Multi-front fight

By EMMA SUN
ANTI-MCDONALDS campaigners will lobby Yarra Ranges councillors at tonight’s (Tuesday) meeting to launch a Supreme Court appeal against the restaurant.
The appeal is just one of many plans by the protestors to push Maccas out of the hills, who say it is not welcome in the area.
However, some residents have voiced their support for the restaurant and thrown their weight behind the pro-Maccas debate.
Anti-Maccas advocates are still staying around the clock at the proposed McDonalds site on Burwood Highway, which they have turned into a community garden.
The owner recently erected a fence around the block and police have also been to the land to warn the objectors of their impending eviction.
Upwey resident Michael Puck said they held a meeting last Friday night to discuss the future direction of the protest.
Numerous groups were formed, including a lobbying group, a legal group, a fundraising group and an activism group.
“We’re working on getting a meeting with Matthew Guy, the planning minister, we’ve requested a meeting with McDonalds to lobby with them directly and we’re also working on lobbying the council,” he said.
“We will be attending the council meeting in force because we want the Supreme Court appeal.
“We’ve talked about raising the funds from the community but it’s not really feasible so its’ going to have to be something we demand from council.”
Janine Watson, who has been at the garden site since hearing of VCAT’s decision, said it was decided unanimously that their activism would be non-violent.
“We don’t talk about this as a fight – we talk about this as standing up with integrity for our beliefs and to have our voices heard,” she said.
“We wish to remain respectful to everyone concerned, to police, to the owner, all round and we wish to model good behaviour for our children and for each other.”
Ms Watson feared starting a McDonalds in Tecoma would set precedence for more fast food restaurants to be opened in the Dandenong Ranges.
But not all hills residents will be fighting against McDonalds.
Pixie Eisele from Monbulk said she would be one of the people waving the pro-Maccas flag.
Ms Eisele, who is in her 70s, said it would be a great place for her to take her grandchildren for a treat.
“I don’t believe it’s a staple food or good for people, but if you eat takeaway once a week it’s not going to kill you and a lot of kids like to have birthday parties there so I don’t see reason for them not to be there,” she said.
“It’s a good place for families to hang out and it doesn’t do them any harm. I think that’s our role as parents and grandparents – to give children the choice to eat healthily most of the time, but there’s nothing wrong with a treat.”
Emerald’s Paul Pavlinovich said he would welcome McDonalds to his town with open arms.
“I’d be quite happy for a Maccas up here. Come to Emerald and forget them,” he said.
“The organisation brings jobs and youth programs. It’s easy for them to build in a way that suits the locality. The new store is part of the solution to youth issues (as) it gives them somewhere to go.”
Sergeant Mick Hall from Belgrave Police Station said he hoped the protestors will leave peacefully when they are asked to go.
“The owner’s going to let them be for the time being and he’s not going to remove their plants,” he said.
“In turn, we’re asking the protestors to do the same, respect the owner and his property because eventually it will be closed off.