12/12/12 – A petition with 3775 signatures urging the state government to prevent fast food chains being built in the Dandenong Ranges will be tabled at the Legislative Assembly this week. This follows the commotion over VCAT’s decision to ignore the weight of community objections and thus grant McDonald’s Aust. planning permission to build its first outlet in the Dandenongs. Yarra Ranges Council had originally unanimously rejected McDonald’s application.
The petition was presented to local MP and Labor deputy leader James Merlino at Parliament House on Tuesday. Mr. Merlino, who has long supported the values of the unique tourist attractions and slow food character of the area, stated “My view is there should not be a Maccas in Tecoma. Thousands of people visit and live in the Dandenongs because it is different to the average suburb. Bringing a Maccas will change everything. The next thing we will see is a KFC in Belgrave, a Hungry Jacks in Monbulk and a Red Rooster in Olinda”
Spokesperson for one of the larger residents’ groups opposing McDonald’s gaining a foothold in the Dandenongs, Garry Muratore, warned that the outrage that had erupted is only the tip of the iceberg. “This petition is not just about the cultural impact of a massive 24/7 outlet on a sleepy Hills village, nor traffic congestion, nor the proposed outlet being opposite a kinder and a primary school. It’s about the voice of the people being ignored by VCAT’s blinkered parameters. When record letters of objection to council, record attendance at council meetings and massive numbers of residents involved in the VCAT appeal … when all this and more are basically disregarded by the developer-friendly terms of reference of VCAT, then parliament shouldn’t be surprised that residents are now up in arms.”
Mr. Muratore stated that, in the four months until the proposed outlet can be built, thousands of residents are participating in activities to send McDonald’s the message that they’re not welcome. “In response to the refusal by McDonald’s Australian CEO, Catriona Noble, to meet with state Planning Minister, Matthew Guy to discuss his concerns, Ms. Noble opened her inbox last week to receive 580 emails from those not at all pleased with her arrogance” said Mr. Muratore. “We’re now receiving messages of support from around Australia and are in the process of linking up with other similar groups to form a Green Arches Alliance.”
Excerpt from Hansard yesterday (12/12/12) when the petition was presented in Parliament by James Merlino.
State Deputy Opposition Leader James Merlino
Planning: Tecoma fast-food outlet
To the Legislative Assembly of Victoria:
The petition of residents of the Dandenong Ranges and other citizens of Victoria draws to the attention of the house the approval given by VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) to permit a fast-food convenience outlet to be built in the small township of Tecoma, despite the council of the Yarra Ranges Shire refusing the permit after over 1100 objections were submitted to council and over 300 submissions being presented to VCAT by objectors.
We also draw to the attention of the house:
– The restaurant is to be a 24/7 drive-through and is totally inappropriate for this location. Tecoma’s businesses are all shut by 11 p.m;
– the increase in traffic will impact on the roads in the immediate vicinity;
– these will both impact on the amenity of the local residents;
once this restaurant is built in Tecoma, the precedent has been set and this chain, and others, will then be able to be developed in the Dandenong Ranges;
– this unique tourist area, famous for its slow-food character, will then be destroyed forever.
The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly urges the Baillieu government to do everything in its power to provide legislation that will prevent further fast-food chains being built in the Dandenong Ranges.
By MrMERLINO (Monbulk)
