A hearing on McDonald’s Restaurants NZ’s proposal for a Wānaka restaurant and drive-through begins today (Monday, November 25).

Three independent commissioners will consider the company’s controversial proposal for a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week restaurant and drive through on Wānaka’s outskirts.

The hearing is taking place in the Lake Wānaka Centre’s main auditorium and it is expected to last up to four days.

More than 100 members of the public plan to share their opinions on the proposal with commissioners at the hearing.

McDonald’s Restaurants is seeking consent to construct a 455m2 restaurant near the Mt Iron/SH6 intersection and operate it around the clock.

The 100-or-so people who plan to speak at the hearing are fewer than a third of the number of people who made written submissions on the proposal.

Of the 366 submissions received on the proposal, 339 opposed it - leaving just 29 in support.

Read more: Maccas: ‘Spoiling the community’, ‘providing opportunities’

Months earlier, thousands added their signature to an online petition opposing the fast-food giant’s plans to set up shop in Wānaka.

Last month, a Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) planner added his voice to the chorus of opposition by recommending the resource consent application be refused.

Read more: Maccas proposal vetoed by council planner.

While the hearing will be over by the end of the week, a final decision won’t be made at its conclusion.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) said post-hearing deliberations by independent commissioners could take some time.

The hearing begins at 9am.

PHOTO: Supplied