What NSW Greens Said About McDonald's in Yamba

Communities or McCommunities?
Tuesday 18 May 2010

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.

http://sylviahale.org.au/news/communities-or-mccommunities

McDonald's versus Yamba: only two councillors stood for democracy, public interest and community values on the day

The Clarence Valley Council ordinary monthly meeting on 18 May 2010 passed by five votes to two the McDonald's Australia Limited development application for a 6am to midnight eat-in and drive through fast food outlet in Treelands Drive, Yamba, a small town at the mouth of the Clarence River on the NSW North Coast.

Mayor Emeritus Cr. Ian Tiley's motion for refusal of the development application:

I move the following motion for refusal:-

That DA2010/0203 for McDonalds restaurant, signage, parking and landscaping be refused for the following good reasons:-

1."The proposal will be a more intensive use than the existing uses on the subject site and result in adverse impacts on the amenity of the residential area in proximity.

2. The proposed built form, scale and design is unsuitable for the site being inconsistent with the desired future character of development in the locality.

3. The proposal will not enhance the appearance, function and viability of commercial and retail areas as required under 3(a) zone of the Maclean LEP.

4. The proposed restaurant building and associated signage will be visually bulky and intrusive and will compromise and adversely affect the visual amenity of the locality and be overbearing when viewed from surrounding streets and residential properties.

5. The proposed development will adversely affect the character and amenity of adjoining and surrounding properties and the locality, in terms of increased frequency of vehicle movements and attendant impacts including noise, odour, light spillage, lighting and glare, safety and security, and hours of operation.

6. The proposed development will result in an unreasonable increase in vehicular traffic in local streets because of the intensification of use on the site.

7. The proposed development does not provide adequate prevention and management measures to address the threat to the security, safety and amenity of surrounding and nearby residents, and the general public, arising from people loitering and congregating outside the proposed restaurant at late night opening hours.

8. At times when restaurant closed and drive through open, the drive through would be the primary and not an ancillary use

9. The nature, size and location of the proposal will have substantial adverse social impacts significantly disproportionate to any perceived benefits.

10. The proposed development is not in the public interest".

There are compelling grounds for refusal of this application based on size, social impact, increased noise, increased traffic of at least 920 vehicles per day, inadequate vehicular access for community buses, taxis and drop offs, lack of assessment of feeder roads, increased intensity of use of the site as compared to 9 to 5.30 businesses, and especially that it is not in the public interest.

The report before us does not mention the size of the proposed restaurant. It will be larger than McDonalds at Ballina.

In respect of the aims of the Maclean LEP Zone 3(a), the provision of a McDonalds refreshment room in this location cannot possibly improve the viability of Yamba hill and Yamba town centre where council has over the years devoted much resources to facilitate a vibrant mix of restaurants and attractions.

I argue that all of the grounds for refusal in the motion are matters that go to underlining that the proposal is definitely against the public or common interest.

Academic writings on public interest define it as an interest that is potentially common to everybody. The public interest is the primary criterion for judging proposals. Private interests have to be put aside at law.

The academic and legal struggle to operationalise the concept of the public interest in planning has been about separating the public from the private interest.

Thus I keep away from the impact on other businesses. Even though that is absolutely real it amounts to an individual's private interest and would not stand court scrutiny unless it could be argued that the combined business interest amounted to public interest, because of consequent community impacts such as loss of employment. Unfortunately we do not have the benefit of an economic impact study on this issue.

There is no doubt that we need to protect the finite Yamba 'food pie'. The people want a local food economy as does council, underlined through council's participation in the NR Food links Project and support of Northern Rivers Food and Clarence Cuisine.

The drive through would be an integral part of the business proposal and not an ancillary use, or a use of premises which is incidental and subordinate to the predominant use. Whilst a drive through is not prohibited under the Maclean LEP and is not mentioned therein, at certain times of the day, when the proposed restaurant is closed and the drive through alone is open for service it would become the restaurant, have a "stand alone" function and then be equal to the predominant use.

The revised S79C assessment received since the Committee meeting, has but one sentence dealing with the NSW Coastal Policy and the North Coast Design Guidelines as required under S32B of the North Coast REP – quote "the proposal does not contravene any of the aims listed, nor the specific design and locational principles provided by clause 32B". At least some valid objections should have been addressed in this assessment.

The MNC Regional Strategy is not mentioned in the revised Assessment. Part B of the Guidelines for Crime Prevention and assessment of Development Applications must be considered but again no mention. The DA has not been referred to NSW Police for comment. Whilst optional, one would have thought this a prudent course of action. All very disappointing and unsatisfactory.

I am particularly disappointed that the report before us failed to mention the considerable case law where McDonalds Development Applications elsewhere have been rejected. This must be remedied in future reports if the council is of a mind to refuse a controversial Development Application. We must have more balance in officers reports.

Our role as representatives is to make decisions for the electorate. We are relied on to listen to the alternate viewpoints and to make best decisions. In the event of position being overwhelmingly adopted by the community, there is no doubt in my mind that the elected representative should support the community position, in the absence of compelling grounds. We have an overwhelmingly supported community position and we do not have alternate compelling grounds in this instance.

Our key council strategic plans including Valley Vision 2020 and the sustainability initiative dictate that we should hold true to the values of our community as clearly expressed. We must now follow through our good policy with good decision-making. This application, if approved will undermine our forward-thinking.

I have proudly watched Clarence Valley Council grow from its infancy. Today we have the opportunity to grow more, to show leadership and do positive good for those we represent.

No McDonalds in Yamba is the overwhelming view of community. That is indisputable. The people have spoken with great clarity and determination. 94.8% of 455 submission writers were opposed.

As Dom Ferry so eloquently said a week ago, we should also stand for the many silent ones out there.

