News McDonald’s Redfern: When a Community Says No Can a neighbourhood say no to fast food? In Redfern, they just did. Earlier this month, the City of Sydney Council’s local planning panel unanimously rejected a development application for a proposed 24-hour McDonald’s Redfern on Regent Street, right in the heart of the suburb. The decision followed strong opposition from residents, local businesses, and community organisations who raised concerns about public health, crime, traffic, antisocial behaviour, and the loss of local character. “It would destroy what we’ve spent years building,” said one local resident during the consultation process – Source: The Guardian, 14 May 2025 Sydney Council and the Local Planning Panel Decision The proposal for a new fast food outlet was reviewed by the City of Sydney Council’s planning panel, which ultimately determined the development was not in the public interest. Key concerns included: The proximity to schools and youth services Potential increases in antisocial behaviour and crime Impacts on local independent food businesses Traffic, delivery drivers, and late-night activity linked to Uber Eats and other food delivery services Misalignment with the suburb’s health and wellbeing goals The panel cited impacts on heritage, amenity, and community wellbeing, giving significant weight to the voices of locals who argued that a 24-hour fast food restaurant did not align with the future they envisioned for Redfern. “It would not be in the public interest,” the panel stated – Source: ABC News, 14 May 2025 The Aboriginal Community and Health Efforts in Redfern The decision was also shaped by concerns raised by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Advisory Panel stated there had been no meaningful consultation with the Indigenous community, despite the proposed site being located in an area of deep cultural significance. Community leaders warned that a new fast food outlet could undermine health efforts led by local organisations, including the Aboriginal Medical Service, which has long worked to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Redfern. For many, the issue wasn’t just about food, it was about respect, consultation, and recognising the ongoing impacts of planning decisions on community health and identity. A Rare Win Against Fast Food Expansion Fast food is often seen as inevitable in cities. As the most common takeaway franchise in Australia, McDonald’s is a familiar presence across suburbs, particularly in wealthier areas, where planning resistance is often lower. But Redfern’s response shows that communities can still influence what happens in their neighbourhoods. Residents and community groups raised clear concerns about: Health outcomes associated with increased fast food access The cumulative impact of fast food outlets in already vulnerable communities The effect on local character, safety, and sense of place And in this case, the local council listened. What Redfern Teaches 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. The Redfern McDonald’s decision is a powerful example of this in action. It highlights that: Public health is not neutral in planning, the built environment shapes behaviour, access, and long-term health outcomes Local voices matter, when residents are heard, planning becomes more inclusive and responsive Preserving identity is part of health, cultural safety, heritage, and local character contribute directly to wellbeing The Bigger Picture for Cities Across Australia This isn’t about being anti-McDonald’s or anti-business. It’s about recognising that health, heritage, and social cohesion should be central to planning decisions, not an afterthought. Redfern’s stand sends a message to councils across Sydney, NSW, and Australia:Communities care about more than convenience. They care about health, place, and being heard. And when a city listens, everyone benefits.