By Bonny Burrows
Rumours of a McDonalds fast food store coming to Emerald this year have been quashed.
Speculation began last week when a sign advertising the fast food chain’s Emerald store was erected on a vacant block of land, alongside what appeared to be a planning permit application.
However, those who stopped to view the signage quickly realised it may have been a hoax, with the applicant listed as one Hamish Bergier.
Cardinia Shire Council also quickly shut down any speculation another McDonalds was setting up in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges.
“We are aware of a large sign being placed in public view at Emerald announcing a McDonalds restaurant will be built on the site in late 2017,” the council’s Development and Compliance Services manager Debbie Tyson said.
“The council has not received any planning permit application, nor had any conversation with potential applicants, regarding such a development.”
The possibility of another McDonalds in the hills quickly attracted criticism on social media, with many fearing it would become “another Tecoma”.
The Tecoma store attracted world-wide media coverage and a “Burger off – Tecoma says no to McDonalds” campaign in the lead-up to its opening in 2014.
Protested believed the fast-food store was unsuited to the hills lifestyle – and it appears Emerald locals share similar sentiments.
A post on the Emerald and Surrounding Region Facebook page attracted 52 comments, with the majority of those opposing such development, hoax or not.
One commenter said there was “an abundance of Maccas down the mountain”.
“We don’t want it up here infecting our community. The hills are a unique, beautiful place, let’s keep it that way,” the commenter said.
McDonalds was contacted by The Gazette for comment.
