A McDonald’s Restaurant in Northcote is just plain unnecessary.
On High Street, where small businesses often already struggle to thrive, one might think a McDonald’s could invigorate the area. However, this fast-food giant’s presence isn’t a solution – it’s a problem. It will compromise Northcote’s unique character. The tendered restaurant’s late-night opening hours expose concerns about attracting intoxicated patrons from neighbouring venues, encouraging them to linger along the street for just that little while longer, which may disrupt the community’s peace.
Northcote is renowned for its local charm and community-based spirit and stands out with its balanced blend of local businesses and small franchises. The development of a McDonald’s on High St will – plainly put – tip the balance in the wrong direction. It’s this essence that residents cherish, not a homogenised fast-food chain that overshadows the individuality and charm we’ve cultivated. Allowing a McDonald’s could set a concerning precedent, undermining the flourishing local business ecosystem that remains a pillar of our neighbourhood’s appeal.
Continuing, fast-food establishments like McDonald’s typically lead to an increase in litter, undesirable traffic congestion, and environmental concerns tied to such a high-volume business model. Faster food = more product and more product = more litter. Our community values sustainability, supports small entrepreneurs and enjoys a vibrant, diverse culinary scene. Turning Northcote into another site for a universally available burger is not what our community desires. Forget about universally – it only takes seven minutes by car and tram to get from 323 High St (the proposed site) to McDonald’s Clifton Hill.
We already have a multiple stops for a burger along High St. Why not take the extra seven minutes out of your day to support one of these smaller businesses than feed into a big conglomerate that will simply be a drop in the ocean to the Golden Arches?
Through gentrification, Northcote has managed to maintain its iconic sense of uniqueness, resisting the complete commercial takeover seen in other areas. This potential development threatens to dilute what’s left of our distinct cultural fibres and spirit.
Whilst we can note that 323 High Street is a tricky spot for a business to fill, there are plenty of other options to allow that space to thrive rather than a McDonald’s.
Urge Northcote’s planners and local council to reject this application and instead focus on encouraging ventures that highlight our diverse, creative, and community-centred way of living. Let’s keep Northcote unique. Please sign this petition to stop the development of a McDonald’s fast-food restaurant on High Street.
Please sign the petition at: https://www.change.org/p/stop-mcdonald-s-from-opening-in-northcote