My hope today is that CV will join the communities of Blue Mountains, Byron Bay, Port Douglas, Margaret River, Randwick, Ashfield and others which have rejected McDonalds.

In my time in local government, with the possible exception of the Clarence Valley Council amalgamation I have never witnessed such civic engagement on an issue or such overwhelming opposition.

We witnessed a most unusual but effective alliance between the Chamber of commerce and Valley Watch with combined full page adds. What a clear message to council!

There is a whole lot of passion out there, a word one could suggest that the folk of Yamba have almost redefined!

The proposal would be out of character for Yamba. Not in the public interest. Not in conformity with Yamba's cultural heritage.

Many have rightly argued that Yamba is unique, the adjudged best town in Australia, the seaside fishing village, the sun sand and surf, the quiet enjoyment atmosphere, the retirement treasure.

The people have told us clearly what they really care for as a community. Letters were from the heart telling us that they care.

This reinforces what they told us when council prepared the Sustainability Initiative in 2006.

Yamba values need to be protected for future generations. As an iconic tourist destination it needs to remain different from all those other places that exhibit high rise and sameness.

The public interest test involves assessing whether the importance of the public detriments is greater than the importance of the public benefits. There can be no doubt that this proposal is not in the public interest and should be rejected.

Yamba does indeed still that X factor, that special difference, the quiet rural coastal town/family holiday feel, which many people who live elsewhere search for, often vainly nowadays. They value, they enjoy, they wish and expect us to preserve. That is what we as elected representatives of the people must do today.

Cr. Sue Hughes speaking in support of the refusal motion:

I have been elected by the community to represent the community and be their voice on their Council. 94.8% of the community are saying NO to McDonalds – and as an elected councillor I therefore am saying no to McDonalds.

This proposal is inconsistent with the objectives of the 3 (a) zone, under the Maclean LEP, which states that the particular objectives of this zone are (a) well designed commercial and retail development which will ENHANCE the appearance, function and viability of commercial and retail areas – I ask will this proposal of colossal proportions ENHANCE the appearance, function and VIABILITY of commercial and retail areas – i think not. Remember, this McDonalds is BIGGER than the one in Ballina – which I may add has a population of 15,000 - and a steady passing trade from the Highway. WHY – when our population is half that, 80% of the year. I question the viability of commercial and retail areas – there is no denying that many local businesses will SUFFER – not just in Yamba either, areas such as Maclean, Ferry Park and Harwood.

We have received hundred's of letters from the local community and from tourists who visit our town – they all indicate the reason why they chose to spend their holidays and money in Yamba is because of it's uniqueness, no traffic lights, no McDonalds, no Hungry Jacks, KFC or the like – we would lose those tourists who will find somewhere else to spend their money. This proposal will have adverse impact on the character and economic vitality of the town and it's not just food outlets either.

The applicant indicates that they are going to employ between 50-100 staff – are these the same people who would lose their jobs in their current place of employment because business owners have to reduce their staffing numbers due to a down turn in business???

This proposal is inconsistent with our core objectives and I refer to CVC Valley Vision 2020 – under our VISION and I quote:

"a sustainable Clarence Valley : Life in the Clarence Valley, now and in the future, is based on a culture of living sustainably that protects and carefully utilises the natural environment, its beauty and resources, our cultural heritage and UNIQUE identity of our valley and its communities" – I think we would agree that Yamba is UNIQUE and that it IS part of its identity. That is why we have chosen the live here – that is why tourists come here.

I further add – in the summary – HUMAN HABITAT – Our intention is to live in sustainable communities, including a healthy natural environment, supported by efficient and effective essential services and transport systems, our homes and streetscapes reflecting local heritage, character and charm – I ASK – where does a McDonalds restaurant and drive through fit in with this?

SOCIETY AND CULTURE – Our intention is for our creative valley cultures, rich in history and diversity, to be supported by good information, education, health, recreation and other services, providing opportunities for quality lifestyles involving a sense of well-being in which we value our communities and each other – I ASK does a McDonalds restaurant and drive through equate to a healthy lifestyle???
Further by voting NO we are valuing the majority of our community and each other.

For us to ignore our own corporate strategic plan would be foolish – why spend the time and money if we ignore the principles which underpin our core values.

This is not about being multi national, it's not about the brand McDonalds – its about VIABILITY, listening to our community AND protecting a sustainable economic framework and keeping a community functioning on an economic level.

I am sure that the ratepayers in Yamba would be happy to spend the money and go to the Land & Environment Court if McDonalds challenged our decision.

For all the reasons outlined above, I believe that the nature, size and location of this proposal WILL have a significant economic and social impact on Yamba and for this reason I am voting NO to McDonalds and encourage my fellow elected councillors to listen to the voices of our community and vote NO.

McDonald's employees out lobbying against Yamba community?

Does McDonald's at Grafton have its employees out lobbying against community opposition to the multinational's push for a 24 hour drive-through and eat-in fast food outlet in Yamba?

One has to wonder when the creator of the YES to McDonalds in YAMBA Facebook page (less than one thousand fans last time I looked) claims to hail from Maclean and not Yamba. While a brief Google search throws up a profile which appears to match this 'Brendan' and shows that a Maclean sports club to which he belongs is seeking business/corporate sponsorship and that he is touting for new business on his advertising website with its mimic URL which ironically seeks to feed off Yamba's established brand. More than a few of his Facebook page 'fans' obviously live in Grafton which just happens to be home to an existing McDonalds outlet.

At least one McDonald's employee is to be found on both the Yes site and the Facebook page NO to McDonalds in YAMBA (over 3,300 fans last time I looked) - talking up the 'benefits' of this multinational and verbally spitting at others.

