By Peter Williams

A well performing local council listens to its ratepayers and residents. If the people don’t want something to be built, then it shouldn’t go ahead.

Which means the proposed new McDonalds in Wanaka should be a non-starter, dead in the water.

But will the deep pockets of the fast food giant keep pushing the case all the way to the highest courts in the land?

The Macca’s outlet is proposed for the entrance to town beside Mt Iron at the intersection of SH6 from Dunedin and Christchurch through to the West Coast and SH 84, which is the road into town from the new roundabout. The plan has met with robust resistance ever since it was first mooted.

Wanaka’s population has boomed in the last decade. According to Infometrics there are now 18,610 permanent residents in the town and surrounds. That’s 8,600 more than ten years ago and nearly three times the population of twenty years ago.

But there’s a reason for the place’s popularity despite the sky-high real estate prices. It’s the environment. The mountains, the lake, the fresh air, the sporting and recreation activities make it a sought after place to live and play.

While there’s now a Warehouse and a Mitre 10 Mega and a couple of New Worlds, the place has essentially been spared the internationally branded fast food outlets. Yes, there’s a Subway and a Domino’s but that’s it.

A few years ago I even signed a petition in support of an organisation called BIFF – Ban International Fast Foods – which pushed the Queenstown Lakes District Council to keep the big brands out of town till 2020.

That time has sadly come and gone. Now the pressure is on the council as the world’s most famous hamburger joint wants to build this massive 445 square metre outlet.

But the pushback against the idea could hardly be more obvious.

Originally a petition to the council attracted 5920 signatures, nearly a third of the town’s permanent population.

Then more than 90 percent of the 366 public submissions were opposed and more than a hundred of the submitters want to speak at the council’s four day hearing into the matter from November 25.

To complete an early trifecta of opposition, a senior QLDC planner filed a report recommending the consent application be refused.

His comments were scathing.

“Overall, I consider the activity does not fit in with the rural character of the site.”

He said the proposal would create “more than minor adverse effects” on the landscape character. In other words, a McDonalds at the foot of the spectacular rocky outcrops and matagouri cover on Mt Iron would be utterly incongruous with the environment.

It’s hard to disagree.

So the locals don’t want it. The council’s own expert says it’s not a good idea. But is that enough to stop it?

Now comes this four day hearing in front of independent commissioners. They too may well find against the proposal on the strength of local opposition from residents and the council itself.

In the end the final say on an issue as contentious should go down to the council table where the elected representatives can make the call.

Is that the end though? McDonalds have the funds to go to the Environment Court if they lose at a local level. And then beyond that ?

And then there’s this.

There are plans to build 263 high density housing units in the Mt Iron Junction Housing Scheme, essentially next door to where McDonalds would be. It’s a project on Shane Jones’ infamous list of 149 to be fast tracked for consent.

In other words, the main entrance to one of the most sublime and spectacular towns in the world could be blighted by a 24/7 McDonalds with a drive through, and 263 housing units.

Dear God. Is that what we want and need? Is that progress?

Don’t we have an obligation to protect our nice things – like cruisy views of a rocky mountain as we drive to town?

The Queenstown Lakes District Council has some serious challenges to face from the pressure of developers.

But they don’t have far to look to find out what their community wants. The people have spoken already. Is the council listening? And will they get the final say?

DISCLAIMER: Peter Williams owns property in Wanaka and is a QLDC ratepayer

Originally published on PeterAllanWilliams.