed new policy, included:

  • Increased litter
  • Additional mobile vendors would draw trade away from existing businesses.
  • Opposition to commercialising public open spaces, suggesting the quality of the open spaces will be reduced.

Find out more

Read the complete report on community engagement:

What we’re doing:

The draft policy will be developed in late 2024 through analysis of community and stakeholder feedback and review of existing related strategies and policies. The draft policy will align with theme 10 (Tourism, Commercial and Economic Opportunities) of the Bayside 2050 Community Vision, Goal 2 (Our people) of the Council Plan 2021 – 2025, Goal 3 (Use Council-controlled property to optimise commercial returns) of the Property Strategy 2022-2026, the Lease and License Policy 2023, the Bayside Open Space Strategy, the Economic Development Strategy, and the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Next steps:

After we draft the policy, we will open phase 2 of the community consultation to seek feedback on the draft policy before finalising the draft Activation of Council Land Policy. We anticipate Council to consider the policy for adoption at a meeting in early – mid 2025.