3 Saunders Cl Macquarie Park NSW 2113

The General Manager
City of Ryde Council
1 Pope Street
Ryde NSW 2112

FORMAL OBJECTION – Development Application LDA2026/0090

Premises: 3 Saunders Close, Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Proposal: Establishment and operation of a Guzman y Gomez food premises within the approved tenancy, including associated signage and seating for 32 indoor and 20 outdoor patrons.
Objector: Residents and Owners Corporations of Strata Plans 90453, 270800 and 1163232, Macquarie Central, Macquarie Park NSW 2113.

1. Introduction and Standing to Object

We write on behalf of the Owners Corporations of Strata Plans 90453, 270800 and 1163232, comprising several hundred residents and lot owners of the Macquarie Central development directly adjacent to and within the immediate amenity catchment of the proposed tenancy at 3 Saunders Close. As directly affected neighbouring residents and property owners, we have clear and direct standing to lodge this objection.
We formally and unreservedly object to this application on multiple grounds, each of which we submit is individually sufficient to warrant refusal, and which in combination present a compelling case against approval.

2. Ground 1: Fundamental Incompatibility with the Surrounding Residential Precinct

The area immediately surrounding 3 Saunders Close is overwhelmingly residential in character, comprising high-density apartment towers housing many hundreds of permanent residents at close quarters. A Guzman y Gomez (GYG) outlet is, by the brand’s own description and market positioning, a casual fast-food chain targeting high foot-traffic, youth-oriented custom. It is not a neighbourhood café, a convenience store, nor a service compatible with quiet residential enjoyment.

Specific incompatibilities include:

• The proposed outdoor seating for 20 patrons will generate persistent noise, conversation, and activity directly beneath and adjacent to residential apartments — particularly problematic during evening trading hours.

• The approved operating hours framework for the Macquarie Rise retail precinct (LDA2025/0126) permits internal trading until 11:00 pm and outdoor dining until 10:00 pm, seven days per week. A fast-food outlet operating at or near these hours is wholly inappropriate in a residential setting.

• Delivery vehicle movements and supplier servicing associated with a high-volume fast-food operation will add to traffic, noise and general disturbance in what is a confined residential close.

• The cumulative impact of GYG’s characteristic noise profile — from kitchen equipment, order-calling systems, and patron volume — has the real potential to materially diminish the amenity of hundreds of nearby residents.

We submit that the proposed use is clearly at odds with the character of the residential precinct in which it is proposed to operate, and that Council is required to weigh this incompatibility against the statutory objectives of the relevant planning instruments.

3. Ground 2: Odour Emissions and Amenity Impact

This ground of objection is supported by industry evidence, not assertion. GYG’s signature cooking method employs an open gas chargrill, which produces high-concentration kitchen exhaust emissions. This is not in dispute — AOM Australia, a specialist commercial kitchen exhaust and filtration firm, has publicly documented that GYG’s cooking process results in “high kitchen exhaust emission concentrations” and specifically identifies the chain as requiring specialist odour mitigation at multiple Australian locations, including sites where existing filtration was inadequate and generated continuous complaints from neighbouring tenants and residents.

The implications for this specific site are significant:

• Residential apartments in the surrounding towers — including those at Macquarie Central — are in extremely close proximity to the tenancy. Cooking odours from an open chargrill operation have a well-documented capacity to permeate into nearby living spaces, balconies and shared open areas.

• Odour intrusion into residential premises constitutes a genuine and measurable degradation of residential amenity and may constitute a statutory nuisance under applicable New South Wales environmental legislation.

• The proposed application provides no detail whatsoever regarding odour management or the specification of kitchen exhaust filtration. We submit this is a material omission in the application documentation and that the application is, on this basis alone, incomplete.

• We call on Council to require, at minimum, a comprehensive odour and kitchen exhaust impact assessment from a qualified specialist engineer, and to make any approval (should it be contemplated at all) strictly conditional upon the installation and ongoing maintenance of appropriate filtration technology to the satisfaction of Council’s environmental health officers.

4. Ground 3: Unwelcome Youth Congregation and Anti-Social Behaviour

GYG is, by deliberate brand positioning, a youth-oriented fast-food concept. Its low price points, late operating hours and brand culture actively attract congregations of young people, including late-night patronage that is characteristic of the brand across its network of locations.

We are concerned that the combination of the following factors will create conditions conducive to anti-social behaviour:

• Late operating hours — potentially until 11:00 pm — within a residential close with no natural surveillance or through-traffic to moderate behaviour.

