Council hands down verdict on plans for new suburban McDonald’s restaurant

The future of a new McDonald’s restaurant and drive-through, which was fiercely opposed by more than 800 nearby residents, has finally been decided on.

Redland City Council has said no to a new Maccas at Birkdale.

A BIRKDALE mother is “ecstatic” after plans for a McDonald’s restaurant opposite her house were shot down by Redland City councillors.

Last year, mum Cara Harborne launched a petition which rallied more than 850 signatures in opposition to the development.

Approval was sought for a McDonald’s restaurant and drive-through at Birkdale Fair Shopping Centre, at the corner of Birkdale Rd and Mary Pleasant Dr.

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“I am not against development or McDonald’s but what I am against is the impact this development will have on my house and my family,” Ms Harborne said.

“I am objecting to the lights from the signs which will shine through my lounge and bedroom windows 24 hours a day.

“(When we moved in) it was a developed shopping centre … at no stage did we think that we would ever have to compete with a fast food drive-through running (up to) 24-hours-a-day.

“Even just with COVID-19 and people going to the shops, you could really see how congested the area was.

“I think it’s a really good outcome for the community.

“The reason you buy a house in that area is because of what its like – it’s not in the city, it’s close to the water … it would have such a big impact on our house.

“I’ve not spoken to a single person who has been for it within the local community”

“So I think they’ve done the right thing.”

Redland City Council has rejected plans for a new McDonald’s at Birkdale Fair Shopping Centre. Picture: file.

Ms Harborne said that while she appreciated that the prospect of jobs for young people in the area might have been promising, there were alternatives available.

“The jobs; that would be a positive, I can see why (some locals) would be pushing for that,” she said.

“But I think there are other opportunities for school students to get jobs than a fast food restaurant between two schools.

“Locally, there are better places that it could go if they really want to put one in the suburb.”

The development, which was assessed by council planning experts, would have included landscaping and the creation of easements on Mary Pleasant Dr.

A drive-through to fit nine cars was also proposed, with the removal of 68 existing parking spaces at the site’s southeast corner to have been replaced with 87 new spaces at the site’s north and eastside.

But council deemed the development would create too much traffic and cited inadequate streetscaping and concerns about safe pedestrian access.

It also noted that 78 informal submissions opposing the development were logged with Council, raising issues including the impacts the business would have for residential neighbours.

McDonald’s has been approached for comment.