Brisbane’s food trucks have boomed, but some vendors say the council system is failing
Brisbane has recorded a boom in food trucks and coffee carts popping up in public spaces after the council overhauled the industry by increasing operating locations sevenfold.
But business owners are divided on the program, with some complaining that it is more expensive and burdensome than the previous system.
Brisbane City Council is touting the success of its Food Trucks and Coffee Carts in the Parks programme, with nearly 2900 vendor bookings and more than 17,000 hours trading since its launch in July.
“We are proud to offer local operators more ways to trade while creating more things to see and do in our suburbs,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.
The number of commercial spaces approved by the council increased from 13 to 98 citywide in eight months; Wynnum Wading Pool, Les Atkinson Park in Sunnybank and Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park were among Brisbane’s most frequently booked food truck sites.
The new “streamlined” system includes the Brisbane Food Trucks website, the council said. interactive map to make them easier to find.
Montica Pizza owners Tilan Rajapakse and Monique Forster said they were happy with how the program worked.
“It allows us to bring our food directly to neighborhood parks, right where we love to be,” the duo said in a statement.
“The new website makes it easier to book sites and gives us access to more locations across Brisbane.”
The new system uses three layers to restrict trading areas. These cost $450, $1650 or $2200 per year, with better and more trading venues available for those who pay the higher price.
Businesses must also pay a $160 application fee that must be renewed annually.
Sam Benjamin, who runs the Recharge Coffee truck in Carina, Minnippi Parklands, said when he was told about the new system last year, he immediately knew it wouldn’t suit coffee carts that rely on repeat business.
“Not only is it more expensive, but your access is also restricted,” he said.
“So you’re not given six months off somewhere. You’re basically told that you can only book six weeks in advance and that you have three slots in the day that you can book once a week.”
“I was open six days a week, and now you’re telling me I’m allowed to be open one day a week for three hours?”
After petitioning the council, Benjamin’s was allowed to continue operating six days a week under the previous Park Activation program.
Headland Coffee cart owner Daniel Kavan joined the Tier 1 program last year for $450 plus appearance fee.
“A lot of places in this first level were really terrible, like really quiet parks or spots in parks that were away from the playground and sports field,” Kavan said.
“The first time I did it, I sold a can of Coke for the three hours I was there.”
Kavan said the council had agreed to give him a pro-rata refund on his licence.
Business continuity was another issue raised by vendors.
“If you’re used to trading in a particular spot, and your customers are used to seeing you there, there’s nothing to stop someone else from passing you to book that spot,” Kavan said.
A council spokesman said the multi-tiered system was implemented based on feedback from local businesses.
“We have also made other changes to accommodate additional requests from dealers for more driving space,” the spokesperson said.
“We are always happy to get feedback on board.”
Other business owners complained that the website did not list all participating traders as before and only showed trucks trading on a particular day.
The previous system allowed the public to view all vendors enrolled in the council’s scheme and book privately.
A council spokesman said they were “currently planning to include” the full list on the new website.
Sixty-four sellers had signed up since July 2025.
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Nick Dent is a Culture Reporter for the Brisbane Times covering the arts and things to do in the city.Connect via email.