• The proximity of the Macquarie University Metro Station, which will facilitate easy access for large numbers of young people from across the metropolitan area, well beyond the immediate residential catchment.

• Twenty outdoor patron seats, combined with the informal and lingering character of fast-food patronage, will create persistent gatherings in the public areas immediately adjacent to residential properties.

• The resulting noise from gatherings of young patrons — including arrival and departure noise from the adjacent Metro — will directly impact the quiet enjoyment of hundreds of residential apartment occupants in the immediately surrounding towers.

• Litter, loitering, and the cumulative disorder associated with late-night fast-food patronage have been well-documented concerns in planning decisions across New South Wales. We urge Council to weigh this established pattern of impact against the interests of existing residential amenity.

5. Ground 4: Inconsistency with the Stated Development Vision of Morling College and TOGA

This ground of objection strikes at a fundamental question of good faith in the planning process. When Morling College and its development partner TOGA sought and obtained approval for the Macquarie Rise concept masterplan and subsequent development applications, the vision presented to the community, to Council and to the public was explicitly one of a thoughtfully curated, community-serving mixed-use precinct — not a fast-food hub.

The publicly stated language used by TOGA and Morling College in support of the development included references to:

• An “activated retail precinct and public plaza” designed to serve the surrounding community of residents and the college.

• A “mixed-use village setting” integrating educational uses, community services and compatible retail — language specifically used in planning documents filed with Council.

• Retail and commercial uses designed to meet “the needs of Morling College and the surrounding community”, with a park at the centre intended for “exercise, dog walking, recreation and a place for children to play.”

• The development was described by its own architects and planners as creating “new streets and open space linking to Kikkiya Creek and the surrounding nature” — a vision entirely at odds with a high-volume, youth-oriented fast-food chain.

We submit that the approval of a GYG outlet in this location represents a material departure from the character of development promised to the community and represented to Council during the original approval process. Residents who purchased properties at Macquarie Central and those who assessed their amenity in light of the proposed Macquarie Rise development were entitled to rely upon those representations.

We respectfully request that Council examine the conditions attaching to the original concept DA approval (lodged in August 2019, Reference: as noted on Planning Alerts) and any representations made by the applicant as to the nature of retail tenants, to establish whether any tenancy mix conditions exist that may be relevant to this application.

6. Ground 5: Failure to Demonstrate Compliance with Applicable Planning Instruments

The application, as described, fails to provide adequate information to demonstrate compliance with the relevant provisions of the Ryde Local Environmental Plan 2014 and the Macquarie Park Corridor Development Control Plan. In particular, we request Council to scrutinise:

• Whether the proposed use, as operated in practice by this specific brand with its associated noise, odour and patronage profile, is truly permissible in the zone, or whether discretionary conditions should properly limit the class of food premises to those compatible with a predominantly residential precinct.

• Whether the application adequately addresses acoustic impacts from plant and equipment (exhaust fans, mechanical refrigeration, order systems), outdoor patron noise, and delivery vehicle movements.

• Whether a Waste Management Plan has been submitted, given the volume of packaging waste associated with fast-food operations of this scale.

• Whether an independent acoustic and amenity impact assessment has been provided, as would normally be expected for a food premises application in close proximity to residential accommodation.

7. Conclusion and Request for Refusal

On the totality of the grounds presented above — residential incompatibility, proven odour emission risks, the foreseeable congregation of young people and attendant anti-social behaviour, the breach of the community vision represented by Morling College and TOGA at the time of original development approval, and the insufficiency of the application documentation — we submit that this application should be refused.

Should Council be minded, contrary to our submission, to grant approval, we request in the strongest possible terms that this not occur without: (a) a public hearing or mediation process in which directly affected residents may be heard; (b) a comprehensive and independently verified acoustic and odour impact assessment; (c) strictly limited operating hours no later than 9:00 pm; (d) conditions prohibiting outdoor patron use after 8:00 pm; and (e) enforceable conditions requiring continuous maintenance of specialist kitchen exhaust filtration equipment.

We also formally request that Council notify us directly of any hearing date, any amendment to the application, and of any decision made in this matter.

We thank Council for its consideration of this objection and trust that the interests of the many hundreds of existing residents of this precinct will be accorded appropriate weight.

