Goolwa McDonald's Plan Sparks Heated Debate Among Residents

A proposed McDonald's restaurant in the seaside town of Goolwa has sparked heated debate among residents, with the landowner pushing back against vocal opposition from a volunteer group and the local council.

Mick McArdle, whose commercial property on Hutchinson Street is under contract to the fast-food giant, subject to approval of a development application, said residents have a "democratic right" to choose what to eat or drink.

"I don't think that people should have the right to take away other people's democratic right to choose what they eat or drink," Mr McArdle said.

The proposed development has faced opposition from Cittaslow Goolwa, a volunteer group dedicated to protecting Goolwa's culinary and cultural heritage, and Alexandrina Council, which recently voted to oppose establishing chain-based fast-food outlets in the town.

Cittaslow Goolwa vice-president Christine Putland said the town already sold takeaway hamburgers and did not need to rely on a "multinational company" to create more.

"Even if the franchises might be more local or state-based, it is still not growing out of the community," she said in August.

However, Mr McArdle, who has lived in the town since 1978 and runs an automotive repair business on the site, said a significant portion of the town's population of more than 8,000 wanted a McDonald's because it would give young people work, and create more competition for takeaway food.

"Competition has to be good for the people in Goolwa; competition keeps the prices at a reasonable level," Mr McArdle said.

Alexandrina Council Mayor Keith Parkes said there were "definitely people in the town" who backed a McDonald's but "the vast majority didn't".

"It would be interesting to know whether the people that are in favour are long-term residents or fairly new residents to the area," he said.

Mr Parkes also noted that a McDonald's would require local staff, but acknowledged that small businesses in the town struggled to find staff, particularly in the hospitality area.

"It's very seasonal down here," he said.

The development application is expected to be lodged with the Fleurieu Development Assessment Panel soon, and will not require a change of use for the site.