McDonald’s Wins Tribunal Battle for 24/7 Outlet on Melbourne’s ‘World’s Coolest’ High Street

McDonald's will open a 24/7 outlet on Melbourne's High Street, Northcote, after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) overturned Darebin Council’s rejection. The tribunal ruled on planning merits, not the operator’s identity or community sentiment.

Melbourne's High Street in Northcote, recently named among the world's coolest by Time Out magazine, will host a new 24-hour McDonald’s outlet. This development follows a legal victory for McDonald's at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, overturning a prior council decision. Darebin Council had rejected the fast-food giant's proposal for 323 High Street last November, with councillors voting six to three against the application.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), an independent body for dispute resolution, reversed Darebin Council’s rejection. This decision allows McDonald’s to establish a store at 323 High Street, Northcote. VCAT member Michael Deidun determined the tribunal could not assess McDonald’s corporate practices, its food's health impact, or the perceived "vibes" of the street. The tribunal noted that the planning system in Victoria does not differentiate based on the final operator, and the site already held a planning permit allowing it to become a cafe or restaurant.

McDonald’s projects the Northcote outlet will generate approximately 100 jobs during its construction phase and create 100 ongoing positions for local residents once operational. The building at 323 High Street had been vacant for several years, described as uninviting and targeted by vandalism and trespassers.

The VCAT ruling reinforces that planning tribunals operate within defined legal frameworks, focusing on land use and compliance rather than a specific business's corporate identity or community preferences. While a petition opposing the development gathered over 11,000 signatures, the tribunal's decision rested on the site's existing Commercial 1 Zone classification, which did not require a new planning permit for retail premises.

VCAT's assessment concluded that a McDonald's outlet would restore the dilapidated building, improve public safety through increased surveillance, and bring 24-hour commercial activation to the area. This decision highlights the balance between local council discretion, which reflected community concerns, and established planning regulations. The focus now shifts to the operational impacts of a 24/7 fast-food establishment on a high-profile street. Observers will track the community's adaptation to this new business and the economic effects of the promised job creation in Northcote.