Last month, the City of Greater Bendigo deferred a decision on the application by McDonald’s to build a 24-hour outlet and resolved to seek more information about traffic.
Resident Robert Stephenson opposes the proposed McDonald’s outlet.Credit: Joe Armao
Council officers recommended councillors approve the application, maintaining “impacts to amenity” had been addressed despite residents expressing concerns. The council is expected to vote on the application before the end of the year.
The application received 136 objections, including a petition with 95 signatures, and one letter of support. Council documents showed objections ranged from an oversupply of fast food in Bendigo and harm to the community’s character to disturbances to nearby properties and increased litter.
Strathfieldsaye resident Robert Stephenson, who is among the leading opponents of the development, said his main objection was the outlet’s proximity to the school. He said the restaurant would attract many cars and delivery trucks.
“It’s the kids on the footpath that I think are really at most danger here,” he said.
Stephenson said he was also worried about the restaurant operating 24 hours.
“I don’t see the purpose of 24 hours in what’s essentially a suburban area. It’s not a major highway,” he said.
Demography firm Informed Decisions estimates Strathfieldsaye’s population has almost reached 8300 and is on track to exceed 17,540 by 2046.
Stephanie Flynn, who lives in nearby Eppalock, said McDonald’s would not be her first choice for the site but she felt it would be a good thing if the restaurant became a vehicle to attract specialty shops, another supermarket and a place for local people to gather.
“Unless you play football there’s really nowhere to meet people, to connect with your neighbours,” Flynn said.
Flynn, whose two children attend Strathfieldsaye Primary School, said new developments often faced community opposition, making it difficult to encourage new businesses. She brushed off suggestions that having a McDonald’s near the school would result in her children nagging for fast food.
“It’s really about parenting and talking about those healthy choices at home. Everyone has the right to choose what they eat.”
If approved, the McDonald’s would be next to a 7-Eleven service station. Last month the Bendigo Advertiser reported the outlet would cost an estimated $6.3 million to build.
In a statement, McDonald’s Australia said the company saw strong potential in Strathfieldsaye and would create more than 100 jobs in the Bendigo region.
It said the restaurant would provide a convenient destination for locals to meet.
Stephanie Flynn says McDonald’s is not her first choice for the site, but she hopes it will attract other businesses to the vacant land. Credit: Joe Armao
“We’re committed to being a good neighbour, and we are continuing to work closely with the City of Greater Bendigo to address council and community feedback on issues including traffic and pedestrian safety,” it said.
Research shows people who live in areas saturated with unhealthy food, and less access to healthy food, are more likely to be overweight, and have conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Public Health Association of Australia chief executive Terry Slevin said he was worried the proposed McDonald’s outlet could become the school’s surrogate canteen.
Loading
“It would be the place where kids gather before school, after school,” Slevin said. “It’s a nice profit motive for the establisher of that outlet but is that what we want for our kids?”
He pointed to a growing body of research linking a proliferation of unhealthy outlets with low-income areas. Separate research showed the availability and convenience of these outlets also drove consumption of unhealthy foods, he said.
“These foods used to be considered occasional options, but they are increasingly becoming a part of the family diet.”
He has joined a growing number of health experts calling for local councils to be given powers to reject developments on health and food security grounds. The state government is considering giving councils those powers.
Jane Martin, executive manager of the Food for Health Alliance, said chain fast food outlets marketed aggressively to children, and it was concerning when they set up near schools.
“They’re often associated with movies; there are toy giveaways,” she said.
“They’re very clever with their promotions, offering a small-change menu which is appealing to children who are likely to have small change. Once they’re in a community, and next to a school, they are impossible to avoid.”
She said many local councils in the UK had restricted new fast food outlets within 400 metres of schools to create a healthy food environment.
Loading
Martin hasn’t called for similar restrictions here, but has repeatedly advocated that health be included as an objective in Victorian planning rules. This would empower local councils to reject development proposals on health grounds.
Dietitians Australia chief executive Magriet Raxworthy said nutrition should be a critical consideration in urban planning.
“The places our children live, learn and play should be set up in a way that encourages a healthy approach to eating,” she said.
A state government spokeswoman said it was reviewing whether it should make changes in planning that relate to health and food security, as part of its response to a parliamentary inquiry.
Read the full article here
