St Marys has been given the green light by Penrith City Council to be the home of the state’s first 24/7 KFC store.
Council approved the Development Application (DA) last week for a single-storey KFC, which will connect to the existing 7-Eleven at 2 Christie Street in St Marys.
It will have a single lane drive through, an area for mobile and delivery orders and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“The proposed KFC is situated within a highly accessible and convenient location,” the State of Environmental Effects (SEE) attached to the DA said.
“Development proposed under this DA will greatly assist in providing for services and facilities required to support the volume of traffic along Christie Street and Forrester Road, as well as support the broader St Marys commercial precinct.”
The project is expected to cost just over $3 million and will be the first KFC in St Marys.
The new fast-food joint is expected to increase the volume of traffic in the area, with the greatest effects predicted to occur during the Friday afternoon peak period.
“Traffic flows on Forrester Road would increase by some 20 vehicles per hour (two way) during the weekday afternoon peak period,” the Traffic Impact Assessment attached to the DA said.
“Traffic flows on Christie Street would increase by some 30 vehicles per hour (two way) during the weekday afternoon peak period; and traffic generated by the site would increase by some 100 vehicles per hour (two way) during the weekday afternoon peak period.”
Given the 24-hour operation of the approved KFC, it is predicted that there might be an increase in crime in the area, which was addressed in the DA.
“24-hour operation of the proposed premises may attract antisocial behaviour or opportunities for crime as a result of loitering and result in actual or perceived reduction in public safety and inclusivity, particularly between the hours of 9pm and 7am,” the Social Impact Assessment attached to the DA said.
To combat the predicted crime risks KFC has reduced the amount of seating it provides.
“The concept does not include outdoor dining spaces or outdoor seating which can encourage non-customers to congregate,” the DA said.
There is no indication of when the new store will open its doors, but work is likely to begin soon.
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.