Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (13:10): (2316) My question is to the Minister for Planning. High Street, Northcote, was named the world’s coolest street by Time Out magazine. My constituents in Northcote are proudly socially, environmentally and health conscious. Many have expressed deep concerns about the proposed McDonald’s restaurant on High Street, including health impacts of processed food and environmental impacts on the community. Initially the McDonald’s planning permit application was rejected by Darebin council following strong community opposition. However, VCAT has now overturned the decision because current Victorian planning laws do not allow councils to refuse fast-food developments on public health grounds. Given the government committed to reviewing options for revising Victoria’s planning provisions in line with recommendation 24 of the parliamentary inquiry into food security in Victoria to include health and food security objectives and improved health outcomes, will the minister provide a timeframe for completion of this review for communities like Northcote?