‘Backwards’: Suburb furious over new 24/7 Macca’s

Plans for a giant 24/7 McDonald’s in a key Sydney suburb has created a furore online - with some locals claiming it’ll ruin the area.

Plans for a new 24/7 McDonald’s to be built in the heart of a historic inner Sydney suburb has outraged residents who say the franchise will send the suburb “backwards”.

A $3 million development plan for a new two-story Macca’s on Redfern’s main dining and shopping strip, Redfern Street, has been lodged with City of Sydney council.

The mega Macca’s has caused a stir online, with locals given until February 6 to comment on the proposal.

The new McDonald’s will be situated on the corner of Redfern and Regent Streets. Picture: City of Sydney

The proposed site is also right next to Mr Charlies – a vegan fast food restaurant that parodies McDonald’s by selling items such as “frowny meals” instead of Macca’s classic happy meal.

Council is also considering a seperate application for fast food store Charlie Chargrill to open on Redfern Street – with frustrated locals saying enough is enough.

A call out for feedback posted on the suburb’s community Facebook page - Residental Redfern - has sparked hundreds of comments online.

Some have argued that the McDonald’s will bring more foot traffic for local businesses, however, the majority have been critical of the application.

Redfern resident Nicola Mansfield has since lodged an official complaint to the council on behalf of “a sizeable group of concerned residents”.

The store has been opposed by the local community. Picture: City of Sydney

In the DA response, she wrote the group had “significant urban planning concerns” and believed the franchise would impact “community, amenity, safety and heritage”.

“Given the precedence of such a business operating 24hrs, we are shocked to see there has been no police or community engagement,” she said.

“We request your support as a matter of urgency.”

The shop is currently a delipidated manchester store. Picture: News Corp Australia

David Jank co-owns a local bar – Arcadia Liquors – which sits just two doors down from the proposed site and voiced serious concerns about the proposal.

He has now hung a sign on the window of his bar, encouraging locals to respond to the council’s DA.

“Support it or don’t. Just have your say,” the sign states.

Mr Jank has hung a sign outside his bar to encourage residents to have their say about the development. Picture: News Corp Australia

Speaking to news.com.au, Mr Jank said the new franchise would be an “enormous change” and said the move would be “insensitive”.

Redfern was the birthplace of the Aboriginal civil rights movement in the 1970s.

“I’ve owned the bar 12 years, I know a lot of social problems that are in existence in the area,” he said.

“I just cant see any positivity to it what so ever.”

General Manager of The Dock – a bar that sits across from the proposed fast food site – Tom Whittle said he would be “very surprised” if they are granted 24-hour trading.

“My thoughts would be that it would be a huge shift for Redfern and the positives remain to be seen, however, gentrification is inevitable,” he said.

David Jank co-owns Arcadia Liquors, two doors down from the proposed site. Picture: News Corp Ausralia

Tom Whittle (middle) owns The Dock in Redfern which is situated across from the proposed site. Picture: Instagram/@thedockredfern

Licensee of Redfern pub, the Tudor Hotel, Gabriel, also said he understood the community’s concern.

“The last few years Redfern has been changing for the positive. I think this is a step backwards,” he said.

Locals say the suburb does not need a McDonald’s. Picture: News Corp Australia

Beloved Redfern figure Joe Ambour – who is soon closing his hardware store Ambour Hardware after 55 years – said the area has become unrecognisable in recent years with the new McDonald’s a sign of the times.

“People don’t want the customer service anymore,” he said.

“They just want what is cheap. They will google whatever is the cheapest and just go there.”

He said that the McDonald’s would make little difference to Redfern’s shopping village.

“There is already kebab shops and a Dominos.”

Ambour Hardware in Redfern. Picture: News Corp Australia

The Tudor Hotel in Redfern. Picture: News Corp Australia

In response to news.com.au, a spokesman for Lord Mayor Clover Moore said they had to remain “neutral” to the development application.

Redfern Street is known for its village vibes. Picture: News Corp Australia

The suburb also has major ties to Sydney’s Indigenous community. Picture: News Corp Australia

“The Lord Mayor cannot make any comment as this application is being assessed by the City’s Planning staff and we must ensure the development assessment process is impartial,” the spokesman said.

Locals online, who have flocked to comment on the issue in droves, both slammed and defended the proposal.

“So many entitled people thinking they have the right to tell other people what they should be allowed to eat,” one man added.

Another wrote: “I don’t have a problem with it. There are many more things to be concerned about in Redfern than a new McDonald’s.”

But others were more concerned about the impact on local businesses, rubbish and traffic, and pointed out that nowadays Macca’s isn’t even that cheap anyway.

“Before you put another fast food outlet into the centre of Redfern, get the noise, rubbish disposal and street cleaning under control,” one added.

“No way. We don’t need McDonalds in the Fern. Too many small family run cafes are under financial pressure just to keep trading,” another said.

“Also it’s not McDonalds’ waste management processes thats the issue but patrons who litter…just visit Circular Quay.”

Originally published as ‘Backwards’: Suburb furious over new 24/7 Macca’s