TOOT! Toot! Perth city council this week approved a trial run of food trucks, a month after suburban Bayswater realised they might be alright.

From February 1 to May 31, up to 10 food trucks—defined as kitchens-on-wheels and not Mr Whippy vans—will be allowed to roll around the city.

They’ll pay $380.60 per permit, with a licence to park in chosen locations at least 50m from existing eateries: “I want to make sure we’re not causing too much direct competition to small businesses in the area,” Cr Reece Harley says.

Sydney had tried a 200m radius but that was too restrictive, and with so many restaurants that meant pretty much the only place vans could set up was in the middle of the harbour bridge.

Cr Judy McEvoy says she loved New York-style roasted chestnuts, but Cr Rob Butler advised food truck cuisine had moved on since then.

Vincent’s food truck policy remains stuck in neutral.

by DAVID BELL