Community says no to McDonald's near school

NUTRITIONAL experts will be called in the state's planning court this month to argue the merits of opening a McDonald's restaurant 200m from a primary school.

NUTRITIONAL experts will be called to argue the merits of opening a McDonald's restaurant 200m from a primary school.

Residents are challenging a decision by Charles Sturt Council's independent Development Assessment Panel to approve a McDonald's outlet on Port Rd opposite Woodville Primary School.

Health Minister John Hill, who has been actively targeting childhood obesity, said he was "disappointed McDonald's has chosen this site" and called for the fast-food industry to consider a code of conduct on the proximity of such outlets to schools.

"It's hard enough for parents to make good choices when it comes to feeding their families and resisting the pester power of hungry children and I would prefer it if fast-food restaurants weren't located close to schools," Mr Hill said.

"I believe it's time the fast-food industry accepted more responsibility to contribute to the Government's efforts to build healthy communities and considered a code of conduct on this issue."

Residents appealing against the development approval have support from University of South Australia nutrition expert Professor Kerin O'Dea and Flinders University social planning and childhood obesity expert Professor Fiona Verity.

Prof O'Dea said having a McDonald's outlet so close would undermine the school's participation in the State Government's Obesity Physical Activity and Lifestyle Program.

"While in theory people can select healthier options, the biggest sellers are not those healthy options, which are certainly not popular with children," Prof O'Dea wrote in a letter to the Environment Resources and Development Court.

"It would be a very regressive step for this wonderful community initiative ... to be undermined by a fast-food outlet such as McDonald's close to the school."

Prof Verity, who will appear before the court during a four-day hearing from April 23, also tendered a letter in which she states there is a link between "how close people live to fast-food outlets and their consumption of fast food".

McDonald's said it also would call evidence from an "independent external nutritionist" and that the new restaurant would create between 80 and 100 local jobs.

Charles Sturt Mayor Kirsten Alexander, who called on McDonald's to move the planned outlet, said Development Act changes in 2006 meant councillors were denied a voice when planning matters went before the independent DAP.

"As elected members, we have absolutely no power to influence a decision of the DAP, whereas until five or six years ago council could call in a decision of the DAP if they didn't agree with that, as councillors we no longer have the power to do that," Ms Alexander said.

"Therefore council is forced into ... defending a decision using ratepayers' money when a resident appeals it, so whether we like it or not we are defending that decision, so it's a very difficult position."

She supported the Health Minister's suggestion for a buffer zone for fast-food outlets around schools.

Residents group spokeswoman Pam Reichelt said many parents would have to walk past the McDonald's with their children on their way to and from school.

"I am not against McDonald's at all, they can build where they like as long as it is not next to a school," Ms Reichelt said.