Rejected Mt Evelyn McDonalds site listed for sale, with fast food restaurant ambitions

An indoor soccer centre in Melbourne’s east, initially destined to become a McDonald’s restaurant before the council held up a red card to developers, is on the market.

The site is home to the Mt Evelyn ProFutsal centre until December 31 when its lease ends. Picture: Supplied.

A Mt Evelyn indoor soccer centre — earmarked to become a McDonald’s restaurant before being red carded by the local council — has been listed for sale.

A $4.5m McDonalds restaurant and a $3.5m childcare centre were originally planned for the ProFutsal centre site on 19-23 Hereford Rd before a community push saw more than 300 objections listed on the planning application.

The Yarra Ranges Council rejected the McDonalds proposal but granted a permit for a 104 student childcare centre.

Community members rallied against the McDonalds proposal. Picture: Supplied.

The entire site was listed for sale on Wednesday with a price tag of $4.75m.

The listing boasts the approved childcare centre permit as well as potential for the other half of the site to become a fast food restaurant as part of a “development scheme”.

A render of the proposed childcare centre on 19-23 Hereford Rd. Picture: Supplied.

“The property has strong investment potential with an enormous rental upside possible,” the listing read.

“Additional used for the site include owner occupation, residential, medical, recreation, aged care and hospitality.”
Locals who fought against the original McDonalds bid were frustrated by the sale listing.

“So every time this site gets sold, we have to go through this crap again,” Sue Moss said.
Expressions of interest for the site close on July 2.