Chirnside Park Maroondah Highway site: McDonald’s, KFC Taco Bell opening

A vacant Maroondah Highway block will be transformed into a multimillion-dollar development, with three big names moving in.

A new development has been unveiled for the former Kaufland site in Chirnside Park.

A huge new development is set to transform a vacant Chirnside Park block, with three fast food giants moving in.

KFC, McDonald’s and Taco Bell are set to open at 266-268 Maroondah Highway, formerly owned Kaufland, after Yarra Ranges councillors approved a planning application at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

The multimillion-dollar project, which also includes 10 retail premises, five shops and a food and drink premises, is set to create more than 150 new jobs.

According to the council report, the proposal also has the potential to reduce “escape spending” outside of the local area by about $18.9m.

The 3.91ha site neighbours the Eastridge bars and restaurant, Bunnings, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi and the Good Guys.

Troon Group managing director Tom McInerney told the council meeting his company had purchased the site nearly 12 months ago from Kaufland.

Mr McInerney said he was looking forward to work starting on the new development.

“We’re not a sit and wait developer; we’re a get in there and do it developer,” he said.

“So hopefully after tonight if we’re successful we’ll be looking to move straight onto construction.”

Kaufland had started works on its Maroondah Highway site between Dan Murphy's and Eastridge in Chirnside Park before pulling the pin in 2020. Picture: Google

Mr McInerney said 160 full-time jobs would be created through new retailers on the site, as well as 75 construction jobs.

Cr Richard Higgins said it was a fantastic outcome for locals, and praised the developers for coming up with the new plan for the site in 12 months.

Cr Jim Child said it was “a really exciting development” for Chirnside Park.

“When you look at coming out of Covid, with that amount of jobs when it opens, but also through construction, that’s going to be amazing for our region,” he said.