Information Centres & Committee Formation

Our latest development is the creation of 'Information Centres'. Both Tim at 'Picknics Cafe' and Jessie at 'Whitecliffs General Store' will be able to assist you with information regarding the campaign. You will be able to pick up and drop off letters, petitions and any other material at these stores.

Whitecliffs General Store
2507 Point Nepean Rd, Rye
Ph. 5985 5147

Picknic's Cafe
2285 Point Nepean Rd, Rye
Ph. 5985 6025

I have also emailed those people that indicated at the town meeting that they'd like to join the committee. (Edit: the first Committee Meeting was held on 30th April). If you have not received that email but would like to join us, please let me know.

Letter Writing Campaign

We need to make sure that the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council receives as many letters of objection on this issue as possible. This aspect of the campaign is crucial. You will find various templates or letter suggestions in the sidebar on the left.
You can either send three copies (addresses below) or drop them into our Information Centres and we'll do the rest.

Everybody concerned needs to write to:

Mr Ray Webb
The Manager
Planning Department
Mornington Peninsula Shire
Locked Bag 1000
Rosebud 3939

CC - McDonalds Australia
Corporate Communications Dept
21–29 Central Avenue,
Thornleigh NSW 2120

CC - Hungry Jacks
State Head Office
1183 Toorak Road,
Camberwell VIC 3124

CC - Katrina Humphrey (via email) – dixonkatrina@hotmail.com

By keeping our Committee informed we can work to ensure that every letter is heard.

A Challenge - Name that Campaign

Here is a challenge for you all.

Many a campaign, business or even person are remembered for their catchy name. We need to be among them.Our campaign is not only about stopping McDonalds and Hungry Jacks from entering our town, but it is about keeping Rye free of all the multinational fast food giants. We do not want any of them anywhere in our midst. However, this is not a group of nay sayers, but a positive and passionate collection of people who want to see the best for our town, our environment and our people. This battle is being fought to not only stop what we don't want, but to help us get what we do.

Go on, find a catchy name that says all that - I dare you.

Be bold with your suggestions and see your idea in lights (well ok, only on bumper stickers, signs, posters, emails, blogs etc - but that's pretty cool isn't it?)

Edit:
Here are the latest suggestions for the campaign name. Is our name in this list? If not, maybe use them as your inspiration.Rye's Up!

• Rye, Our Town – Our Choice
• Ryes Against McDonalds
• Hit the road Jack and Mac - Keep Rye Macdonalds and Hungry Jacks free
• Give Mac and Jack the sack
• Sack Mac and Jack
• Rye against Mac and Jack
• The Rye Bunfight
• Healthy Rye Beach
• Rye Bans McFastfood
• No Fat at Rye Beach
• Rye Beach Bans Fat Patties
• McFFFF (Fatty Fast Food Free)

Tell me your thoughts - which is your favourite?

Overwhelming Support at the Town Meeting

I would like to thank everyone who attended the town meeting last night, and also those who have contacted me to voice your support. There was a huge response, with an estimated 300 attendees. Please peruse the site for the town meeting minutes. You'll also find suggestions for letters in the sidebar (in the top left).

Please be patient with us, there is a huge amount of paperwork to process and there was an incredible influx of people arriving at the sign in desk on the night. We all have done our best but if there are any errors that you notice, please just let us know and we will try to rectify them.
Thank you again to everyone for displaying such an amazing amount of enthusiasm, passion and generosity. I feel so overjoyed and grateful to our amazing town. If McDonalds, Hungry Jacks and the like aren't aware of the incredible spirit and positivity that Rye has by now they soon will.

P.S. Thank you to Cr Bill Goodrem who is organising the refund of the cost of the hall hire. 

PPS: For all of those who donated money to the campaign, it will be spent on bigger and better things to enable us to win this battle. Thank you to you all!