Yours faithfully,
David Collins
_______________________________
Chairman / Secretary / Treasurer
Strata Plans 90453, 270800 & 1163232
Macquarie Central, Macquarie Park NSW 2113

I have significant concerns regarding the proposed fast food development and the potential impacts it may have on the surrounding residential community. The site is located within a predominantly residential precinct where residents currently enjoy a relatively quiet and family oriented environment, and it is important that this character and amenity are protected.

In particular, the application does not appear to adequately address the likely acoustic impacts associated with the operation of a fast food premises of this scale. Noise generated by exhaust systems, mechanical refrigeration units, order speaker systems, delivery vehicles, late night customer activity and outdoor patron gatherings all have the potential to negatively affect nearby residents, particularly during evening and early morning hours.

I am also concerned that insufficient detail has been provided regarding waste management arrangements. Fast food operations generate substantial volumes of packaging and food waste, and without a comprehensive Waste Management Plan there is a risk of increased litter, odour and vermin impacts within the local area.

Given the close proximity of surrounding homes, I believe an independent acoustic and amenity impact assessment should have been provided to properly assess and mitigate the likely impacts on residents before any approval is considered.

Please dont put fast food chain shop in our area as this is a fully residential . We want to have a peaceful and quiet life. It would be good to have nice cafe shop. Nobody would like to stay in an environment full of food smell, people in and out grabbing food. Please accept our opinion and thank you.

We support appropriate local business development that contributes positively to the neighbourhood. However,residents are concerned about the potential impact of any late night services.

Key concerns include cooking odours, rubbish management, and extended trading hours, which may affect the nearby homes. We encourage consideration of businesses that operate in a manner more compatible with the residential character of the area and that implement effective noise, ventilation, and waste-control measures and perhaps limit the hours before 9 pm.
We are definitely support convenience shops or IGA to relieve Macquarie centre, bread shops, cake shops, tea shops or ice cream stalls or other shops like yoga or fitness centers or childcare or perhaps a public library.

Our comments are directed solely at planning and amenity considerations and are not related to any particular cuisine, culture, or community group.

We respect all ethnic groups in our multicultural society in the Herring community.

Thank you

I strongly object to the proposed fast-food restaurant in our residential neighbourhood. The development is incompatible with the existing residential character of the area and is likely to have significant adverse impacts on local residents.

The proposal will increase traffic volumes on local streets that were not designed to accommodate high-turnover commercial activity. This will create additional congestion, parking pressures and potential safety risks for pedestrians, cyclists and children.

The operation of a fast-food outlet, particularly if open during extended hours, is likely to generate unacceptable levels of noise from customers, vehicle movements, deliveries and waste collection. Residents will also be affected by cooking odours, litter and increased lighting from signage and vehicle headlights.

The cumulative effect of these impacts will substantially reduce the amenity enjoyed by nearby residents and undermine the quiet residential character of the neighbourhood.

I respectfully request that the Council refuse this application.

I object to this proposal due to these key negative impacts on our residential area:
1. Traffic Congestion and Road Safety.
2. Noise Pollution.
3. Cooking emissions.
4. Litter & Waste.
5. Potentially attracting anti-Social behaviors.
6. Loss of Amenity and public spaces
7. Visual Impact by signages

Please reject this unsuitable development.

This is a completely inappropriate proposal for all the numerous reasons previously listed. There are far more appropriate spaces for such facility and that is in the shopping centre or university.

People should be entitled to a safe, relaxing and clean place to reside without such encroachment's.

The mixed used space would also be better served with other business than a failing fast food chain.

Personally, I am in favor of this, provided they can tackle the issues people have raised—perhaps through a curfew—and as long as they remain in compliance with the rules.

I have significant concerns regarding the proposed fast food development and the potential impacts it may have on the surrounding residential community. The site is located within a predominantly residential precinct where residents currently enjoy a relatively quiet and family oriented environment, and it is important that this character and amenity are protected.

In particular, the application does not appear to adequately address the likely acoustic impacts associated with the operation of a fast food premises of this scale. Noise generated by exhaust systems, mechanical refrigeration units, order speaker systems, delivery vehicles, late night customer activity and outdoor patron gatherings all have the potential to negatively affect nearby residents, particularly during evening and early morning hours.

I am also concerned that insufficient detail has been provided regarding waste management arrangements. Fast food operations generate substantial volumes of packaging and food waste, and without a comprehensive Waste Management Plan there is a risk of increased litter, odour and vermin impacts within the local area.

