Redfern Says No: What Happens When a Community Stands Up for Its Health and Identity 

Can a neighbourhood say no to fast food? 

In Redfern, they just did. 

Earlier this month, the City of Sydney’s local planning panel unanimously rejected a proposal to build a 24-hour McDonald’s on Regent Street, right in the heart of Redfern. The decision followed strong opposition from residents, business owners, and community groups who voiced concerns over noise, crime, health impacts, and the erosion of the area’s unique cultural identity. 

“It would destroy what we’ve spent years building,” said one local resident during the public consultation. 
Source: The Guardian, 14 May 2025 

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Advisory Panel said there had been no consultation with the Indigenous community, and that the new fast food outlet would undermine health efforts in the community.

This isn’t just a story about burgers. It’s about who gets to shape the places we live in, and what kind of cities we want to build for the future. 

A rare win for community health? 

Fast food is often seen as inevitable in urban life. It’s convenient, consistent and familiar. But the community in Redfern saw things differently. 

They raised key concerns: 

• The proximity to schools and youth services 

• Potential increases in anti-social behaviour 

• Negative impacts on local independent food outlets 

• Lack of alignment with the area’s health and wellbeing goals 

And the planning panel agreed. Their rejection cited heritage character, public interest, and amenity impacts, giving weight to the voices of residents who argued that 24-hour fast food simply didn’t align with the kind of future they imagined for Redfern. 

“It would not be in the public interest,” the panel wrote in its decision. 
Source: ABC News, 14 May 2025 

What this tells us about healthy cities 

At Healthy Cities Australia, we often talk about community-centred planning, the idea that decisions about urban development should reflect the needs, values and aspirations of the people who live there. 

This moment in Redfern is a clear example of that in action. 

It highlights that: 

• Health is not neutral in planning. The built environment shapes behaviours, access, and long-term health outcomes. 

• Local voices matter. When people are empowered to speak up, city planning becomes more inclusive and responsive. 

• Preserving identity is part of health. Cultural belonging, safety, and local character are key contributors to wellbeing. 

The bigger picture 

This isn’t about being anti-McDonald’s. It’s about recognising that public health, heritage, and social cohesion can and should be part of the planning conversation, not an afterthought. 

Redfern’s stand sends a message to councils across Australia: communities care about more than just convenience. 
They care about health. About place. About being heard. 

And that’s a win for all of us.