The Dubbo West Public School community remains upset over a proposal to build a new McDonald’s just 60 metres from the school, despite promises from the fast food giant that it would refuse to serve students in uniform.
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McDonald’s hopes to open a new West Dubbo restaurant next year.
It has promised not to serve children during schools hours if they were wearing a primary school uniform and unaccompanied by an adult.
Yesterday, a spokeswoman for McDonald’s told the Daily Liberal “our role is not to police truancy”.
“We don’t want to be responsible for encouraging it either,” she said.
“We have agreed with the local school that we will not serve children during school hours who are in school uniform and unaccompanied by an adult.”
However, Dubbo West Parents and Citizen Association (P&C) president Simone Gray says the promise fails to deal with parents’ concerns over fast food, traffic chaos and road safety.
Ms Gray is outraged the “golden arches” may be just 60 metres from their schoolyard.
“It’s not about the Big Mac, we have no objection to the restaurant or their menu. It’s about the fact they haven’t considered the schools,” she said. “There will be an increase of 80 cars per day on East Street, the infants cross that road to attended events at the primary school daily.”
Dubbo West Public only recently spent $250,000 to build a new security fence to ensure their children’s safety, however in light of the new proposal they are fearful that may not be enough.
“There’s three alcohol outlets in local vicinity, the combination of alcohol and a 24-hour fast food restaurant doesn’t make a good mix,” she said. “Increased traffic, pollution, noise and people will only be the half of it.”
Ms Gray also took aim at Dubbo City Council, claiming West Dubbo Public School had been bypassed in the development application process.
“Our objection to the proposal was submitted by the due date and we haven’t had any more contact or consultation with McDonald’s,” she said.
Ms Gray was disappointed Dubbo City Council had not taken a stand.
“Council hasn’t even tried to talk to any of the schools here. From when the news first broke they’ve been avoiding the issue,” she said.
“There’ll be a significant impact on the school which has been glossed over in the development application.”
Ms Gray has now been left wondering just how many more of their proposed 55 new McDonald’s will be built near schools.
“I’ve already heard they’re planning on building one up near Bunnings.
“There’s three schools up that road.
“It raises the question whether schools across the State are being targeted.”
emma.mastronadi@ruralpress.com
