McDonald’s lodges application to build at High St, Northcote

A fast-food giant is hoping to build its latest restaurant in a trendy Melbourne street — but locals are far from lovin’ it.

McDonald's has launched an application to build a restaurant at High St, Northcote

Melbourne’s “coolest street” could get a golden arches makeover if a fast-food giant has its way and builds in the trendy neighbourhood — but locals aren’t lovin’ it.

It comes as McDonald’s submitted a planning application with Darebin City Council in Melbourne’s north to build a restaurant at 323 High St, Northcote — the former home of The Pavillion restaurant and Northcote Arcade.

In its application filed on July 2, McDonald’s has applied to council to ammend the existing permit — from 2001 — on the site to allow for the venue to operate 24/7.

The venue has been vacant for more than a year after The Pavillion was gutted by fire.

Despite the proposal still being in its early stages, locals say a McDonald’s would be a “bad fit” for the street that was deemed the world’s “coolest” by Time Out magazine last year.

Katy Robinson, who owns Captain Robbo on High St and is the secretary of the Northcote Business Association, said businesses were “shocked” to hear about the application.

“We really pride ourselves on having lots of small business along the strip that are different from the big shopping plazas and that’s why people come to us,” she said.

“It would really change the feeling of the strip.”

The proposed site for a new McDonald's on High St in Northcote Picture: Himangi Singh

Captain Robbo owner Katie Robinson says businesses are against a McDonald's opening on the street Picture: Himangi Singh

Likewise Nina Bondarenko — who runs the Silk Road rug store — said a McDonald’s would be “so out of place” on High St.

“This street is a cultural hub, it has restaurants from many different cultures,” she said.

“We lament something so big and commercial in this area because it just won’t fit, so certainly will be lobbying to say ‘no, thank you’.”

Northcote resident Franc de Petro said the community never expected a McDonald’s to be considered for this location.

“The area has a lot of small, family-run businesses and plenty of places that do burgers, which the community really likes to support and get to know their local operators,” he said.

“The concern is that McDonald’s in that spot there on Ruckers Hill would not be a good fit because that has been a place to dine and it’s also got an outside area.

“That part of Northcote, there is not a lot of fast food. There’s no multinationals, so it’s just not in keeping with the area.”

The Herald Sun understands the proposed site would not have a drive-thru.

An online petition has urged Darebin Council to knock back the “unnecessary” fast-food proposal, warning it would damage High St’s character and hurt local businesses.

Northcote Business Association president Andrew Mansfield said the group “strongly opposed” a McDonald’s being built on the street.

“Independent operators along the High Street precinct have built and curated a thriving mix

of local businesses that have serviced our local community for decades,” he said.

“We do not believe that the granting of this permit for this business will have a positive outcome for our existing business community or be welcomed by our bordering residents.”

Darebin City Council chief executive Anne Howard said the planning application had not been progressed beyond initial assessment.

“The planning application (an amendment to an existing permit from 2001 for a café) has not been approved. Council received the application to amend on 2 July 2025 and the application is currently under initial assessment,” she said.

“No comments or objections have been received from surrounding business in relation to the application to date. The application was received on 2 July 2025 and is under initial assessment. The application has not been advertised, as the proposal has not progressed beyond initial assessment.”

A McDonald’s Australia spokeswoman said the company was “excited by the possibility of joining the Northcote community”.

“A new Macca’s in Northcote represents an investment of more than $2m and will mean more than 100 new local jobs and more support for local community groups in the area,” she said.

“We’ve been part of Melbourne communities since 1973, employing thousands of people, serving up a locally sourced menu and providing convenient destinations for customers looking for great everyday value and those iconic Macca’s moments.