Thursday, 30 July 2026

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (14:47): (2460) My question is for the Minister for Planning. Yarra Ranges Shire Council stood with its ratepayers and rejected McDonald’s plans to steamroll its way into the Healesville community but were ultimately overruled by VCAT at the end of April. It is a story we have become all too familiar with. In this case the fast food giant lodged a planning permit application to build a new site at the entrance to Healesville on Maroondah Highway. This is a decade-long saga. It sparked widespread community opposition because it will severely compromise Healesville’s identity. The council also argued the development was contrary to the Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges regional strategy plan. Despite this, VCAT overturned the council’s rejection and allowed this development to proceed. My office has been contacted by countless constituents who say they have exhausted all measures to prevent this development going ahead. Will the minister use whatever levers she has available to help the Healesville community, who overwhelmingly rejected this proposal?