Council to stop renewing permits for roadside vendors

Roadside stalls across the South Burnett could face closure, with the council opting to not renew certain vendor permits, but declining to reveal exactly who will go and who will stay.

Lane’s Fresh Produce Kingaroy owner Les Lane has been operating his business on Walter Rd since January 2023. Some street vendors of the South Burnett will be forced to cease operation if the council goes ahead with a decision not to renew street permits once they run out.

Some street vendors of the South Burnett will be forced to cease operation if the council goes ahead with a decision not to renew street permits once they run out.

Lane’s Fresh Produce Kingaroy owner Les Lane has been operating his business on Walter Rd since January 2023.

On August 7, he said he was approached by the South Burnett Regional Council and asked to close down immediately.

It came as a shock to Mr Lane, who said he had already ordered extra product for the big upcoming weekend of BaconFest.

The Blackbutt businessman sold his produce near the rail trail easement in what he said was a verbal agreement he made with the council when he was unable to procure an official permit.

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Mitre 10 Kingaroy offered their carpark to Lane's Fresh Produce.

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Recently married, Mr Lane and his wife left their previous careers at the start of 2023 to pursue a business where they could work together and serve the community.

Mr Lane said he was told by the council’s compliance officer that roadside vending permits were no longer available to be accessed by businesses.

“I was shocked,” he said.

“The initial agreement was that I was able to work from Walter Road, as long as we kept the area clean and tidy, which we did.”

Mr Lane said he was able to negotiate a five-day extension to sell the extra stock he bought for BaconFest.

Lane’s Fresh Produce Kingaroy owner Les Lane has been operating his business on Walter Rd since January 2023.

He then had to scramble to find a new location for his business, thankfully Kingaroy Mitre 10 took the stall in.

“I heard back within 24 hours and we had secured a new location, the managers offered their car park,” Mr Lane said.

“The new spot is great and it’s proven to work, we just need to get the word out to our customers that we have changed location.”

Mr Lane said he feared fellow street vendors would encounter the same trouble.

“I feel as though the council are not supporting the little guys and are siding with the big corporations,” he said.

“Visitors from the region buy from these vendors, which flows onto the small businesses in the region.

“It would be a huge loss.”

A council spokesman said the council did not presently permit the activity known as Roadside Vending in the area.

“For example, this would include activities such as selling fruit, wood, seafood, coffee, etc. or any other goods on the side of the road or in a council regulated area,” the spokesman said.

“Prior to amalgamation, there were some historical roadside vending arrangements in place, which council must still honour.

“However, when they lapse, council’s present intention is to cancel them and not to reissue such an approval for that site again,” he said.

The Kingaroy Peanut Van has served tourists and locals the region’s delicacy since 1968, and has told the South Burnett Times they would not be affected by the change.

The council refused to provide more detail aas to which businesses would be affected by the change.

Mr Lane has started a petition encouraging the council to validate future street vending permits.

If you would like to sign the petition, click here.