Elsewhere on Facebook she describes herself as an "Area Assistant" with McDonald's in Grafton now on maternity leave.

This is how the Clarence Valley 'face' of McDonald's is presenting itself:

Bringing a McDonalds to Yamba is going to create great job opportunities for everyone but especially the younger generation. The younger generation that everyone complains about not working. Their options are either to travel or work in the local shops at Yamba. The small businesses will employ family or friends before... taking anyone in. A lot of them expecting to only pay people cash in hand. When business gets a bit tough, bring in the family to take over and cya later job. Some people seem to be carrying on about youth in Yamba not caring about working....Well i bet all the positions will get filled and a majority of the people will work hard.

Also, if people do end up overweight its their own bloody fault!!!!
What....People cant have self control over what they eat now, they have to blame that on someone else too???
I dont see anyone having a crack at all the unhealthy things sold in your Supermarkets or your oh so healthy fish and chip shops.......
McDonalds does have a healthy range as well..
I dont think that that is a fair arguement thats being put up...

Hmmm well doesnt this Nick Stone person think he is SO great. The reality is, he has to pick at peoples spelling mistakes, or if IPhones have spell check because he cant come up with any good reasons for a McDonalds not to be in Yamba!!
Ask him something, he wont be able to answer it.....He will only change the subject ...totally to try and put you down because he has nothing real to say....
Its great....Oh and then watch out for his friend Sharon Beel who will come to his side as she has nothing decent to say either...
Then when theyve had enough and realise they are losing, they will say its all a joke..But its not!
Haha......They are the JOKE!!!!

Haha.... You have got be kidding!! You are the middle age woman who is the joke!!!!!!Your theories make no sense, i think you may have a screw loose!!!
Thats the thing though, i dont run a small business...I havent said that i wanted too so why should i have to justify that to you?McDonalds will be making plenty of employment. Mst probably more that what a small business can make. A clever business person who owns/buys/ or builds a small business in a growing are should realise that bigger franchisees are likely to happen. I would think about that and what effect it would have on my business before i put myself in that position.

Late on 7 April 2010 this Grafton McDonald's employee also stated an intention to make a formal submission to Clarence Valley Council:
I wasnt quite sure what to write either. I just typed what i thought was good and sent a draft of it to yes2mcdonalds@gmail.com They will help :)

I strongly suspect that she may not think to declare the fact that she lives and works in the Grafton area or make her employment background clear in that letter/email to Clarence Valley Council.

Perhaps it's time that McDonald's Australia CEO Peter Bush had a word with his NSW North Coast licensees about their store managers and employees' extra curricular activities.

But perhaps not - after all this is the same McDonald's Australia which described its favoured licensee for the proposed Yamba outlet as coming from "the region" in an effort to convey a false impression that he is actually a permanent resident in the Clarence Valley.

Graphic from Google Images

McDonald's versus Yamba: BOYCOTT, BOYCOTT, BOYCOTT!

What one would expect; after the very pro-McDonald's Cr. Margaret McKenna snarled back at the council meeting gallery last Tuesday that if they didn't like the way she was voting they could vote with their wallets and not go to McDonald's when it opened in Yamba.......

A selection from the initial reaction on Facebook the day after Clarence Valley Council's infamous decision to allow a 6am to midnight eat-in and drive through fast food outlet in the small NSW coastal town of Yamba:

NO to McDonalds in YAMBA Disappointment tonight from CVC but Yamba stand proud! We showed a united, committed community against this inappropriate development because that's what we are and not a generic McDonalds town. 4000 signatures and 455 letters apparently not enough. Cindy Rawiri, Kerry Mcdonough, Kylie Leisinger and 10 others like this.

