Residents concerned newly opened McDonalds Nuriootpa an ‘accident waiting to happen’

Residents of a Barossa town fear youths could die vying for a burger in a risky game of chicken just days after a fast food chain opened beside a busy highway.

Residents of a Barossa town have raised concerns schoolchildren are putting themselves at risk for a burger after McDonalds opened its first store in the region beside a national highway.

McDonalds Nuriootpa opened last Monday to the delight of many, but just a few days after opening, locals reported seeing people dangerously crossing the adjacent Sturt Hwy.

Thechain which forms part of a larger $15m service complex, is the first business on site to open, with KFC and petrol station to follow in the coming months.

A Nuriootpa resident, who asked not to be named, said she saw young people riding push bikes on the highway at night to reach McDonalds.

“I saw two teenage girls riding their bikes on the highway all over the road and sadly not wearing helmets, quite concerning on day one of opening, how long until there is a death or bad accident?” she said.

An artist impression of the completed Nuriootpa service station which developers say will be the first of its kind in the region. Picture: Supplied, Access Planning

Another Nuriootpa local, Jig Zidov said the number of children crossing the four lane highway after school was frightening.

“My concerns are children crossing a highway with trucks travelling at 8okm/h,” Ms Zidov said.

“A truck cannot stop quickly, I saw 14 kids crossing that highway the other day to go to McDonalds in all directions, it’s a disaster in the making.

“I have grave concerns for the safety of these children.”

In February Access Planning director David Hutchison said the development would be the first of its kind in South Australia for driver convenience and safety, replicating large interstate highway stops.

“It’s the first formal highway rest stop that’s been constructed in South Australia, if you look interstate, just about every state has highway rest stops which involve fast food outlets and provide large areas for people to relax and properly take a break,” Mr Hutchison.

McDonalds Nuriootpa has opened on the Sturt Highway while most of the new service centre remains under construction. Picture: Jason Katsaras

In a statement a McDonalds spokesperson said the health and safety of their customers was its top priority.

“In the development application process, McDonalds worked closely with council and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to ensure customers can safely access the restaurant,” the spokesperon said.

“Concerns related to the use of surrounding roads should be directed to police or council, as they are outside McDonalds influence and control.”

Another Barossa resident KJ Mibus took to Facebook to offer a solution, suggesting a foot bridge or tunnel would make crossing the highway safe.

“A foot bridge or tunnel is the go, a 50km/hr speed limit being a major highway … I’m not sure they’ll get approval,” he said.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has been contacted for comment.