Given the close proximity of surrounding homes, I believe an independent acoustic and amenity impact assessment should have been provided to properly assess and mitigate the likely impacts on residents before any approval is considered.

I wholeheartedly echo the objections already raised by other residents. This proposal is inappropriate, unnecessary, and fundamentally incompatible with the character and function of this street.

Macquarie Centre is only a short walk away and already provides extensive fast-food options. There is no reasonable need for major fast-food chains to expand beyond the Centre and encroach into the quieter surrounding residential areas. This would set a deeply concerning precedent by shifting commercial intensity into quiet streets that are home to hundreds of residents.

The street already has little to no available parking. Introducing a popular, high-turnover fast-food chain would inevitably increase vehicle movements, short-term stopping, delivery-driver activity, noise, litter, and congestion. It would also create a foreseeable risk of people congregating or loitering around the premises, particularly during peak and late trading periods, further undermining the safety, quiet enjoyment, and residential amenity of the area.

As outlined thoroughly by the Chairman of Macquarie Central, this proposal appears to directly contradict the intent of the development proposal and the expectations residents reasonably held for this area.

As a new owner in this area, I purchased here with the reasonable expectation that this would remain a primarily residential and quieter surrounding street, not an extension of Macquarie Centre’s fast-food precinct. A development of this nature would materially undermine the residential amenity, character, and desirability of the area, with obvious consequences for residents who have invested in living here.

A Guzman y Gomez in this location is not a minor addition. It would materially alter the amenity of a close residential street and impose commercial impacts on residents who should not be forced to absorb them. For these reasons, the proposal should be rejected.

Hi, as an Owner, I strongly object to
a Guzman y Gomez in the proposed location.

• a fast food chain will attract high traffic in an already congested area

• it will away attract loud crowds well into the evening and will be disruptive to residents

• devalue the appeal of the street and complex

I hope you will take this feedback into consideration.

I very strongly object to this proposal for all the reasons already stated. This is not consistent with the assurances and guidance provided by Morling College during the planning process. A local cafe, bakery, library, Pilates/Yoga studio, or IGA would add to our community. GYG would materially detract and is best suited to Macquarie Centre, which is already set up to handle the parking, odour management, noise, and people management.

As a owner, I strongly object the setting up a fast food outlet in a residential colony. There is already one cafe and having another one will only add to crowds, traffic, noise and congestion.
Its is already problematic having so much construction happening around. Once the dusturbances from the constructions stop, there will be the fast food outlet nuisance - loud customers, odours, noises from the restaurant and added traffic problems.

As an acoustic consultant with experience assessing hospitality and food premises in mixed-use residential environments across New South Wales, I have concerns regarding the proposed operating hours and the close proximity of the tenancy to surrounding residential receivers.

Based on the publicly available information, the proposal includes operating hours extending up to 11:00 pm for indoor patron areas and 10:00 pm for outdoor dining areas. In my professional opinion, the proposed operational scenario presents a significant risk of adverse acoustic amenity impacts to nearby residents and is unlikely to consistently comply with the applicable operational noise criteria without substantial operational restrictions.

The proposal is located immediately adjacent to high-density residential apartment buildings, with relatively short separation distances between the proposed outdoor seating area and residential receivers. In this type of environment, patron-generated noise is typically one of the most difficult operational noise sources to manage.

The key concern is not isolated peak noise events, but rather the cumulative and ongoing nature of operational activity during evening and night-time periods. Noise associated with conversations, laughter, movement of chairs and tables, customer arrivals and departures, delivery driver activity, and general congregation outside the premises can materially affect residential amenity, particularly when occurring continuously over extended evening periods.

Under the NSW EPA Noise Policy for Industry (NPfI), evening and night-time operational noise criteria in residential environments are generally governed by low background noise levels and strict amenity considerations. In practice, this often results in very low allowable noise limits during the proposed operating hours.

Given the close proximity of surrounding residential apartments, it is difficult to foresee how outdoor patron activity up to 10:00 pm could consistently achieve compliance with the relevant project noise criteria under realistic operating conditions.

Unlike fixed mechanical noise sources, patron noise is behavioural and inherently variable, making it difficult to control through standard acoustic mitigation measures alone. Even relatively well-managed hospitality venues commonly generate noise complaints associated with outdoor patron activity during evening trading periods.

Further, indoor operation up to 11:00 pm may also contribute to acoustic impacts through customer ingress and egress, queuing activity, and noise breakout associated with frequent door openings and patron movement late at night.