Judith Robinson
How much is McDonalds paying the council? With all those signatures and letters your council isnt listening :(
Dianne Schwinghammer
sorry to hear the result. The face of our Yamba will be changed forever and not for the better.
Kim Mcgowan
I'm with you Judith..........it sounds like something dodge has gone on.......anyway i will not eat there.......if i feel like treating myself and the family we will still drive to Grafton...........Yamba is just another town with another maccas nothing special about us !!!!!!!!
Theresa Bennett
smells like vomit fullstop remember that next time you walk past or open that paper bag bbbbaaaarrrrfffff council will allow it because their the only fat idiots that will eat the shit : p
Kaz Whitty
Good on you Yamba! Yes contact ACA! What did the State Govt do to our planning laws that ignore the majority vote of the people of a particular area..making our councils back down to the big end of town for fear of $$$ loss in court? We elected them to serve our interests...there has to be a loophole here!!
Ben Redlich
we had our honeymoon in yamba last year, the first time we've been there. i remarked at the time how refreshing it was to see no fast food chains, just local business. sigh...
Janet Purcell
Need to change this page to boycott McD's. Not sure, but I think that Newtown had a boycott campaign and McDs closed down. Very disappointing, but everyone should send a big thank you to Councillors Ian Tiley and Sue Hughes who spoke really well against this abominable development. And send a no thanks to Clrs Ian Dinham (Yamba), Jim Simmons(Maclean), Margaret McKenna (Grafton), Craig Howe (Grafton) and most disappointingly Clr Pat Comben (Grafton) sold Yamba out on this one!!!!!
Sharon Uthmann
So sad to hear that public opinion did nothing to the outcome. Welcome to increased litter and increased social problems - have come from an area full of take away venues and all you get is a dirty town where those who need to be feeding their families healthy meals, instead end up with cheap fat filled meals. Such a shame! I for one will be boycotting McDonalds in Yamba when I visit and I hope that will result in a closure.
Marilyn King
Go broke Macca's!!!!! Will not step a foot inside, am so sorry our Council could not see the light! BOYCOTT!!!!!
Marion Uithol
Is there a link to the proposed affordable housing residential development planned for West Yamba? Who is behind the scenes for both propositions?
Shayne Louise
let them put Macca's on the highway, then it can taste even more like mud when it floods... keep fighting... need more media coverage... ACA, sunrise, anything... knock down the security fences and pickets each time they go up... they cant arrest everyone in town...
Kym Thornton
how sad, i for one won't be going there..
Karlen Holloway
Support our local businesses. Boycott maccas don't let ur children eat it. Don't give in to it's conveniece.
Karlen Holloway
Also! Yamba slsc uses a shed on the site where maccas has been proposed to store competition equipment. We will now loose this space and have no where else to store this equipment. So much for them helping sporting and local community
Sandra Mason
That is really sad, hate McDonalds. You know who to vote out in the next election
Yesterday at 5:44am
Matthew Ellks
There goes the nieghbourhood.....
Tash Keys
This is the most right wing council and bunch of councilors ever (alebit for a couple)! It was a shoo in once they passed west yamba. Just look at what they are doing! They are saying its ok to over develop sensitive coastal areas, its ok to destroy habitat without the proper consent (Gulmarrad), its ok to snuff your nose up at the community. If anyones interested in taking this council and its councilors on - i'm in!
Jen Smith
Very disappointing that community wishes have been ignored. As a community we can elect & not elect councillors but what happens to the non elected decision makers in council. Who are they responsible to and what was their rationale for ignoring what the community wants and what are they getting out of this.
Trudie Brown
money ALWAYS talks over peoples words...ITS DISGUSTING!!
Frank Lucas
Well they didn't get into Byron so hang in there.
Aloha
Dave Schwarz
Shame - just remember the names of the 5 idiot councillors - Simmons, Comben, Dinham, Howe, McKenna - while we can get rid of them next council election, it may take a lot longer to get rid of McDonalds but I support the boycott calls, no way will I be seen in the Yamba business ever (and yes, I do use them when travelling, clean toilets, quick food, they are fine on a highway!).
Dave Schwarz
Can I suggest everybody sends the infamous 5 a short but succinct email telling them what we all think -
addresses are:
margaret.mckenna@clarence.nsw.gov.au
craig.howe@clarence.nsw.gov.au
ian.dinham@clarence.nsw.gov.au... See More
pat.comben@clarence.nsw.gov.au
jim.simmons@clarence.nsw.gov.au
Now nothing too rude, I just said "Disgraceful decision re McDonald's - you've lost this vote next election!"
Dave Schwarz
Just letting you all know I've had councillor Comben reply to my email telling me that was the only decision he could make under "reason and law" and how good it was and how many people were congratulating him on it (15 congratulatory emails and 4 happy people on the street is his total to date) - so please, send the infamous 5 an email or they'll think they've made an intelligent decision!
Ruth Condran
If everyone who said they don't want Maccas in town stick to there convictons and boycott it they won't last long in town.
Cate Murphy
Thank You to all the people that came into" Smokos" today to reassure me that they will still eat with us and not sell out to the ultra cheap McHeartattack and Lies. I wonder how quickly maccas will fund a roundabout on Treelands and Yamba Rd.?.....I wonder how much council earns in all the various stages of development and inspections.?.....I ... See Morewonder how the short sighted five sleep at night ? Wonder I may...no point asking council anything about this as they couldn't lie straight in bed it's easy to see why they voted the way they did. I hope everyone remembers this at election time. You can bet I will be campaigning to remind everyone. I intend to do my own economic impact study of the effect this has on Yamba local businessess. BOYCOTT BOYCOTT BOYCOTT send the bastards broke show them that Yamba is committed, true and resilient....and vote NO to the fools that voted Yes
Michelle Higgins
So sorry to hear about this. When I come back to visit I will not be eating there. I will support the local community not Mccas. Wonder how much they paid the Council???????

McDonald's 24 hour fast food: Do you want a drunk with that?

Don't you just love when you drunk, and McDonald's is like the best idea in the world!!!! Facebook page Drunk McDonalds quote and photograph

"Stumbling home drunk from the pub, everyone always wants a feed, but nothings open unless u wanna wait for the bakery, everyone should be saying yes to maccas in good old Yamba!!" one younger adult male wrote on a Facebook page after the news came out that McDonald's Australia had lodged a development application for a 24 hour drive-through fast food outlet in Treelands Drive.

He was not alone in marrying the idea of McDonald's and a feed after hotels and clubs close.
Indeed, there is one website catering "For people who got drunk and then ended up at McDonalds" and another called "There would be less drunk driving in the world if McDonalds delivered" which has over 217,000 registered fans.

Now charitable souls might think that statements like these probably wouldn't translate into action if Clarence Valley shire councillors voted to allow McDonald's Australia to go ahead and establish a 24 hour drive-through fast food outlet in Treelands Dive, Yamba.

However McDonald's does appear to attract the intoxicated and just plain irresponsible.

In 2010 the media has reported:
a) "A woman caught five times over the limit had been driving because she was hungry, Queanbeyan Local Court on Monday............pleaded guilty to high-range drink driving after she was caught on February 2 with a blood alcohol reading of .240.
The court was told that the Centrelink employee attended a ball in Woden on February 6 and consumed two bottles of champagne.The Chisholm resident, who recently purchased a property in Queanbeyan, caught a taxi home from the ball and then watched television for two hours before becoming hungry.
Intoxicated......drove two kilometres to McDonalds to purchase some food and was pulled over for a random breath test on her way home, the court was told.
It was said that her decision to drive was irrational and irresponsible and she regretted her actions.
The court was told she had no prior criminal record and only one infringement in 2001." [ The Canberra Times, 1 March 2010]
b) "No licence because he accumulated demerit points for various driving offences.......was pulled over by police on his way to McDonalds for a feed. "Which part of you doesn't get it?" Magistrate Maxine Baldwin asked him. "You lost six points for (a high-speed offence) and continued to speed until you lost your licence." [The Gympie Times,20 February 2010]

McDonald's Australia is well aware that it attracts alcohol and drug intoxicated people and The Daily Telegraph reported in December last year that; "Family restaurant McDonald's is hiring security guards, installing CCTV and vowing to not serve drunks to placate community anger over its plans to stay open all night."

