Precedent set for fast food refusal

I am writing to gain support to prevent the rezoning of residential land for the purpose of building a McDonalds fast food outlet in the vicinity of Ocean Beach Rd, Wellington St and West St, Umina.

Gosford Council has set a precedent to my request, having rejected a previous application for a rival fast food chain in or about the same vicinity on 11 February 1997.

This rejection was supported by the then Member for Peats Marie Andrews and Federal MP Jim Lloyd on the grounds of security, bad behaviour, cooking odours, traffic and the safety of patrons and residents.

There are at least 15 to 20 food outlets within a 500 metre radius of the proposed site so I find it inconceivable to put conglomerate interests over people who vote.

As for creating jobs, this is hogwash as most small businesses are employing one, two or three young people, so only may result in the transfer of jobs with no net gain overall.

I am led to believe that over 1100 people have lodged petitions and objections to council.

This does not include the elderly or those who do not use computers or Facebook.

Letter, 24 Nov 2011 Jim Beattie, Umina