Council scraps plans for controversial 24/7 McDonald's in Redfern
Controversial plans for a 24-hour Maccas in the inner Sydney suburb of Redfern have been scrapped after uproar from local residents and police.
The $3 million development plan for a two-storey resturant on Redfern's main dining and shopping strip, Redfern Street, was blocked in a unanimous vote by the local planning panel at a City of Sydney council meeting on Wednesday night.
Police and local residents fought to stop the proposal warning it would lead to a spike in theft and violent crime at night, and be a step backwards for the suburb.
Cheers erupted from the council chambers at the decision to ditch the plans which had been described by some locals as a 'fluorescent blight' and a 'poison and blemish on the map of Redfern'.
A request by a McDonald's representative for a six-week extension to try and resolve locals' concerns was also denied during the meeting, with one panel member suggesting those attempts would be like putting 'lipstick on what the community submissions largely believe to be a pig'.
There was mass opposition from the community with all but 17 of the 286 public submissions rejecting the proposal.
One of those submissions was from Senior Constable Peter Langbein, who raised concerns that increased foot traffic as a result of the restaurant could contribute to robberies, violence and e-bike theft in its surrounds.
'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.
The local planning panel conceded that the development proposal 'has not adequately addressed crime prevention'.
Prior to the proposal's rejection, a McDonald's spokesperson told news.com.au that a new restaurant in Redfern 'would create more than 100 local jobs, create opportunities for community partnerships and sponsorships, and involve an investment of approximately $3 million.'
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