News Brief

Food trucks to patrol City

The City of Sydney is taking expressions of interest for late night portable food stalls to roam the streets.

The Council is looking for gourmet menu offerings as part of its night time Sydney policy.

“People have been telling us it’s hard to get a restaurant-quality meal in Sydney after 10pm, and they want more access to quality casual dining,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said.

“Mobile food trucks can help fill the role of providing high quality food at different places throughout the night.”

City of Sydney was inspired by the American sensations of food trucks and their social media led cult followings in cities like New York, Los Angeles and Portland

“These businesses offer good quality food and a welcoming vibe. They’ve generated a real sense of excitement around their businesses and we want to bring that excitement to Sydney,” the Lord Mayor said.

Car market starts up

A new phase in the Victoria St backpacker saga has officially commenced with last week’s opening of the backpacker car market.

The car market has opened in the Kings Cross Car Park after a number of complaints from nearby residents and businesses.

The car market will be open between 9am and 4:30pm and will be free for the first three months.

Signs will be installed around the area to alert residents and backpacking salesmen of the new operation.

“For years, residents have been frustrated with backpackers choking on-street parking while they try to sell their vehicles,” said the Ms Moore.

She recently led a bill through parliament granting City rangers the power to fine backpackers selling their vehicles on the street.

Ms Moore successfully negotiated a Private Members Bill through Parliament banning vehicle sales on problem streets.

“The car market will provide an alternative site for backpackers to sell their vans to ensure the problem doesn’t spread to neighbouring streets.

“It is a unique problem – overseas backpackers’ parking their vans on the street to sell them. This is a significant breakthrough for those residents who have been putting up with it for far too long,” Ms Moore said

“We know the number of backpacker vans for sale traditionally worsens over summer as tourist numbers peak.

“While we warmly welcome backpackers and international visitors to our city, we also have a responsibility to ensure their actions don’t unfairly impact on local residents and businesses.”

Buskers get Hyde Park licence

The City of Sydney Council has cocked up a new busking policy which allows for some street performers access to central Hyde Park.

The policy is part of a temporary plan for reviewing the city’s busking. A permanent plan will go on exhibition in April 2012.

Other changes include restricting busking on the entrance to both the Queen Victoria Building and Broadway Shopping Centre.

Animals will no longer be allowed to participate in busking acts and busking accreditation will be easier to achieve, particularly for those travelling from overseas or interstate.