Public to be consulted on controversial Wānaka McDonald's

Members of the public will be consulted on whether or not they want Ronald McDonald and his golden arches to open up their first restaurant in Wānaka.

The fast-food giant has submitted a resource consent application to the Queenstown Lakes District Council and has requested that application be publicly notified.

McDonald's New Zealand spokesperson Simon Kenny says he hopes the move will be seen as a positive.

"There are a variety of factors we considered, and we felt asking for public notification was prudent in this case."

He says the company will not be drawn on who will own the planned Wānaka site and whether it will be run by a franchisee.

"That’s all getting way too far ahead of itself. We’re sensitive to the consent process, so we haven’t got any further comment at the moment."

The company has been working with developer Mt Iron Junction to secure a site in its planned development adjacent to the intersection of States Highway Six and 84, where a new roundabout is under construction.

In its resource consent application it outlines plans for a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-week restaurant and drive-through.

But not all locals are loving the proposal.

A petition launch last week by Wānaka resident Sarah Morrison claims "McDonald's goes against all of our core community values", citing concerns about food waste and pollution as well as unhealthy eating.

The petition has reached more than 4,000 signatures in five days.

Ms Morrison says she plans to contact people who have signed the petition with information on the submission process when it is known.

Main image (images sourced from McDonald's resource consent application): McDonald's is wanting planning go-ahead to build its first restaurant in Wānaka at a key intersection below Mount Iron.

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