Love Norah Head affirms its commitment to opposing the proposed McDonald’s development in Toukley. The original Development Application, submitted at the beginning of 2024, is believed to be under review by an independent planning commission. While no outcome has been announced, we urge the community to remain strong and united in opposing this poorly considered proposal. Love Norah Head represents the interests of the local Toukley and surrounding communities, who are concerned for several valid reasons.

 
🏪 Support for Local Business
Toukley, especially East Toukley, is thriving economically. It has developed a local business hub built on community character and collaboration. Many residents recognise the unique identity that has emerged in the area. The presence of a McDonald’s will directly threaten this progress.

Despite claims that people can simply choose not to support a fast food chain, experience in other towns shows that McDonald’s will inevitably draw customers away from local businesses. This is not theory, it is fact. McDonald’s offers low cost and convenience, which makes it hard for small cafes and local eateries to compete. It is not fair to those who have invested in this community to see their efforts undermined by corporate expansion.

Some argue that McDonald’s will create jobs. While this may be true on paper, McDonald’s has been shown to provide poor working conditions for teenagers and young employees. In contrast, many local businesses are already offering jobs to young people in supportive and respectful environments. These employers are invested in our youth and our future. These are the businesses that deserve our support.

 
📍 Concerns with the Proposed Site
The location of the proposed McDonald’s raises serious concerns. It is situated on the corner of Main Road, opposite Toukley Public School, at the current site of a smash repairs business. This intersection has a long history of traffic incidents and even fatalities. Adding a high traffic business to this location will only increase risk for drivers and pedestrians.

The site is confined by Aldi, the main road, and nearby schools. The idea that McDonald’s will operate directly opposite a school is alarming. Children do not need a constant distraction, the smell of fast food, or visual marketing while trying to focus on their education. With childhood obesity rates rising in Australia, this development does not reflect care for student wellbeing.

 
🚗 Traffic and Public Safety
Main Road is already heavily congested. A 24-hour McDonald’s will bring more cars, more delivery trucks, and increased foot traffic. Toukley already faces issues with hooning and limited police patrols. The addition of a late night outlet will only make this problem worse.

During school pick-up and drop-off times, traffic around Toukley Public and St Mary’s Catholic School already reaches a standstill. A McDonald’s in this location will not help. It will only add more pressure to roads that are already struggling.

 
🌊 Impact on Norah Head and Surrounding Areas
Many Norah Head residents have witnessed the litter left behind by visitors to Soldiers Beach. McDonald’s rubbish is often thrown from car windows or left behind in public places. If a McDonald’s opens in Toukley, this problem will spread. The natural beauty of our beaches and bushland should not be treated as a dumping ground.

 
🚨 Crime and Antisocial Behaviour
Crime remains a growing concern in Toukley. Businesses such as Liquorland have been repeatedly targeted. A McDonald’s will likely become a gathering point for those who are already causing trouble in the community. It will create another late-night spot for vandalism, loitering, and antisocial activity.

 
✍️ What You Can Do
We urge residents to sign and share this petition. Spread it through local community pages, among friends, neighbours, and family. We do not yet know where the planning committee stands, but we believe a public forum must be held before any decision is made.

This development does not reflect the best interests of our community. Together, we can make our voices heard.

Say no to McDonald’s in Toukley. Say yes to supporting local businesses, protecting our schools, and keeping our community safe.