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Fast food giant McDonald's has been criticised for expanding trials of a seven-days-a-week home delivery service in Queensland region that is already battling weight issues.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Queensland has questioned a decision by McDonald's to expand trials of its home delivery service in Hervey Bay, beyond initial trials in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta which have been running for nine months.

McDonald's said population growth in the region was a key reason for its selection, but AMA Queensland President Dr Shaun Rudd said it was the population's growth on the scales that had them most concerned.

Dr Rudd explained “the population (of Hervey Bay) is already extremely overweight”, adding “(this) is not a really good place to have easier access to junk food."

Queensland Local Government Minister David Crisafulli has also spoken out over McDonald's plans for a home delivery service in Hervey Bay.

According to Fairfax Media, Minister Crisafulli was so "aghast" at the trial he used debate in the Queensland Parliament to speak on McDonald's plans, urging Hervey Bay residents to turn their back on the service.

Minister Crisafulli stated "I absolutely say that I understand companies have a right to market as they choose but they have said clearly that this is a trial that they have chosen the Hervey Bay region for and I call on the residents of Hervey Bay to give this proposal the cold shoulder.

"It is not right. Surely it’s not too much to ask somebody to leave their home if they seek to go and get fast food.

"In an era when councils and State Government are doing all in their power to get people to leave the home and go into the community, and take all that is beautiful about living in Queensland, I just wonder when McDonalds will stop on their push to try and get people to stuff their mouth on a regular basis with their greasy food.

"So I say please, to the residents of Hervey Bay, treat this proposal the way it should be treated and that is to ignore this with every ounce of their energy."

Last week, AMA Queensland launched its Lighten Your Load campaign to highlight the obesity crisis facing regional and rural Queenslanders.

In Hervey Bay, two out of three adults are overweight or obese, and one in four children is overweight or obese.

Dr Rudd told the ABC “it's pretty sad. These large corporations have a look where they're going to get the most bang for their buck and they choose places like that.

"I think unfortunately they'll sell more food and that means there's going to be more burgers and more fries eaten by the population there, and they are already extremely overweight.

"AMA Queensland is very disappointed ... “we’re currently waging a war on weight in Queensland (and) this decision flies in the face of all the good work Queensland doctors are trying to do.

“It’s disappointing these leading companies don’t work with us, but against us.”

McDonald's Australia Corporate Communications Manager Chris Grant said the company would look at extending the service once the trial was completed.

Grant stated "Hervey Bay was selected as the location for this trial after looking at factors including population growth and accessibility to ensure efficient delivery for customers and the operations of the restaurant.

"Customers choosing to take advantage of this trial service can order from a nearly full range of menu items, including burgers, French fries, salads or wraps, and as always can review comprehensive nutrition and ingredient information on our website."

The Hervey Bay trial is expected to begin at the end of the month.

1st August 2014 - REGIONAL QUEENSLANDERS FACE OBESITY AND HEALTH CRISIS

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