Petition against new McDonald’s at Cowes, Phillip Island, receives 4,100 signatures

McDonald’s has lodged a planning permit application with the Bass Coast Shire to build a new restaurant at the tourist hotspot in Cowes, which has a population of 6,593. But the proposal has raised the ire of thousands of residents who are concerned about traffic and the restaurant’s effect on local biodiversity.

In response, an online petition calls for the Bass Coast Shire Council to reject the plans, which has received more than 4,100 signatures.

Phillip Island Progress Association secretary Peter McMahon said the group was also worried about having a McDonald’s 200 metres away from Cowes Primary School. While the island currently has a number of fast-food chains including Subway and La Porchetta, “Saying no to a McDonald’s in Cowes on Phillip Island isn’t about hating burgers, it’s about protecting what makes this place globally significant and uniquely local,” the petition, which was started by James Ahern, reads.

“What we’re saying is that the council must have a proper consultation process where they consult with the residents of the island and get their yes or no for it to go ahead,” Mr McMahon said.

Elizabeth Taylor, a senior lecturer of urban planning and development at Monash University, said Australia had a long history of pushing back against the development of fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s. Despite the pushbacks, McDonald’s Australia head of development Jonathan Yap said if approved, the development would create about 100 jobs during construction, and up to 120 jobs for employees.