In 2013, thousands of protesters gathered to fight against McDonald’s opening up a fast food store in Tecoma.
While the store was eventually opened in early 2014, protestors still appear at the front of the store regularly to make their opinions known.
10 years on, the Star Mail has collated a list of key events in the saga.
October 2011:
Yarra Ranges Council denies a building permit application from McDonald’s to build on Burwood Highway in Tecoma.
Some 1,300 objections to the development are lodged with Yarra Ranges Council at the time, based mainly on traffic and neighbourhood character concerns.
March 2012 to October 2012:
McDonald’s disputes Yarra Ranges Council’s decision to refuse its planning application, with a practice hearing held at VCAT on Friday 30 March.
On 10 October, VCAT announces its decision to overturn Yarra Ranges Council’s decision and grant permission for McDonald’s to build on the site.
“As no planning permission is required to use the site for a convenience restaurant, it submits that many of the objectors’ concerns are not relevant to the planning permission sought,” the VCAT decision read.
“They submit the building is well designed, would fit well into the streetscape, and would be highly consistent with the present development on the land. The proposed landscaping would rejuvenate a site that is tired and ready for renewal. The proposal would meet relevant standards in respect of access, car parking, disability parking and loading.”
VCAT receives more than 300 objections.
About 500 locals take to the site on 1529 Burwood Highway at the time to voice their objection and “reclaim” Tecoma from McDonald’s through the planting of a garden.
Objectors boast “No Maccas” shirts and placards and wield gardening tools.
March 2013:
More than 3000 people march from Belgrave to Tecoma in protest against the building on 2 March 2013.
Event organiser Garry Muratore told the Mail at the time the crowd was well behaved and the weekend’s rally and march was part of ongoing rolling protests to the construction of the McDonald’s restaurant in the town.
The march began at the car park beside Belgrave’s Cameo cinema and finished in the car park of Tecoma Primary School.
“It was a carnival like atmosphere. We had speeches from people involved in the community and the CD launch, too,” Mr Muratore said.
“We had some standout speeches, including James Merlino and Dr Dennis Gration.”
Mr Muratore said the rolling protests were calling on McDonald’s to pull out of the development.
“Yes they have been given the permits, but they have pulled out of areas in the same circumstances in the past,” he said.
“It happened in the Blue Mountains, and even in Belgrave years ago.”
April 2013:
The story of Tecoma’s fight against McDonald’s is aired on international news channel CNN.
It was the micro-blog site Twitter that causes the Tecoma story to go viral with well known social activist Priest Father Bob Maguire tweeting the CNN story to his 19,000 followers on Good Friday.
This in turn is re-tweeted by others including film director Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) and former Tecoma resident Christine Assange (mother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange).
“We could not believe the Twitter reaction it was re-tweeted by journalists, teachers, actors, chefs, bands, and general Twitter users, by late Easter Monday we estimated at had reached over 10 million followers on the site” Mr Muratore said at the time.
July 2013
Members of the ‘Tecoma Eight’ are named in documents filed by McDonald’s for an injunction against them for creating a community garden on the building site in protest.
Protesters are banned from campaigning on the Tecoma property for two weeks following an injuction issued by the Supreme Court.
More than 100 people marched from Belgrave to Tecoma on 28 July to support the ‘Tecoma Eight,’ who faced civil action from McDonald’s.
An Upwey woman is arrested on Sunday 28 July and charged with wilful trespassing.
August 2013:
The demolition of the old the old Hazelvale Dairy building begins.
Protests continue, with people crying out “shame” to workers.
September 2013:
Five members of the No Maccas in Tecoma protest group arrive in Chicago, Illinios, to hand deliver a 7000 page petition to McDonald’s head office pleading with the fast food giant to call off its plans to build in Tecoma.
April 2014:
McDonald’s opens its Tecoma store on 7 April 2014, with crowds of protesters and supporters for the new restaurant gathering since around 6am on the day.
Around 50 protestors picket the store.
Present:
Protests continue, with objectors to the store drawing chalk on the footpath at the front of the store, and protesting in person with placards.
“It’s very hard to get a permit for a drive through type restaurant anywhere in the Dandenong Ranges now, because it’s got to fit in with the local overlay, and the people that lobbied for that were from our campaign, so that was a big plus,” Mr Muratore said in September 2022.
