McDonald’s wins appeal to open 24/7 restaurant on Melbourne’s ‘world’s coolest street’
Consensus Summary
McDonald’s has won its appeal to open a 24/7 restaurant on High Street in Northcote, Melbourne, a strip once named the ‘world’s coolest street’ by Time Out magazine in 2024. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) overturned Darebin City Council’s November 2025 rejection, ruling that planning laws cannot deny approval based on the operator’s identity, even for a multinational fast-food chain. The site, vacant since a 2023 fire and plagued by vandalism, will now host the restaurant, with VCAT arguing it will improve safety and activate the area. Over 11,000 locals had signed a petition opposing the move, citing concerns about cultural erosion, traffic, and the loss of the street’s ‘cool vibe.’ McDonald’s has pledged to create around 200 jobs during construction and operation, with the store run by a local franchisee. While residents like Jo Pugh and Franc de Petro expressed disappointment, others acknowledged potential economic benefits, though fears remain about the impact on independent businesses.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- VCAT overturned Darebin City Council’s November 2025 decision to reject McDonald’s application for 323 High Street, Northcote
- Time Out magazine ranked High Street, Northcote as the ‘world’s coolest street’ in 2024
- A petition against the McDonald’s development collected over 11,000 signatures (July 2025)
- VCAT member Michael Deidun ruled that the planning system in Victoria is ‘somewhat blind to the final operator’ and cannot deny approval based on McDonald’s corporate identity
- The proposed McDonald’s will operate 24/7, despite objections about late-night activity
- The site (323 High Street) has been vacant since a fire in 2023 and was described as uninviting, with vandalism and trespassing issues
- McDonald’s claims the Northcote store will generate approximately 100 construction jobs and 100 operational jobs for locals
- The restaurant will be owned and operated by a local franchisee, contributing to employment and community support
- Darebin City Council initially rejected the application in November 2025, citing concerns about cultural identity, traffic, and safety
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- VCAT member Michael Deidun visited the site and felt unsafe due to the uninviting public walkway, ruling that McDonald’s would improve surveillance and safety
- Franc de Petro, a local resident and Facebook group administrator, expressed disappointment, stating the McDonald’s would disrupt the area’s evolved ‘cool vibes’ and attract visitors rather than locals
- The council’s rejection went against the advice of council officers and three councillors, who argued McDonald’s had a right to use the commercially zoned site
- The tribunal approved the 24/7 operation because it added only three hours beyond the standard 6am–3am convenience restaurant hours, citing ‘late-night activity encouragement’ in the area
- The council opposed the permit on grounds of altering the ‘look, feel, and identity of the precinct,’ environmental impacts, and potential negative effects on property prices
- There are already two existing McDonald’s stores within a 3.5km radius of the proposed site
- The site is in a ‘Commercial 1 Zone,’ meaning no planning permit was required for a retail premises, including a convenience restaurant
- VCAT noted the building’s planning permit allowed for a cafe or restaurant regardless of the operator
- Resident Jo Pugh stated the decision was ‘poor’ and that ‘Maccas isn’t necessarily cool,’ calling it an ‘eyesore’ for the street
- Resident Matt Atanasovski expressed mixed feelings, hoping the restaurant wouldn’t hurt local businesses but acknowledging it might bring people to the area
- The petition argued McDonald’s would lead to ‘increase in litter, undesirable traffic congestion, and environmental concerns’
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian and ABC mention the council’s rejection was in November 2025, but THEAGE states it was in November 2024 (likely a typo in THEAGE, as all other sources confirm 2025)
- THEAGE and ABC describe the site as 323 High Street, while NEWSCOMAU and GUARDIAN describe it as 319-325 High Street (likely a minor address range clarification)
- THEAGE notes the tribunal approved the 24/7 hours because it added ‘just three hours’ beyond standard, while GUARDIAN and ABC do not specify the exact hour difference
Source Articles
McDonald’s green-lit for ‘world’s coolest street’ after fast food giant’s appeal
VCAT found against the local council, overruling concerns that the McDonald’s would harm High Street’s cultural identity, small businesses and pedestrian safety.
McDonald’s allowed to build on ‘coolest’ street
McDonald’s will be allowed to build a 24/7 store along an Aussie street once dubbed the “world’s coolest”, despite major pushback from the community.
McDonald’s to open on Melbourne street once dubbed ‘world’s coolest’ after winning legal challenge
Fast food giant cannot not be denied on basis it doesn’t suit ‘vibe’ of location, tribunal finds Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast McDonald’s is poised to open a 24/7 takeaway outlet on a Melbourne street once dubbed the “world’s coolest” after the fast food giant won its legal challenge against the local council’s attempt to block the new restaurant. Victoria’s civil and administrative tribunal (Vcat) has upheld M
Maccas wins battle to set up in 'world's coolest street'
The fast food giant has been cleared to set up an outlet in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote after successfully challenging a council decision to block its restaurant plans.
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