Fast food proposal draws internet opposition

A social networking page has been set up to object to a proposal for a new fast food outlet in Umina.

The Facebook page, No Umina Beach Maccas, has provided a forum for people wanting to prevent the opening of McDonalds in Umina.

Umina local Ms Amanda Formosa said the page enabled a number of community members to meet up and discuss the proposal.

"It started with the guy on Facebook and then it's just been people who happen to find it.

"We decided to get something done and come up with a bit of a plan.

"A few of us met last night (Tuesday, November 8) and we are just trying to get as many people to object as we can.

"The only thing we are gathering that we can do is email and write into council with our objections and we're also trying to get a petition going for people to sign," said Ms Formosa.

Ms Formosa said the community was concerned about a number of issues including the intention to rezone the land from residential to business, the environment and the traffic problems the development could create.

"No one has a major issue with the McDonalds company itself but there's already one in Woy Woy.

"What people are most concerned about is the traffic.

"Umina is already notorious for traffic problems as it is.

"The other thing we're concerned about is the environment, Umina already gets a lot of rubbish from the Maccas at Woy Woy.

"Everyone is also quite concerned for local businesses.

"How can they be expected to compete with McDonalds?

"How many of those businesses are going to have to close down and, if they close down, it will affect us because it limits the choices that we have," said Ms Formosa.

Kaitlin Watts, 9 Nov 2011 Interviewee: Amanda Formosa, Umina