Debate over the development application to build a fast food outlet, McCafe and drive-through in Picton has split our community.

Last week, a Wollondilly Shire Council spokeswoman said: ``We are getting closer to a resolution of traffic issues and if the council's concerns on this issue are addressed soon then there is the potential that the application will be reported to the council's meeting on August 17.''

The application was lodged with the council in November last year and has stirred emotional debate with petitions for and against the proposal submitted to the council and groups created on the online networking page Facebook both in support and against.

The Advertiser website has also been inundated with comments.

Our ongoing online poll shows a strong swing in support of the fast food chain coming to Picton with 69 per cent supporting a McDonald's in the village, 27 per cent against and 3 per cent not caring either way.

The online comments show that those against the proposal are concerned about how the development will affect the town's heritage, increased rubbish, health problems associated with building a food outlet on a former petrol station, Picton's current food outlets and cafes suffering and the recent increase of childhood obesity.

Those in favour think it will boost business and tourism and provide accessible work in the area.

The Advertiser first reported that McDonald's was looking at a site on the corner of Argyle and Cliffe streets in August 2008 and since then it has met mixed reactions by locals.

One reader said: ``It's funny that most of the people for Macca's don't actually live in Picton they live in Thirlmere, Bargo and Tahmoor and everywhere else McDonald's doesn't have an application for. Tahmoor and Bargo are growth areas, growing much faster than Picton is, why can't it be built in either one of them?''

Another reader said: ``McDonald's will supply 100 to 120 jobs for local youth, older job seekers and even the disabled. And it will be accessible work in an area where public transport is third world.

``For all their faults McDonald's is an excellent training organisation that equips youth for ongoing employment which in turn raises self-esteem and only really supplies food to those who want to eat that type of food.''

Add your vote on McDonald's to our online poll:

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