Burger off!
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:01 am
POLICE have removed five protesters who sat in front of a construction truck to stop it from entering the Tecoma McDonald's work site about midday.
The protesters sat in the path of the truck, preventing it from moving.
Police removed them, allowing the truck to enter the fenced-off site.
Meanwhile the rules of happy melees, drawn up a few weeks ago by protesters, appear to have gone by the wayside.
There are a handful of children carrying protest signs, standing near adults.
Previously, anti-Maccas spokesman Garry Muratore said protest organisers had drawn up golden rules of their battle against the golden arches, which included no kids or animals at protests, and no verbal violence.
They even had practice sessions to shine up on their non-violent picketing skills.
It comes as four protesters spent an icy night in a tent on the roof of one of the buildings to be demolished to make way for the new McDonalds in Tecoma - eating bananas and huddled together for warmth.
Other protesters have supplied the group with food and sleeping bags to keep them going.
Protester Mark Lawrence said it was reasonably comfortable - he managed to sleep and that the four of them got off the roof only to go to the toilet.
However, he had the unenviable job of watching police slap an unroadworthy certificate on his car, parked nearby.
There were about 100 protesters at the site early this morning, with numbers thinning to around 60 by mid-morning as some went to work.
They are expected to come back after work.
People in the crowd are beating drums, tins, cans, bottles or whatever they can lay their hands on.
One local business has closed today because of the noise and disruption.
There is still a huge police presence, as well as private security guards milling around.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition, James Merlino, also visited the site and told Leader his greatest concern was that allowing the restaurant could open the floodgates for other fast-food outlets in the hills.
"People live in the Dandenongs, people visit the Dandenongs, precisely because it's not another suburb of Melbourne,'' Mr Merlino said.
"That's the reason why I don't think this should go ahead and that's the reason why I think the VCAT decision is an absolute disgrace."
Yesterday, anti-McDonald's protesters said they were prepared to spend day and night doing "whatever it takes" to stop the new 24/7 franchise from being built in Tecoma.
Anti-McDonalds spokesman Garry Muratore said they would continue to protest peacefully and would not break any laws.
Protesters earlier climbed on the roof of the building to be demolished, and one tried to chain herself to a truck.
Police and about 100 protesters were at the site yesterday while temporary perimeter fencing was put up.
Mr Muratore said the group's open invitation to McDonald's still stood: to chat to Yarra Ranges Council and to local MPs about the strong community feeling against the outlet.
Meanwhile, McDonald's has hired private security guards and they will be there around the clock.
Yarra Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn told the Leader that demolition couldn't start yet - McDonald's still needed to finalise more paperwork: an asset protection permit.
She expected this would happen during the next few days.
McDonald's spokeswoman Skye Oxenham said it was too early to say when demolition would start.
She said they and the local franchisee had worked "extremely hard" to address community concerns, including ensuring the "look and feel" of the restaurant reflected the local area, providing ample parking and closing the back terrace from 10pm.
"We have consulted with the community over the past two years regarding this development, from meetings with local council during the initial consultation process to the community group TVAG (Tecoma Village Action Group) soon after and most recently, with representatives of the local community to hear their points of view face-to-face," Ms Oxenham said.
"Whilst we respect the right for individuals to express their opinions, this is an appropriate development for the site and we and the franchisee are looking forward to making a positive contribution to the local community."
Meantime, there are concerns from some quarters that protesters have gone too far.
Fiona Kaye, owner of Duncan's Belgrave and Upwey Cellars, said their van was targeted by anti-McDonald's campaigners in their driveway last night.
"It was spray-painted with "Ned is dead! Says Glen!" with red paint," she said.
"The 'Ned' they are referring to is a member of the 'Yes to McDonald's' Tecoma Facebook page.
"My husband has previously been targeted by this group.
"We are starting to feel that the actions of the anti-mob have gone too far when they feel that trespassing on private property to graffiti a van is OK.
"The van is not only used for business but is also used to transport our kids in. How far will they go next time?"
But Mr Muratore strongly denied any involvement from the group in the vandalising of the van.
Mr Muratore said he had spoken to police and reassured them the group had nothing to do with the attack.
