Residents near proposed Mt Evelyn McDonald’s fear fast food giant will bring more than just burgers

A group of Mt Evelyn residents are spitting chips over plans to build a McDonald’s in their town, fearing it will attract anti-social behaviour

Homes surround the proposed McDonalds site on Hereford Rd, Mt Evelyn.

Angry hills residents fear a proposed McDonald’s restaurant will bring an increase in crime to their quiet neighbourhood.

Yarra Ranges Council has 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.

The restaurant, complete with a dual-lane drive thru is proposed for the southern half of the site, while the childcare centre would be built on the northern half.

A render of the proposed Mt Evelyn McDonald's on Hereford Rd.

Kathryn Dunn, who lives next to the proposed site, said she was concerned about people loitering around the McDonald’s late at night.

“It is a very residential area,” she said.

“So many families have kids, and we all have dogs.

“It is not a good location for a McDonald’s.”

Ms Dunn also said there was no public transport near the proposed site.

“Bored young kids need somewhere to gather at night, and that will be the McDonald’s,” Ms Dunn said.

“There will be no way for them to leave other than walking the residential streets nearby.

“I am scared graffiti will ramp up because the kids are bored.”

Residents are also concerned there is no police station manned at night in Mt Evelyn.

“If something was to happen, police will have to drive from Lilydale,” she said.

“They won’t be getting to the incident anytime soon.”

Hereford Rd residents will share a fence line with the proposed McDonald’s drive thru.

Katie Coker will share a fence with the fast food outlet if the proposal is accepted.

“The granny flat in my back yard will be 3m away from cars waiting in the drive thru,” she said.

“I don’t want to hear kids fighting about happy meal toys, and the constant beeping of the machines or the sound of the orders being taken.

“I won’t be able to sit outside in peace.”

Ms Coker said she feared sitting outside with her grandchild with a constant stream of cars flowing through the drive thru.

“It is just another added stress for me,” she said.

“Why would anyone ever think this is a good idea for a McDonalds?”

A McDonalds spokesperson said the fast food giant was committed to being a “good neighbour.”

“We will continue to work with the council and the community to understand and address feedback,” they said.

“McDonald’s restaurants provide hundreds of local jobs and contribute to local communities, including the support our licensees give to community groups and causes, such as local sports teams and facilities.

“If approved, the Mt Evelyn restaurant will inject more than $5m into the local economy and create 100 jobs during construction, as well as a further 120 jobs once operational.”

McDonalds did not comment on addressing residents fear of crime in the area.