Latest news with #DonovanMacDonald
Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Big Don's boss officially launches election campaign
The Big Don's Smoked Meats boss has officially launched his election campaign for local government in the upcoming October elections. Big Don's boss Donovan MacDonald has launched bayswaterdon, an Instagram page dedicated to his campaign for the election. He said his decision to run for council came after years of ongoing issues with the City of Bayswater while owning his successful smoked meat business. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 'I did a lot of yelling the last few days, now it's time to actually walk the talk,' he said on Instagram. His post was flooded with words of encouragement and support. 'Mate you've got a hell of a lot of support,' one commentator said. 'Having you as a voice for the Bayswater area would be refreshing.' Donovan MacDonald is running for a West ward position on Bayswater council. Credit: Instagram: Bayswaterdon 'Let us know if you need volunteers for the campaign trial — we are in!' said another. 'Considering moving to Bayswater just to vote,' added another. Last week, Mr MacDonald shared on the Big Don's Smoked Meats social media page his frustrations with what he called the city's lack of support and asked followers for suggestions for a new home for his business, which has since been deleted. The post went viral, triggering a follow-up post explaining the situation in more depth and telling followers that he planned on running for Bayswater council's vacant West ward position in October. Mr MacDonald told PerthNow he wanted to represent small businesses in local government and to help avoid 'over-governing'. 'It felt to me like I may as well do it — at least be a small business voice within the council itself. It seems like it should be more community minded,' he said. When asked about Mr MacDonald's running for election the City of Bayswater CEO Jeremy Edwards did not comment. Although Mr MacDonald said the city's CEO Jeremy Edwards and some councillors had been supportive, city officers were making things difficult — especially when he recently applied to make a whiskey distillery next door, saying it was a 'passion project' for him. The problem surrounded the council having an 'issue' with the installation of three portable toilets, saying that the toilets required a building permit, which Mr MacDonald could not believe. 'They were literally forklifted in. No plumbing, above ground. But that's what triggered all this,' he said at the time. Mr Edwards told PerthNow last Thursday that the sanitary facilities did require a permit and the works on the property were considered unauthorised. Mr MacDonald said in his post that the City of Bayswater were also threatening to prosecute him, Mr Edwards said the city has not commenced a prosecution in relation to the installation of the sanitary facilities. 'While working collaboratively with local businesses, the city must also ensure compliance with State legislation, covering food safety, planning and building, to protect public safety,' he said. Bayswater mayor Filomena Piffaretti said in a statement on Friday that the owner had recently approached the city for advice on the new venture next to his existing premises and is continuing to work 'collaboratively' with Mr MacDonald to to support a 'safe and compliant outcome'. 'City officers met with the business owner onsite and outlined the necessary approvals,' she said. 'The city is working proactively with the business owner to help secure the necessary approvals as efficiently as possible.' Mr MacDonald said he planned to stay in Bayswater for the next 20 years as his family was set up in the area and his business had seven more years on its lease.
Sydney Morning Herald
06-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Big Don fires up Bayswater council tilt after loo frustrations boil over
The founder of a renowned barbecue outlet and one of the state's most acclaimed restaurateurs will run for Bayswater council after another planning clash with the city over temporary toilets. Donovan MacDonald took to Instagram this week to declare his intention to run as a councillor in the West ward where he lives and where his popular restaurant Big Don's Smoked Meats – the first WA restaurant to receive a Good Food hat – is located. MacDonald said he considered running at the last election ago after butting heads with the council, but things had been good over the past two years. However, the latest dispute over temporary toilets – which MacDonald said came out of the blue and impacted the security of his business – spurred him to take the plunge. 'In the last two years, we've been pretty good. There haven't been any dramas, and I was too busy previously to be able to consider this,' he said. 'Now, my business is running pretty well. My team is phenomenal, and so I think I probably have the ability to actually do this.' The latest issue relates to temporary toilets installed in the unit next door, which is also used by Big Don's as space for waiting customers. The city said the toilets were installed without a building permit, and now MacDonald must get an occupancy permit for that unit space to resolve the toilet issue.
The Age
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Big Don fires up Bayswater council tilt after loo frustrations boil over
The founder of a renowned barbecue outlet and one of the state's most acclaimed restaurateurs will run for Bayswater council after another planning clash with the city over temporary toilets. Donovan MacDonald took to Instagram this week to declare his intention to run as a councillor in the West ward where he lives and where his popular restaurant Big Don's Smoked Meats – the first WA restaurant to receive a Good Food hat – is located. MacDonald said he considered running at the last election ago after butting heads with the council, but things had been good over the past two years. However, the latest dispute over temporary toilets – which MacDonald said came out of the blue and impacted the security of his business – spurred him to take the plunge. 'In the last two years, we've been pretty good. There haven't been any dramas, and I was too busy previously to be able to consider this,' he said. 'Now, my business is running pretty well. My team is phenomenal, and so I think I probably have the ability to actually do this.' The latest issue relates to temporary toilets installed in the unit next door, which is also used by Big Don's as space for waiting customers. The city said the toilets were installed without a building permit, and now MacDonald must get an occupancy permit for that unit space to resolve the toilet issue.
