One Yamba resident went public with this statement during the week, in relation to the McDonald's Australia plan to impose itself on the small coastal town of Yamba at the mouth of the Clarence River:
McDonald's incorporate all competition products into their stores. Over time they have gone from only selling burgers to competing against Subway with salad wraps and salad items. Then came the attached coffee shop and now free wireless to ensure that everyone has a "one stop shop", ensuring customers don't go anywhere else.
This is not about fair competition. It is about takeover. They don't want you to spend your money anywhere else. This is a long time business practice of McDonald's. Over the years I've studied the way they "compete" with other businesses.
Any business Macca's can incorporate into theirs, they will - as they want the entire market, not to share it.
Now which persons of influence made these remarks afterwards?
- Maccas certainly do know what they're doing and they don't care. Unlike our Chamber who do care about the small businesses. I commend Tania and the Chamber for their efforts and of course all the individuals such as yourself who also worked so hard. I only hope that the community will live by their convictions and boycott McDonalds Yamba. [my emphasis]
- An awful decision. There were compelling reasons to listen to, and take heed of, overwhelming community opinion.
McDonald's and it designated licensee may find the waters distinctly chilly when they enter this town.
Meanwhile, The Daily Examiner letters to the editor continue to berate Clarence Valley Council and McDonald's fifteen days after shire councillors voted:
Time to vote
THE Clarence Valley Council has recently voted in favour of a development application from a certain American hamburger chain. This is apparently against the wishes of the vast majority of the citizens of Yamba, who did not want this development to go ahead.
Firstly, there is a certain group of pro-development councillors who will vote in favour of any development application - no matter how inappropriate (eg. West Yamba Canal Estate). This group is closely aligned with Liberal/National parties and people know who they are.
The solution to this problem is just the next council election away.
Secondly, all is not yet lost for the residents of Yamba with regard to this development. You still have economics on your side.
If the worthy citizens of Yamba do not patronise this hamburger outlet you can be assured of one fact. It will not stay open very long. [my emphasis]
MICHAEL CASEY, Grafton
More on Maccas
I FEEL sadness and shame at the fact that our councillors have decided to go against the will of the people who elect them. More than nine out of 10 people who bothered to express their opinion about the McDonald's development proposal at Yamba were against it, yet the majority of councillors decided to approve it.
I understand the legal and financial implications of the case put forward to us: there is no point in wasting our money in a lost battle. Well, isn't there? The law is certainly something to be considered, with respect and with no frivolity.
However, our civil laws, I believe, didn't drop from the sky together with the 10 commandments. I like to think of our law as the worthy result of those people before us that fought for the justice of what they believed and came up with our laws as something to serve us as guidance and inspiration. Their inheritance to us.
Exactly the right that this decision is taking away from us: to fight for justice. The beliefs of the past cannot be necessarily imposed on the beliefs of the present.
When needed, laws have been challenged, laws have been changed, and laws have been proved to be wrong.
What right do our councillors have to take away from us our right to challenge a law, to fight for our beliefs? How can money be a consideration in what clearly seems to be an ethical issue for many ratepayers? This is precisely the kind of issue where I want my rates money that is paid to these councillors to be spent.
This is the kind of fight that makes me feel a worthy individual. This is where I don't want to give up. This easy surrender by our representatives is suppressing and depressing for our community at large (for nine out of 10 people).
Our councillors have decided that this is a lost battle from the point of view of the laws of the past denying us the right to fight a new battle to create the laws of the future. To them I say, even if a battle was going to be totally lost, even if an expectation was going to end in disappointment, our community, our men and women, the people you are there to serve, might prefer 1000 times just to be there, fighting and losing, holding their heads up with pride, rather than simply giving up. And if that costs us money, so be it.
Otherwise, why on earth do we bother to celebrate Gallipoli or to send our national soccer team to a World Cup final?
SANTIAGO ACERA, Lawrence
Highway an option
WHEN you look at the amount of accidents on the roads you really have to wonder at the Upper River and Lower River mentality - the one that we were assured would not exist - that has exhibited itself in the decision to approve McDonald's in Yamba. Not only is it detrimental to the ambience of the village and its tourist population from the cities, and to the local boutique businesses that give this town its special flavour. Byron Bay recognised this when it said "no" to drive-through restaurants.
But also, how short-sighted. McDonald's could be situated on the highway where it would provide a valuable rest point for motorists and give Maccas a better flow of people, and they would be able to offer 24-hour service. Families and groups travel the highway and a Maccas either north or south of the Clarence River would be able to service the highway travellers and both towns of Maclean and Yamba.
A Maccas on the highway would offer a well-lit, safe and fully staffed environment with food and facilities that would appeal to many people and encourage them to break their journey for a rest.
We know the long stretches of highways on the North Coast have a constant flow of traffic and have been identified as areas of major accidents. We need to have a 24-hour highway rest break here on the highway between Ballina and Grafton. This would also provide work opportunities for youth in the outer lying areas as well as those in the towns of Maclean and Yamba.
To the people at McDonald's, you have the opportunity not only to do the right thing, but also to take a more financially viable solution. Yamba simply does not have the static population in non-holiday times to support your business and the businesses that already service our town.
To our council and councillors, who are paid/elected to work on behalf of residents, what were you thinking? This matter needs to go back to council and a sensible decision taken, one that is better commercially for Maccas, better for the wider community, and shows that Maccas appreciates the real need that they could fulfil.
Councillors, you do have a responsibility to look after your residents and current business owners in Yamba who have stated their position quite clearly.
Now it is your turn to do something for everyone. Go back to Maccas with a solution to this divisive and damaging situation.
CATE CAPP, Yamba.
