A staff report released today says it would be appropriate for the council to let McDonald's know it would support its restaurant, provided McDonald's deleted a driveway off Argyle Street and could demonstrate that it had obtained appropriate approvals for site remediation.

McDonald's wants to know councillors' position on their restaurant before they commit to expensive site testing to determine the extent of contamination.

Although the proposal for a McDonald's in Camden - on a car dealership site on the corner of Argyle and Edward Street - inspired a flood of letters and votes in the Advertiser's web poll, just 23 people wrote to the council to express an opinion on it.

One was in favour of McDonald's. The remaining 22 writers complained about increases in traffic, anti-social behaviour, noise, litter and parking demand, as well as impacts on heritage, local business and tourism. They said that the restaurant had an inappropriate design, hours of operation and signage, and that another fast-food outlet was not needed.

But council staff say in their report that the restaurant would ''meet the community's desire for a broad range of shopping facilities and services'', increase ''employment opportunities'' and contribute to tourism ''thereby supporting the local economy''.

"The subject restaurants are known and frequently attract families and tourists thereby further supporting the tourist trade and local commerce," the council staff wrote.

McDonald's initially proposed 24-hour operation but has since reduced its proposed hours to be Sunday to Thursday, 5am to midnight and Friday and Saturday 5am to 1am. The council report says this would reduce the potential for anti-social behaviour and crime.

McDonald's also says it would flood-light its car park and install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.