Locals stood tall against McDonald’s—and showed the power of community isn’t lost

McDonald’s latest expansion plans have sparked outrage in one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs.

Residents launched a fierce battle against the fast food giant, warning the proposal would destroy the character of their neighbourhood.

Now, locals say they have claimed a rare victory against a global powerhouse.


The plan would have transformed a former Westpac bank on Willoughby Road in Crows Nest into a 24/7 McDonald’s.

But after months of heated objections, North Sydney Council confirmed in an email to residents on Wednesday that McDonald’s had officially withdrawn its $2.6 million application.

The company’s proposal, submitted in May 2025, promised about 100 jobs, yet residents feared it would come at a steep cost to the suburb’s lifestyle.


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McDonald’s drops $2.6m Crows Nest plan. Image source: Mosman Collective


At a Wollstonecraft precinct meeting, residents slammed the large exhaust stacks that were to be installed on-site, warning of ‘unacceptable’ odours in the heart of the community.

Local campaigner Jamie Vachon said a location near the new Crows Nest Metro Station would have been more appropriate.

‘Crows Nest residents understand that our suburb is changing,’ she said.

‘We now have a Subway, Oporto, Ogalo, El Jannah, and other chain food options.

‘While few of us would be happy with the addition of a McDonald’s, there is nothing open 24/7 in Crows Nest, and all this proposal would do is allow drunken patrons from the Crows Nest Hotel to visit a McDonald’s around the corner rather than going home.

‘It’ll bring crime, vandalism, litter, and random delivery drivers on footpaths and streets at all hours.

‘As well, there is an existing rodent problem behind the Crows Nest restaurants and this would have exacerbated things.

‘This is nothing but a money grab by McDonald’s with no care for the community.’

The council stressed that late-night trading was a ‘privilege, not a right,’ noting that only the Crows Nest Hotel currently operated past midnight.

McDonald’s already had outlets nearby in North Sydney, St Leonards, and Cremorne, but the company had been pushing aggressively to expand, with 50 new outlets planned across the country by the end of 2026.


In Sydney’s Newtown, residents were now fighting another proposal for a 24/7 McDonald’s lodged for a renovated late-Victorian building next to family-run Clem’s Chicken.

Earlier this year, police and Aboriginal organisations successfully blocked a Redfern franchise, while a Balgowlah application was rejected due to traffic and antisocial behaviour concerns.

In Melbourne’s inner north, locals resisted a Darebin City Council application for another 24/7 store, citing fears over the loss of community character.

And in Brisbane’s Hendra, a McDonald’s approval in January led residents to launch a legal appeal—the first time in Australia that a character residential site had been rezoned for fast food.

But locals said they lacked the financial power to continue their fight against the multinational chain.

‘It was doomed to failure,’ Hendra spokesman Bil Moore told 4BC Brisbane.

‘The residents feel terribly overlooked by Brisbane City Council.

‘We clearly weren’t heard. Five houses now have a 24/7 fast food drive-through as their next-door neighbour.’


Moore said councils often ‘run scared’ of taking on McDonald’s, which he described as having deep pockets and highly skilled legal teams.

‘Down in South Australia, residents fought for six years before the Safety Beach McDonald’s was finally approved,’ he said.

‘This happens all over the world.

‘You’re taking on the biggest fast food company in the world.’

ANZ’s Food, Beverage, and Agribusiness Insights report estimated Australia could see at least 30,000 quick service and fast-food outlets by 2030.

Moore warned this would have major consequences for communities, especially in the lead-up to the Brisbane Olympics.

‘This could be repeated many times over, where someone in a residential property could have an unwanted neighbour,’ he said.

McDonald’s was contacted for comment.


Community resistance to McDonald’s isn’t confined to one suburb—it has become a recurring battle across different neighbourhoods.

In some cases, councils and community groups have pushed back strongly, citing safety, health, and lifestyle concerns.

One striking example unfolded in Redfern, where a proposed outlet sparked serious objections from police and local organisations.

Read more: Why are authorities blocking this restaurant's plans? Community members reveal reason

Key Takeaways
  • McDonald’s dropped its $2.6 million plan for a 24/7 Crows Nest outlet after community backlash.
  • Residents argued the store would worsen odours, crime, litter, and rodent problems.
  • Other McDonald’s proposals in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane have also sparked major opposition.
  • Experts warn Australia could have 30,000 fast food outlets by 2030, raising fears about community impacts.

If McDonald’s can be stopped in Crows Nest, could this signal the start of a wider pushback against fast food giants across Australia?
 

