Overview
- The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Victoria’s planning appeals body, overturned Darebin Council’s November rejection and approved a McDonald’s at 323 High Street.
- Tribunal member Michael Deidun said he could not assess corporate identity, health impacts, or whether the chain matched the street’s “cool” vibe.
- The permit includes 24/7 trading, with VCAT citing local late-night activity and benefits of activating the long-vacant, fire-damaged site.
- Residents opposing the plan gathered more than 11,000 signatures and warned about traffic, litter, and a hit to local character.
- McDonald’s says it will invest more than $2 million and create about 100 construction jobs and about 100 ongoing roles, with opening planned later this year.