One reader's comment attached to that particular article stated; "Just go to McDonalds Stanmore and see the result that 24 hr trading brings to the local community. Hoodlums, rubbish strewn all over the road and [what] seems like an endless stream of drunks after their binge drinking nights out."

Elsewhere another online reader lamenting a change in the McDonald's menu admitted; "My standard meal when drunk is a triple cheese meal, 6 nuggets with sweet chilli sauce. What to do now?"

While last year Cessnock residents went public with their concerns about a McDonald's already operating there; "She said residents already put up with drunks fighting, smashing bottles, damaging gardens and vomiting.
"These issues will worsen if there is an extension of the trading hours," Mrs Carter said. "We are already subject to unacceptable antisocial behaviour with people congregating in the McDonald's car park, bus shelters and nearby streets." [The Herald,8 October 2009]

At Twitter searching for "drunk at McDonalds" bring up pages of recent tweets such as these:

* 2.11 a.m. jenyie showed up at my door with half a litre of vodka and a twited katie. bout to get drunk then head to mcdonalds :D

* ahaha i did that at mcdonalds when i was drunk haha!

* 90 percent of ppl at this mcdonalds are drunk or high

* ordering at mcdonalds drunk is too fucking funny. i'm peeing this is too good.

Some background

• David and Goliath. Yamba versus McDonald's


• Gawd 'elp us! Maccas wants to invade Yamba

McDonald's? Spare us!

McDonald's Australia has a development application before Clarence Valley Council for a 24 hour a day eat-in and drive-through store in the small coastal town of Yamba which has a permanent population of around 6,000 residents and no 24/7 food outlets.

McDonald's recently announced that its Ballina licensee Scott Campbell will also be the licensee for its proposed Yamba fast food store.

Needless to say the ambient temperature in Yamba has risen considerably as a result of McDonald's move on the town and many are not looking forward to increased traffic, more litter and a focal point for anti-social behaviour after the pubs close.

Apparently Mr. Campbell is aware of the general drift of public opinion and is said to be avoiding Yamba at the moment as he fears being "crucified".

A letter to the editor in The Daily Examiner on 19 April 2010:

McDonald's? Spare us

BOTH Jim Agnew and Chris Pontifex in letters both gave stirring and loving platitudes to McDonald's.

However, they seem a little 'selfish' themselves. Firstly, McDonald's is not building McDonald's House in Yamba, they are building a 'restaurant', a 24/7 operation at Treelands Drive.

A multi-million dollar company giving to charity - so they should but it is my experience that the humble wage earner in Australia (and elsewhere) are the people who give more collectively than any big corporation, ie, Boxing Day Tsunami and Haiti.

Jim, you will not be affected by the increased traffic (already a growing problems over the years and petitioned by residents) on Osprey, Treelands, Gumnut/Halyard roads.

The increasing traffic on these roads already is a problem for residents and has still yet to be addressed and solved.

Nor are you a resident who is virtually opposite the proposed structure or living just doors away or backing onto it.

Chris Pontifex claims it is 'just Treelands Drive and not the centre of town' and asks how it could affect the aesthetic value of the town.

It can and will and Treelands and adjoining streets have homes along them still.

It will affect the aesthetic value of these homes, the street and living conditions along that area.

As far as small business is concerned and the claims they are being selfish - many who claim this are not small business owners in the area or if they are, they are not food-related services.

Small businesses operate on small margins and any invasion to this margin by a large multi-million dollar company like McDonald's will ruin them. (Oh Maccas will employ many youth and many small businesses whose owners have mortgages and families and who employ people in this area can no longer operate and have to close because McDonald's takes their custom, ie, the plight that may face Smoko's in the industrial centre).

But wait! You tell me it is a franchise owner and not the multi-million dollar McDonald's who will benefit?

Exactly how many franchises can be operated by one franchisee?

I've spoken to people who have dealt with McDonald's on a sponsoring sporting groups basis - they all tell me the same. The only sponsorship they received was footballs and vouchers.

So much for 'putting so much into the sports groups' in the community.

Small business here does that already and much more than token gestures.

Why can't they just have a small section of a shopping centre - one small shop like other franchise businesses here?

Why can't they be on the highway?

How can you justify a 24/7 store in Yamba when we are not as big as Ballina and Grafton?

We don't need such excess for such a small town.

CELESTE WARREN, Yamba.

A Facebook NO to McDonalds in Yamba entry:

Michelle Smith It's not about the food for us, it's simply that we love Yamba as a quaint and peaceful holiday place free from chain-store fast food and commercialism. We have raved about the fact that the town is full of small local businesses, cafes and coffee shops and that we really feel like we've "escaped the city" when we are there. I'd like to say "no" simply so Yamba can keep this identity for us and many many more travellers and visitors who go for the same reason. Yes McDonald's plays a huge role in our Australian way of life, but surely they don't need to [be] quite everywhere?

Meanwhile elsewhere in Australia..........

The Northern Star on 7 January 2010:

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an assault on a 50-year-old Byron Bay man and a 43-year-old man from Alstonville at McDonald's in Ballina. The incident happened at 4pm on Tuesday when a group of three males were asked to leave the restaurant, and then the grounds, after consuming alcohol and abusing staff and customers. A staff member who asked the group to leave was punched in the face and knocked unconscious momentarily. Another male customer came to his aid and tried to stop the group from leaving the scene, but was punched repeatedly in the face. Both victims were taken to Ballina Hospital, where one of the men was admitted. He was later released.

