‘Furious’: Hip suburb erupts at KFC move

American fast-food icon KFC will soon light up in one of Australia’s multicultural jewels and some locals are not happy about it.

The City of Sydney council has approved a KFC store for Newtown’s King St, a popular strip that snakes through the inner-west suburb and houses a suite of small multicultural eateries, including chicken joints.

The reaction across social media has been swift and furious.

“King St is basically a Westfield now,” one wrote in a private page dedicated to Newtown.

“King St is being overrun with generic junk food shops that can afford the rent,” another wrote.

“Maccas (McDonald’s) will be back at this rate”.

Gami Chicken and Beer manager Adnan Khalid told NewsWire on Monday that he was “absolutely furious” about the approval.

“Honestly, what can I do? I’m absolutely furious.”

“It’s the City of Sydney council that has made decision, there is not much I can do.

“I don’t think they are listening to the people. It’s nothing to do with what people want.

“Whether you like it or not, this is happening and just like all the other businesses, I just have to live this and see how it will impact in the long term.”

There are already six chicken shops on King St and some locals objected to the development on “oversaturation” grounds.

“Adding another, especially one belonging to a large multinational chain, does not contribute to the variety of dining options that our community values,” one resident argued in a submission to the council’s planning department in July. “Instead, it reinforces a monotonous dining landscape, which could stifle the growth of independent and unique eateries.”

Another expressed concerned the KFC might take away from the “diversity and vibrancy” of Newtown.

“To assist local, independent businesses to attract and retain customers, I would encourage a refusal of this development,” the person writes.

“International fast-food restaurants are familiar and naturally draw people in, resulting in fewer customers for other businesses.

“The diversity and vibrancy of Newtown is what makes the place great and discovering new restaurants doing unique and creative things in the area are an intrinsic part of that experience.

“The speed and anonymity of fast food also erodes the sense of community that is built in smaller, independent restaurants.”

But in its approval document, the council said its planning controls did not include “cluster provisions” of the type that might preclude it from granting approval for another chicken eatery in the area.

The council also concluded the KFC store would not degrade the culture and heritage of Newtown or its small businesses.

“The proposed development is consistent with the land use zoning permitted under Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012, surrounding uses at the site and the existing development consent,” the document states.

The store will not house a glaring, obstructive KFC sign, the document adds.

“The proposed signage does not detract from the amenity or visual quality of the locality or the heritage conservation area, subject to conditions,” the approval states.

“The proposed signage does not obscure or compromise any important views.

“It does not dominate the skyline and has no impact on the viewing rights of other advertisers.”

The new store will trade from 10am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and then 10am to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

KFC has been contacted for comment.

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