Beachside kiosks

May 29, 2008: Bega Valley Shire Council will seek expressions of interest for licences to operate food vans at sites in Pambula Beach, Bar Beach and Short Point.

Council currently provides 12-months licences for food vans to operate at the three Council-managed reserves but operators have asked for longer tenure.

Council’s group manager of Infrastructure, Doug Mein, advised Councillors at their meeting on Tuesday that expressions of interest would offer an improved tenure option of a three year by three year licence,

It would also seek details of the proposed financial return to Council and proposals for enhanced amenity or appearance of the vans and surrounding areas.

Mr Mein said it was not proposed to significantly expand the function of the vans which would remain beachside kiosks that sell light refreshments.

He said the issue was not a major one for Council but, given the service the vans provided for people visiting the beaches, improvements in Council’s management of the kiosks was warranted.

Recent community involvement in a project to upgrade an area of Bar Beach was a good example of the strong desire to enhance the beach experience of visiting and local users, he said.

Expressions of interest will be called during June and July.