Did you know that local District Health officials recently opposed plans submitted by McDonald’s to expand their drive-thru service in Cremorne, citing concerns about obesity among locals, among other things?
In April 2022, McDonald’s lodged plans to add a new drive-thru lane at their Cremorne outlet on Military Road to accommodate the growing demand for in-car dining.
The company said that plans are geared towards improving the efficiency of its drive-through operation by increasing its capacity and providing a second point of order to reduce congestion and minimise the need for parking.
Opposition
The development plan was opposed by officials of the Northern Sydney Health District, according to a document submitted last 6 May 2022.
Officials argued that if approved, the proposals would negatively impact the existing efforts to tackle obesity among locals, amidst other concerns.
Two of the other concerns raised are adequate provisions for parking and the lack of any traffic analysis that can substantiate the claim that the “consolidation of two driveways into one is considered beneficial to Military Road and will improve road safety at the access point.”
They said that the proposal also needed to adequately address pedestrian and road-user safety.
Also, NSLHD’s Cremorne Health Centre sits directly opposite the proposed development site. The development, opposing parties said, could result in the centre’s vulnerable persons not being able to park in the vicinity for their health appointments as parking spots could be taken by the store’s customers, staff, visitors and contractors.
They also said that allowing the food chain to increase accessibility to fast food by way of an expanded drive-through, “may negatively” impact the resident’s eating habits and “undermine” the existing health strategies aimed at tackling obesity.
The letter noted that based on data from the Australian Urban Observatory, “Cremorne already has “more than adequate” access to fast food.” An expanded drive-through, they said, will not likely provide positive population health outcomes.
Maccas Cites Better Customer Experience
Estimated to cost around $548,620, the proposed development will see its second driveway reconfigured, nine parking spaces and outdoor dining space removed and the indoor area reduced to make way for the additional lane.
“The proposed works are considered beneficial to the existing operation and will provide for a better service and experience being provided to drive-thru customers,” McDonald’s Statement of Environmental Effects document states.
