Has the nanny state finally gone too far? Neighbourhood war erupts over proposed McDonald’s restaurant – and why even the police want it gone

By CAITLIN POWELL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 05:14 BST, 15 May 2025 | Updated: 05:30 BST, 15 May 2025

A neighbourhood war has erupted in a Sydney suburb after the city council shot down plans for a new McDonald’s on a busy street. 

Global firm SLR Consulting submitted a plan to the City of Sydney Council in January for a 24/7 branch of the fast food chain on the corner of Redfern and Regent Street.

The proposal suggested a $2.9million alteration of a former tobacco shop and bed linen outlet near the hub of the city’s night life.

But the council unanimously voted down the proposal on Wednesday. 

There had been 269 objections to the new restaurant, including a letter from Senior Constable Peter Langbein from NSW Police. 

He suggested that McDonald’s customers could contribute to a heavier workload for officers, including a spike in violent crime and e-bike theft.

‘Police are concerned with the proposed trading hours will only provide a further strain on an already identified hotspot for crime within South Sydney PAC,’ he wrote. 

He suggested the McDonald’s could increase the ‘amount of violence seen in the area on any given night’, including assaults and anti-social behaviour.

The plan proposed to transform a former tobacco shop and bed line outlet (pictured right)

The stores would be replaced by a 24/7 McDonald’s (rendered plans are pictured)

The Redfern Police Station is located between the would-be McDonald’s and Redfern Train Station. Mr Langbein argued having a McDonald’s on the street corner would make the train station ‘more accessible for criminal behaviour’. 

He also raised concerns about the outlet being a place where ‘youth tend to meet up (for) use of free Wi-Fi and cheap dining services’ which could increase crime.

Earlier this year, locals had formed a petition via Change.org to object to the development of the fast food chain and received 1,595 signatures.

In multiple submissions from residents opposing the McDonald’s, they said the fast food chain would not fit with the ‘artisan’ style of Redfern.

‘This development is inappropriate for the area which is tidying up its act and establishing its local village feel,’ one local wrote. 

‘A fast food outlet, basically selling junk food, is out of character with the direction locals are heading in and what they want for the area.’

‘Fast food American culture has no place in Redfern,’ a second agreed. 

But some took aim at the ‘NIMBYs’ who criticised the addition of a fast food giant.

NSW Police said opening a 24/7 McDonald’s so close to Redfern Train Station, one of the busiest in Sydney, could contribute to an increase in crime (the Tobacco shop is pictured)

‘Stop the high and mighty trying to tell real people what we should be able to choose to eat,’ one of the 17 submissions said.

‘Despite the expected negative views on multinationals they provide a great product and service for millions who love it, want it and need it.’

Another said: ‘It will give the drunks pouring out of the bars late at night an option to soak up some of the booze before walking through the streets yelling.’

McDonald’s Australia shared a statement with Daily Mail Australia in which it said the company saw ‘strong potential in Redfern’.

‘A McDonald’s in Redfern would create more than 100 local jobs, create opportunities for community partnerships and sponsorships,’ they said.

The company also said it would have involved an investment of approximately $3million.

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Has the nanny state finally gone too far? Neighbourhood war erupts over proposed McDonald’s restaurant – and why even the police want it gone

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