Mornington Peninsula locals have lost a six-year fight to stop the development of a fast-food restaurant just metres away from the foreshore.

Concerns about traffic, litter, and impact on smaller businesses were raised.

Sand, salt and a servo have been the mainstays of the Safety Beach shoreline.

But now the tides of change are rolling in with the golden arches of McDonald’s looming.

For six years, locals have resisted, fencing out a commercial takeover.

Just recently, VCAT approved an appeal to enlarge the service station and include a fast food establishment beside it, describing the current service station as worn out and old-fashioned.

Mayor Anthony Marsh said it’s a “step too far”.

A major concern is the fear of traffic congestion.

“It’s relatively calm right now in mid-July, but if you were to return in five months, you’d witness cars lined up for several hundred meters on certain days,” stated Marsh.

“You have boats and a lot of jet-skis also navigating the intersection,” Dromana Association president Simon Brooks said.

There are also fears local businesses will face the squeeze.

After two knockbacks, a smaller development and promises to make room for traffic pushed the appeal through.