Council put that plan on exhibition and, despite objections on the grounds of traffic concerns, decided the relatively small site was better suited to tourist operations than residential or recreational uses.

From that point on it has always been an uphill battle for objectors, particularly those who bought into the area before this rezoning took place.

The commissioner’s finding was made easier because McDonald’s planning expert had to do little more than cite the expert opinion of council’s own staff who had recommended councillors’ approval of McDonald’s development application. 

In the face of these reports being available to McDonald’s and the court, council offered no planning evidence at the hearing.

Those councillors who at the 11th hour voted against their staff’s recommendation and were perhaps hoping traffic issues would sway the court were to be disappointed.

While the commissioner agreed with residents that the current design of the Farrell Road/Telopea Way intersection was a failure she accepted design improvements planned by Orange council would earn it a pass mark.

Arguments about the detrimental effect on the amenity of the neighbourhood did not stand. The tourist zoning of the site and the mixed-use of the area now (Woolworths is just across the road) and expected in the future mean a McDonald’s is not out of place.

Objectors have no doubt laminated and stuck to the fridge passages of the judgement which quote the experts at council and for McDonald’s saying traffic congestion and safety issues will be resolved with the new traffic lights.

Time will quickly tell who is right on that score but the most important lesson for residents everywhere is to look very carefully before you buy or build for routes on the map earmarked for arterial roads in the future. Homebuyers like the council planners should give these routes a wide berth before contemplating land for housing.