McDonald's campaign has started too...

McDonalds campaign has also started. This is what has appeared in this week's Leader newspaper:

Jobs, cash for sport: food giant

A McDonald's in Rye would provide benefits for the community, says the burger giant.

Company spokeswoman Amy Lawrence said McDonald's would provide employment opportunities for about 80 people.

"A new restaurant would also create many more jobs during the build phase, potentially for local tradespeople," Ms Lawrence said.

She said one of the restaurants would 'likely lead to sponsorhip opportunities for local sporting.... and other events". She said the company had a philosophy of 'giving back to the communities in which we operate".

She confirmed McDonald's did not have a commercial agreement in place or development application before Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

"If and when we lodge a development application for a site in Rye, we will obviously consult with council on community issues as appropriate," Ms Lawrence said.

McDonald's has previously indicated it was interested in setting up an outlet at Rye.

More than 200 residents recently attended a protest meeting called by Rye mother Katrina Humphrey after residents became concerned McDonald's and Hungry Jack's were eyeing off their seaside town.

The website OurTownRye.blogspot.com has been set up as part of their campaign.

- Lisa Habermann