Burger bus on the road to serving first snacks

After three years of blood, sweat, tears and the occasional overpriced quote, a Karratha man is months away from hitting the road to serve fresh, healthy hamburgers and other Aussie food.

Karratha resident Wayne Shaw came up with the creative business idea of a locally owned and run food bus three years ago in an effort to work more independently after years spent working in construction.

A butcher by trade, he said he had seen an opportunity in the form of a 12m 1980 model food bus for sale while travelling in South Australia in 2013.

“I’ve done all the construction side, a lot of contract work, which everyone does up here, and I wanted to have a go at something myself,” he said.

“I thought ‘well, everyone reckons my food’s all right, so why not have a go at it’.” Mr Shaw said he intended to start simply with hamburgers, using quality Australian meat including Harvey beef, fish, kangaroo and even crocodile, before branching out with different products such as toasted sandwiches and rolls.

He said it had not been an easy ride, with the amount of work required on the older bus and the transition to West Australian food bus regulations more complex than expected.

But what he saw as a need for better late-night food in the community kept him going.

“I just wanted to do something for Karratha,” he said.

“I’ve been here 14 years. I don’t mind the place, and I just want to put some decent food out there into this place (later at night).”

He said he had already been inundated with interest from people enthusiastic about the food bus idea, and hoped to begin operating before Christmas.

“I say the sooner the better,” he said.