Mac attack: Plans for Ashgrove’s first Macca’s under fire

Plans for an upmarket Brisbane westside suburb’s first Macca’s has drawn fire from the local MP — not because she’s vegan, but concerns about its effect on struggling small businesses. TAKE OUR POLL

Plans for Ashgrove’s first McDonald's on a busy stretch of Waterworks Rd have raised concerns. File Picture: Paul J. RICHARDS/AFP

Plans for an upmarket westside suburb’s first Maccas has drawn fire from the local MP who fears it could hoover up already scarce workers and worsen littering and traffic.

State Labor MP Jonty Bush, known for championing local small businesses since she was elected in 2020, said it was the wrong site to put Ashgrove’s first McDonald’s.

The project is code assessable, meaning residents are forbidden from appealing it in the courts and do not have to be told about it.

Ms Bush, a vegan, said she was not about to tell anyone else what they could eat.

Instead, she worried about the impact on nearby cafes which struggled to find staff.

She was also concerned about extra traffic generated by the restaurant and drive through, to be built next to a 7-11 service station on Waterworks Rd.

“There is also the issue of littering in an area where there is already a lot of litter and the fact children hang out at the 7-11.

“St Finbarr’s (Catholic primary school) is just down the road as well.’’

How the redevelopment would look from the street.

Ms Bush said lighting and noise from cars were other potential problems for residential neighbours.

“While something could happen on that site McDonald’s is not a solution,’’ she said.

“The application documents propose 850 cars per day and an additional driveway onto Trout St, a residential street which already has traffic calming measures on it.

“A traffic impact assessment needs to be undertaken at school pickup time.

“It will almost double the commercial footprint and the noise impact statement says it will have significant increases in noise.’’

However, town planners Infinitum Partners said in the development application (DA) that planned landscaping would improve the streetscape.

“The proposal will include upgrades to the site that will improve its visual interest and

contribution to the district centre amenity,’’ it said in the DA documents.

“New landscaping has been incorporated where possible on the site, including garden beds and canopy trees, both within the site and in the road reserve.’’

It also said noise levels would not be greater than already existed along that part of Waterworks Rd.

Infinitum Partners pointed out that the 7-11 was a 24/7 operation, the set backs complied with Council rules and a traffic study found no likely significant extra impact on Waterworks Rd.

“No drive through queuing on to the external road network will occur as 12 vehicle queuing spaces are provided, which is above Council’s requirement,’’ it said.

The RACQ’s top 10 worst Brisbane roads list has featured Waterworks Rd every year for almost a decade.

That section of the road was near a Woolworths, Coles and Aldi, many small retailers and cafes and was near three busy intersections.

However, traffic consultants Modus Engineering said in the DA documents that there would be no significant impacts.

“Modus believes that the Stewart Rd/Waterworks Rd signalised intersection located approximately 75m east of the Trout St/Waterworks Rd intersection will likely create gaps in the traffic, allowing vehicles to emerge onto Waterworks Rd with ease.’’ it said.

More details on Council’s online DA portal developmenti. Search for 270 Waterworks Rd or application A006331069