Cremorne McDonalds drive through plans: NSW Health district criticises proposed expansion
A plan to add a new drive through lane at a Sydney McDonalds has sparked concerns from health officials over potential impacts on the residents’ waistlines. Tell us what you think: Take our poll
North Shore
Don't miss out on the headlines from North Shore. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Plans to add a new drive through lane at a north shore McDonalds outlet has sparked concerns from local health officials over potential implications on the waistlines of local residents.
The fast food giant has lodged a $548,620 plan to super-size customer capacity at its Cremorne restaurant on Military Rd by building a new dual-lane drive-through lane servicing an extra 14 customers at a time.
The move is partly aimed at reflecting changing customer habits fuelled by the Covid-19 pandemic which has resulted in fewer customers dining in and instead dining out from the comfort of their cars.
Plans show the development would involve reducing the number of on-site carparking spaces from 35 to 26, bulldozing an outdoor dining terrace, removing 22 seats and modifying internal areas including the service counter and McCafe to make way for the new drive-through lane.
The Northern Sydney Local Health District – which his currently grappling with increased strain on the region’s hospitals – has raised concerns over “population health impacts associated with the proposal” including “obesity” rates.
“There is a concern that increasing accessibility to fast food, via an expanded drive-through, may negatively influence the eating habits of children and adults, and undermine existing population health strategies to tackle obesity,” the health district said.
“Data from the Australian Urban Observatory shows that Cremorne already has more than adequate access to fast food. Providing greater access to fast food via an expanded, dual lane drive-through is unlikely to result in positive population health outcomes.”
A letter signed by the health district’s manager of healthy built environments Andrew Wheeler and property manager Mary McCafferty said the development could also impact the “walkability” of the site and called for new bike parking to be added to encourage diners to access the site via two wheels, rather than four.
They also raised concerns over the proximity to the Cremorne Community Health Centre, which is run by the health district across the road from the Maccas outlet and provides disability and multicultural health support services.
“Accordingly, the centre’s vulnerable persons may not be able to park in the vicinity of the centre to attend their health appointments and this may lead to vulnerable persons’ declining health,” the letter stated.
Latest data from the Public Health Information Development Unit shows obesity rates in the Cremorne and Neutral Bay postcodes stood at 19 per cent of adults in 2020 – well shy of the 33 per cent statewide suburb average.
The Cremorne McDonalds is the only outlet operated by the company in the North Sydney Council area – compared to Tamworth – which has the state’s highest obesity rate and currently has three McDonalds outlets with a fourth approved last month.
In its plans, McDonald’s said it has implemented a number of alternative healthy eating options and choices since 2002.
A McDonalds spokeswoman said the majority of the company’s restaurants in NSW currently have dual-lane drive thru lanes.
“McDonald’s has been part of the Cremorne community for more than 40 years. We are reinvesting into the restaurant to make it more accessible and convenient for our customers and crew,” she said.
“Throughout the pandemic, we experienced a considerable increase in drive-through numbers. An additional lane will improve efficiency and reduce traffic congestion for our customers.”
“In the last two years there has been an increase in transactions in the drive through of 8.3 per cent which has been offset by a reduction in over-the-counter sales.
“The second drive-through lane will substantially increase the queuing capacity of the operation and provide a second point of order and will minimise the queuing impact on the internal carparking area, reducing congestion and reliance on carparking.”
Craig McGrath, who is a regular diner of the Cremorne outlet, said he supported the extra drive-through capacity.
“I personally can’t see a link between obesity and drive through lanes – I think if people want to eat McDonald's they’re going to queue up however how long it takes,” he said.
Megan Huang said the extra drive-through lane could also reflect changing dining habits prompted by two years of Covid-19 restrictions.
“During lockdown everyone got used to their cars for the convenience so I think it’s a good thing,” she said.
Plans by McDonald's show other aspects of the development include replacing the existing separate entry and exit driveways with a single dual lane entry/exit lane on Military Road.
The proposal has been lodged to North Sydney Council and remains under assessment.
Concerns from the health district come as the state continues to grapple with the impacts of Covid-19 and rising flu cases that have placed additional strain on hospitals and health districts across the state.
Northern Sydney Local Health district declined to comment further on its objections.
Liberals cut ties with paper in Teal candidate stoush
A northern Sydney community newspaper claims Liberal politicians have pulled advertising after its long-term editor announced she’ll run as a ‘Teal’ independent backed by Climate 200 at the upcoming federal election.
‘We got out of jail’: Thrillers ignite Green Shield finals
The race towards the U16s Green Shield title intensified with dramatic scenes at all four venues on Sunday. From last ball thrillers to a hat-trick and a blazing ton – quarter finals wrap.