Minutes - Town Meeting #1

Town Meeting #1 - Say No! to McDonalds in Rye

23rd April 2009

Meeting opened 7.45pm

** Welcome **
Katrina’s speech (Campaign Organiser) - click here for full speech
Andrew’s speech (Rye Health Store) - click here for full speech
Pauline Powell’s speech - click here for full speech

Charles Davidson's speech: (Peninsula Hot Springs)

Charles pointed out he is already picking up rubbish along the road to Hot Springs, mainly cigarette boxes, McDonalds, KFC and Coca-Cola bottles - always big brand companies.
He spoke of a positive vision for Rye and the Peninsula, which the presence of big brand fast-food companies would negate, and the proposal to create a Wellness Peninsula. Whole Peninsula would be a ‘golden door’ including outdoor activities, walks etc. He is pushing Tourism Victoria on this already.

He outlined things that could be done:

1) create a night market on the foreshore;

2) outdoor shared pizza ovens also on the foreshore to encourage community and getting together;

3) a fresh produce market;

4) an international food court on the site earmarked for Hungry Jacks;

5) turn the old homes on the corner of Pt Nepean Rd and Dundas St into community-owned wellness houses – needs commitment to raise funds;

6) a self-sustaining green power bus network covering Red Hill to Point Nepean.

Katrina: So who are we fighting? Important to remember we are not fighting McDonalds per se, but the presence of any multinational fast-food chains in Rye.

Statement from Andrew Dixon (100 Waverley Rd Group) - click here for letter
Statement from Martin Dixon
Comments from Greg Hunt

Tim (from Picknics Cafe) – 100% of customers are fully against McDonalds in Rye. 50% of them think it’s hopeless. Tim came from Belgrave where a McDonalds was proposed but the community reacted so strongly they withdrew. It can be done.

Cr Bill Goodrem: This will be a battle, he can’t side one way or the other or is unable to vote on the issue, just observing at this stage. Residents of Torquay fought a major development and won. Other alternative is to buy the land and stop it that way. There is nothing at Council yet, no application at all. An application for Aldi has gone back to planning and Hungry Jacks have spoken to planners but have not submitted anything yet. Can’t confirm it is actually McDonalds looking at cnr Pt Nepean Rd and Dundas St but assume it is.

Katrina: Aldi is a separate battle if anyone wants to take that up, we are focusing on McDonalds and Hungry Jacks.

Comment from floor: "Today Tonight" showed the Manager of Hindley St, Adelaide McDonalds walked out due to massive rubbish problems inside the McDonalds.

Katrina: if they aren’t doing anything about the rubbish inside the store, imagine how little they will do about the rubbish outside.

Comment: Are there any statistics on how many letters are deemed effective?

Katrina: varies, town in Tasmania where every resident bar one wrote a letter, they won. In Malvern they wrote approx 700 letters. People should also write to The Leader and The Mail.

Comment: Have you thought about what happens if it goes through to VCAT? Speaker and Pauline Powell fought an ABC childcare centre in a nearby street and won, cost between $6000 and $10000. Very expensive and battle is likely to end up there.

Katrina: We're hoping to nip it in the bud before it reaches VCAT, has been done where McDonalds has decided it’s not worth it. However, we need to plan, need to fundraise, need to plan as if it will end up at VCAT.

Tim: Should be about awareness. No customers knew about it, need to tell as many people as possible.

Comment: Put pressure on Council - at the end of the day planners make the final decision.

Katrina: I believe it will be a taskforce rather than just planners as this affects more than one department. Keep track of letters, please send a copy to Katrina as well.

Comment: Will Bill Goodrem persuade councillors like he did on ABC childcare centre?

Comment: If Bill Goodrem declares support for fight he can’t vote.

Katrina: We need to focus on all fast food chains not being right for Rye, they are not why we moved here. Need to focus on all of Rye.

Comment: Is there anyone here from the papers?

Katrina: yes, there’s good support from papers, best way to get into papers is to write letters.

Comment: Not just McDonalds and Hungry Jacks but also KFC and all other fast food franchises will affect business.

Katrina: Yes, need to focus on all, we need to support our local traders.

Comment: in a recession at the moment, why lose 100 jobs to make 15.

Comment: We need traffic counts on the traffic at corner of Dundas St and Pt Nepean Rd in January, not June.

Comment: Will be a vigorous battle, need to have a positive image and a positive plan, need a positive attitude.

Katrina: This is not an anti-McDonalds fight, it’s for Rye. Looking at how Rye can develop in a really positive way, this will be hindered by McDonalds.