Based on my experience undertaking operational noise assessments for hospitality developments, venues with substantially greater separation distances than those present at this site often still require reduced outdoor dining hours and operational management controls to minimise impacts on nearby residents.

Accordingly, I strongly recommend that Council require a detailed acoustic assessment specifically addressing patron and operational noise, including realistic assessment of outdoor dining activity during evening periods, prior to determination of the application.

Consideration should also be given to substantially reduced evening operating hours, particularly for outdoor seating areas, to protect the acoustic amenity of the surrounding residential community.

To City of Ryde,

I wish to lodge a formal objection to the proposed establishment and operation of a Guzman y Gomez food premises at 3 Saunders Close, Macquarie Park.

As a nearby resident and property owner, I have significant concerns regarding the amenity, traffic, acoustic and operational impacts associated with this proposal, particularly given its immediate proximity to established residential buildings.

My key concerns are outlined below.

1. Incompatible interface with surrounding residential uses

The proposed use is not a passive retail tenancy or low-intensity café operation.

A high-turnover fast-food premises has materially different operational characteristics, including elevated customer turnover, delivery activity, external patron movement, servicing requirements and increased operational intensity.

Locating this form of use directly adjacent to established residential apartments creates an inappropriate land use interface and is inconsistent with the reasonable amenity expectations of surrounding residents.

2. Acoustic impacts

The proposal includes both indoor and outdoor patron seating, including 20 outdoor seats, which materially increases the likelihood of noise impacts on nearby residents.

Potential sources of disturbance include:

patron conversations and congregation
arrivals and departures
food delivery rider activity
vehicle movements, doors and engine noise
delivery servicing
waste handling and collection

Given the immediate residential context, cumulative acoustic impacts are likely to be significant, particularly during evenings, weekends and peak trading periods.

3. Outdoor seating concerns

The inclusion of outdoor patron seating is of particular concern.

Outdoor dining activity creates direct acoustic spill into surrounding residential areas and is substantially more difficult to mitigate than internal activity.

Given the close proximity to residential apartments, this element of the proposal appears fundamentally incompatible with preserving residential amenity.

4. Traffic, access and operational congestion

Fast-food premises generate traffic patterns materially different from conventional retail tenancies, including:

short-duration customer visits
food delivery pickup/drop-off activity
rideshare vehicle movements
servicing and supply deliveries

This increases the likelihood of congestion, pedestrian conflict, parking displacement and operational disruption within the local precinct.

A robust traffic and operational impact assessment should be required to properly assess these impacts.

5. Odour, waste and environmental amenity

Food preparation uses introduce operational impacts including:

cooking odours
exhaust emissions
grease management issues
waste storage and collection
litter generation
vermin attraction risk

These impacts are not insignificant where residential buildings are located in immediate proximity.

6. Residential amenity expectations

Residents purchased into a planned residential community with a legitimate expectation of reasonable amenity, quiet enjoyment and a compatible surrounding built environment.

The introduction of a high-turnover fast-food operator at this location materially changes the nature of that interface and risks undermining the residential character and amenity of the precinct.

7. Precedent concern

Approval of this application may establish an undesirable planning precedent for further intensive food or hospitality uses adjacent to residential interfaces, progressively eroding residential amenity protections.

8. Conclusion

For the reasons outlined above, I respectfully request that Council refuse this application.

Agree with other residents in the block that this is a residential area and not suitable to have a public fast food in it. Especially when seated restaurant patrons may be looking right into to residential units which may infringe into their privacy.

With Macquarie Center so close by, i feel the trade off of noise / smell etc, really outweighs the convenience improvements to the community. Residential and commercial zones should be more separated when possible.

I strongly oppose this application for the proposed Guzman y Gomez at 3 Saunders Close, Macquarie Park.

I live directly across from the proposed site, which is in a full residential area surrounded by apartment buildings. A fast-food premises with indoor and outdoor seating is not appropriate so close to people’s homes.

My main concerns are noise, odour, waste, traffic, and late-night activity. Many Guzman y Gomez stores across Sydney trade until after 10 pm, and I am concerned this premises may also operate late into the evening. This would disrupt the peace and quiet of nearby residents through patron noise, delivery riders, cars, engines, waste handling, and people gathering outside.

Guzman y Gomez also appears to attract a younger customer base. As the Saunders Close residential area sits between Macquarie University and the proposed shop location, this could create a major issue with increased foot traffic, gathering, noise, and disruption to residential peace.

