Not McHappy with Coffs Council decision to reject Toormina McDonald’s

Dave Munro not happy with Toormina rejection while McDonald’s Australia says it’s reviewing the decision. Many, including Kerry Stichbury from Toormina Preschool, are applauding the decision.

Dave Munro, the potential franchisee of the Toormina McDonald's which was rejected by Coffs Harbour City Councillors at their recent meeting.

Dave Munro’s mother always told him - if you haven’t got anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.

“And I certainly don’t have anything positive to say about it.”

That was his response to Coffs Harbour City Council’s decision to knock back a development application for a McDonald’s at Toormina.

The original proposal was for a 24-hour outlet at Toormina Gardens shopping centre, but a report from senior staff recommended it be approved with the condition operating hours be restricted from 6am to 11pm.

But Cr Keith Rhoades raised a motion that the proposal be rejected outright even with the reduced operating hours and Mayor Denise Knight seconded this. They recognised Mr Munro as a good corporate citizen but felt it was the wrong location for such an establishment due to traffic constraints and existing problems with anti-social behaviour.

An image of what the Toormina McDonald's would look like.

Crs Swan and Townley supported the motion to reject it, outnumbering Crs Adendorff and George Cecato who wanted to see it go ahead.

Cr Paul Amos declared a pecuniary interest based on the fact he ‘occasionally runs joint business promotions with the applicant’ (as outlined in the minutes) and did not vote.

Cr John Arkan was absent and requested a leave of absence for the month of May which was supported unanimously.

As the potential franchisee for the new outlet, Mr Munro addressed Councillors prior to the vote saying he was born and bred in Coffs Harbour.

“I started by McDonald’s journey as a 15-year-old employed in Coffs Harbour’s first McDonald’s restaurant in 1985,” Mr Munro said.

He operates several other outlets including the ones at north Coffs, Coffs Service Centre, Grafton, Nambucca Service Centre, and in Kempsey.

Other than stating his obvious disappointment, he emphasised he was speaking as the potential franchisee and that McDonald’s Australia were the applicants.

The company confirmed it’s reviewing the decision and considering their options.

“We are disappointed with the outcome of last week’s Council meeting.

“Every McDonald’s restaurant is committed to supporting the community within the area it operates through job creation, economic investment and ongoing training and development opportunities,” a McDonald’s Australia spokesperson said.

Toormina Community Preschool.

Many, including Kerry Stichbury from Toormina Preschool, are applauding the decision.

She says the area is notorious for “anti-social” behaviour and that the school has already installed “high fences with spikes on top” but, unlike the Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre, cannot employ security guards to protect the school grounds.