Delegates from the Hills community, who were invited to discuss their concerns regarding the proposed Tecoma development with State Planning Minister Matthew Guy, were greatly encouraged by the support the Minister offered.

Mr. Guy repeated his misgivings about how VCAT has expressly ignored the weight of community objections in its deliberations.

The Minister emphasised that areas like the Dandenong Ranges carry strategic advantages for their distinctive character, stating

“I am becoming more and more concerned that the character

of certain areas needs to be taken into account.”

As the high profile groundswell of community outrage rises against the proposed McDonald’s outlet in Tecoma, the Minister has made a firm response. He has stated that he would consider a submission from the Shire of Yarra Ranges which articulates a new design and development overlay for the Dandenong Ranges.

Our four delegates on the steps of Parliament House prior to the meeting with the Minister

More meetings are planned to address the proposed McDonald’s outlet, which has attracted a record number of objections over concerns such as environmental loss, proximity to schools, social impact and traffic bottlenecks. Community spokesperson Karl Williams was elated with the outcome, “The proposal has been likened to putting a brothel in a cathedral – given its iconic location looking up to Sherbrooke Forest, it’s no wonder that a tidal wave of outrage has been set in motion.”

Subject to the minister’s availability, he has agreed to a second meeting in the next month. His staffers have already inspected the site and reported back to him.

 Below are the Agreed actions and outcomes of the meeting that occurred:

1. The Minister listened to our concerns about the VCAT process. He also expressed concerns regarding the lack of consideration of the weight of community objections by VCAT.

2. The Minister expressed a willingness to meet with the Shire of Yarra Ranges Council and the CEO of McDonalds Australia, Ms. Catriona Noble, to discuss the Tecoma application.

3. The Minister outlined one of the key strategic advantages of Melbourne is its distinctiveness of places, like the Macedon Ranges, the Morning Peninsula and the Dandenong Ranges. As he commented:
‘They are different for a reason’.

4. The Minister agrees with the Dandenong Ranges community that the Dandenong Ranges is a different place with a distinct character. As he stated:
‘I am becoming more and more concerned that the character of certain areas needs to be taken into account.’

5. The Minister said he would consider a submission from the Shire of Yarra Ranges which articulates a new design and development overlay for the Dandenong Ranges.

6. The Minister has agreed to a second meeting which will occur before the end of the year, subject to his availability.

7. A number of petitions, letters and maps were tabled at the meeting which articulated the concerns of Dandenong Ranges residents about the amenity impacts of the proposed McDonalds in Tecoma.

8. A ‘No McDonalds in the Dandenong Ranges’ petition will be tabled in early December”