Parramatta Council rejects drive thru at Stockland unit development

A western Sydney council’s beef with McDonald’s has escalated after it refused to budge on plans to exclude a drive-through service below two apartment towers in North Parramatta.

Parramatta Council has blasted McDonald’s for wanting to “squeeze every last dollar” from it by providing a drive-through service as part of a major Stockland redevelopment for the North Parramatta site.

A fortnight after deferring the matter, when McDonald’s maintenance of the site was labelled “atrocious”, the council stood firm on its refusal to allow the drive-through lanes under the two-tower, 346-unit complex planned for the corner of Victoria Rd and Church St.

Nine councillors, including Lord Mayor Steven Issa, backed councillor Andrew Wilson’s motion to green light the apartment complex but reject the drive-through, which they argued would create even more traffic gridlock and worsen the eyesore.

Andrew Wilson won’t have a bar of a Maccas drive-through at North Parramatta. Photographer: Adam Yip

“Are we a first-class city or aren’t we?” Cr Wilson said.

“Would they accept that in Paris? In my father’s neighbourhood on the leafy north shore, they won’t even let them put up the big Ms for a McDonald’s, which I think myself is pretty ridiculous, but you have a chance to get something really nice here.”

He said the council should not be held over a barrel by the fast food giant.

Parramatta Council welcomes the Stockland units and McDonald’s restaurant but not its drive-through lanes.

“If McDonald’s doesn’t want to develop it they can … look at the hundreds of millions of dollars of income that will flow in and they can explain to their head office why they don’t want the money,’’ he said.

The proposal — which first emerged in 2015 before being withdrawn the following year and returning in 2018 — include apartments over two 31-storey towers.

“I mean we’re talking about hundreds of units,’’ Cr Wilson said.

“They can make a fortune. I don’t have trouble with people making money. I’ve got trouble with them leaving Parramatta not in a very good condition.’’

A McDonald’s spokeswoman said the council’s decision to reject the drive-through prevented the site’s redevelopment.

“We have consistently outlined a drive-through is essential to McDonald’s business model throughout all stages of the planning process,’’ she said.

“McDonald’s remains committed to maintaining the site and continues to operate the existing restaurant with a drive-through presence.

“We are taking the appropriate time required to review Monday night’s council decision and work with the Stockland team to consider our options.”

Councillors Bill Tyrrell, Andrew Jefferies, Martin Zaiter and Michelle Garrard supported the two-lane drive-through, which would be built alongside the playground and McCafe in the double-storey eatery.

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Originally published as Parramatta Council rejects drive thru at Stockland unit development