I respectfully request that Council refuse this application. Fast-food outlets are more appropriately located in Macquarie Centre or the food court areas at Macquarie University, rather than in a residential street.

Date: 25 May 2026

The General Manager City of Ryde Council
1 Pope Street
Ryde NSW 2112

Dear General Manager,

I am writing to formally lodge a strong objection to the development application LDA2026/0090 for the proposed Guzman y Gomez (GYG) outlet at 3 Saunders Close, Macquarie Park.

As a local resident/property owner directly within the immediate amenity catchment of this proposed tenancy, I am deeply concerned about the severe negative impacts this high-volume fast-food business will have on our local community. After reviewing the application details and consulting with fellow residents, I urge Council to refuse this application based on the following critical planning, environmental, and amenity grounds:

1. Severe Escalation of Existing Waste Management Issues

The application heavily fails to outline a realistic or adequate waste management strategy for a high-volume fast-food outlet. Crucially, Saunders Close has already inadvertently turned into a de facto garbage collection point.

Throughout the week, the street is constantly cluttered with overflowing, smelly garbage bins.

Introducing a popular commercial fast-food chain that relies heavily on single-use, high-volume packaging will severely worsen this crisis. Fast-food operations generate massive amounts of commercial packaging waste, and inevitably lead to widespread customer littering in nearby plazas, public parks, and residential walkways. Adding a commercial establishment of this nature to a street that is already suffering from severe, foul-smelling waste mismanagement will utterly ruin the sanitary living conditions of local residents.

2. Fundamental Incompatibility with the Residential Precinct

The immediate vicinity surrounding 3 Saunders Close is predominantly high-density residential, housing thousands of permanent residents who expect reasonable quiet enjoyment of their homes.

A Guzman y Gomez franchise is a high-volume, youth-oriented casual fast-food chain that targets intense foot traffic. It is entirely incompatible with a quiet residential close. The inclusion of outdoor dining for 20 patrons right beneath residential apartments will create persistent conversational and operational noise, running well into the proposed evening trading hours (up to 11:00 PM for indoor and 10:00 PM for outdoor dining under the broader precinct framework).

3. Pungent Odour Emissions and Mechanical Exhaust Impact

GYG’s signature commercial cooking style utilizes an open gas chargrill, which produces highly concentrated kitchen exhaust emissions. Industry documentation (such as assessments by commercial kitchen ventilation experts like AOM Australia) confirms that GYG outlets require specialist, high-grade odour mitigation to prevent being a persistent nuisance.
The residential apartments of Macquarie Central and surrounding towers are in extreme proximity to the proposed site. Pungent cooking odours from a continuous chargrill operation will inevitably permeate into surrounding living spaces, private balconies, and common areas. This application lacks the comprehensive, independent engineering reports required to demonstrate that these emissions can be contained without constituting a statutory environmental nuisance.

4. Acoustic Disturbance and Late-Night Traffic Nuisance

The proposed development fails to address the cumulative acoustic impact on the nearby community.

Noise from heavy commercial exhaust systems, continuous mechanical refrigeration units, late-night customer arrival/departure, and courier delivery vehicles (UberEats, Menulog, etc.) navigating a confined residential cul-de-sac will permanently damage local peace.

This is particularly problematic given the precinct’s late hours and its close proximity to the Macquarie University Metro Station, which will facilitate easy access for non-resident crowds.

5. Increased Anti-Social Behaviour and Youth Congregation

Due to its brand culture and low price points, GYG naturally serves as a hub for late-night youth congregation. Because Saunders Close is a quiet cul-de-sac lacking natural vehicle through-traffic or regular commercial surveillance, the physical environment is highly susceptible to anti-social behaviour, loitering, and late-night disturbances.

6. Inconsistency with the Approved Precinct Vision

When the Morling College and TOGA "Macquarie Rise" masterplan was originally proposed and approved, the community was promised a thoughtfully curated, community-serving "mixed-use village setting." It was marketed as an activated retail plaza integrated with a central park for child recreation, exercise, and dog walking. Substituting or inserting a high-turnover fast-food chain completely betrays the character of development promised to the residents who invested in this area relying on those representations.

Conclusion and Request for Refusal

On the grounds of severe waste management escalation, absolute incompatibility with the residential zone, unmitigated odour and noise pollution, and a direct threat to residential safety and amenity, I respectfully request that the City of Ryde refuse Development Application LDA2026/0090.

