'McMountains' development defeated
KATOOMBA — In a victory for grassroots community action, the fast food giant McDonald's informed local activists organised in the Mountains Against McDonald's (MAM) group on March 7 that it would not establish an new outlet in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
MAM spokesperson Anne Elliott described the backdown as "a great win by a local group against a huge corporation. We hope it will be an inspiration to other groups all over the world."
MAM involves residents most directly affected by the increased noise, traffic and litter that would accompany a McDonald's, small businesspeople, environmentalists and parents and teachers concerned at the way fast food corporations direct their marketing to children.
MAM sought to inform and mobilise the local community. It held a rally of more than 100 people and distributed two issues of a newspaper with information about the development and McDonald's activities in other parts of the world. Members made sure the local press covered the issue and wrote numerous letters.
In late February, the Blue Mountains Council rejected McDonald's plan to build a drive-through restaurant at the Alpine Motel site on the Great Western Highway in Katoomba after it received over 5000 objections to the proposal and only 15 in support.
McDonald's withdrew an appeal to the Land and Environment Court on March 7. Despite the backdown, a company spokesperson told the Penrith Press, "We're still keen to get a site in the Blue Mountains". Local campaigners vowed to fight the junk food company wherever "they put their head up next".