Fast food chain McDonald’s has submitted a planning application to open a restaurant on Melbourne’s High Street in Northcote, prompting concern from some locals.
The proposal, lodged with Darebin City Council on July 2, seeks to amend an existing permit to allow the new venue at 323 High Street to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The site — once home to The Pavillion restaurant and Northcote Arcade — has been vacant for over a year after a fire destroyed the former business.
According to the Herald Sun, McDonald’s has not yet confirmed when it hopes to begin construction or open the venue, pending council approval.
The proposal has sparked opposition from some residents and businesses, concerned about the impact of a major fast-food chain on the character of what was dubbed “Melbourne’s coolest street” by TimeOut magazine last year.
READ MORE: High Street in Melbourne’s north named coolest street in the world
While Lambs Northcote owner Peter is not concerned of direct competition, he told Neos Kosmos that McDonald’s doesn’t suit the street.
“It’s not something that people around here would like or would want,” he said.
“Usually people around here are after fresh food, unprocessed food, organic food and you’re bringing in something which is heavily processed.
“It just doesn’t suit the vibe of the street.”
He also stressed concern about the proximity to schools in the area like Northcote High School, Santa Maria College and St Joseph’s Primary School.
One place that does have concern about their own business is Momus Boy, located 10 minutes up the road from the site.
Kyriakos, the owner of the Greek street food and burger joint told Neos Kosmos they opened about six months ago and he is worried.
“We are trying to establish a name out there and it’s pretty difficult already without McDonald’s,” he said.
“We make pretty much most of our money after 10 o’clock, staying late to make extra money from people going to clubs.”
He is concerned people will be drawn to the cheaper and easier solution and said it’s like the rug has been pulled out from under them.
He shared that it’s not just the restaurants, as he’s spoken to bar owners in the area and they too are concerned.
The worry is that in a unique street like High Street, without many mainstream franchises, McDonald’s will just be the beginning.
An online petition on change.org named ‘Stop McDonald’s from Opening in Northcote’ has been created, urging Darebin City Council to reject the application.
Neos Kosmos understands that the Darebin councillors were all taken by surprise and that the submission has gone into planning.
They will be voting on it and cannot speak to Neos Kosmos until after the vote, but even if it was to be voted against, the belief is McDonald’s will go to VCAT and secure approval.
Neos Kosmos reached out to McDonald’s Australia, who did not comment on the public backlash, but rather just their excitement of joining the area.
“We are excited by the possibility of joining the Northcote community. A new Macca’s in Northcote represents an investment of more than $2 million and will mean more than 100 new local jobs and more support for local community groups in the area,” a spokesperson said.
“We’ve been part of Melbourne communities since 1973, employing thousands of people, serving up a locally sourced menu and providing convenient destinations for customers looking for great everyday value and those iconic Macca’s moments.”
