[Greens-Media] Sylvia Hale MLC MR: Communities or McCommunities? Greens support Yamba residents fight against McDon

[Colin Hesse]

19 May 2010  - For immediate use          
            
Communities or McCommunities?
Greens support Yamba residents fight against McDonalds

 
 

NSW MLC Sylvia Hale, Greens spokesperson on Planning, said the Greens
support Yamba residents' overwhelming opposition to the proposed
McDonalds in Treelands Drive, Yamba.

"Surely, part of Clarence Valley Council’s purpose is to represent the
majority of its citizens and to promote the health of the people in
Clarence Valley,” said Ms Hale.

"Communities should have the right to say 'No' to McDonalds. In Sydney,
Ashfield Council rejected a McDonalds. The Newtown McDonalds went out of
business because no one went there. And McDonalds hasn't even tried to
set up in Byron Bay. 
 
"I am sure McDonalds will no doubt come up with its usual spin: ‘We are
so healthy now, we have salads, we support 'Clean Up Australia Day' and
we offer rainforest coffee beans’.
 
“Like all big multinational companies, McDonalds have moved with the
times and are greenwashing their image.
 
"The local community, however, is too smart to be conned by the spin.

"McDonalds burgers are high in saturated fats, salt and sugar, foods
that contribute to obesity and health problems.

"The Clarence Valley has great local produce and fresh seafood in
abundance. Why would anyone would want to eat McDonalds ‘Fillet o’ Fish’
sitting on a plastic seat in a red and yellow box instead of local Yamba
prawns, chips and salad?

"As for the jobs argument, there are many young people working in
restaurants and cafes in Yamba. Most of them will be acquiring much more
useful and more complex kitchen skills than offered by a minimum wage,
low skill McJob.
 
"Yamba should not be forced to conform to the worst of suburban
shopping mall or highway truckstop culture.

"That’s the reason why locals are fighting so hard on this. 
 
“Yamba was voted one of Australia’s best towns. It’s no surprise most
locals are passionate about keeping it that way. I hope the community
wins their struggle,” Ms Hale concluded.

Contact: Colin Hesse on 02 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124
 
 
Colin Hesse
Policy and Media Officer
Office of Sylvia Hale MLC
Parliament of NSW
 
Ph: 9230 3030
0401 719 124