By-law mooted for regulation of Uber Eats and other social food delivery services in Hobart

A new by-law may be considered by the Hobart City Council as a way to regulate the growing number of food delivery services.

A NEW by-law may be considered by the Hobart City Council as a way to regulate the growing number of food delivery services.

In January, frustrated North Hobart traders were urging the council to move on Uber Eats drivers who were clogging up parking spaces while they wait for orders.

Agitated shop owners and drivers for the app were having verbal altercations along Elizabeth St as the fight for parking spots escalated.

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There were reports of drivers using parking spaces outside restaurants for up to an hour while waiting for orders.

Off the back of these concerns, council officers held meetings in February and March, including with representatives from Uber Eats.

North Hobart's restaurant strip is apparently choked with food delivery drivers occupying parking spaces until they get an order to collect. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Alderman Marti Zucco said the recent influx of food delivery services meant the council needed to ensure food was being delivered in a manner that was not a health risk to the public.

He is behind the push for a by-law, which could regulate the parking of vehicles as well as food handling standards.

“I spent three days in North Hobart talking to drivers and explaining where they’re meant to park and I noticed a number of things that really concerned me,” Ald Zucco said.

“In one vehicle I saw a dog mat and others were absolutely full of rubbish and yet these people are delivering food.

“Under the Health Act, traditional food delivery vehicles must be registered and regulated and must meet strict criteria. Here we are allowing people to deliver food in vehicles that potentially are not suitable for these purposes and could be a health hazard.

“The potential for contamination of food is a concern to me as someone who worked in the food industry for many years.”

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A council report said the State Growth Department had rejected its request to consider a permit sticker infringement system for delivery drivers.

“It was indicated that the likelihood of any legislation being introduced in Tasmania to control the use of social food delivery vehicles is minimal,” the report reads.

The council has recently introduced initiatives in an attempt to clamp down on food delivery vehicles in North Hobart, including a dedicated parking zone in Burnett Place and increased frequency of parking patrols extending to 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

The full council will vote on commissioning a report into introducing a by-law at its meeting on Monday night.