Bao bun food van approved for full-time operation in Kalbarri while business are still recovering from Seroja

A temporary food truck serving bao buns on the Kalbarri Foreshore has been allowed to operate seven days a week to help the tourist town cope with demand while many cyclone-hit businesses are still closed almost two years on. Food vans can be a controversial topic in Kalbarri, as some say there need to be more options to keep up with demand in the tourist town while others say they create a disincentive for fixed food retailers. But the Shire of Northampton last week backed The Bao Shed’s request to operate full-time. Public consultation found mixed views about the venture, with three submissions in support and two objections. One concern was for the ongoing viability of Kalbarri as a tourism destination should food outlets continue to resort to using mobile food vans over permanent commercial premises. Other submissions stated it was a “great idea” and was “much needed for the town”. Last year in June, the council agreed to trial a hub for mobile food vans to operate at Sally’s Tree to keep up with demand after cyclone Seroja forced businesses to close. Former Shire CEO Garry Keeffe told the Geraldton Guardian many businesses had not reopened since cyclone Seroja devastated the popular tourism spot, with just a handful of cafes and eateries up and running. He said Kalbarri remained in “recovery phase” and there was a lack of available food services being felt by tourists and locals on a day-to-day basis, especially during school holidays. “The Shire of Northampton’s Kalbarri townsite strategy seeks to enhance and develop Kalbarri as a tourist and family holiday destination, and it is considered that this application supports the strategy’s objectives,” he said. The Bao Shed arrived in Kalbarri from Broome in time for the New Year and will serve bao buns and Malaysian cuisine seven days a week between 12pm and 8pm at the Sally’s Tree car park on Kalbarri’s foreshore until June. The council voted to approve the service at this month’s meeting and would later review the operation of food vans in the busy tourist hub. Northampton Shire president Liz Sudlow said the council understood businesses’ fight, but at the same time there needed to be food options during Kalbarri’s tourist season. “The council has approved the food van to operate until June. When the time comes we will review how food vans operate in the future,” she said.