Hungry Jack’s Development in Wallsend Rejected Amidst Traffic and Safety

Plans for a Hungry Jack’s restaurant at 111 Newcastle Road, Wallsend, have been officially rejected by Newcastle City Council. The proposed $2.5 million development, which included car parking and signage at the intersection with Douglas Street, was refused on multiple grounds, primarily concerning traffic, land contamination, and public interest.

Background and Application Details

After closing its Jesmond location last year, Hungry Jack’s sought to relocate to a new site in Wallsend, adjacent to the Salvos store. The development application (DA2024/00089) described the project as a takeaway food and drinks premises with an estimated cost of $2,565,320.00. The proposal included a 24/7 operation, making it a significant development in the area.

Key Issues Leading to Refusal

1. Traffic Concerns: The application failed to adequately address potential traffic impacts. Council’s assessment indicated that the development could exacerbate traffic congestion, particularly during peak times. Residents echoed these concerns, fearing the increased traffic would make an already busy area more dangerous and congested.
2. Land Contamination: Insufficient information was provided to demonstrate that the site met the necessary environmental standards, particularly regarding land contamination under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience and Hazards) 2021 and the Newcastle Development Control Plan 2012.
3. Public Submissions and Community Impact: The development received 46 submissions during the public notification period, predominantly opposing the project. Residents highlighted issues such as increased traffic, noise, and potential anti-social behaviour. Concerns about pedestrian safety were also raised, with fears that the new restaurant would make it more dangerous for residents crossing the road.
4. Historical Context: This was Hungry Jack’s second attempt at securing the site, following a similar rejection in 2014. While the previous proposal was eventually approved on appeal to the Land and Environment Court, the consent lapsed in 2017. The current rejection mirrors the community’s long-standing concerns over traffic and safety.

Community Response and Developer’s Argument

The proposal to build a fast-food restaurant on one of Newcastle’s busiest roads has been met with significant opposition from neighbours. Local residents argue that the area’s already problematic traffic would only worsen, increasing the likelihood of accidents and making the area less safe. One resident noted, “Traffic is as bad as it is, and there is nowhere you could put the entrance that would alleviate traffic.”

Despite these concerns, Hungry Jack’s contended that the development would create jobs and transform an unattractive site, bringing economic benefits to the community. However, this argument was not sufficient to outweigh the substantial issues raised by both the public and Council.

Local resident Tobias Hudson expressed his satisfaction with the decision in a statement to Newy 87.8, saying, “Residents of Wallsend are very happy with the decision  from the City of Newcastle. We do not need more fast food in the area; they have listened to us. Thank you to everyone who put submissions in.”

Council’s Decision

The Council determined that the application did not meet the required standards for approval, citing unresolved issues related to contamination, traffic, safety, security, noise, and odour. Consequently, the development application was refused, with the Council concluding that the approval would not be in the public interest.