The Gympie Times on 6 January 2010:

"DISGUSTING", is how Magistrate Dennis Beutel described the behaviour of a drunken teenager at Gympie's McDonalds recently.

The Canberra Times on 5 February 2010:

The court heard......had consumed up to five beers between 5.30pm and 1.30am and had not eaten anything, which it was said contributed to his high breath test reading.

Police noticed the vehicle that evening and saw it pull over into the McDonalds car park.

The Canberra Times on 26 February 2010:

.... pleaded guilty to low- range drink driving and operating a vehicle so the wheels lose traction after he was caught with a blood alcohol reading of .060 in Queanbeyan McDonalds car park at 11.45pm.

The Queensland Times on 22 December 2009:

AN IPSWICH man drove just 200 metres to a fast food restaurant while more than three times the limit because he was hungry, a court heard.

Ipswich Magistrates Court was told 22-year-old Kyron Lee Griffiths had driven to McDonalds and home again on December 3.

He was fined $900 and disqualified from driving for nine months.

The Chronicle on 25 November 2009:

.....yesterday faced court after he assaulted a teenage girl working at McDonald's by grabbing her hair and slamming her head on the counter.

........was a passenger in a vehicle going through the McDonald's drive-through at College View at 12.20am on November 1.

He was drunk and angry because a McDonald's worker could not understand what they were trying to order.

Is McDonald's Australia trying to hoodwink Clarence Valley Council?

Historical image of Treelands Drive and environs circa 2005
Click on image to enlarge

Eight (8) school buses use Treelands Drive, Yamba in the morning and three (3) school buses use Treelands Drive in the afternoon on school days.
Twelve (12) ordinary buses on the Yamba to Grafton and Return route move along Treelands Drive each weekday starting at around 7.15 am and ending at approximately 6.20pm.
On weekends and most public holidays these ordinary buses travel up and down Treelands Drive eight (8) times in total.
[Figures based on published timetable and telephone conversation with Busways,6 April 2010]

So there is a grand total of twenty-three (23) bus movements in Treelands Drive each Monday through to Friday in any normal week.

Evidently this road is generally thought to be the slowest section of the Yamba township bus route.

Why am I bothering to tell Clarence Valley residents something they all know or could find out with a single phone call to the Busways Yamba office?

Because apparently this simple piece of information was beyond the capabilities of McDonald's Australia when it presented a "Traffic Impact Assessment" to Clarence Valley Council, as part of its development application for a 24 hour eat-in and drive through fast food outlet in Treelands Drive.

This is what McDonald's asserts: "There is a bus shelter across Treelands Drive from the site with a posted timetable indicating Hail and Ride services, although it is unclear how the bus routes through the vicinity from Yamba Road." [McDonalds Australia Pty Ltd,Report for Proposed McDonalds Restaurant at 7 Treelands Drive Yamba, Traffic Impact Assessment, March 2010,p.11]

One would have thought that a timetable giving times for buses picking up and putting down "opp Bi-Lo" would have given McDonald's some hint - just as a sensible person would have expected that this large multinational would have thought to add school bus movements into the traffic mix.

But wait, there's more! McDonald's Australia thinks it is perfectly acceptable to expect that traffic flow (along Treelands Drive onto Yamba Road or Gumnut Road, up and down Osprey Drive, or along Gumnut through to The Halyard and down Shores Drive to Yamba Road) will go swimmingly, even with its own averaged prediction of anywhere between 180-230 extra vehicles per hour with an average maximum of 340 extra vehicles per hour in each direction along Treelands Drive. [ibid p.17]

How do we know all will be well? Why because McDonald's is using a 'guesstimate' (apparently based on one site visit) for how well the intersections at each end of Treelands Drive function at the present time; "Due to the absence of vehicle turning movement data for the intersection of Yamba Road/Treelands Drive and Treelands Drive/Gumnut Road, the intersections could not be assessed for existing operational performance." As well as relying on its own interpretation of a decade old Yamba Traffic Study to tick off on the proposed increase in traffic along Yamba Road generally in the vicinity of the shopping precinct. [ibid,p.10-11]

Now I haven't even begun to look at every aspect of the McDonald's/Clarence Property/Westlawn application because, with Council charging over a dollar per page for photocopying, I haven't had the luxury of bringing a copy of the entire Environmental Impact Statement etc. back home with me and so must return to read further.

However, if the aforementioned issues are an example of how McDonald's has approached the matter I am concerned that both the Yamba community and shire councillors are being fed a tissue of wishful thinking and possibly deliberate obfuscation.

This is one of those times that all current shire councillors should do more than open their business papers the night before or on the day of the monthly meeting and, seriously look at what McDonald's is asserting in the actual documents it has lodged.

The amenity of a significant section of Yamba and residents' ability to move easily/safely by car, bus or on foot, are two of the many things at stake because of this particular inappropriate development application.

Just when McDonald's felt it was safe to get back in the water the Yamba boycott shark begins to circle!

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.

The Hamburgler fights back against Yamba?

Yamba went public in the media last week about its opposition to the McDonald's Restaurants move to establish one of its fast food outlets in Treelands Drive.

A Facebook page was also created called NO to McDonalds in Yamba.

Shortly thereafter another Facebook page sprang up, YES to McDonalds in Yamba (snapshot above). This page looks suspiciously like it was created by the multinational food franchise, its publicists or a company employee or two - perhaps even their family members.

It has all the hallmarks; links to the official company website and multiple promos for McDonald's goods and activities.

However, like the Hamburgler, the page hides behind a mask and doesn't openly declare its creator's identity.

