A Melbourne strip once dubbed the world’s coolest will get a McDonalds by the end of the year – but locals fear it will threaten the neighbourhood’s unique community spirit.
Fast food giant McDonald’s has won a battle to open a 24-hour location on a street once dubbed the ‘world’s coolest’ – but locals and traders hope it’s not a sign of things to come.
Coveted for its hip vibes and neighbourly feel, High Street in Melbourne’s inner north is known for its boutiques, independent stores and absence of big chain stores.
The site has sat vacant and graffitied since August 2023 when a fire tore through the former business. Picture: Google Maps / Street View
But late last week, Victoria’s planning tribunal gave McDonald’s the green light to build at 319-325 High Street, Northcote, overturning an earlier Darebin Council decision.
Thornbury Picture House owner Gus Berger said it’s disappointing local issues aren’t always resolved at a local level, despite community opposition.
“The big guys win again. This is an inherent problem with VCAT and how it works. A suburb or a street is never awarded ‘coolest’ by having multinational chains as part of it,” he said.
“It’s the independent businesses and independently minded locals that support them that make communities interesting and give them diversity and quality in their offering.”
Locals signed an 11,000-strong petition opposing the development, fearing it would change the unique character of the strip, dubbed by Time Out magazine the world’s coolest in 2024.
Thornbury Picture House. Picture: Facebook
Opponents also worried the late night hours would draw intoxicated patrons from nearby venues and disrupt community peace, increase litter and traffic jams.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal said the site’s commercial 1 zoning already allows for a convenience restaurant. Its ruling concerned whether the site’s existing permits should be amended to permit new conditions, including 24-hour operations. Darebin Council refused the amendments last year, sparking the global fast food chain’s appeal.
“This tribunal does not have the power to review the corporate approach of McDonald’s, its work practices and ethics, the type of food it produces, its impact on human health, or whether it fits the ‘cool’ vibes of its context,” the tribunal said.
Francesca’s bar in Northcote. Picture: Francesca’s / Instagram
Ben Mathieson is worried McDonald’s arrival on the strip will prompt other major brands to follow.
“We have already got two McDonald’s in close proximity, and McDonald’s is available on delivery platforms. It’s pretty unnecessary and not really the vibe of the street,” the Francesca’s bar owner said.
“We’re very lucky to be primarily small, independent business owners.
“Whoever the franchisee is, they’re just trying to have a crack like the rest of us have – just the model they’ve chosen is McDonald’s and I don’t think we need it. Maybe they won’t be popular and they’ll close down. Who knows?”
A view along High Street. Picture: Getty
The proposed site, with over 22 metres of High Street frontage, was previously a cafe, but has been shut since a fire in August 2023.
With the site now graffitied and abandoned, Mr Mathieson agreed it was better to have it occupied.
“I’m sure they’ll take good care of the site, and make that alleyway safe, hopefully. That site in particular is heavily graffitied. I don’t know what’s worse, the graffiti or the golden arches.”
He hoped the community would continue supporting existing businesses.
“It would’ve been great if an independent restaurant went in there, but this is what we’ve got. Hopefully they employ locals and add value to the street.”
High Street in Melbourne’s inner north has been dubbed the world’s coolest street by Time Out Magazine. Picture: Getty
Kylie Weir, whose gift store A Quirk of Fate is a minute’s walk from the proposed site, is disappointed.
“I would’ve liked to have thought that the local council would have done more to protect the street,” she said.
“We’re an independent strip so far, so having a big international conglomerate come in is not going to have a positive impact.
“Hopefully locals continue supporting the independent businesses that have made Northcote what it is.”
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McDonald’s Australia said it is investing more than $2 million in the development, creating about 100 jobs during construction and another 100 jobs once operational.
“The restaurant will be owned and operated by a local franchisee, who will contribute to the local area through employment, access to training and development opportunities, and supporting local community organisations,” the company said.
The company said it looks forward to playing an active role in the community when the restaurant opens later this year.
Darebin Council said it would work with McDonald’s, local traders and others involved to make sure the development causes as little disruption as possible to nearby businesses and residents.