A public hearing on the controversial proposal to build a Starbucks and Burger King in Tīrau is yet to be scheduled.

In September, a spokesperson for the South Waikato District Council said they hoped to hold a hearing before the end of the year.

Submissions on the resource consent applications closed at the end of July, with 148 received; 39 in support, 104 in opposition and five neutral.

The council’s planning and performance manager Gary Knighton said he understood the community’s interest in the application, however, the hold-up was beyond their control.

“After reviewing the public submissions, council requested additional information from the applicant [Tahua Properties Limited] on 7 October 2024,” Knighton said.

“The applicant is currently preparing their response. The hearing date will not be scheduled until all requested information is received.”

Tahua Properties Limited launched a resource consent application to operate a Starbucks coffeehouse and Burger King fast-food restaurant with drive-through facilities at Tīrau’s northern entrance in 2023.

If approved, the development would be located at 69A Main Rd, between Tīrau Primary School and Tīrau Community Church, and across the road from the BP gas station.

It is currently a residential property, which would be demolished.

The Starbucks coffeehouse and Burger King restaurant would operate seven days a week from 5am to 2am.

69A Main Rd, Tīrau, located between the Primary School and the Community Church, is currently a residential property. Photo / Google Street View

In October, the council requested information “to assist in assessing the potential environmental effects of the activity”, including another assessment of the potential safety effects for users of the Tīrau Community Church and the BP, as well as an odour assessment.

The council also asked how the intensity of the development would “enhance the safety” of existing users within the town, how it would “complement adjacent activity”, like the primary school and Community Church, and how the development would address “active travel modes” like cycling and walking, and pedestrian connectivity along the Main Rd.

The proposal was met with mixed feelings from the community and attracted submissions from as far as the South Island.

Only 40 people noted they would wish to speak at a hearing. Some of those consider presenting a joint case.

“Council will contact submitters before a hearing takes place,” Knighton said.

“The Resource Management Act outlines a robust process that ensures fairness for both the applicant and the submitters.”

Tīrau is a small township in the South Waikato District, located on State Highway 1, between Cambridge and Tokoroa.

It is best known for its corrugated iron artwork, including the Big Dog, which houses the isite, the Big Sheep and the Big Ram, which houses an SPCA op-shop.

Danielle Zollickhofer is a multimedia journalist and assistant news director at the Waikato Herald. She joined NZME in 2021 and is based in Hamilton.