Frosty council ban scoops gelati vendor off island beaches
Beachgoers have gone into meltdown after a bayside council banned an ice-cream truck from two popular surf beaches. | VIDEO
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Life’s a beach for a bayside ice-cream vendor who has been banned from selling her frosty treats on two of the state’s more popular surf beaches.
Redland City Council’s decision to ban a beloved mobile ice-cream vendor, Hey Gelati Man, from selling ice-creams on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) beaches has left some beachgoers and visitors fuming.
The vendor, Deb Bliss, whose ice-cream truck has been a fixture at Home Beach and Cylinder Beach for more than two decades, has been ordered to relocate to the carparks due to Redland concerns over safety.
The ban followed the recent “Cabana-gate” controversy where Sydney beachgoers were incensed after beach tents were being used to reserve prime beachfront spots, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene.
Mr Albanese said the practice breached the principle that “everyone owns the beach” and labelled the use of cabanas to reserve beach spots as “unAustralian” and “not on”.
Now, Straddie locals are arguing that prohibiting the iconic ice-cream truck from its beach business, was a blow to Straddie’s the island’s culture.
Ms Bliss, who lives at Dunwich, recently bought the business from island resident Craig Frampton, who had unfettered access to the island’s beaches during his 36-year tenure.
“Hey Gelati Man is no longer allowed to operate on Home Beach and Cylinder Beach due to council regulations deeming it is not safe,” Ms Bliss said.
“I have been trying to fight the decision but not getting anywhere.
“To all my beautiful children, parents, grandparents, I miss the happy faces when you hear the bell.
“But until we can resolve this, I will be in the car park at Cylinder Beach.”
Redland City Council cited public safety as the rationale behind the ban but failed to reveal why it had allowed the practice for more than 20 years.
The sandy seller was brought to the council’s attention when an unsuspecting tourist posted a selfie claiming it “was awesome” to be able to buy a gelati on the beach.
A council spokesperson said the vendor’s operations violated local laws which prohibit driving motor vehicles on to bathing reserves or foreshores.
“There are a number of locations on both the mainland and island where mobile vendors can operate under a Temporary Commercial Use of Open Space permit,” the spokesperson said.
“This includes six locations on North Stradbroke Island all at Amity Point, Dunwich, or Point Lookout.”
Despite the council provisions, beachgoers said confining the van to the carparks ruined the experience of enjoying ice-creams on the beach.
Others worried that the ban reflected a broader trend of over-regulation, stifling the relaxed and community-focused atmosphere of the island.
Residents expressed frustration at what they said was an overly bureaucratic decision with many claiming the ice-cream van was part of the “charm of Straddie” and “a harmless tradition” that brought joy to families and kids.
“This is ridiculous as this has been a tradition for so many years,” said long-time visitor Jude Lunn.
“We were very sad not to get gelati on Home Beach this trip and it breaks my heart to lose this tradition.
“Why would someone complain?”
Island resident Richard Gee said authorities should crackdown on those breaking the speed limits on the island.
“Instead of worrying about the 20km/h the gelati truck does on the beach, they should police the idiots doing 80km/h down Main Beach while children run in and out of the surf.”
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Originally published as Frosty council ban scoops gelati vendor off island beaches
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