Arabic version: مالك أرض في غولوا يدافع عن مشروع مقترح لماكدونالدز

According to ABC News, a commercial property in Goolwa is under contract to McDonald’s, subject to state planning approval, as the landowner rejects opposition to what could become the town’s first chain-based fast-food outlet. A development application is expected to be lodged with the Fleurieu Development Assessment Panel soon.

Property owner Mick McArdle, who has lived in Goolwa since 1978 and operates an automotive repair business on the Hutchinson Street site, said residents should be able to decide what they eat and drink. He said the proposed outlet could provide jobs for young people and add competition to the town’s takeaway-food market.

Opposition has come from Cittaslow Goolwa, a volunteer group of about 250 members, and from Alexandrina Council. The council last month passed, though not unanimously, a motion opposing the establishment of chain-based fast-food outlets in the seaside town. The motion noted that 38 local food outlets, including restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and service stations, already provide food.

Goolwa became Australia’s first town accredited by Cittaslow International in 2007. The movement promotes quality of life and sustainability. Cittaslow Goolwa vice-president Christine Putland has said the town already has takeaway hamburgers and should not need a multinational company to create more.

Alexandrina Council Mayor Keith Parkes said some people supported a McDonald’s, but he believed the majority did not. He also said local hospitality businesses already struggled to find staff, particularly because the area was seasonal. Any application requiring a change of use would be considered by the independent Fleurieu Development Assessment Panel, rather than the council.