Gaslight Tavern ignored ‘stop work notice’, Charles Sturt Council says

Owners of a popular Brompton pub deny they conducted alterations on their heritage-listed premises and are now challenging a Charles Sturt Council enforcement notice in court.

Gaslight Tavern’s Mark Anders denies the club’s work was anything more than repairs. Picture: Stephen Laffer

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The owners of a Brompton hotel will face court after allegedly ignoring a council “stop work” notice.

In May, an enforcement notice was issued to Gaslight Tavern owners Bels Park Pty Ltd. In it Charles Sturt Council said it had reason to believe the Chief St hotel had breached the Development Act by conducting internal alterations to the state heritage-listed building without approval.

“The council considers that it is necessary and appropriate in the circumstances that you be directed to remedy the breach,” the notice reads.

“You are hereby directed to make good your breach by ceasing internal alterations... until further notice.”

However, appealing the notice in the Environment, Resources and Development Court, Mark Anders, on behalf of Bels Park, said he had only conducted repairs to floors and walls, not alterations.

Mr Anders said there were no structural changes made, just repairs to walls from white ant damage, flooring repairs to remove wood rot and white ants, removal of asbestos sheets and rewiring.

The owner of the Gaslight Tavern says he was only conducting “repairs” rather than alterations. Picture: Charles Sturt Council.

“There are no alterations to building, only repairs,” Mr Anders wrote.

The council’s chief executive officer, Paul Sutton, told The Messenger it believed Mr Anders had undertaken “unapproved renovations”.

Prior to the notice being issued, Mr Sutton said the council told Mr Anders to stop work and seek development approval.

The owner of the Gaslight Tavern has been accused of ignoring a "stop work" notice. Picture: Charles Sturt Council

He said the council was forced to give Mr Anders a “stop work notice” under the Development Act.

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Mr Sutton said the council and Mr Anders had since agreed to install new timber floors matching the style of timber flooring that was previously there.

Mr Anders has been contacted for further comment.

The matter returns to court on July 30.