<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A 24/7 McDonald's has been approved to be built on </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/northcote-mcdonalds-fast-food-giant-quietly-files-vcat-action-to-appeal-council-decision/dde8a91d-54df-49c1-91e6-4c196fdf9bed" rel="" target="_blank" title="one of Melbourne's trendiest streets"><span>one of Melbourne's trendiest streets</span></a><span> despite fierce opposition from residents who claim it will damage the suburb's "social fabric".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) reversed a decision by Darebin City Council on Friday to block the Macca's from opening at a fire-damaged vacant lot at 323 High Steet in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/melbourne" rel="" target="_blank" title="Northcote."><span>Northcote.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Northcote resident Andy Miller, who fought alongside the council to block the development, said it was a "disappointing" outcome but was confident the battle was not over.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pokies-loss-sounds-neil-walshe-fight-to-change-law-to-help-gambling-addicts/3337fa94-a633-47a2-a638-abbe1a3be3ce" target="" title="Neil wants pokies machines to play 'losing sounds'. Here's why"><strong><span>Neil wants pokies machines to play 'losing sounds'. Here's why</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/identity-theft-dark-web-cost/d2d8c473-bcfe-444e-8e05-a868905f655e" rel="" target="_blank" title="Your identity could be for sale for as little as $200 on the dark web"><strong><span>Your identity could be for sale for as little as $200 on the dark web</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"McDonald's may have succeeded up to this point in this skirmish, but the campaign to halt the spread of these fast-food goliaths is far from over," Millar told </span><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/" rel="" target="_blank" title="Nine.com.au. "><span>Nine.com.au.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"'No Macca's Campaigns' are increasing nationally."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/northcote-mcdonalds-approved-after-fast-food-giant-appealed-decision-vcat/adc55a6a-323b-4575-a672-fc3bacff11b0" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Darebin councillors in November voted 6-3 in opposition to the planning motion and the proposal returned to the table last week, with VCAT finding that concern from locals and businesses that the fast food outlet did not fit the vibe were not relevant to the planning application.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Millar said the VCAT tribunal was not interested in community outrage over the potential for Macca's to ruin the "social fabric" of Northcote's tight-knit community.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A petition against the proposal attracted more than 11,300 signatures.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many feared the proposed convenience restaurant would spoil the blend of local restaurants, hip bars, boutique shops and live music venues that run along High Street, which runs along the suburbs of Northcote, Thornbury and Preston.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Locals said the late-night opeing hours would compromise the suburb's "unique character".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Time Out</span></em><span> magazine last year named the buzzy High Street as number one in its "world's coolest street" rankings.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Macca's relies on the fact that councils and communities get exhausted," Millar said, adding that Northcote residents will "regroup" and assess their options.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is difficult to appeal a VCAT decision.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tribunal decisions can only be appealed in the Victorian Supreme Court.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/donald-trump-shooting-washington-gunman-what-we-know/083ee979-ca1e-4586-aabe-180308c8048f"><strong><span>Alleged shooter 'appeared to be targeting Trump'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Community members will gather for a "Fast Food Forum" next week to discuss who suburbs can "protect [themselves] against these powerful chains and reform the planning system that enables their proliferation".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A spokesperson for McDonald's said the fast good giant welcomed the outcome and that the application had been "fairly and rightly assessed".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The restaurant represents an investment of more than $2 million and reflects McDonald's ongoing commitment to employment-generating development across Victoria," the spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>McDonald's previously argued the development would generate around 100 jobs during construction and 100 full-time, part-time and casual jobs once it is open.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is scheduled to open later this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a 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