The organisation’s proposal to host food trucks for a Christmas-New Year festival and then on a regular basis through to May has annoyed fellow traders.

Restaurant owners, shopping centre West End Plaza and fellow entertainment behemoth, the Commercial Club, have registered their objections with Albury Council.

They want the city to stop the plans, arguing they will damage existing vendors and cause job losses and cafe closures.

Brick Lane’s Kate Bullock reflected much of the sentiment.

“By adding the proposed outdoor event during the busiest week of trade, and thereby introducing several competitors, it will decimate our business,” she told the council.

The SS&A Club describes the Food Trucks Festival as an opportunity to “showcase the tastes and flavours of different cultures and nationalities” by bringing suppliers from Melbourne to Albury.

The rationale for the tucker trucks operating through until May is the need to replace a kitchen, coffee shop and bistro undergoing renovation.

In its application, the club’s consultant stresses the appeal of the venture to its members and tourists.

“The exciting new offering to try over summer will further highlight SS&A as the premium venue in Albury-Wodonga, a venue that is always creating more reasons to come,” Planit Consulting touts.

From councillors’ point of view there is one key question –  is granting the applications justifiable?

No doubt those objecting have a sizeable amount of self-interest driving their concerns, but that does not mean some of their points are invalid.

Money will leave the city that otherwise would have recirculated in the Border economy and there will be no long term employment spin-off.

The other issue is that unlike Yarrawonga, which had a food truck festival earlier this year on Lake Mulwala, the vendors will be based at a private business. 

As a tourism drawcard for Albury, a food trucks festival would be better suited to the Murray River parks rather than the CBD which has numerous eateries.

Like a smorgasbord, there is plenty of food for thought in this matter.

It seems unavoidable that councillors’ final decision will be sweet and sour.