McDonald’s committed to Wānaka restaurant
Maddy Harker / Wānaka App
McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd has not given up on plans for a local McDonald’s branch despite the project being delivered a blow last week.
Independent commissioners declined the company’s application for a restaurant and drive-through at Mr Iron Junction (near the Mt Iron intersection) after a lengthy resource consent process.
“Our intention remains to open a restaurant in Wānaka, navigating some of the local commercial interests at play,” a McDonald’s Restaurants NZ spokesperson told the Wānaka App this week.
“As we have stated throughout, McDonald’s is committed to working in good faith to follow the process regarding the proposed restaurant site in Wānaka.
“We’ll review and assess the decision, discuss with the developer, and consider next steps with regards to that site.”
The location of the proposed McDonald’s - on rural-zoned land just below the Outstanding Natural Landscape (ONL) zoned Mt Iron - was one of the most common complaints about the proposal from submitters.
The “adverse effects” on the environment also played a significant role in the commissioners’ decision to decline the application.
Read more: ‘Adverse effects’: Wānaka McDonald’s turned down
Options facing the fast food giant include appealing the decision, or finding a new site for a restaurant in Wānaka.
McDonald’s Restaurants NZ’s plans for a Wānaka restaurant were first made public in November 2023.
