Chatswood McDonald’s store: Willoughby Council determines new restaurant after ‘crime, noise’ objections from residents

A new Sydney fast food outlet will be unable to operate 24/7 for indoor diners following community backlash, with locals claiming it could increase obesity rates and provide “would-be criminals a dark playground”.

A new McDonald’s store on Sydney’s north shore will be unable to operate around the clock for indoor diners following community backlash, with some locals claiming the development could attract a “dark criminal underground” and lead to increased rates of obesity.

A Willoughby Council planning panel has approved the construction of a new $8.2m restaurant in Chatswood on the proviso the new outlet closes its doors to dine-in patrons at 10pm.

McDonald’s had originally proposed to operate the outlet on a 24/7 basis, but the proposal attracted a flurry of submissions from nearby homeowners opposed to the plans.

Resident Sean Freitas was among opponents who wrote to the council, arguing the store could lead to “increased noise levels due to car movements, customer interactions and the general buzz of activity”.

Another local, Jessica Whitebourn, claimed the semi-industrial location of the store on Smith St could provide “would-be criminals a dark playground of industrial units and streets in which to do as they please”.

A concept photo of the new McDonald’s Chatswood store.

Other residents complained about the “potential for increased litter”, the “cleanliness and aesthetics of the community” and the potential for the store to attract “late-night revelry and speeding vehicles”.

Impacts on the health of residents were another sticking point for locals, with resident Zoe Hart claiming the store could “contribute to Australia’s growing obesity and health crises”.

The restaurant will close to indoor diners at 10pm.

Skye Baker, who spoke on behalf of McDonald’s at the council’s planning panel meeting, said the company was committed to being a “good neighbour”.

“Maccas has been a part of the lower north shore community since 1979,” she said.

“We’ve been really conscious of listening to the concerns by the local community and councils and have included a number of measures in the development to make sure we limit the impact of traffic, noise and waste.”

The conditions imposed as part of the council approval will allow the store to operate the drive-through on a 24/7 basis during an initial 12-month trial period, in which the “impact on the surrounding community” will be monitored.

Plans for the development show construction works will involve the demolition of a warehouse and office building currently located at the site.

The new two-storey restaurant will have 26 car parks, a dual lane drive-through and waiting bays for customers to collect food.

McDonald’s says the restaurant will inject more than $11m into the local economy and create job opportunities once operational.