THE people of Tecoma have claimed a small but vital win as McDonald's delays construction of its contentious restaurant indefinitely.

Pot-banging Dandenong Ranges demonstrators hope to stop the restaurant, and protest spokesman Garry Muratore said yesterday the picket line would remain until McDonald's left for good.

"We're calling on the Premier, Denis Napthine, to become involved and convince McDonald's to pull out."

Yarra Ranges Council rejected the McDonald's planning application but was overruled by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Construction workers from the CFMEU are refusing to cross the picket line and four defiant objectors are camping out on a roof at the site.

Below, children as young as four are holding protest signs.

Locals who favour the development argue it will bring 80 needed jobs.

Those against say it is too big, will stand out, attract more hoons, increase litter, contribute to obesity, gridlock streets and boost crime.

Local mother Janice, who asked that her surname not be used, said the peaceful protest was turning ugly.

"I don't object to them objecting. I just don't like the way they're doing it," she said.

A woman protester, 50, who is believed to have suffered a broken finger and bruising after being dragged off a fence on Thursday, is likely to be charged with trespass.

Local Jessica Brown denied the protest was getting out of hand.

"It's peaceful. We're all here campaigning because Tecoma is not just another suburb of Melbourne."

McDonald's spokeswoman Skye Oxenham told the Herald Sun: "Our goal is to ensure the site is safe and secure. We cannot speculate on when construction will resume."

Local Labor MP James Merlino said protesters had successfully communicated their message.

"This is a bad decision by VCAT and I'm concerned with the precedent it sets," he said.

Local Shane Anderson, 38, who has been on a roof since Monday, said he would "continue for as long as it takes".

"I'm not 100 per cent confident we'll stop McDonald's but I'm confident we've made it much harder for them," he said.

Mother Svea Pitman, 37, of Footscray, said corporate greed had gone far enough. "I really believe in this protest," she said. "I don't want that to be the world my kids grow up in."

christopher.gillett@news.com.au