Why residents and police have joined forces to stop a McDonald's at Redfern
Police say a proposal to put a 24-hour McDonald's in the heart of Redfern will lead to a spike in violent crime and e-bike theft, as the plans ignite indignation among residents.
In a submission to the council's independent planning panel, Senior Constable Peter Langbein said a McDonald's outlet could introduce more e-bike thefts, robberies and violent crime after dark.
The site is on the corner of Redfern and Regent streets and is occupied by a tobacconist and a linen shop. Angry residents have labelled the proposal a 'poison and blemish on the map of Redfern' and a 'fluorescent blight'.
Langbein wrote in his submission that an increase in people coming to Redfern for the restaurant could contribute to antisocial behaviour in neighbouring streets.
'Patrons leaving the premises during late hours are likely to engage in a range of behaviour, which need not rise to a level of criminality yet will adversely affect the neighbourhood, including talking amongst themselves, yelling, screaming and arguing,' he said.
Being so close to a train station, and being a place 'where youth tend to meet up' to use free Wi-Fi and get a cheap meal is expected to increase crime in Redfern, Langbein said.
Council received 269 objections and 17 supportive submissions to the plans.
Many objectors took issue with having the fast-food outlet so close to key Indigenous community services, including the Aboriginal Medical Service. The chair of the Aboriginal Housing Company said the proposal would undermine work done by groups to make Redfern safe at night.
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