‘Unappealing chicken fumes’: Why you can’t eat outside at this Sydney restaurant

1 month ago 4

A charcoal-chicken chain has been blocked from setting up tables and chairs in the heart of an inner Sydney dining strip following a flurry of objections from neighbours who feared it could lead to rowdy behaviour, attract unwanted ibises and send the smell of roasted chooks wafting into nearby apartments.

The City of Sydney Council has settled a public stoush centred on a 34 square metre stretch of footpath in Redfern after a protracted planning process that drew opposition from residents, community groups and an adjoining Italian eatery frequented by the likes of culinary queen Nigella Lawson.

Chargrill Charlie’s has plans to open this new restaurant in Redfern.

Last October, Chargrill Charlie’s lodged plans with the council to set up outdoor tables and chairs on the footpath as part of its proposal to open a new dining outlet on Redfern Street.

But news of the plans was quick to spread, with the planning application generating more than 100 written community objections over potential obstructions to pedestrians, noise impacts from diners during the 9am to 9pm trading hours, and concerns that rubbish left behind by diners could attract rodents, ibises and “cockroaches”.

Italian restaurant Fontana, located above the new Chargrill Charlie’s, also objected to the proposal due to concerns that chairs, tables and umbrellas set up in the footpath dining zone could block its entrance and obstruct the restaurant’s signage.

In response to the feedback, the City of Sydney Council refused the planning application after council planners determined it could impede the safe movement of pedestrians and lead to “access issues” for the adjoining businesses, including Fontana.

Fontana is located in the tenancy above the new Chargrill Charlie’s outlet.

The footpath row represents the latest flashpoint in Sydney’s al fresco dining revolution, which was itself triggered by local planning reforms aiming to making it easier for restaurants to obtain outdoor dining permits.

While the reforms include strict controls to ensure the safety of pedestrians, some proposals have prompted community opposition over impacts including loss of on-street parking spaces required to accommodate the outdoor dining zones, and complaints about footpaths obstructed with chairs, tables and planter boxes.

Fontana co-owner Ivey Wawn said the outdoor seating proposal lodged by Chargrill Charlie’s risked privatising public space.

“We’re a long-running small business and it’s very difficult to operate when big chains suddenly move in and want to have seats and umbrellas and signage set up all over the footpaths,” she said.

The outdoor seating proposal generated 111 community submissions, of which two were in favour and 109 opposed.

“I’ve already had customers saying to us ‘I thought you closed down’ because the Chargrill Charlie’s signage has been put across all the windows below our restaurant.

“The street is already cluttered with everyone having outdoor seating arrangements, and while footpath dining is great and brings liveliness to the area, it needs to be done in a way that respects the public environment and doesn’t block people from walking down the footpath.”

Council records show of the 111 submissions lodged in response to the plans, just two were in favour of the proposal, while 109 were opposed.

Resident Louisa King, in her submission, raised concerns that “chicken fumes” emanating from the outdoor dining zone could “create an unappealing atmosphere” for passing pedestrians.

A 34 square metre stretch of footpath outside the new chicken restaurant has been subject to staunch community debate.

Potential impacts on Redfern’s dog population were another issue.

“Even with the best intentions, outdoor seating tends to increase street litter as patrons do not always dispose of rubbish properly, [and] discarded chicken bones are a genuine hazard for the many beautiful dogs of the neighbourhood,” resident Sally Ainsworth wrote in her submission.

Chargrill Charlie’s did not respond to questions from the Herald but in planning documents to the council stated the plans had been designed to “not adversely impact streetscape character”.

Council records show the vast majority of footpath dining proposals were supported by the council last year, with just 12 of the 482 footpath dining applications denied.

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