The Hendra community has lost the battle against the development of a 24/7 McDonald’s takeaway despite 430 submissions in opposition and just nine in favour.
Local resident Bill Moore spearheaded the community’s fight against the project and said they collectively raised over $30,000 to reach mediation in court but could not afford the $200,000 required in legal fees to take the case to trial.
“We don’t have anywhere to go, because we have exhausted our legal potentials,” Mr Moore said.
“In contrast, Sydney City Council rejected a McDonald’s application in Redfern after they received 269 submissions against the development and 17 in favour.
“The wider issue is these multinationals have the ability to charge through and effectively leverage these sites into communities against the locals’ wishes.
“This clearly is inappropriate at every level.”
A report from McDonald’s primary consultant for the project claimed: “The development will not set a precedent for fast-food land uses on surrounding land.”
The report also stated: “The development does not involve the rezoning of residential land.”
However, the McDonald’s will be situated on a block otherwise fully comprised of residential properties.
Hendra residents raised fears of contamination regarding fuel tanks still buried underneath the site, which was previously used a service station.
However, McDonald’s cleared the concerns, stating that they “have received certificates from the landowner confirming that the site has been fully remediated, including the removal of tanks and contamination testing”.
“Of course, if any further contamination were found during the demolition process, it would need to be fully remediated before the build could commence,” they said.
“A new Macca’s in Hendra represents an investment of more than $5 million and will mean more than 100 new local jobs and more support for local community groups in the area.”
