UPDATED 8pm: Murrindindi Shire today quickly issued a press release after poorly handling a problem of its own making. Director of Assets and Development, Stuart McConnell added to the problem by ‘aggravating’ social media comments further.
Over 500 local people have now signed a change.org petition to allow food vans to continue to trade at the former Glenburn Hotel site on the Melba Highway.
“Council claims to appreciate roadside trading is valued by the community and adds to the ‘local vibrancy,’ ” McConnell said.
“We [council] are aware that two vans have traded from this location for some time, and more recently the number of food vans using the site has increased. This has triggered the need to look more closely at the site. Safe access to the highway is a critical issue at this site.
“We realise that roadside trading can be a great addition to a community – particularly one where there are long distances between facilities and town centres such as in Glenburn.
“Council also has an obligation to make sure such businesses are safe and appropriately sited. State planning and road management rules restrict trading uses and access from arterial roads at this site.
“Council has been working to identify suitable locations where such trading can be safely conducted.
“This is not about any one business. Council contacted all of the food vans operating at this site regarding their operations. Our aim is to support those businesses to find appropriate locations where they can continue to operate.
“Another consideration here is the future use of this site. A planning permit issued for rebuilding the tavern on this site requires that building must commence by November this year.
“Council has been working with traders to identify suitable locations where such trading can be safely and appropriately conducted.
Murrindindi Shire has already met with one business and will meet another on Friday 15 March.
McConnell said if businesses need more time to enable this to happen council will work with local businesses.
