<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents of a popular seaside town in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span> are bracing for an uphill battle to block a</span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/mcdonalds" rel="" target="_blank" title="McDonald's"><span>McDonald's</span></a><span> store from opening on the same street as a primary school.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Members of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/moto-gp-moves-from-phillip-island-to-adelaide-locals-devastated/3e47a5ed-a668-4a1c-8e34-2803630b03ba" rel="" target="_blank" title="Phillip Island's"><span>Phillip Island's</span></a><span> tight-knit community have banded together to fight the fast food giant from being approved for development just few hundred metres from a primary school in the township of Cowes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>McDonald's has submitted plans to Bass Coast Shire Council to build a restaurant on 194 Settlement Road in Cowes, which has a population of around 6500 people but often balloons in size due to tourist numbers.</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/victorian-car-registration-rebate-how-will-it-work-everything-to-know-explain/086d756a-6996-41af-9bc8-fde5f0879466" rel="" target="_blank" title="Rego slashed by $186 for drivers in one state"><strong><span>Rego slashed by $186 for drivers in one state</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Do you have a story? Contact</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>reporter April Glover at</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="mailto:april.glover@nine.com.au" target="" title="april.glover@nine.com.au"><em><strong><span>april.glover@nine.com.au</span></strong></em></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The permit was lodged on April 1 and it has attracted vocal opposition from thousands of locals.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Resident Travis Thompson has lived in the area since 2012 and told </span><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/" rel="" target="" title="nine.com.au"><span>nine.com.au</span></a><span> the proposed site of McDonald's is "not a great choice" for Cowes.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/mcdonalds-dan-murphys-development-cowes-phillip-island/4eb0323d-ad53-4edb-a757-f833c0d615fc" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The intersection they want to put it on is already a congested intersection. On any busy weekend, there's already traffic coming into Cowes down the main road," Thompson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Adding a McDonald's there with the drive-through is only going to increase congestion, as well as any time at school start or end of school day, there's traffic there all the time, and that's going to be an issue."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thompson said, if approved, it would be the only drive-through on Phillip Island.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He'd be "pleasantly surprised" if the community outrage results in blocking the Macca's, but knows it would not be an easy fight.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"But McDonald's is huge... they have tonnes of money," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His cautious optimism is shared by fellow long-time residents.</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/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"><h3><strong><span>High school student stands up to Macca's</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An online petition opposing the McDonald's in Cowes has attracted over 5000 signatures.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It inspired a second, smaller petition launched by 17-year-old Cowes local Airlie Minter.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Minter fiercely opposes the McDonald's and said building it within walking distance from a primary school would be "atrocious" for the community.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Even at my high school, after school finishes, people often say, 'Oh, let's go get something from Macca's. It's not good, it's unhealthy," Minter told nine.com.au.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Especially for primary school kids, they are much more naive... they're children, an easy target [for fast food]."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The high school student has lived on Phillip Island her entire life and is passionate about protecting her local environment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She warned that a McDonald's could threaten the region's natural beauty and result in a scourge of extra litter across the island.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That happens as it is with all the fish and chip places, people leave rubbish everywhere, and with how much rubbish McDonald's produces every single order, it's just going to skyrocket," Minter added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Minter and Thompson are among thousands of residents who are appealing to Bass Coast Shire Council to reject the application.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's a tough task challenging a giant of industry like the Golden Arches.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents of Northcote in Melbourne's inner-north can attest to this after their petition </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/northcote-mcdonalds-approved-after-fast-food-giant-appealed-decision-vcat/adc55a6a-323b-4575-a672-fc3bacff11b0" rel="" target="" title="to stop a McDonald's from opening on High Street was unsuccessful last month."><span>to stop a McDonald's from opening on High Street was unsuccessful last month.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"People told me, people I really care about, told me there is no point in trying to fight... it's not going to change anything," Minter said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And I said, Well, what if it does? What if this one thing that I've done changes everything?</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm really hopeful that maybe it could change the council's perspective."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bass Coast Shire Council said it would assess the McDonald's </span><a href="https://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/building-planning/advertised-plans-and-planning-register/pdplanper-2026-000285-157-thompson-avenue-and-190-194-settlement-road-cowes-proposed-convenience-restaurant" rel="" target="_blank" title="application against the Bass Coast Planning Scheme."><span>application against the Bass Coast Planning Scheme.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Council is aware this proposal will attract community interest, and teams will work with the community, local businesses, and relevant authorities before preparing a recommendation to Council," it said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>EXCLUSIVE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/redundancies-australia-jacques-bergh-dealing-with-redundancy-exclusive/9a8c37d8-7d97-4369-8c35-50aafbbaab3f" target="_blank" title="'Demoralising': Jacques faced over 100 job rejections after redundancy"><strong><span>'Demoralising': Jacques faced over 100 job rejections after redundancy</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>McDonald's Australia said the Cowes location would create 100-120 full-time, part-time and casual jobs for the area and would be owned by a local franchisee.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The restaurant would service both local residents and visitors to the area, offering great value, convenient service, and a welcoming place for people to visit," a spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're committed to being a good neighbour and making a positive social and economic contribution to Cowes."</span></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" 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"><h3><strong><span>Dan Murphy's proposal sparks 'big box' takeover fears</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dan Murphy's has applied for a liquor licence at 137 Thompson Avenue in Cowes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The addition of a chain liquor store nearby the proposed McDonald's site has prompted similar fears about the "big box" takeover of Phillip Island.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The liquor store would be built on a 703-square-metre trading area and sit on a commercial zone.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I don't approve of the 'Walmartification'... I want local businesses here, people who have an investment in the community," Thompson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A public notice will be on display for community feedback until May 15.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Dan Murphy's proposal falls under the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, not the council.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a statement, the parent company for Dan Murphy's said it "welcomes the opportunity to bring a Dan Murphy's store to Cowe".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The application has been advertised and local stakeholders can provide feedback before 15th May 2026," the spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Over the last six months, Endeavour has been, and continues to, engage with the Cowes community on the proposal."</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 href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>