Warrnambool council rejects new KFC at North Point Shopping Centre

Warrnambool Council has rejected a new KFC at a popular shopping centre, saying the proposal is “untenable”.

Warrnambool council has rejected plans for a new KFC in town, citing traffic congestion.

The application for North Point Shopping Centre to be home to a KFC restaurant was knocked back at council’s meeting on Monday night.

Councillor Angie Paspaliaris said she did not believe the car park on Mortlake Road could handle the increase in traffic.

There is also another KFC nearby on Raglan Parade.

“I just can’t envisage that the area can tolerate this type of business, particularly because of the drive-through and its implications are for the entry and exit area of Mortlake Road,” she said.

“I also do feel that the other close by intersections along Mortlake Road are really significant in terms of existing dangers.”

Councillor Debbie Arnott said she was concerned there would be congection in traffic flow.

“I think we’re all aware of just how large the queues can get around KFC, so I’m all for the refusal of the application,” she said.

Former mayor Richard Ziegler said the congestion would be “untenable” and ”unbelievable.”

But councillor Ben Blain disagreed, questioning why council would discourage a business from opening in Warrnambool.

“As long as they could fit in and meet the planning requirements for these, I don’t see why we should discourage a business from opening up in Warrnambool,” he said.

Councillor Vicki Jellie said she was not against a new KFC, but the location was not ideal.

“The growth corridor since (North Point Shopping Centre) was designed back in 2004 has just grown – if it didn’t have a takeaway drive through, I think it might have been different.”