Pepper Tree Cafe at Aldinga in limbo over live music

A POPULAR southern suburbs business involved in a two-year saga about noise complaints remains in limbo about whether it can play loud music.

A POPULAR Aldinga business involved in a two-year saga about noise complaints remains in limbo about whether it can play loud music.

Onkaparinga Council’s assessment panel last week deferred an application to allow The Pepper Tree Cafe to use microphones and play amplified music on Fridays and Saturdays, from 6pm to midnight.

Owners Tanya and Mark Crago needed to provide more information to the panel before the application could be assessed – likely next month.

Some of the information requested was proof of a noise limiter and what decibel level it should be set at, ways it can control noise when doors open and details about the “maximum music level based on what the building can accommodate”.

At the meeting, Ms Crago said the noise limit outside the Old Coach Rd building was acceptable, as proved by audio engineers.

“Those readings don’t lie,” Ms Crago said.

“As far as we are concerned, all the hoops there were put in front of us to jump through, we have got through them.”

Nearby residents have complained about functions with loud, amplified music from the venue since August 2016.

Although the council later issued a letter demanding an end to “unauthorised” activities, the neighbourhood complaints have persisted.

Some residents told the Southern Times Messenger the cafe was playing amplified music without consent, and had been for some time.

But a council report said the noise from the Pepper Tree Cafe was “not anticipated to be unreasonable”.

Mr and Mrs Crago say they have largely soundproofed the premises.

If given approval, they would need to use a noise limiter to control the Pepper Tree’s speaker system.

Old Coach Rd resident Georgie Kontozis, who spoke at the meeting, said loud noise had always been a problem. She also complained about patrons creating disruptions when they leave.

“My main thing is to have my quiet weekends back … and have a normal life again,” Ms Kontozis said.

At the meeting, the panel’s presiding member, Bill Chandler, said rules for the venue would be strict.

“You have been acting illegally, in breach of your approval,” he said.

“And I am going to make sure, if approval now comes, we are going to stitch you up that damn tight that you will not be in breach of approvals in the future.”