McDonalds of the fast food chain wants to build a resturant (sorry, I can't even think of McDonalds qualifying as a restaurant) in our small community in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne. People come up here to enjoy the forest, the wildlife, visit beautiful gardens and picnic grounds, get married in one of the many wonderful wedding venues, take a ride on Puffing Billy and if they want refreshments, there are many wonderful cafes and restaurants to cater for their every need. It is a totally inappropriate development for the area and what the Dandenong Ranges represents.
The local council voted no to the McDonalds planning application after the community was consulted and voted no to such a development. The site is opposite a kindergarten, primary school and not far from a local high school. The site is also adjacent to a two lane main highway which currently has huge traffic issues as a result of four lanes converging into two about 200 metres from the site. Of course McDonalds wants a drive through facility. Can you imagine evening peak hour, four lanes converging into two, people wanting to go into drive through resulting in even a greater back up of traffic?
After McDonalds found out their planning application had been rejected by council (a democratically made decision), they went to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal - VCAT and had council decision overturned which is why our community is outraged. There is a lot more I could say about the many reasons why McDonalds is not needed or wanted here in our beautiful community but rather than that, if you are interested in our plight, the following links give information about our very real problem. I would ask if you would consider signing the petition at www.change.org/burgeroff opposing the McDonalds development and visiting www.burgeroff.org and https://www.facebook.com/pages/NO-McDonalds-in-The-Dandenong-Ranges/220419864641673?hc_location=stream to understand the full story.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and take an interest in the right of a community to stop a development we believe will have a detrimental impact on our beautiful part of the world.
Anne
The local council voted no to the McDonalds planning application after the community was consulted and voted no to such a development. The site is opposite a kindergarten, primary school and not far from a local high school. The site is also adjacent to a two lane main highway which currently has huge traffic issues as a result of four lanes converging into two about 200 metres from the site. Of course McDonalds wants a drive through facility. Can you imagine evening peak hour, four lanes converging into two, people wanting to go into drive through resulting in even a greater back up of traffic?
After McDonalds found out their planning application had been rejected by council (a democratically made decision), they went to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal - VCAT and had council decision overturned which is why our community is outraged. There is a lot more I could say about the many reasons why McDonalds is not needed or wanted here in our beautiful community but rather than that, if you are interested in our plight, the following links give information about our very real problem. I would ask if you would consider signing the petition at www.change.org/burgeroff opposing the McDonalds development and visiting www.burgeroff.org and https://www.facebook.com/pages/NO-McDonalds-in-The-Dandenong-Ranges/220419864641673?hc_location=stream to understand the full story.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and take an interest in the right of a community to stop a development we believe will have a detrimental impact on our beautiful part of the world.
Anne
Your community needs to do what it can to stop them. They are bullies and will do what they want to get in there. Keep up the good fight until your community wins. It will be worth it.
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry to read that you are having this problem. A village (!) close to us is having a similar battle.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that there is a right place for a fast food joint, and, yes, it would be a local employer, but why do they have to try and put them places that the locals don't want them?
What I don't understand is why they want to move into a neighborhood that has said they don't want them? That just makes no sense. Keep fighting!!
ReplyDeleteHurrah for common sense - the world does not need a McDonalds in every town. Horrid stuff.
ReplyDeleteSigned and hoping that you can stop them building Anne......I was wondering what your thoughts were about it. It would be such a shame to have it built.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how bad the traffic issues are already.
I've been keeping up to date with it when listening to 3AW in the mornings.......
Do you know where the intended franchisee is from? Can't imagine he's a local!!
Claire x
It is an outrage when a company can generate the power to overturn a decision. It has happened in places around here too. I remember you telling us about this when we ate at Michelangelo's in Buxton - I have signed the petition, I really hope things go your way.
ReplyDeleteSigned that petition Anne and I've shared it on my private FB page as I'm sure there are a many of my family and friends in Vic will be just as horrified by the bullying and undermining of local residents wishes as I am. I really hope your town are able to win this!
ReplyDeleteI hope you keep McD from your town!
ReplyDelete((hugs)), Teresa :-)