Update:

Just after the above post was published the YES to McDonalds in Yamba page posted this:

Noticed something so fun today, some people think this site (page) has been setup by McDonald's Australia......

I am a local who has lived in Townsend, Yamba and Maclean for plenty of years. I have family up and down the Clarence Valley and my Parents have been local residents for 13+ years.

So NO this isn't a corporate site. It's a personal FAN site which is pointing out all the POSITIVES!

The jury's still out on this claim.

McDonald's versus Yamba: boycott calls continue

The following was posted on Menu Mate at the webpage titled
McDonald's Family Restaurants (Ballina)
on 25 May 2010 and a copy sent to me:

Reviewer Name: EK
Title: McDonald's stay away from Yamba!
Comments: Dear Mr Campbell, I know a McDonald's restaurant in Yamba was approved last week by the local Council but the majority of Yamba residents DO NOT want it. Why do you want to come to Yamba when it is quite clear you are not wanted here. Please take back your application as most people will be boycotting it and you will not make any money.

To date this post is failing to display on the webpage in question. Hhmm........
However, the call to boycott any McDonald's eat-in and drive through fast food outlet in the small NSW North Coast town of Yamba continues.
While planning issues and councillots' votes refuse to die in The Daily Examiner letters to the editor on 11 June 2010 (twenty-five days after Clarence Valley Council development consent):

Valley Watch on Maccas decision
THE issues addressed by Valley Watch were not anti-McDonalds per se - they were mainly based on the inappropriateness of the intensified use of this particular site and the resultant adverse effects on local residents.
The zoning allows some uses 'with consent', meaning planners and councillors must take into account all the issues; it does not mean mandatory approval, a fact, which escaped five of the seven councillors voting on the DA.
A "refreshment room" is allowed in the zoning.
The definition does not include drive-through facilities, which the applicant claims is an ancillary use.
An accepted definition of ancillary use is that the area is subordinate or incidental to the dominant use (example being: accommodation for nurses on a hospital site).
As the drive-through will operate when the restaurant is closed, we do not believe it meets the accepted definitions of ancillary use, and is therefore not allowed in the zoning.
The fact that this commercial zoning abuts a residential area, the extra traffic that will be generated in the already planned Community Health Centre and Performing Arts Centre opposite, the increased traffic in residential streets, the adverse effect of lighting on surrounding residences, and the increased noise generated by this development as opposed to a retail outlet operating normal trading hours, were totally inadequately addressed in the planning report and by the majority of councillors.
Crime prevention was mentioned in the application, but it was not properly addressed in the report.
Councillors and planners were given many instances of increased anti-social behaviour and litter problems at other McDonalds outlets, but the issue was not addressed in the planning reports (Cr Margaret McKenna suggested Yamba residents could pick up the rubbish on their walks).
We thank Crs Tiley and Hughes, who voted against the development, and express our disappointment in the other councillors' lack of understanding of the issues and the inadequate information provided to them in the planning reports.
RONWYN LOPEZ, Valley Watch Inc secretary

McDonald's at Ballina finds itself with negative reviews

Menu Mates is a website which assists in the search for somewhere to eat and allows its readers to review restaurants of their choice.

McDonald's at Ballina is not faring well now that Yamba residents have found the site:

Posted by Yamba-ite on 24/04/2010
No to McDonald's in Yamba!
McDonald's Australia, the Westlawn Group and Scott Campbell all want a McDonald's store in Yamba. The Yamba community says NO to that. Tell Scott so at: scampbell@licensee.mcdonalds.com.au

Posted by YambaProud on 15/04/2010
No thanks!

Mr Scott Campbell, please do not open a McDonalds restaurant in Yamba, our community does not want it.

David and Goliath. Yamba versus McDonald's

On Tuesday 30 March 2010 a community meeting was called at Yamba to discuss opposition to multinational McDonald's move to establish a 24 hour drive-through food franchise in that coastal town.

The meeting was well attended and the crowd spilled out of the space and onto the street.

Yamba Chamber of Commerce, Valley Watch and Coast Care all spoke out against the McDonald's development application, as did local residents and some small business owners.

A number of Clarence Valley shire councillors attended the meeting and it was obvious that they had already started to receive emails lobbying against the fast food giant's plans.

The meeting convenor invited anyone who supported having a McDonald's in Yamba to the microphone to put forward their views. No-one came forward.

Some background:

The NSW Food Authority keeps what is popularly known as a name and shame file.

In 2009 no Yamba restaurant, cafe or small take-away food business was listed on this file.
However the multinational fast food company McDonald's was mentioned six times.Three times under management by franchise operators and another three times under its own Australian management.

Penalties were issued for Mcdonald's at Armidale, Lithgow, Penrith, Randwick (twice) and Ultimo.

Examples of official findings regarding these outlets:

• Fail to take all practicable measures to eradicate and prevent the harbourage of pests - live cockroaches observed on the premises
  
• Fail to maintain the food premises to the required standard of cleanliness
  
• Fail to take all practicable measures to eradicate and prevent the harbourage of pests - live cockroaches observed in the food preparation area
  
• Fail to take all practicable measures to eradicate and prevent the harbourage of pests - Customer complaint of fly found in burger. Several flies found in food preparation area

While elsewhere in Australia in April 2009 at 3am; McFilthy - you want gastro with that?

Graphic from NO to McDonalds in YAMBA at Facebook

The quiet desperation that is McDonalds Australia

In 2010  thanks to a blindly pro-multinational and Grafton-centric Clarence Valley Council, the little coastal town of Yamba had an ugly prefab, generic designed and unwanted McDonalds fast food outlet foist upon it.

The only thing that this multinational appears to have brought to the town is a level of litter in Treelands Drive and environs that it never had before.

