McDonald’s Redfern: Proposal Draws Fierce Opposition From Residents, Police & Indigenous Orgs

A proposed 24-hour McDonald’s on Redfern Street in Redfern has drawn fierce opposition from residents, business owners, Indigenous organisations and local police.

The development application for a $3 million, two-storey McDonald’s near Redfern Station has received 286 public submissions, with 269 objecting to the proposal. Among them are concerns about increased antisocial behaviour, public safety, and the changing character of a suburb.

NSW Police constable objects to McDonald’s in Redfern

Senior Constable Peter Langbein, from Redfern Police Area Command, wrote in his submission that he believes late-night patrons are likely to engage in disruptive behaviour that would negatively affect the neighbourhood.

“Patrons leaving the premises during late hours are likely to engage in a range of behaviour, which need not rise to a level of criminality yet will adversely affect the neighbourhood, including talking amongst themselves, yelling, screaming and arguing.”

“There is an extremely high likelihood that an application to extend liquor licence hours will be made by surrounding licensed premises to allow them to trade to the same hours as the proposed McDonald’s,” Langbein added. “This will result in the whole area being transformed into a late-night entertainment precinct, which in turn will attract antisocial behaviour and related crime.”

Residents, Indigenous orgs & petition signers oppose McDonald’s

“I’ve owned the bar 12 years, I know a lot of social problems that are in existence in the area,” Arcadia Liquors co-owner David Jank, whose venue is two doors down, told Newscorp in January. “I just can’t see any positivity to it whatsoever.”

For First Nations organisations, the proposal carries concerns for Indigenous communities.

Alisi Tutuila, who is the chair of the Aboriginal Housing Company said it would undermine the work the group does to make Redfern safe at night, while the local council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel said having a McDonald’s in Redfern would “encourage unhealthy dietary habits” and “exacerbate existing health disparities”.

A petition on Change.org opposing the McDonald’s also has 1560 signatures at time of publishing. One person who signed the petition said, “Redfern thrives on local character, small independent business and has made great strides towards becoming a healthy and thriving community. This development is not supported and undermines the needs and desires of the people who live here.”

A McDonald’s spokesperson told Newscorp said it welcomes “feedback from Council and the community and will be engaging openly with stakeholders and community members over the coming weeks to understand and address any concerns”.

“We are always looking for opportunities to better serve our customers and communities and see strong potential in Redfern.

“If approved, the proposed McDonald’s in Redfern would create more than 100 local jobs, create opportunities for community partnerships and sponsorships, and involve an investment of approximately $3 million.”

The City of Sydney Council has yet to make a final decision.