Comment: How much support is there for buying the site?

Katrina: This is certainly something to be looked at but not confirmed that is only site.

Comment: We need to inform holiday-house owners, those who’re not down here.

Comment: It's up to everyone to network and spread the word to part-timers.

Katrina: It's not just residents, out-of-towners don’t want to travel all the way from the city to find fast food outlet next door.

Comment: What happens now? Write letters, tell everyone. But is it okay to email or do they get deleted?

Comment: In speaker’s experience all letters and emails to council have to be answered.

Comment: What about door-knocking?

Katrina: Everything helps but letters are best as they have the most impact.

Comment: What about generic letters?

Katrina: Everything is of value but individual letter-writing is most effective.

Katrina:

1) Traders cannot directly complain about loss of business, urge everyone to write that they are concerned about local traders’ loss of business.

2) Need to be really careful of legal responsibility. Anecdotally McDonalds side-tracks the fight with legal details and slips something else in while everyone's attention is focused elsewhere.

3) Apathy is the biggest hurdle. Need:

• letters – can use templates
• volunteers – for letter box drops etc.
• a committee
• financial support

Thank you to all who attended, all who spoke, to everyone who emailed and to Michelle Muter in particular.

Meeting closed: 9.30pm

Support from Similar Campaigns

From Andrew Dixon
100 Waverley Road Action Group

“Could I ask you to pass on our best wishes and support to the meeting tonight.

Our 100 Waverley Rd Action Group was formed to oppose an application by McDonalds Australia for a family restaurant at the corner of Waverley Rd and Burke Rd in East Malvern.

We had 700 initial objectors and about 200 people gave donations (some of $500 or so) that supported our representation and a traffic expert witness at VCAT for 5 days in December 2008 and late January 2009. (We originally budgeted for $9,500.00.)

We are hoping that the VCAT decision will be announced by next week.

Please let the meeting and your new Working Group know I am happy to support your group with documents and advice.”

Pauline Powell - Speech at Town Meeting

One of my aims is to preserve Rye’s history, and so it was with alarm I learned of the ‘For Sale’ signs on three properties on the western corner of Point Nepean Road and Dundas Street, all owned by the same family. I have no objection of course to these people selling these properties – after all they have been owned by them for many years – 2463 for 46 years and The Palms for 35 years.

This area is prime residential land and the disappearance of these two houses in any circumstance would continue the loss of Rye’s remaining character and charm as a seaside town.

Both houses have a long history, over 90 years. Built around 1914 when Point Nepean Road was still known as The Esplanade, the first house at 2463 was for over 60 years the school headmaster’s residence. Built by an early Rye builder Ted Baker, it was originally on the corner block, and moved back many years ago to where it is today. It was rented by different families including the Tylers who came in 1915. The owner of the Pier Store, Stephen Beecher, bought it in 1919 then sold to the Education Department in 1921 when the residence beside the school became unfit for habitation. These two blocks were sold to the present owner in 1983.

The department sold the back sections of the two blocks in 1962 to ‘The Queen’ for the Rye Police Station and residence. This residence is the one sold recently as No 2 Dundas Street.
‘The Palms’ property originally went through to Maori Street. This house with its palms has a character all of its own. James Rowley of the old Rye family owned it from 1923 and rented it to the Hall family in the 1920s. One of their daughters was a teacher at the school, and a son wrote about the early history of Rye. Jim Rowley sold to Mr and Mrs Palmer in 1930 – they had The Palm Mattress factory. The frontage to Maori Street sold in 1937. Visitors to this house included a nephew – Graham Kennedy. Jim Gerald the comedian and the ‘dame’ in the pantomimes, a brother in law of Mrs Palmer lived there for a time. The present owners bought it in 1973.

These well maintained and attractive properties formed the eastern end of the Crown Grant of 67 acres in 1869 to Thomas Monahan of St Kilda for 14 pds 19/8. Extending to White Cliffs and back to Melbourne Road, it was transferred to John Wallace in 1901. In 1904 the Danish Anders Andersen, Rye Storekeeper, bought the whole area, selling to William L Thompson in 1912. He then proceeded to subdivide and sell off the various blocks. His family still owns ‘Bimblehurst’ at the western end of this original grant.

