McDonald’s is continuing its bid to open a restaurant near Redfern Station and has proposed to cut its trading hours after appealing the City of Sydney’s refusal.
The amended plans remain under Development Application D/2024/1218 and form part of a case before the NSW Land and Environment Court.
McDonald’s originally sought approval to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but the DA was rejected in mid-2025. It now proposes to trade from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. each day.
Original plan drew hundreds of objections
The proposal would convert the two-storey building at 153 Redfern Street into a McDonald’s takeaway food and drink premises. The site sits at the corner of Redfern and Cope streets, opposite Regent Street and close to Redfern Station.
The original application included 12 customer seats, new signs, an awning and extensive internal alterations. Most of the building would be used for kitchens, food preparation, storage and staff areas.
The City of Sydney Local Planning Panel refused the proposal on 14 May 2025. Council received 286 submissions during the original exhibition period. Of those, 269 opposed the development and 17 supported it.
Council raised concerns about deliveries, waste collection, footpath congestion, bicycle parking and late-night activity. It also found problems with the design, signage and treatment of the surrounding heritage area.
The council’s refusal notice also stated that NSW Police had raised crime prevention and management concerns. The panel found that the unresolved issues could not be managed through approval conditions. It concluded that the development was not of public interest.
McDonald’s takes the refusal to court
McDonald’s Australia Limited lodged a Class 1 appeal against the City of Sydney on 13 November 2025. Through this appeal, McDonald’s is asking the court to review the refusal. The Land and Environment Court proceeding is listed as case 2025/439498.
As part of that process, the company has submitted revised drawings and supporting reports. The City of Sydney also sought feedback from nearby residents and property owners.
Revised plans target earlier concerns
The amended proposal includes new bicycle parking, a redesigned waste area and changes to the entrance. The bike plan shows two double bicycle rails on Cope Street, loops attached to existing poles and an internal rack for staff.
The ground-floor plans also show bin storage, a baler, grease collection equipment and a goods lift. These changes relate to issues raised Council’s original assessment, including waste handling and bicycle parking.
However, the property still has no on-site loading bay. The applicant proposes to use off-site loading zones on Regent Street and George Street for deliveries and waste collection.
The main entrance has also moved towards the corner of Redfern and Cope streets. The dining area would still contain 12 seats.
McDonald’s has also submitted a new crime-prevention report prepared by Forward Thinking Pty Ltd. The report says the reduced trading hours, CCTV, lighting, staff controls and redesigned entrance address many of the concerns raised by NSW Police about the original 24-hour proposal.
Heritage and signage plans revised
The building sits within the Redfern Estate Heritage Conservation Area. Council found that the original design did not respond well enough to the area’s heritage character. The new plans retain more identified heritage features, including the original tiled entrance, corner glazing and parts of the façade.
The amended design may also expose old brickwork and a historic Penfolds sign, depending on the condition of the material beneath the current paint. McDonald’s has also reduced some of the proposed branding. The revised plans remove the earlier McCafé wall sign and another Golden Arches sign.
SLR Consulting, acting for the applicant, says the revised plans meet the relevant heritage, signage and design controls.
The consultant also says the restoration work could improve the building’s contribution to the conservation area. Those claims appear in reports prepared for the applicant.
Community opposition remains
A Change.org petition opposing the development remains online and has been updated following the appeal. The campaign began during the original application. It argues that the restaurant could affect local businesses, neighbourhood character, safety and amenity.
The City of Sydney is reassessing the plans and public feedback as the Land and Environment Court case continues.
Published 17-July-2026
