An application for a 24-hour McDonald's near a primary school in central Victoria has been rejected by the council.

The decision by City of Greater Bendigo councillors went against a council officer's recommendation to approve the project — located 70 metres from Strathfieldsaye Primary School — because it met planning policy requirements.

The proposal received 136 objections, including a petition with 95 signatures with concerns raised around traffic management for children, health concerns and late-night activity.

The site previously had a 2022 planning permit for a service station, medical centre, pharmacy and café, but only the service station was built.

School council president Alex Forrest called the move by councillors a "triumph".

"Everyone knows the smell, the odour, the ligh

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