Minyama not lovin' a 24-hour McDonald's | National News

Alan Lander | 2nd December 2008

A DEVELOPMENT application for a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant at Minyama is dead in the water, with division nine councillor Vivien Griffin delivering the killer blow.

A full council general committee yesterday unanimously voted recommending against the fast-food giant on the grounds of local community safety.

Divisional councillor Chris Thompson successfully garnered councillor support to reject the proposal.

“We knocked back a Hungry Jack's on Nicklin Way because of the nuisance code,” he said.

“We already have a 24-hour McDonald's at Mooloolaba, only one kilometre away, and there are already (anti-social) issues at that site.”

Mayor Bob Abbot said philosophically the site was in some ways even more suitable than the Mooloolaba location except for its proximity to the residential estate, and local residents had “every right of objection”.

He said the restaurant would also operate only as a takeaway between 2am and 5am, exacerbating the problems. But it was Ms Griffin who put things beyond doubt when she described what was hidden in plain view - the provision that a security guard would be employed at the restaurant.

“The (development) application creates the anticipation of hiring a security guard therefore it is anticipating a problem,” she said.

Ms Griffin added that surrounding businesses were zoned for showrooms and bulky goods supply, and while restaurants were allowable, a 24-hour drive-through was not what that classification had in mind.

The rejection will be ratified at Thursday ordinary meeting.

Say No to 24hrs McDonald's protest group spokesman John Meyer-Gleaves was “over the moon”.

Attending the meeting, he said he initially had concerns but “Vivien Griffin and Bob Abbot were bloody brilliant – they just nailed it”.

“It's not often you knock Maccas over,” he said.

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