Maccas protest train

By EMMA SUN
TECOMA’S anti-Maccas campaigners are encouraging all supporters attending the VCAT hearings next week to travel in together on the same train carriage.
Claire Ferres Miles from No Maccas in the Hills and David Jewell from the Tecoma Village Action Group (TVAG) urged residents to show their support and gather for the cause, but warned everyone to be on their best behaviour.
“We encourage as many people as possible to attend,” Mr Jewell said.
“But we urge everyone to be on their best behaviour because it is a tribunal – there’ll be no protest banners in the area at all, we just want people to show they’re concerned.”
Yarra Ranges Council last October rejected Maccas’ planning application at 1529 Burwood Highway, Tecoma, but the restaurant decided to appeal the decision to VCAT just before Christmas.
There has so far been more than 1000 objections lodged to the council, and a further 300 individual objections sent directly to the tribunal.
The group have requested one of the biggest tribunal rooms at VCAT, which will be able to seat at least 100 people.
The hearings will be held from 6 to 13 August from 10am to 4pm at VCAT, 55 King Street, Melbourne.
The group will be in the last carriage of the Belgrave train departing at 8.31am, 8.33am from Tecoma, 8.35am from Upwey and 8.39 from Upper Ferntree Gully.
For more information, visit nomaccasinthehills.info.