A strong objection to GYG

GYG is a fast food franchise, there are 5+ residual apartments around Saunders Close, they were built for residential purpose. The surrounding area should be quite and clean enough to fit the suburb’s planning.

It would be the only GYG around the Macquarie Park area which attracts non-residents and delivery drivers. Roads and pedestrian pathways in Saunders Close were not designed for such high frequency of car and people usage.

Macquarie shopping centre is the only appropriate location for GYG in Macquarie Park, they cannot expand their business while impacting the residents daily lives. It’s such a selfish decision and ir respectful company. Feel ashamed for GYG.

​Dear Sir/Madam,
​I am writing as a resident of the adjacent residential apartment area to formally lodge my strong objection to the proposed development referenced above. While I support vibrant local business, the introduction of a high-turnover fast-food premises with significant outdoor seating directly adjacent to high-density residential homes presents several critical issues regarding local amenity, traffic, and public safety.
​Specifically, my objections are based on the following grounds:
​1. Noise Pollution and Loss of Residential Amenity
​The proposal includes outdoor seating for 20 patrons. Because this is directly adjacent to residential apartments, the noise generated by patrons, outdoor dining, and high-frequency foot traffic will severely impact the quiet enjoyment of our homes. This is particularly concerning during evening hours. Furthermore, fast-food operations rely heavily on mechanical exhaust systems, air conditioning units, and refrigeration, which generate continuous low-frequency background noise and vibrations.
​2. Traffic Congestion and Parking Shortages
​Guzman y Gomez is a highly popular, high-turnover establishment that attracts a significant volume of vehicle traffic, including private vehicles, rideshare couriers (e.g., UberEats, DoorDash), and delivery trucks.
​Our existing local street network and parking infrastructure are already under pressure from residential use.
​The influx of delivery drivers frequently seeking rapid, short-term parking will lead to illegal parking, blocked residential driveways, and increased safety risks for local pedestrians.
​3. Odour and Waste Management Issues
​Commercial cooking on this scale introduces significant, continuous cooking odours (such as fried foods and spices) that will inevitably drift into nearby balconies and open windows, reducing the liveability of the residential units. Additionally, fast-food premises generate a high volume of waste. If bins are stored or collected near residential boundaries, it introduces risks of pest infestations (rodents and birds) and unpleasant odours.
​4. Light Pollution from Signage
​The application includes "associated signage." Given the corporate branding of the franchise, there is a high likelihood of brightly illuminated, prominent signage. If this signage operates late into the night, the resulting light spill will directly impact the bedrooms and living spaces of facing residential apartments.
​Requested Conditions of Refusal or Modification
​If the Council is minded to approve the application despite these significant residential impacts, I urgently request that the following strict conditions be imposed to protect the community:
​Restricted Operating Hours: Limit the hours of operation—especially for the 20 outdoor seats—to no later than 9:00 PM to protect residents' sleep.
​Acoustic and Odour Shielding: Require a comprehensive independent acoustic and odour assessment, ensuring all exhaust systems utilize world-class filtration and face away from residential windows.
​Dedicated Courier Zones: Mandate on-site, off-street parking specifically designated for delivery couriers to prevent them from choking residential streets.
​Curfew on Signage: Require all illuminated signage to be switched off outside of operational hours or past 9:00 PM.
​Thank you for considering the serious impacts this development will have on the daily lives of local residents. I welcome the opportunity to speak to this matter at any upcoming council assessment panel or public meeting

Macquarie Park used to be a nice area to live in and I was so proud of living in this area. However, it is not anymore.

I wonder why Toga and Baptist church try to destroy the residents' living environment and why council let them do it. They are supposed to look after people and their life but do they really concern people's life who are paying taxes to improve their life?

People in this area are in so much pain with the endless, constant construction. People have been suffered from the noise and dust enough since settlement in 2013, every day and night; which starts with noise and dust. We can hardly open the window even though it is sunny and hot day. What kind living environment is like that?

When we bought the property, we had to pay more for the sunlight and nice environment. But what is happening now? Why we can't even open the windows properly??
Also, people are paying taxes for their living quality not for others profit. No one wants to pay tax to destroy their life and to degrade their own property.

If Toga and Baptist church want to keep doing that, they should compensate residents whom have been suffered from the greedy construction for each resident's degraded life and devalued property in return.