Although a takeaway food business can build in a residential area with access to a main road, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council will determine if this multi national fast food company goes ahead with its plans. In the last edition of ‘Peninsula News’ there was an article ‘Demolition v Heritage – Keeping the best from our past’. It states that the planning system provides a means to identify and protect these special places.

Heritage checks are taken before a demolition permit is issued. Questions to be answered are: Is this house one of the oldest in the area, are there many places like this left in the town, was it once used by or lived in by someone well known?

Finally, the question we ask is: Does the commercial area of Rye need to be extended over Dundas Street. It is a very heavy traffic area already - another problem in the town.

This proposal makes me more determined to identify all the places in Rye which have historical significance.

Andrew Blease - Speech at Town Meeting

It is an indisputable fact that chronic degenerative disease is lifestyle related. The single biggest cause is what we put in our mouths. The fast food outlets presently eyeing off our town are well known for producing mass-market, highly processed garbage that is high in fat, sugar and salt, whilst being additive laden, low fibre, low nutrient and devitalised!!! The regular consumption of such non-food leads to physical and mental decline.

Degenerative disease begins in childhood and is largely related to poor food choices in this easily influenced segment of our society. Big multi-national fast-food chains target our young and vulnerable. The resultant inferior nutrition and toxic build-up in a developing body are the side-effects which lead to chronic health challenges in the short and long term.

Image source

It is evident to me that as a society we are attempting to address some of the major influences affecting individual health through better education in order to encourage better-informed food choices. High profile, commercially aggressive and ruthlessly immoral fast food giants actively oppose such attempts. I, like many people I speak to who live on the Peninsula moved here to escape the high pressure environment and attitudes that prevail in our larger cities. We don’t want Rye to be just another outer suburb!

I would also like to mention another impact on health…. the health of our town. Rye boasts many small businesses run by locals for locals. These businesses feature hard-working owners trying to make a living in a town they love. These businesses offer employment to other locals and return much of their income to our community. Multi-national fast food outlets will financially bleed the town, adversely effecting its small business profile and the viability of many food premises.

Let’s stop this infestation before it begins and work together to foster a healthy community!!!

Katrina Humphrey - Speech at Town Meeting

INFORMATION ABOUT MCDONALDS IN RYE
Firstly, let me pass on some of the information I have gathered through hours of research, phone calls, discussions and talking to people ‘in the know’. McDonalds and Hungry Jacks are both looking at opening restaurants in Rye. Hungry Jacks is proposing to open next to Peninsula Surf Centre, near the Safeway supermarket, and more disturbingly McDonalds is eyeing off the beautiful old houses on the cnr of Dundas Street and Point Nepean Road, the vacant block of land being sold with these properties and the house on Dundas next to the police station.

Now it is important to remember that these are just ‘proposed sites’, no plans have yet been lodged with council.

The site proposed for McDonalds is zoned Residential Zone 1. Which sounds promising, however, there is a clause in the zoning that states, basically, that for a ‘convenience restaurant’ if it borders a main road and commercial premises they do not need apply for planning amendments. This site meets all those requirements. There is a positive note to that. It does mean that WHEN, we win this battle with McDonalds, we are not likely to have to start again to save the homes from a petrol station or the like.

McDonalds HAS confirmed that they are ‘looking at Rye’, which in itself is a disturbing fact. They use a computer programme that calculates the next prime site for their restaurants, other businesses see that McDonalds is opening and join the fray. It is called ‘synergistic marketing’ and it could mean an influx of multinational fast food restaurants entering the Rye foreshore. Hungry Jacks is very close to submitting plans to council – possibly within the month.

WHY MEET NOW
Now I know it seems crazy to be meeting now, at such an early stage of the game before there have even been plans submitted, but there is logic to this. Most importantly we need to get organised. This is a HUGE fight, one we can win, but not without enormous effort. We need to be ready to go if plans hit the decision makers desk at the shire. But how fantastic would it be if we could nip this issue in the bud and stop it before it ever got that far. Advice I have received is that many a fight has been lost simply because it was begun too late.

