By Jed Lanyon
A 11 year old Healesville resident has launched a petition, as she prepares to take on the world’s biggest fast-food franchise, McDonald’s, and their bid to set up shop in Healesville.
Star Mail reported in May that McDonald’s had submitted an amendment to an approved planning application, revealing that the burger chain is keen on becoming a tenant at the development on 17 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.
Disappointed in knowing that it’s too late to stop the fast-food giant coming to town, Kate Bradford instead wants to work with Yarra Ranges Council to keep Macca’s honest in fitting in with the Healesville area.
Her petition already boasts over 900 signatures and she plans on delivering a letter to Yarra Ranges councillors demanding they push McDonald’s to create a visually tasteful restaurant if and when they decide to bring their golden arches to Healesville.
“Well I didn’t want there to be a Macca’s because I think that it’d really ruin the atmosphere of the town of Healesville,” Kate said.
“I understand that it’s too late to stop it from going ahead. But I thought we don’t have to have the big sign there, so it doesn’t ruin the entrance to Healesville.
“We have so many tourists coming here and people wanting to come here to see our restaurants and wineries. If they come to the entrance of our town to see a fast food sign it’d be really sad.
“They’re going to need a sign, but they can have something much smaller.”
Proud mum, Anna Gelling, said Kate had been looking into other McDonald’s restaurant developments that had been altered to blend in with their community.
“McDonald’s signs are huge,” Kate said. “Once on a road trip, I saw a corten steel sign at McDonald’s in a small town. Why can’t we have this?”
“Although you may think that children are drawn in to McDonald’s advertising, it’s just great that at such a young age they are so conscious of the country town they live in and want to protect and preserve that identity,” Ms Gelling said.
“Kate’s been very conscious of the fact that she doesn’t want to be rudimentary or judgemental of people’s choices in what they eat. She just wants to ensure the protection of the atmosphere of Healesville as much as possible.”
Kate also held concerns about seeing an increase in litter disposed of by McDonald’s customers.
“On our streets in Healesville and in our parks we have loads of litter,” Kate said.
Ms Gelling said they always pick up fast-food litter on their walks in the area.
“It’s amazing how much litter we bring back that’s been thrown out of car windows,” she said.
While there was some initial opposition for the construction of the new Aldi supermarket in Healesville, Council’s push to have the supermarket altered saw local artist Paul Sonsie commissioned to create a bush tree canopy mural along the supermarket’s windows and building structure.
The artwork would not have existed if it weren’t for pushback by the Healesville community and Yarra Ranges Council, which saw matters taken to VCAT. Speaking to Star Mail last month, Mr Sonsie said his aim was to help integrate the building into its environment and the community.
To view Kate’s petition, visit: https://www.change.org/p/local-councillors-fast-food-signage