It is not right, so unfair and not acceptable.

Hi, As a tenant living nearby, I strongly object to a Guzman y Gomez in the proposed location for the following reasons:

• Increased traffic and delivery activity in an already busy residential area.
• Noise from late-night customers, outdoor seating and kitchen equipment impacting nearby residents.
• Concerns about cooking smells, litter and waste management.
• Concerns about groups gathering around the area late at night and causing disturbance to residents.
• This proposal is not a good fit for a largely residential community.

FORMAL OBJECTION – Development Application LDA2026/0090

I am writing as a nearby resident to formally object to the proposed development of a Guzman y Gomez restaurant at the proposed location adjacent to our residential complex.

After reviewing the proposal and the concerns raised by other residents, I strongly believe that introducing a high-traffic fast-food restaurant into an already congested residential area is inappropriate and incompatible with the character of the neighbourhood.

The proposed development would likely result in a significant increase in traffic, noise, congestion and pedestrian activity. The surrounding streets are already narrow and limited in parking availability, and the addition of a busy fast-food venue would place further strain on temporary street parking and vehicle access for residents and visitors.

I am also concerned about the potential safety implications for residents, particularly children and families living within the complex. A late-operating fast-food restaurant is likely to attract increased foot traffic, delivery drivers, loitering and general activity around the area, which may negatively impact residents’ sense of safety, privacy and amenity.

As a long-term resident who has chosen to live in this area because of its residential nature, I am deeply concerned about the impact this development could have on the liveability of the neighbourhood. Many residents, including myself, pay a premium to live in a quieter and more peaceful environment. The placement of a major fast-food chain directly beside residential apartments risks diminishing the appeal of the area and may also negatively affect property and rental values.

I respectfully submit that a more suitable location for this type of business would be within the Macquarie Centre precinct or another established commercial zone that is already designed to accommodate high customer traffic, takeaway dining and associated vehicle movements. Such locations would be far more appropriate than positioning a large fast-food outlet within a residential setting.

I urge Council to carefully consider the concerns of the residents who live in and around this area and who will be directly affected by the long-term consequences of this proposal.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I strongly object to this proposal and echo the objections already raised by other residents. This proposal is inappropriate, unnecessary, and completely incompatible with the character and function of this street. This fast food restaurant is better suited to the shopping centre or being deep inside the University. Not within our residential area. Please reject this proposal.

On behalf of my family, we object to this proposal. It is unnecessary and inappropriate for our residential area, especially with the shopping centre as a much more suitable option right there. Along with all the clear reasons already stated by other residents on why this proposal should be rejected, GYG is also an infamous fast food chain that is popular on UberEats and other delivery platforms. To be inundated with constant traffic, noise and fast food drivers (and late into the night too) will further destroy the peace and safety of our complex. This proposal is so inappropriate it is ridiculous to even consider it. No one wants to have a fast food restaurant right underneath their home. Reject this proposal, please.

I respectfully request that the City of Ryde refuse Development Application LDA2026/0090.

For all the well articulated reasons stated already, this proposal is inappropriate, unsafe, unnecessary and inconsiderate of the function of the area and the residents that reside there. We plead for the council to please reject this proposal.

We certainly object to this proposal. My concerns regarding this proposal include the following:

Increased Traffic and Parking IssuesThe proposed fast food outlet is likely to significantly increase vehicle traffic in the area, particularly during peak meal times. This may worsen congestion, create unsafe driving conditions, and place additional pressure on already limited parking spaces for residents and nearby businesses.

Noise DisturbanceExtended operating hours, customer activity, vehicle movements, delivery trucks, and potential late-night trading may negatively impact the quiet enjoyment of nearby residential properties.

Odour and Waste ConcernsFast food businesses often generate strong cooking smells, grease emissions, litter, and waste disposal issues. These impacts may reduce the amenity and cleanliness of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Impact on Residential CharacterThe proposed development is inconsistent with the residential character and atmosphere of the area. A high-turnover commercial food outlet may adversely affect the local streetscape and community environment.

Health and Social ConcernsThe area already contains sufficient takeaway food options. Introducing another fast food outlet may not provide meaningful community benefit and could contribute to unhealthy eating habits, particularly for nearby children and schools if applicable.

Extended Trading Hours and Anti-Social BehaviourLate-night operation may attract loitering, noise, and anti-social behaviour, affecting nearby residents’ safety and quality of life.

Please reconsider. Thanks .