McDonalds will and has been talking to the shire in regards to the opening of their stores. We should be doing the same. We need to be rallying the troops and letting the people elected to make decisions for us know exactly what we think.

REASONS FOR COMPLAINTS
As far as I can see, it will be far harder to find reasons to want a McDonalds, but we do need a logical approach. There are many reasons to be concerned such as the enormous amount of rubbish generated. On average a McDonalds Restaurant produces 125kg of rubbish per day. A drive thru produces 99kg – 153kg. How much of that ends up recycled? Less than 50% CAN be recycled – that figure is not how much WILL be – I cant find a statistic for that. I do know that in England a survey was done of the rubbish on the streets of their 10 largest cities, and 29% of it (the largest figure) was from McDonalds. Not only is that rubbish found directly around the restaurants, but a court case in America states complaints from residents who live over two blocks from the Maccas, but near convenient parking. McDonalds customers go through the drive thru, park their cars in the parking bays, eat their food on the front steps of the residents houses, even use these steps as bathrooms, then leave all the mess behind. So basically no one is immune from the rubbish. It WILL end up on our streets, on our beaches, in our front gardens and in our land fill. One place it is NOT likely is in our recycling.

Obviously the houses near by will be the greatest effected. The homes on Pt Nepean Road will certainly loose their prestige – I mean who wants to live next to a McDonalds. Think of the residents on Elgan Avenue, the first left off the foreshore from the proposed site. Here, as well as Maori Street will become a thorough fare for people coming out of the drive thru and wanting to return to either Dundas Street or Melbourne Road. These streets will be affected by the rubbish, noise, the traffic and most likely a drop in property prices as well.

Why do people live in Rye? Because they love the small town, beach lifestyle of the area. There are all the conveniences you need if you are willing to drive anywhere up to 20 minutes away, but we in Rye currently still exist as an escape from what the city has too offer. I personally want it to stay this way. Yes it has its problems, doesn’t everywhere, but a McDonalds or Hungry Jacks will only magnify them.

Another area of concern is the traffic on both Dundas and Pt Nepean Road, which lets face it, is cactus through most of summer anyway, without adding a busy restaurant on the corner. The historical signifigance of the site being proposed is immense. The health issues that having a McDonalds not only in our town, but so close to our school and kinder will raise, and the change to the general ambience of the area.

Lets also think of the Rye traders. Places that survive because of tradies support will be suffering greatly, as will the small family owned, local fast food restaurants along the strip. If they go, how will Rye survive at all?

Now the arguments ‘for’ seem to be about employment and bringing new people to the area. But having spoken to many townspeople, it is just more of the same kind of hospitality work that is on offer already (in fact probably not as good). We do need to take these arguments seriously though. They will need to be answered in far more detail and with research to back up the claims.

There is also talk that these fast food giants will bring people to the town. As far as tourists go, I don’t know of anyone who goes on a beachside holiday and makes the decision based on a Maccas on the corner. As for bringing locals to the foreshore township, well maybe it will, but will it bring them into the existing stores, or will it just have them moving away from the fish and chip shop and into the drive-thru, not even getting out of the car long enough to buy a paper.

These are just a few key points that we need to keep in mind when we are finalizing a protest campaign to stop this inappropriate development.

Now that we have heard a range of reasons to take on this fight, and the positive result we could have at the end, the question that begs to be asked is…

SO WHO ARE WE REALLY FIGHTING ANYWAY?
Now, as far as I see it, there are two battles we are having to face. The first, fairly obviously, is the inappropriate development and the fast food juggernaut heading our way. The other, possibly more sinister and certainly more confronting is the “No way can we win against McDonalds”, the “What can we do?” the “McDonalds has all the money – they always win” and of course the “Yeh, I support you, but I’m just too busy”. But my personal favourite – “Oh. Really. Good luck with that”. And that gem, “Hey, You need to….”.

It is easy to tell, simply by the fact that you are here, that there is no one of that persuasion in our midst, but believe me, we will run into it a lot.

This fight can be won, and we are certainly way ahead of the game because of tonight alone. Other towns have been the ‘David’ that have beaten the ‘Corporate’ Golliath, let Rye stand amongst them.

SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?
Well our first step is to rally the troops. A pretty good effort so far I’d say. There are well over 300 people receiving my emails, and those are just the ones I know about. Everyday I am receiving a response from someone who has seen one “forwarded from…and… through… to…and then etc etc”.

Our message is also being forwarded on to local environment groups, Melbourne development groups, has been picked up by the local Leader and Mail newspapers and radio stations. And this is just the beginning.

We have the support of Martin Dixon, State Member for Nepean, Shadow Minister for Education. He has sent through his apologies for being unable to attend tonight and this statement that he wished to be read out,

“As a resident of rye I share the concerns of those attending this meeting.
If either proposal of construction of Hungry Jacks or McDonalds goes ahead it will have a negative effect on local take away and food outlets. I am also concerned about the precedent of the retail strip being extended west of Dundas Streeet.

In the meantime, my role is to ensure that the proper planning processes take place, giving locals ample notice and opportunity to lodge their objection.

Congratulations to all those involved in organising this meeting and I repeat, my offer to assist in any way you would like assistance”

We have also received the support of Greg Hunt, Federal Minister for Flinders, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water. He has stated that he will happily follow up with approaches to the Shire and State indicating that he feels that major fast food outlets in the suburb of Rye would be an example of inappropriate development.

He recommends that there be community opposition to the opening of major fast food outlets in the town and, most importantly, that we urge council to make a formal objection and request to McDonalds and Hungry Jacks and other fast food outlets to re-think Rye as a suitable location.

So, as a first step, we need to write letters, and lots of them!!!!!

So, onto the housekeeping. I have already mentioned that apathy is one of our big hurdles. I am certainly not pointing any fingers, no one has the time to do everything they plan to. So, as a group we need to make the letter writing campaign as easy for people as possible.

You will see around the room, and also in the entrance hallway tables set up and full of paperwork. Scary thought I know, but it is soooo easy.

On each of these tables you will find formal letters of complaint already written and addressed to the shire. Copies of these letters will also be sent to McDonalds, Hungry Jacks and Martin Dixon. There are several letters to choose from, some of them stating a general concern, others are based on more specific problems, such as rubbish, street appeal, traffic and so on. All we need you to do is write your name and address on the top right hand corner of the page and sign the bottom. Everything else will be done for you.

Now, many of you may still want to write your own letter of complaint, and that is strongly encouraged. It is the hope that 1000s of letters will be received by the shire in support of our campaign. I will ask that when you send your letter, also send a copy to me, preferably via email. I would then like to link it to the blog (name and addresses removed of course) so others can either use your letter as motivation, or for those that are not as comfortable at letter writing, simply attach their names and addresses to it and then they can send it. I think this is the only way we will receive the numbers we need.

The final piece of housekeeping is in regards to support you can offer. I am being inundated with offers of help. A big thank you to everyone for that, it really has been wonderful. But this is only the beginning of the battle. We need lots of support in lots of different ways. So please fill out your name and the things you think you can offer us. Everything from legal advice to photocopying and a myriad of things in between is needed. Please volunteer to help us as much as you can.

COMMITTEE
As I’m sure is pretty obvious, I can’t do this all on my own. “Pack lunches for the kids”. Tick. “Take on a multinational fast food giant and win”. Tick. “Return the books to the library”. Tick. It’s just not the way it is going to work. And that is why I am going to mention that swear word starting with ‘C’ – cover your ears kids. Committee.

Now I, just like everyone else starts to twitch at the thought of it, but I truly believe that a committee will be able to steer this campaign in the right direction, without me having a nervous breakdown and my children being removed by Department of Children Services.

So, if you are willing to join, please just let Lisa, Louise, Michelle, or myself know. We will all be behind the various information desks.

For those of you who don’t think you can make that commitment but still want to be involved, please do not fret, there will be plenty for you to do.

The troops will be rallied again soon!!!!

One final thing, as you can imagine, McDonalds and Hungry Jacks spare change is slightly more impressive than what I can find down the back of the couch. All ready expenses associated with this campaign are clogging up my credit card, which unfortunately, is NOT limitless. Beside the hire of the hall, there are all the printing, postage and administrative costs – and this is just the beginning

You will see tins at the various tables around the hall, you are invited, but by no means required, to give a small donation to the campaign. Please feel assured that all money will be spent on this campaign.