So it was with quiet satisfaction that I read this in Lifehacker at the end of July 2013:

When we heard about McDonald’s Free Breakfast Deal promotion, we were expecting long queues and a lengthy wait. However, you should be served pretty quickly if our local outlet is anything to go by…

Over the next month, McDonald’s Australia is offering free breakfast items each Monday morning, beginning with today’s free Bacon McMuffin. There’s no catch or additional purchase requirements (although there is a limit of 1000 freebies per store and only one item per customer).

The above photo is what the line looked like at McDonald’s Circular Quay restaurant at approximately 8am. As you can see, demand for the free breakfast isn’t particularly overwhelming…..

It would appear that in 2012-2013 McDonalds’ Yamba store is not alone in failing to draw in customers and now this multinational is reduced to giving away its product.

Balfastards rule on Clarence Valley Council

Say NO! to these Clarence Valley councillors
in 2012

because they said
YES to McDonalds in YAMBA

in 2010

Pat Comben

Grafton
Attitude
a town doesn't tell council what to do
residents are rabble and i'm a reasoned man
i'm an important person - let me spell that for you, i*m*p*o*r*t*a*n*t

Margaret McKenna

Grafton
Attitude
there' s nothing special about Yamba

Grafton's better-er

youse residents should be happy to pick up red & gold litter on yer morning walk

Maccas is the health food of the nation

Ian Dinham

Yamba
Attitude
i'm telling you i don't want to vote for this DA - honest!

but i'll happily vote 'yes' anyway because it's never my fault if i raise my hand for the developer

Jim Simmons

Maclean
Attitude
please listen to me bleat that i share all your concerns about this DA and don't punish me for being one of Comben's sheep

Craig Howe

Grafton
Attitude
eh? duh? wha? yes sir, mista developer

and throw the mayor in for good measure

because his vision's lacking and his leadership's non-existent

Richie Williamson

Some background on McDonald's versus Yamba here.

Pics are from Clarence Valley Council website

Is fast food giant McDonald's finally paying the price for its arrogance?

There were probably many Yamba residents muttering “I told you so” under their breaths after reading this in The Sydney Morning Herald on 10 August 2014:

Sales at McDonald's have recorded their worst results in over 10 years.

Global sales at the fast food giant dropped 2.5 per cent in June and July.

Not since March 2003, when global sales plunged 3.7 per cent in consecutive months, has the world's biggest restaurant chain suffered such losses.

Australia is part of McDonald's Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa operation, which was the worst performing sector in the second quarter of 2014. Its sales declined 7.3 per cent.  

After similarly disappointing first quarter results, Australia was singled out as a poor performing market in April…..

One aspect of the Australian psyche the multinational fast food chain, McDonald’s, never grasped – if you force yourselves on our communities we tend not to buy your product.

In particular I suspect that the amount of national publicity the Telcoma protestors managed to garner is beginning to impact on many household fast food choices around the country.

Which makes one wonder if the fast food giant’s McDelivery trial will also fall flat on its face in Australia.

Background

http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com.au/search?q=mcdonalds+yamba

Yamba say a big hello to Ronald McDonald!

News of the face-off between that small NSW coastal town Yamba and McDonald's Australia appears to have spread to Illinois.
McDonald's Corporation in Chicago is also turning up on Internet traffic meters Googling yamba mcdonalds for information.

Moggy Musings [Archived material from Boy the Wonder Cat]

A terrible cruelty musing: Snowy, a 19-month-old domestic longhair from Bankstown NSW was restrained with tape and set alight in July 2010 by a person or persons unknown. The RSPCA is calling for anyone with information to come forward - contact the RSPCA on 02 9770-7555 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A tartan musing: Congrats to Super Sally the Blue Heeler for winning the best dressed dog competition at Maclean's International Tartan Day celebrations on 3 July 2010. Only a brave mutt can wear that much tartan!

A Bananabending Moggies musing: While handsome felines like myself can get lifetime registration in this state for a standard fee ($15 if your hoomin slave is a pensioner), my poor cousins living in Queensland are at the mercy of each local council and no-one's mentioning a lifetime rego fee - just incredible annual charges which come into effect by the end of 2010. Queensland moggies unite - picket your council office until lifetime registration is the norm!

A Rex's pleased musing: Rex's rebarked that although he knows most of Yamba's walls, telegraph posts and similar spots he is (for different reasons) tickled pink about this new site: iGo2 Yamba which gave him a mention.

A Rexie Rulz! musing: Rex the German Shepherd is till beating his hoomins when it comes to Bill's clues about who's hitting the shebert instead of the ball at Yamba Golf Club. Rex reckons Bill only gets one 'starr' for his latest effort.

A not so cryptic musing: Bill was trying a little Poirot-style clue when he laid this down in a local golfing gossip column in early June 2010 - "Let's be frank, if you try to outfox the fuzz it could well be all over for you." Sorry Bill. Rex the German Shepherd had nailed the buggy driver before his master had even finished reading Putts & Pars. Even if he suffers from the disadvantage of not being a moggy, Rex is a very smart dog!

A Margaret McKenna musing: My little canine friend Veronica Lake tells me that one of the furry kids she plays with was looking over her papa's shoulder and read this bit of a letter from the Grafton accountant currently passing herself off as a shire councillor - I represent US and am insulted you think I may represent McDonalds. (and that is US not U.S.) Still laffing....

A Million Paws musing: The 16th Annual RSPCA Million Paws Walk is being held across Australia today Sunday 16 May 2010 and is THE big day out for animal lovers. Well done to my many furry friends as they try for a new Australian record!

A way too much information musing: Word round the catsnip patch is that a certain NSW North Coast councillor used a local government committee meeting to not-so-subtly brag about his sexual prowess - eeewww!