McDonald’s Northmead: Windsor Rd restaurant could trade 24 hours

A northwest Sydney suburb could get its second 24-hour Maccas after the fast food giant applied for round-the-clock trading despite neighbours having a beef over plans.

Northmead McDonald's could open non stop.

Fast food giant McDonald’s started advertising 24-hour trading at its Northmead Windsor Rd restaurant for Friday and Saturday nights before it even submitted an application to Parramatta Council, concerning residents who object to the proposal.

A Northmead resident alerted the council to the advertisement after spotting a sign at the eatery on January 8 and informed councillor Andrew Jefferies.

“It’s a little bit cheeky for them to put up a sign of opening 24 hours when they haven’t applied yet,’’ Cr Jefferies said.

“I’d definitely want to see the full application. However, I would hope that McDonald’s do extensive consultation with their neighbours prior to submitting plans.’’

He said that, unlike the 24-hours Briens Rd McDonald’s, the Windsor Rd eatery backed on to residential neighbourhoods such as Rifle Range Rd.

Northmead McDonald's at Windsor Rd could open longer.

Councillor Andrew Jefferies has called for extensive consultation between McDonald’s and residents. Picture: Mark Scott

“That McDonald’s has been there for a long time,’’ he said.

“Certainly I hope McDonald’s will be a good neighbour and will widely consult with their neighbours.

“Because it backs on to residential, it’s not an industrial area, so we’re obviously very sensitive to residents’ concerns.’’

About 2014, when the eatery fell under the Hills Shire Council before amalgamations, the bid for 24 hours was rejected following police and residents’ objections.

Hills police inspector Neil Higgins said the restaurant was not a troubled spot.

“It’s certainly not a hotspot as we would call it,’’ he said.

“Certainly in the last five years we’ve had no problem in that area at all.’’

In its recent application to Parramatta Council, McDonald’s said the site was surrounded by other late night trading premises, including two 7-Eleven convenience shops on Windsor Rd and Plus Fitness Northmead.

It said it did not plan changes to carpark capacity or seating.

A McDonald’s spokeswoman said the 24-hour trading proposal would follow the extended hours introduced under the COVID-19 regulation six months ago. The hours are 5am to midnight.

“As an essential service, McDonald’s Northmead has lodged an application to permanently extend its trading hours in response to growing customer demand, especially during hours of limited supply from other outlets,’’ she said.

“If approved, the extended operating hours will allow us to continue to meet community demand, as well as ensure jobs and incomes for local Northmead employees moving forward.

“No community concerns have been received since the restaurant extended its trade over six months ago. Formal community consultation will occur during the application process.”

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