McDonald's have made it clear that they continue to push on with their court challenge against Wollongong City Council over their controversial plan to build a 24-hour fast-food outlet in a historic West Dapto village.
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Despite an hour of impassioned objections from residents of Wongawilli and a scathing report from council detailing a litany of problems with the plans, the company's representative declined to directly address these at a meeting on Thursday night.
Instead McDonald's senior development director Joshua Bannister asked that any decisions on the plans be deferred - instead of refused, as recommended by the council - and dealt with in the Land and Environment Court.
"Let me assure you, that McDonald's remains willing to maintain an open dialogue with council and to respect and consider the community's feedback on our proposal," Mr Bannister said.
But he said these would now be considered within the context of the court case.
"Council filed a statement of facts and contentions in the proceedings on August 13," he said.
He said the company was exploring ways which the councils issues "might be able to be addressed" and that this "may potentially lead to amendments to the development application" throughout the court proceedings.
He also said "we are listening" and that there would be a conciliation conference held on February 24 where community members who made submissions during the DA process would be able to make submissions to the court.
However, he said the company's own experts had confirmed that the site "is suitable for our proposed development but we are nevertheless willing to explore possible amendments".
The proposal for a 24-hour McDonald's, petrol station, childcare centre and several small commercial tenants at the corner of West Dapto Road and Raven Place first emerged in November.
Wongawilli residents have objected to the plan since, as they were told when buying into the farmland development area that the site would contain small village-style shops with a greengrocer or independent supermarket.
Last week, the council published a recommendation saying the plans should be refused, due to a litany of problems and non-compliances.
During Thursday's meeting, 10 residents spoke against the proposal.
They detailed concerns about increased crime and hoons, the safety of living near a service station, the smell of fast-food wafting into their homes, disruptions from the proposed McDonald's lighting and signage; and the possibility of increased childhood obesity.
The head of the committee opposing the development, Natasha Panetta was among the speakers, saying she represented "several hundred" residents in Wongawilli and surrounds.
In a detailed speech she said the proposed 24-hour trade was "obnoxious and not in character with the area" and said her children would be affected by the light from the McDonald's sign and the smell of the fast-food.
She also said the approval of a McDonald's in such a residential area would set a precedent for the company in other locations.
Childhood obesity research coordinator Dr Jennifer Norman spoke about her concerns as a dietician who works in the Wollongong LGA.
She said research evidence strongly indicates that the overall impact of living near a fast-food restaurant like McDonalds would be detrimental to the West Dapto Urban Develpoment Area, as she said exposure to fast-food increased children's risk of obesity.
"Communities with healthier store, supplying healthier food have healthier diets," she said.
Dawn Goldman, a resident of nearby Vista Park, spoke about the extensive consultation which had been carried out with residents during the planning of the Wongawilli development area.
She said residents had been assured the neighbourhood centre site would be made up of small businesses, similar to Brownsville's Dandaloo shopping village.
Resident Jennifer Styles added that she was concerned about litter, as well as the "hoons" who would be attracted to the McDonald's at night.
Mitchell Cunial said he was most concerned that the approval of McDonald's would set precedent which could not be undone.
Nicola Goncalves, who is building a home 150 metres from the proposed development, said her family had to comply with a strict design scheme when building their house and did not see why a McDonald's should be allowed to flout that scheme. She was also concerned about the possibility of increased crime which would come with the 24-hour fast-food outlet.
Rebecca Biasotti, a first home buyer who owns land in the Wongawilli development site and planned to move to the area to start a family, said she was most concerned with the health impacts of living near a petrol station.
Carlo Bellinato said the proposed development was "more like a truck stop on the Hume Highway than a village centre".
"We're after a village centre we can walk to a shop at, not one that is driven around the vehicle," he said.