The Office of Local Government is developing an approvals process for mobile vendors to operate across multiple council areas. A survey was conducted of mobile businesses, councils, and other interested parties on mutual recognition for six weeks and closed on 24 October 2024.

Thank you to those who took the time to provide valuable feedback. The Office of Local Government has carefully considered all responses from the survey and prepared a proposed Mutual Recognition framework.

You can read a summary of the feedback received and the proposal in the Mutual Recognition Framework for Local Approvals Proposed Framework Report

If you have any enquiries please contact the Policy Team at vibrancy@olg.nsw.gov.au.

On 5th and 12th February 2025, the Office of Local Government held 2-hour online workshops with mobile businesses, local councils and industry body representatives to discuss the draft framework. Over 130 attendees engaged in robust discussion and provided valuable feedback. The Office of Local Government received over 300 questions and comments and 80 suggestions through the digital workshop board and online chat. The Mutual Recognition Workshops Feedback Summary Report responds to feedback received.

Key changes include:

• councils are not required to opt-in and they have discretion to recognise approvals when the legislation commences
• any approval for an activity issued under Part D or F7 of section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 can be recognised
• an approval can be recognised up to its expiry date, instead of limited to 12 months
• template application and recognition forms will be updated and available for councils to use, but they are no longer mandatory.

What is Mutual Recognition?

The NSW Government is introducing reforms to create more vibrant public spaces and increase economic opportunity. Mutual Recognition will help achieve this by reducing red tape and streamlining approval processes.

Currently a range of businesses must seek separate approval from councils in each council area they wish to operate, as required under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Mutual Recognition will allow certain mobile businesses to operate across multiple council areas by seeking approval once and having that approval recognised by other councils.

What types of businesses will the Mutual Recognition framework be available to?

This new framework is intended to be made available to the following business types:

• food trucks
• buskers
• outdoor fitness, and
• market stalls

and may also be rolled out to additional mobile business types as councils deem appropriate for their local government area.

Who is involved in developing the Mutual Recognition framework?

The Office of Local Government is leading on this work and collaborating with NSW Government agencies, councils, mobile businesses and with the public.

Relevant agencies include the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner and the Small Business Commissioner.

For further information on the Government’s Vibrancy Reforms: Vibrancy Reforms | NSW Government.