Two new fast food restaurants are being proposed to be built in St Marys after a Development Application (DA) was lodged with Penrith City Council.
The site is on the corner of the Great Western Highway and Neale Street in St Marys and was formerly a car sales business, but is now being proposed to house two new drive-thru restaurants costing $440,000.
“The proposed development entails the construction of a proposed take away food and drink premises… at the current vehicle centre,” the Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) attached to the DA said.
The proposed restaurants are expected to be available around the clock.
“The two fast-food restaurants and their associated drive-thru facilities are intended to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” the SEE said.
Those behind the proposal contend that by operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week the restaurants are expected to provide economic growth to the area.
“Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, these establishments provide continuous service that enhances convenience for residents and visitors alike,” the Operational Plan of Management attached to the DA said.
“This availability helps stimulate economic growth by supporting employment opportunities and meeting the demand for accessible dining options in the area.
“Additionally, by operating around the clock, the restaurants contribute to a vibrant and active local environment, promoting St Marys as a dynamic community with diverse service offerings.”
According to the Traffic Report prepared as part of the application, the new development is expected to be “medium busy fast food restaurants”. It hasn’t been made clear exactly which restaurants will occupy the site, but the DA did provide a small hint.
“It is expected that the proposed fast-food restaurants are likely to be occupied by low to medium busy type of fast-food chains, such as Hungry Jacks and Oporto, based on advice from the owner/applicant,” the Traffic Report attached to the DA said.
To accommodate the visitor traffic, over 10 car parking spaces are proposed to be
built.
“A total of 16 on-site line marked car parking spaces, with eight car spaces allocated for staff car parking and eight visitor car parking spaces (including two accessible parking spaces and adjacent shared areas), in addition to two vehicle waiting bays (near pick-up points),” the Traffic Report said.
Traffic build up is expected to be mitigated by having the entrance to the site away from the main intersection.
“The location of the entry access driveway is further away from the intersection of Neale Street with Great Western Highway, to reduce conflict with turning vehicles at the intersection and avoid potential queuing onto the Great Western Highway,” the Traffic Report said.
The Traffic Report concluded that there would be no adverse impacts on the surrounding area.
“It can be concluded from the traffic and parking impact assessment that the proposed fast-food restaurants with associated drive-through facilities at 508 Great Western Highway, St Marys, will not have adverse impacts on existing traffic or parking conditions and is worthy of Council’s support in its current form,” the Traffic Report said.
Penrith City Council will now assess the application.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.