Restaurant giant targets motorists

McDonald's says it is targeting motorists with a new Whangarei restaurant and not residents of a low income suburb.

McDonald's plans to build a new restaurant and McCafe on the corner of State Highway 1 and Tauroa St, opposite a Gull service station, by the end of the year.

The venture adjacent to the low income suburb of Raumanga will create up to 70 jobs, but has prompted health and traffic concerns.

Manaia PHO dietitian Daniela Johnson told the Northern Advocate that research showed fast food chains targeted low income areas. However, McDonald's said this was not the case.

"McDonald's does not target low income communities when looking for new restaurant locations," McDonald's spokesman Simon Kenny said. "In this case, the site offers great access to the main highway, and is suitable for a free standing, fully specified McDonald's."

Mr Kenny said McDonald's offered "a wide range of choices and options".

"We agree with Ms Johnson that families should enjoy a balanced diet, including fresh fruit and vegetables," he said.

With regards to concerns raised around increased traffic at the uncontrolled intersection at the corner of SH1 and Tauroa, Mr Kenny said the franchisee would have "detailed plans to ensure the site meets local and central government requirements".

The New Zealand Transport Agency managed SH1 and highways manager Auckland and Northland Brett Gliddon said the upgrade of the nearby Rewa Rewa Rd intersection would improve safety, though there were no immediate plans to do anything at SH1 and Tauroa St.

"We are working to signalise the nearby intersection at Rewa Rewa Rd. This will create more opportunities for vehicles to enter and exit Tauroa St," he said.

"A more comprehensive, longer term investigation also being considered is to upgrade a larger section of this corridor."

The fast food outlet is a permitted activity under the district plan, although developers needed consent for the 36 signs required.

This had been granted by Whangarei District Council. The restaurant's access would be off Tauroa St, a council arterial road in a business-zoned environment.