Small businesses push back on fast food chain set to open near Strathalbyn schools

A fast food chain wants to build a new restaurant a short walk from a regional town’s schools – but small businesses fear it will cripple them during the cost of living pinch.

Strathalbyn residents are pushing back against the small town’s first fast food chain because of fears it will hurt family businesses and peddle junk food to schoolchildren.

The earmarked site would sit within 300m of the town’s four schools and near a busy roundabout, prompting concerns about traffic congestion and pedestrian safety.

But locals and business owners have pleaded with the regional planning authority to put a halt on approval until the community is consulted.

The application was lodged two weeks ago by Adelaide Development Holdings and is currently sitting with the Fleurieu Regional Assessment Panel.

The unknown chain venue would sit on the corner of East Tce and South Tce, with an 8.5m tall freestanding sign.

Strathalbyn Business Group co-ordinator Terry Scolari said while “competition is inevitable” between stores, smaller traders were worried about being crowded out.

Pestka Bakery owner Jane Pestka (centre) is worried about how the large chain would affect her business. Locals Michelle Fenner (left) and business group co-ordinator Terry Scolari have organised a petition calling for a stay of approval. Picture: Keryn Stevens

He has written to the Planning Minister on behalf of the 60-plus represented businesses requesting a stay of approval while the community can argue its case.

“There’s room for everyone but it’s a terrible location,” he said.

It is a view shared by Pestka’s Bakery owner Jane Pestka, who opened her store in 1988.

“It’s definitely going to slow down our business, and at the moment, that’s just not what we need,” the 57-year-old said.

“We do get our after school regulars, and I feel like with the novelty of a fast food shop, it might become the go-to place for kids.”

A spokesman for Planning Minister Nick Champion said the decision was entirely in the hands of the Fleurieu Regional Assessment Panel, which was not required to consult the community in this case.

Alexandrina Council chief executive Alan Harvey said the panel could only consider factors in the Planning and Design Code, which are laws managed by the state government.

“This statutory process does not enable third party material (such as petitions or written objections) to influence the assessment outcomes,” he said.

Nevertheless, a Change.org petition by Strathalbyn local Michelle Fenner, 53, has hit 600 signatures over the last two weeks.

She said the fast food giant was out of character for a small town of 8000 like Strathalbyn, which is “shaped by local businesses and community spirit, not large chains focused solely on profit”.

Strathalbyn Small Engines owner Barry Ives has run his workshop on the future site for the last 12 years and said he only found out about the development through word of mouth.

Mr Ives, 63, said the news came like a “punch in the face” and the landlord never told him about the decision to sell, but he is currently exploring legal options.

Business owner Barry Ives from Strathalbyn Small Engines said he will be pushed out of his site of 12 years if the fast food outlet goes ahead. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“I understand it’s his property and I have no problem with redevelopment, but I just want to be informed,” he said.

“I was planning to be here for another 10 or 15 years and now I have to figure out what to do next.

“The people who do the planning should think about what’s good for a small country town, and as far as I’m concerned, a fast food shop brings nothing to a suburb except rubbish and pollution.”

Alexandrina Council mayor Keith Parkes said he shared locals’ fears but it was outside of elected councillors’ powers.

“There are plenty of places to go and buy good quality food at reasonable prices, made by local people and families, and we don’t want to spoil that,” Mr Parkes said.