AS the McDonald’s proposal for Bulahdelah continues to divide opinion, developer Bill Utterson from Down Under Brewery Resorts, which sold land to the fast food giant, has suggested many people are looking at the wrong issue.
The town has been split over the impact a McDonald’s would have on its community.
Many business people are concerned about competition the corporate giant would present and the effect it would have on the country charm of the town.
Mr Utterson said Down Under Brewery Resorts looked at many companies before deciding that selling off land to the fast-food icon would be most beneficial to the community.
“We’re running a business ourselves and had to weigh up whether the competition has its benefits,” he said.
“The big issue isn’t McDonald’s, it’s the bypass.”
Mr Utterson said the fact cars are going to be travelling along the bypass at 110km an hour, means people will need more reasons to stop at Bulahdelah.
“We have to find a way to stop those cars. McDonald’s has a good marketing model, people slow down, stop and eat there.”
Mr Utterson believes that with the right signage, McDonald’s would increase traffic through the town.
Mr Utterson said McDonald’s could soften the blow of job loss and business closures once the bypass is complete.
“The Great Lakes region has the highest percentage of youth unemployment, we have 600 – 800 children in local schools, not many will have the opportunity to work in closing milk bars,” he said.
Mr Utterson urges the community to look at the bigger picture.
“People need to start looking at opportunities outside themselves; at least McDonald’s would give them a start or something to build on.”
Bulahdelah resident Allan Freihaut said if the development does go ahead, McDonald’s would have no choice but to hirer older workers, due to the low number of young people in the area.
“It’s vital to Bulahdelah that there are new industries to offer job opportunities or people will have to leave the area,” he said.
“I feel the local people in town are in for a rude shock once our bypass is completed and the heavy traffic which Bulahdelah has relied on for many years will cease.”
Drawing on the aftermath of the Karuah bypass, Mr Freihaut said potentially over half the people working in local cafes would be out of work, not to mention the forecasted closure of at least two of the three service stations, leaving another 60 – 70 people without jobs.
“What people don’t understand is the majority of these people are working for multi-national companies such as Mobil, Shell and Caltex – with no complaints,” he said.
“When one service station closes, what is to stop the owners or lessee’s applying for and securing the McDonald’s franchise and taking their loyal staff with them?”
Mr Freihaut warned that without employment, the town was not viable.
“One thing is for sure is, if Bulahdelah doesn’t accept employment opportunities, it will end up like Karuah,” he said.
“The townspeople of Karuah would beg borrow and steal to have the opportunity that Bulahdelah has been given.”
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