maccas update @ 8 july - day 8

Day 8 since McDonalds began works out at their site in Tecoma. The community continues to maintain their picket line at the site, the CFMEU continues to respect the community picket and many people come and go maintaining the protest at the Burwood Hwy frontage of the site.

Today's media coverage included a spot on 3AW where Brian Baker's Ballad of Tecoma got a run and this article appeared in The Age.

A small group of community members travelled to the city to protest outside Treasury Place to coincide with a Cabinet Meeting of the State Government. Tomorrow a group of protestors will head to VCAT to protest, where at the same time Day 2 of the appeal regarding the 'sawmill site' in Healesville will continue (the original sawmill site proposal contemplated 2 convenience restaurants, a McDonalds and Red Rooster).

Local businesses continue to contribute food and drinks to community members on site. Today I saw a box of fresh organic bananas supplied by Eastfield Organic Natural Foods in Croydon South being distributed, this morning Hahndorf's Fine Chocolates in Upper Ferntree Gully provided hot chocolate, coffee and chocolate for the community. Belgrave Organics have been a long time supporter of the community campaign and have provided a central hub to purchase stickers, t-shirts, CDs, wheelie bin stickers and donations to the campaign over a very long time.

This has been a long journey, since I first received the call regarding the application in February 2011. Since the unanimous council decision to refuse the application I have been strong in my resolve to oppose this inappropriate development for Tecoma and I join with the community in their resolve. I believe a system that does not take into account the number of community objections, nor give them weight is a flawed system and must be changed.

There is no sign of the motivation and energy dissipating from community members, they remain strong and committed to their protest.

Here's some pics from day 8 of the protest: