Food trucks to pull out of Murdoch

By Georgia Hackett

Food trucks will no longer be a permanent sight at Murdoch University as construction workers draw closer to completing the long-awaited ‘‘Student Hub’’.

Although it was meant have opened in August, the so-called new “heart and soul’’ of the South Street campus is not expected to be finished until at least next semester.

Food trucks that have been set up in a pop-up food court during construction will be replaced by a permanent student centre including study spaces and food and cooking facilities that aim to “improve the connectivity” of the university and become a “home away from home” for students.

Some students say while they will miss the ever-changing culinary options offered by the revolving food trucks, they won’t miss some of the prices.

“The food trucks are pretty good. You get a good variety and it’s always a surprise,” says Aiman Haziq, a 19-year-old student of journalism and screen production.

“As a Muslim, it’s really good for me because they have a Halal food truck here.”

Games art and design student Jayden Tuhiwai, 21, added that he has been feeling the pressure on his pocket after buying his lunch there every day.

“Uni students are not rich, especially me” he says.

When the new Hub opens, Aroma Café, currently operating as a food truck, will move into a permanent location inside the food court. The other food trucks will only come back to campus for events.

Planned cafes and a student kitchen prompted Murdoch Tavern manager Simon Turner to offer more specials in his newly opened eatery, which is only 25m from the entrance to The Hub.

While he predicts that the eventual opening of the Hub will lessen demand of the tavern kitchen for a while, he says their low prices and appealing specials will keep regular customers coming back.

“Students will know that they can get a good quality feed, for a reasonable price.”

He says the long-awaited kitchen has “exceeded expectations” since its opening several weeks ago and plans to continue his focus on creating affordable and filling specials to keep students well-fed without being too out of pocket.

“It’s just ridiculous  . . . I mean, you’re having to pay $13 or $14 for a wrap,’’ he says.

The Bounce tried to contact project manager of The Hub for comment on the predicted opening date, workers on site believe it will not open until Christmas 2018.

See how the new Hub is expected to look here.