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No wonder we have an obesity problem. And straight from school plenty of students go to McDonald's. I take my grandchildren for a treat every 4 to 6 weeks but wonder how many of those kids go daily. Alot of money to waste on junk food.
 
Anyone see the FB post about the 11 month old Big Mac that looked like it came straight from a store?
Then they explained all the 'preservatives' that go into making one.
 
In Pasadena, South Australia ( where there is no Safety Beach, because it's in Victoria) a new Mc Donald's has been built right next door to a child care centre!!!!!
 
It's not even particularly appealing food. Not very tasty, looks nothing like the advertising, is not healthy, and is getting far too expensive.
 
No wonder we have an obesity problem. And straight from school plenty of students go to McDonald's. I take my grandchildren for a treat every 4 to 6 weeks but wonder how many of those kids go daily. Alot of money to waste on junk food.
I don't feed my grandchildren any of that greasy unhealthy crap. Subway is a better option.
 
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It's not even particularly appealing food. Not very tasty, looks nothing like the advertising, is not healthy, and is getting far too expensive.
to me it seems like an American takeover of Australia one takeaway business at a time
 
Even if there were no more Maccas added to existing numbers, it would be too many.
 
When we moved here from a small country town I was quite excited when I saw the maccas car delivering near by. My husband said “do you want Maccas delivered?” I said no, I hate it but if I wanted to I could have it delivered lol. We were at least 40 minutes from the closest outlet where we used to live so it was a bit of a novelty to eat there with the kids then grandkids. Now it’s five minutes away and I’ve been in there once in three years with one of my granddaughters. I’m not a fan
 
With obesity on the rise companies have a lot to answer for. I know people make the choice, but when it is in your face all the time it can be hard to resist. The litter from these fast food companies is disgusting.
 
The best burgers in Melbourne used to be Sam's Coffee Pot on Geelong Road in Footscray.
 
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Nah.. the best used to be at the Burger shop in Nepean Hwy Brighton.. opposite Tommy Bent's statue. :D
 
people keep grumbling about the cost of living.. MAKE YOUR OWN. I do often.
 
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No wonder we have an obesity problem. And straight from school plenty of students go to McDonald's. I take my grandchildren for a treat every 4 to 6 weeks but wonder how many of those kids go daily. Alot of money to waste on junk food.
Next time you treat your kids to McDonalds, have a good look around you and the answer is there. Having said that I have noticed that demographics come into play. More fatties out west than in places like Crows Nest
 
I used to live in Crows Nest 50 years ago, I had paper runs and Chemist runs after school from Crows Nest. I just remember the last bit of the Warringah Expressway built from the Harbour Bridge to Chandos st Cammeray phase, I lost some school friends from that and then the rest to Epping Rd/Pacific Hwy. I was born in Nth Sydney, I grew up most of my life there and up and down The North Shore.
They claim a victory? phhhttttttttttt. Crows Nest has more problems than this with the opening of the Metro train station.
They have not seen anything yet.
Nth Sydney council approved high rise development at Crows Nest. Build heaps of high rises there with great views and charge a few millon each for small tiny unit. Another Chatswood on the way. St Leonards is unrecognisable to me now. Bloody Heck, The Royal Nth Shore Hospital is gone replaced by some LSD nightmare. Chatswood, what happened to that?
 
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Even if there were no more Maccas added to existing numbers, it would be too many.
The best burgers in Melbourne used to be Sam's Coffee Pot on Geelong Road in Footscray.
Hi Luckyus, thankyou for your post, have passed that area a few times, are they still in business, wouldn't mind trying their burgers. Wishing you a pleasant weekend. 🙏🦋
 
people keep grumbling about the cost of living.. MAKE YOUR OWN. I do often.
I do now even to making my own mince, even the butchers mince is shite, full of fat
Hi Luckyus, thankyou for your post, have passed that area a few times, are they still in business, wouldn't mind trying their burgers. Wishing you a pleasant weekend. 🙏🦋
Not sure I.m going back to the fifties sixties
 
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I do now even to making my own mince, even the butchers mince isshite fulls of fat

Not sure I.m going back to the fifties sixties
🙏🦋
 
I do now even to making my own mince, even the butchers mince isshite fulls of fat

Not sure I.m going back to the fifties sixties
Dear member Luckyus, thankyou for your post. When you go to the butchers and you don't want fat in your meat, ask the butcher to mince for you there, a piece of lean steak and you will have fresh, no fat mince. I always ask our butcher to mince our steaks when ever we want no fat in our minced meat. Wishing you a pleasant day. 🙏🦋
 

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