McDonald’s Manly Vale: Police, raise crime and anti-social behaviour concerns

Police fear crime and anti-social levels could potentially spike if a new late-night, drive-thru Macca’s is allowed to open on Sydney’s northern beaches.

An artist's impression of the proposed McDonald's fast food restaurant, with drive-through facility, on Roseberry St, Manly Vale. It attracted 738 submissions against the development Picture: Webber Architects

Police believe contentious plans to build a McDonald’s outlet at Manly Vale could lead to an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.

They also have concerns about public safety due to the late-night and early-morning trading hours of the proposed drive-thru fast food restaurant in busy Roseberry St.

In a submission to Northern Beaches Council, signed by local police commander John Duncan, police stated they had “some reservations” about the 52-seat outlet that would operate from 5am to midnight, seven days a week.

McDonald’s originally wanted to open the restaurant 24 hours a day.

“This development has the potential to attract increased levels of crime, anti-social behaviour, and public safety concerns, particularly during late-night and early-morning trading periods,” the police report stated.

An artist’s impressions of the proposed McDonald's fast food restaurant at Manly Vale. Northern Beaches Police say its late-night operation could lead to increased levels of crime and anti-social behaviour. Picture: Webber Architects

Police stated the introduction of a fast-food venue at this location could also exacerbate incidents such as assaults and property damage at night “unless adequate security measures are implemented”.

They recommended that CCTV and high quality lighting be used along with security guards during “after hours” operations to “enhance safety during the increased risk periods”.

A map showing the location of a proposed McDonald's fast food restaurant, at the corner of Rosebery St and Kenneth Rd, Manly Vale. Picture: Webber Architects

“Measures should be implemented to prevent loitering and congregation in car parks and adjacent public areas after food service,” the police submission stated.

A development application for the redevelopment of the site, now occupied by the Seven Miles Coffee Roasters plant, head office and cafe, will be examined at a meeting of the independent Northern Beaches Local Planning on Wednesday.

The DA was referred to the panel by the council after it received 740 public submissions when the plans were released for feedback.

Only two of the submissions supported the new Macca’s.

The Seven Miles Coffee Roasters plant and cafe would be demolished if the McDonald’s DA was approved. Picture: Google Maps

The council has recommended to the panel that it reject the DA based on potential issues with noise, traffic, odours and the hours of operation. A community petition calling on planning officials to “Say NO” to McDonald’s was circulated and attracted more than 1000 signatures.

Much of the public input to the council referred to concerns that the increased traffic would add to road delays already caused by customers of the nearby Woolworths, Aldi, Bunnings, Harvey Norman and Bing Lee stores.

The site is also opposite the B-line commuter carpark in Kenneth Rd and close to a KFC outlet on nearby Condamine St. Roseberry St, which runs between Balgowlah and Manly Vale, is regularly hit with traffic congestion on weekends due to the supermarkets, fitness centres and surrounding furniture and homewares shops and cafes.

Petition creator Sarah Garland said the development would also add more odours, litter, noise pollution and rodents to the area.

“We are calling for a rejection of the application … and to consider the cumulative impact of fast-food outlets on our neighbourhood’s environment and character,” she said.

In a statement, McDonald’s Australia said it had been part of northern beaches communities’ since 1980 and would listen and respond to public feedback.

“If approved, a Macca’s in Manly Vale will create more than 100 new local jobs and represents an investment of more than $3.9m into the community,” the statement read.

“We’ll continue to work through the development application process with the Northern Beaches Council, outlining the measures we have proactively included to mitigate the impact of traffic, noise and waste, and in listening and responding to feedback.”