Panel deems restaurant ‘not in public interest’
There will be no Maccas in Balgowlah, after the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel refused a $4 million proposal for a new restaurant and drive-through.
Initially the proposal was for a 24- hour McDonalds on Roseberry Street; this was amended to 5am to midnight, but the panel said the development ‘was not in the public interest.’
The panel said the restaurant would result in ‘unreasonable amenity impacts’ including traffic, parking and possible anti-social behaviour.
Manly Liberal MP James Griffin applauded local residents who had rallied against the new McDonalds. “I know residents will be relieved at the refusal of the McDonalds proposal,” Mr James told PL. “I hope Maccas will go back to the drawing board and identify a more suitable location.
“To all the local residents I say, ‘Well done,’ and I was of course happy to lend my name to their concerns”.
The site was considered unsuitable because of existing road congestion in the area and impacts on the adjacent residential zone. Police also reported that existing incidents of anti-social behaviour could be exacerbated by the restaurant.
The Northern Beaches Police Area Command submitted a report to the panel. Superintendent John Duncan said that there had been 112 incidents reported in the Roseberry Street vicinity over the previous two years. These included five assaults, five drug detections, 19 thefts and one possession of a prohibited article/weapon.
“Given the 24-hour operating model, this development has the potential to attract increased levels of crime, anti-social behaviour, and public safety concerns, particularly during late-night and early- morning trading periods,” Spt Duncan said.
The report had compared crime statistics of the area to those near another 24-hour McDonalds where 58 incidents had been recorded.
The development application attracted 740 submissions over the two exhibition periods, with all objecting except for two. Most respondents had concerns about noise, traffic congestion, antisocial behaviour, litter and vermin. An online petition against the restaurant amassed close to 4,000 signatures.
Concerns were also raised about pedestrian safety due to a possible increase in e-bikes carrying delivery riders.
McDonald’s was contacted for comment but did not respond.