By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
FAST food giants McDonald’s and Subway have resolved a territorial bunfight at a disused service station in Dandenong South.
McDonald’s applied to Greater Dandenong Council in December 2010 to build a drive-through restaurant on the corner of Greens Road and Frankston-Dandenong Road, sharing the 1884-square-metre site with an existing Subway outlet.
In January, Subway filed a late objection to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, criticising the plans that sandwiched its outlet between the drive-through and its Greens Road access.
Bradley Howell, regional manager of Subway Systems Australia, argued “this will create traffic congestion hampering customers from accessing the proposed car bays”. “This has potential to significantly reduce customers from patronising the restaurant and may present a safety hazard.”
He said the 21 car spaces were insufficient to cater for both restaurants’ customers, and would reduce access for customers driving heavy vehicles.
McDonald’s amended the plans to create a dual-lane drive-through to reduce queuing and four extra car spaces by removing one of two access driveways on Frankston-Dandenong Road.
The latter change was requested by VicRoads, which was concerned by the driveway’s proximity to the adjoining intersection that carries more than 70,000 vehicles a day.
Although Subway acceded to the new plans, Mr Howell last week would not comment to the Weekly when asked if he was satisfied with the outcome. “I’m not in a position to say,” he said.
In a letter to VCAT in January, Greater Dandenong Council stated the development had its blessing. It stated that the 25 car spaces would be enough for a combined 92 seats at the two restaurants. The outlets will have a combined 74 seats.
“The site design works in harmony with all tenants,” a McDonald’s spokesman said.
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