Small town’s huge steps towards banning fast-food chains near schools

South Australian residents are pushing back against the introduction of fast-food restaurants near schools to curb childhood obesity.

In an effort to encourage healthy eating habits across the state, Greens senator Robert Simms is introducing a Bill to prevent fast-food chains from opening within 400m of a school.

“It’s literally just a hop, step and jump away for these kids to get their hands on a hamburger,” Senator Simms told 9News.

A 2023 report found that obesity affects 25 per cent of Australian children and adolescents, and while this figure has remained somewhat stable over the last few years, the new Bill aims to encourage healthier eating habits across the state.

A similar Bill was adopted throughout the UK to curb childhood obesity. It allows councils to add an exclusion zone for fast-food restaurants and bars them from opening within 400m of a school.

Senator Simms said it was time for South Australia to do the same.

“Why are we allowing fast-food restaurants to set up literally right next door to our schools?” he asked. “That’s what the Greens are trying to crack down on with this Bill.”

In August, the small SA town of Strathalbyn kicked up a stink about the introduction of the town’s first fast-food chain.

According to the Adelaide Advertiser, the fast-food restaurant is slated to be developed within 300m of four schools and a busy roundabout. Residents argue it could hurt small businesses and children’s health.

An online petition launched by a Strathalbyn resident has garnered more than 1000 signatures amid claims a fast-food restaurant would impact the small town, which is “shaped by local businesses and community spirit, not large chains focused solely on profit”.

The Bill to ban fast-food chains from opening near schools is expected to be introduced into South Australian parliament in the next few weeks. However, it has already been exposed to criticism from the government, with cabinet minister Nick Cannon suggesting the change could impact property values.

“Schools are often quite close to suburban shopping centres, you’d start to shut down food courts and the like, or devalue them, and devalue property,” Mr Champion said.