Thank you all for your support and good ideas. Thank you to all who have taken the time and effort to get involved already, those who dealt with the stage fright to stand up and talk and thank you for sharing your passionate opposition to this fast food juggernaut with others.

And the hugest thank you in the world to Michelle Muter (who, like me, I think has some serious ‘family time’ owing to her). Michelle jumped in and got her feet well and truly soaked (you will stop and think next time before you say “what can I do?” to me). Michelle you are a STAR!!!!!

And on that note, hang around, sign our letters, have a good night and safe trip home through our lovely town.

Town Meeting Tomorrow Night

Our town meeting is coming up tomorrow at the Rye Civic Hall, 12 Napier Street in Rye, the corner of Napier and Nelson street in Rye at 7:30pm. Speakers on the night include: Andrew Blease from Govita Health Food store, Christos from Christos', Pauline Powell from the Rye Historical Society, Charles Davidson from Peninsula Hot Springs and a statement from our local state member of parliament Martin Dixon.

See you there.

New Media Coverage

More articles in the paper, the Mornington and Southern Peninsula Mail this time. The link to the article is in the media coverage section to the right. Remember to read and comment.

Town Meeting Flyer

Please distribute this as widely as possible.

Help! Keep us in the paper.

One of the measures that newspapers use to determine how long a story is shown on their front page is the number of comments and views it receives.

Help us keep the story in the Leader front page news, by visiting the article and commenting on it.

The link is in the Media Coverage section in the sidebar (on the left). Comments can be made at the bottom of their story. Please remember it's a public forum so rude comments are likely to be simply deleted.

If you spot other articles about the fight online, let us know and we'll add them to the list and we can all view and comment on them too.

McDonalds cares! NOT!

Above image from here.

On a recent visit to Adelaide we found the following article in the local paper. It seems that McDonalds doesn't care enough about rubbish to even bother cleaning up inside their own stores where their paying customers are. Imagine how little they care about what goes on outside if it gets in the way of profits..

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25322783-5006301,00.html

If the story has been archived from the site, then you can check out the video at the centre of the story. This video was taken in the Hindley Street store on the 5th April.

Well, it's official

It is all but official. McDonalds is on the way. McDonalds has confirmed that they are 'looking at Rye', the council are aware of the plan and the real estate agents around town are convinced McDonalds will be in our neighbourhood soon.

McDonalds uses a computer programme to assess the population, demographics etc of a town. Once that town hits there targets, McDonalds arrives. After Maccas appears, all the other stores (Hungry Jacks, KFC etc etc) realise it is a prime market and start to cluster near by. Hungry Jacks is already at our door. Do we want to turn into that town? I think NOT!

We need to start the fight now and be prepared for anything that may arise. I can not do it alone (obviously) and I know so many people are keen to stop this, so we need some organisation.

First, we need to rally the troops. If you are receiving this email and don't want to get any more just let me know. If you know of anyone else that may want to help, or at least receive the information, just forward this message on, and send me the email address. We need as many people as possible.

Below are some suggested arguments to pursue and research.

* Health Issues
* Environmental Issues
* Traffic Problems
* Effect on Traders
* Change to the 'feel' of the town
* Historical significance of houses on proposed site
* Rebut the argument that McDonalds = employment
* Loss of amenity - McDonalds will affect our quiet enjoyment of our environment
* Decrease in house prices in surrounding areas

I propose a meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 23rd April.

Venue: Rye Civic Centre, Cnr Napier and Nelson Streets.

This will give everyone time to contact as many people as possible, conduct some research, think about a logical approach and get positive and passionate about saving our town. We need to start an organised approach of letter writing, phone calls, research and gathering community support. Please invite everyone you know.

There are a lot of issues brewing around Rye at the moment. Discussions of Aldi, changes to the two lane traffic past the shops, the general streetscape of the town etc., but I think that stopping McDonalds needs to be a stand alone issue - at least to begin with. Therefore I would ask that anyone attending the meeting be willing to talk about stopping the fast food infestation, and leaving all the other, all be it very important, issues for another time.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance. Please feel free to contact me, especially if there is anyone willing to help me organise the meeting.