Lake Macquarie City Council approved last week a 12 month trial for the fast food giant to extend trading hours, with the option to cancel it after six months if there are any “unacceptable” incidents. 

Only the drive thru - not the entire restaurant - would be open between midnight and 5am under the plan. 

Wood Street resident Pamela Longmore tabled a petition against the extended trading hours that contained 52 signatures. She told councillors she collected the signatures in about five hours. 

Ms Longmore said there were concerns about litter, anti-social behaviour and noise from traffic and the drive thru speaker box. 

“Opening 24 hours will not give residents any reprieve,” she said. 

But Patrick Quinlan, a planner who spoke on behalf of McDonald’s, said a report from an acoustic expert recommended that a wall be built to protect nearby residents from noise. 

He said the 24-hour operation meant there would always be staff on site, which would help guard against anti social behaviour. 

Councillors were divided on whether they sided with the concerns of nearby residents or thought the jobs and economic boost of longer trade was a priority.

Crs Adam Shultz, Christine Buckley and John Gilbert voted against the approval. Cr Shultz said he would file a recision motion.