Yarra Ranges McDonald’s development application denied after community protest
McDonald’s will not be lovin’ it after a Melbourne council rejected its plans to set up shop in Mt Evelyn.
Outer East
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Mount Evelyn residents are celebrating after the Yarra Ranges Council rejected McDonald’s plans for a new restaurant and childcare centre.
The council received two planning applications for 19-23 Hereford Rd Mt Evelyn for a $4.5m McDonald’s restaurant and a $3.5m childcare centre, accommodating 108 children in December last year.
The restaurant, complete with a dual-lane drive thru was proposed for the southern half of the site, while the childcare centre would going to be built on the northern half.
The Mt Evelyn community rallied to fight the fast food giants proposal with a ‘No Maccas in Mt Evelyn’ campaign, similar to the failed ‘No Maccas in the Hills’ campaign in Tecoma.
The group held a community meeting with more than 200 attendees, letterboxed the neighbourhood and created a petition against the proposal.
More than 300 objections were lodged with the council against the McDonald’s and more than 80 objections were lodged against the childcare centre.
The council announced on Monday that both the planning application for the childcare centre and for the McDonald’s restaurant were rejected.
In the rejection notice, the council cited the proposal was denied because it did not meet the bushfire planning requirements and the proposed access lanes did not assess the impact on surrounding roads and properties.
“The proposed access arrangement is incompatible with the operation of Hereford Rd and likely to compromises road safety,” the rejection notice read.
“The proposal will lead to unacceptable road safety outcomes.”
The childcare centre was rejected on similar grounds.
Yarra Ranges councillor Tim Heenan said he was aware of the community concern around the proposal.
“I’m pleased to report to the Mt Evelyn community that the application has been refused and that the safety of our residents has been taken into account in the refusal of this application,” he said.
“The site for this planning application is in a residential area which would not be appropriate and the current issues of safety on Hereford Rd have been taken into account into the decision.
“The proposal is also seen as not meeting planning policy, is a poor urban design outcome and would result in an out of centre development.”
Yarra Ranges mayor Sophie Todorov also supported the rejection.
“When a state government agency objects to an application on the grounds of safety we must listen to their expert advice,” she said.
“It’s important when considering planning applications that the proposed development is suitable and appropriate for the location.
“It was clear on this occasion that this application is not suitable.”
No McDonald’s in Mt Evelyn group organiser Amy Kidd said the community was ecstatic with the rejection.
“We are really glad the council listened to the community and helped us shape the decision,” she said.
“There were so many concerns with the proposal and about the traffic and safety on Hereford Rd.”
Developers are able to apply for a review of the refusal at VCAT within 60 days of the rejection.
“If this goes to VCAT we will definitely keep fighting the proposal,” Ms Kidd said.
“We are hopeful it won’t go there because if it does we are concerned the community’s voice won’t be heard.”
McDonald’s have been contacted for comment.
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