Cancer Council WA are urging West Australians to sign an e-petition to be tabled in WA parliament urging reform of the state’s fast food outlet approval process.
Cancer Council WA Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Melissa Ledger, said getting on board and signing the petition will send a clear message to the WA Government that the community has had enough.
“In the past six years, there were 66 proposed new drive-through fast food outlets found in 44 development applications,” Ms Ledger said.
“Only 37 of these 44 development applications invited public comments, and those that did resulted in more than 80 per cent receiving objections.
“Despite the objections being in the hundreds, fast-food outlets selling highly marketed, highly processed unhealthy food and drinks continue to be approved in residential areas and next to Perth schools.”
Evidence shows the number of these outlets impacts our diets and undermines our best intentions to eat well. Children eat more of the unhealthy food from these outlets when attending schools with fast-food outlets close by.
Currently, Western Australian planning regulations do not consider the impact on community or children’s health of new fast-food outlets, and decision makers have limited opportunity to refuse development applications. This has resulted in some suburbs and the areas surrounding Perth schools saturated in fast-food outlets. Three new 24/7 fast-food outlets were recently approved for development directly opposite Hammond Park Primary School, despite strong community opposition.
We are calling on the WA Government to make changes to planning laws to limit unhealthy food outlets and support access to healthy food options, including near schools.
This will ensure that community health and local amenities are prioritised over the profits of land developers and fast-food companies. This is a vital part of designing neighbourhoods that enable the best possible health and quality of life for all West Australians.
The petition closes 11 August, 2024. It will be tabled in Parliament by Mr Chris Tallentire MLA, Member for Thornlie.
To sign the petition, please click here