Wānaka 24-hour Macca's

It remains to be seen whether locals will be lovin' it but McDonald’s Restaurants (NZ) Limited has finally submitted plans for a restaurant and drive-thru in Wānaka.

After years of rumours and speculation, the golden arches are coming to the town, with a resource consent application for a 445m2 branch at 237 Wānaka-Luggate Highway, Wānaka, just off the Mt Iron SH6/SH84 roundabout currently under construction.

If approved, it will be open all the time - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

McDonald’s Restaurants NZ spokesperson Simon Kenny told the Wānaka App: "While there have been rumours about McDonald’s coming to Wānaka for some time, we’ve not previously had a site that we thought would meet our criteria, and would be appropriate for the town as it grows and new businesses open.

"Working with a local developer we now have a site we think is suitable, and we’re commencing the formal council consent process. We’re committed to working through that process as required."

The single-level building would have space for 75 diners, with 24 car park spaces outside, including two grill-order car parks in the drive-thru lane.

The resource application, submitted to Queenstown Lakes District Council on 16 November, states that any adverse effects on the environment would be "less than minor" and the proposal will also result in positive effects.

These are "the development of a high-quality, architecturally-designed commercial building, which will be visually integrated within the environment" and "support for the local economy by enabling employment and increased spending in the area".