West Australian
04-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Big Don's Smoked Meats: Famous BBQ joint plans to relocate from Bayswater home over local government tension
Popular BBQ joint Big Don's Smoked Meats has announced plans to relocate from its current home in Bayswater. The beloved barbecue restaurant took to social media on Tuesday calling for suggestions on where it should relocate to once its lease ended — citing a 'tenuous relationship' with the City of Bayswater. 'Our tenuous relationship with the City of Bayswater has been well documented over the years,' owner Donovan MacDonald wrote. 'Some councils are better than others, and if the right one was supportive and wanted to see BDSM in their suburb we would jump ship when our lease ends, for the right space. 'Frankly, some Perth councils are so backwards you don't feel welcome. The bureaucracy is appalling whether you're a small food truck or a large restaurant like ours, we've been both. 'You saw just the other week Bayswater ban food trucks from within 200m of a brick and mortar. 'Perth's food scene could be far better than it is if local government pulled their finger out. I'd love to see an amalgamation. 'Globally our food truck scene is the worst due primarily to local governments.' The announcement comes less than three years after PerthNow reported plans for a 300-capacity microbrewery and beer garden to open alongside the barbecue joint on Moojebing Street — Mr MacDonald had hoped for an early 2023 opening. He listed some of the issues his business had been hit with over the years including: food had to be take-away only, 20-seat limit forcing customers to bring their own tables and chairs, and that their portable toilets were not building permit approved. 'We've had a lot of support from local councillors over the years no doubt, but the feeling from the city itself is: it's too difficult, we don't want you. Nor will we work with you in a constructive manner for a positive outcome for all,' Mr MacDonald continued. 'We have several years left, but a project the size of our shop would need years lead time anyway. Who's out there, slide into my DMs.' The post triggered a wave of messages from keen councillors across the city. 'You need to come down to the City of Cockburn and discuss how we can help,' City of Cockburn councillor Tom Windenbar wrote. City of Kwinana mayor Peter Feasey said: 'Send me an email, lets talk!' City of Gosnells mayor Terresa Lynes added: 'I might know where there's a big old building that might suit you .... I'll flick you an email. Can everyone stop sending me this post now!' Mr MacDonald started his barbecue business from his backyard before officially launching as Big Don's in 2017. He now boasts a 230,000 following on Instagram and his menu items, posted weekly for pre-order, sell out within minutes.
Perth Now
04-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Famous Perth BBQ joint uncertain of future home
Popular BBQ joint Big Don's Smoked Meats has announced plans to relocate from its current home in Bayswater. The beloved barbecue restaurant took to social media on Tuesday calling for suggestions on where it should relocate to once its lease ended — citing a 'tenuous relationship' with the City of Bayswater. 'Our tenuous relationship with the City of Bayswater has been well documented over the years,' owner Donovan MacDonald wrote. 'Some councils are better than others, and if the right one was supportive and wanted to see BDSM in their suburb we would jump ship when our lease ends, for the right space. 'Frankly, some Perth councils are so backwards you don't feel welcome. The bureaucracy is appalling whether you're a small food truck or a large restaurant like ours, we've been both. 'You saw just the other week Bayswater ban food trucks from within 200m of a brick and mortar. One of the meat-platters served up by Big Don's Smoked Meats. Credit: @bigdonsmeat/Instagram / Instagram 'Perth's food scene could be far better than it is if local government pulled their finger out. I'd love to see an amalgamation. 'Globally our food truck scene is the worst due primarily to local governments.' The announcement comes less than three years after PerthNow reported plans for a 300-capacity microbrewery and beer garden to open alongside the barbecue joint on Moojebing Street — Mr MacDonald had hoped for an early 2023 opening. He listed some of the issues his business had been hit with over the years including: food had to be take-away only, 20-seat limit forcing customers to bring their own tables and chairs, and that their portable toilets were not building permit approved. 'We've had a lot of support from local councillors over the years no doubt, but the feeling from the city itself is: it's too difficult, we don't want you. Nor will we work with you in a constructive manner for a positive outcome for all,' Mr MacDonald continued. 'We have several years left, but a project the size of our shop would need years lead time anyway. Who's out there, slide into my DMs.' The post triggered a wave of messages from keen councillors across the city. 'You need to come down to the City of Cockburn and discuss how we can help,' City of Cockburn councillor Tom Windenbar wrote. City of Kwinana mayor Peter Feasey said: 'Send me an email, lets talk!' City of Gosnells mayor Terresa Lynes added: 'I might know where there's a big old building that might suit you .... I'll flick you an email. Can everyone stop sending me this post now!' Mr MacDonald started his barbecue business from his backyard before officially launching as Big Don's in 2017. He now boasts a 230,000 following on Instagram and his menu items, posted weekly for pre-order, sell out within minutes.
