By Mikayla van Loon
With a proposal to build on the site of a popular sporting destination, fast food giant McDonald’s is making an attempt to score real estate in Mount Evelyn.
Submitting plans to Yarra Ranges Council on 18 December for both a 24/7 McDonald’s and an adjacent childcare centre, the land at 19-23 Hereford Road, currently the Pro Futsal Stadium and physiotherapy clinic, has been eyed off for development.
The planning permits, which are currently under assessment, are estimated to cost $4.5 million for the fast food restaurant and $3.5 million for the 108-place childcare.
Social media lit up just a few days after the submission was made by Planning Property Partners on behalf of the two entities vying for the land.
A group of objectors has since formed called ‘No McDonald’s in Mount Evelyn’, garnering close to 480 members, “to work together to stop the development of a McDonald’s”.
A similar group who protested against the Tecoma Maccas, ‘No Maccas in the Hills’ is backing the call to stop the build.
In between the outcries calling it a “disgrace” and “McYuk”, some residents have taken the stance to work with the food giant to advocate for better outcomes.
“I’d want excellent waste management along the Mt Ev section of the rail trail. I’d also prefer it isn’t open 24 hours and that lights are turned off by a certain time so the rest of us can enjoy the stars,” one Mount Evelyn resident shared.
She went on to say “friends who strenuously opposed the Tecoma development, who are now quite happy with how things turned out” because of the opportunities and investment.
“They said businesses there have boomed and that there are far more goods and services stores than before. The locals also love their kids having somewhere to work that doesn’t involve driving down the mountain,” she said.
“These friends have also shared that, no matter what concerns/complaints were taken to Maccas, that they’d find a way to comply and rectify/alleviate the concern (therefore just saying “we don’t want a Maccas, we don’t like it” simply isn’t a reasonable argument).”
A survey however, posted to the Mount Evelyn Community Forum page returned a result of 72 per cent opposed to the development from 507 votes.
Traffic management and litter were the two main concerns raised by residents of the small hillside township.
While there were arguments that a McDonald’s would increase visitor traffic, others said the off-street car park provided in the plans could be a safer option than the current street parking.
“The reduced risk of hitting a child because there will be no need to run across the road anymore during sporting events,” an anonymous poster said.
“No one is going to go out of their way to come to the Mt Evelyn Macca’s. They will capture their customers from traffic already passing through. Those on the edge of Mt Evelyn, along Hereford, York and Birmingham Roads, may visit the Maccas in Mt Evelyn rather than go to Macca’s in Lilydale or Kilsyth,” a resident of 40 years said.
In a statement, McDonald’s Australia said it was committed to providing the best outcome for the township, including work opportunities.
“McDonald’s is committed to supporting the community it operates in through creating jobs, investing in the economy, supporting local community groups and providing ongoing training and development opportunities for employees,” it said.
“If approved, the restaurant will inject over $5 million into the local economy and create 100 jobs during construction, as well as a further 120 jobs once operational.”
This was something raised by residents onboard with the application proposal as a positive outcome for the town.
“Think about the teenagers that can get work!! I think having Maccas in Mount Evelyn is a great idea,” someone said.
As the permit application progresses, McDonald’s said it would work with the community.
“We are committed to being a good neighbour and engaging with [the] council and the local community throughout the development application process.”
