A GROUP of Duncraig residents have declared they are not “lovin’ it” by urging Joondalup Council to reject an application by McDonald’s to make its drive-through a 24-hour facility.
The food outlet, in the Duncraig Village Shopping Centre on Burragah Way, is the only one in WA with restrictions on the opening hours of its drive-through.
It currently operates from 6am to 11pm Monday to Thursday, from 6am Friday to 1am on Saturday and from 6am to 11pm on Sunday.
The proposal was advertised via a letter to the 577 landowners within 400m of the restaurant, of which 84 objected.
At a council briefing session on Tuesday night, Duncraig resident Des Croot said the noise caused by the drive-through was the residents’ main concern.
“The problem for us is the noise caused by the groups of people as they come through and also as they leave,” he said.
“The clientele will not be locals, they will be people on the way home up Marmion Avenue,” he added, saying litter from the restaurant was also a concern.
Representing McDonald’s, Maureen Hegarty told the briefing session the extended hours would result in minimal disruption for residents.
“The change would result in at most a 10 per cent increase in activity at the site,” she said.
“The lighting and extra people around 24 hours will be a deterrent to anti-social behaviour.
“Other stores that have gone 24 hours have noticed a drop in this type of behaviour.”
Ms Hegarty said the extra hours would create an extra 10 to 12 jobs for local people.
City officers have recommended the council reject the application when it meets on Tuesday, citing a reduction in amenity for local residents.