Glenelg legal action after restaurants allegedly fail to control noise

A group of wealthy Glenelg apartment owners have launched legal action against nearby restaurants who they say have failed to keep down noise and control patrons.

Holdfast shores. Picture Sarah Reed

Wealthy property owners in a seaside apartment block who have been unable to travel because of Covid are complaining about noise from nearby hospitality businesses.

Residents at the Holdfast Shores complex at Glenelg are taking legal action against restaurants and bars on the ground floor of the Marina Pier building next to the Patawalonga Basin weir.

They have been contacting the building’s property managers, police and the Holdfast Bay Council over the past 12 months about noise and unruly behaviour late at night by departing patrons.

In their latest move, 12 residents have signed formal complaints to the Liquor Licensing Commission about Sammy’s on the Marina, Luciano’s, Oyster Bar, Junipers on the Marina, Asian Flavour House, Marina Sunset Bar, The Wharf, Sea Lounge, Tomiko Japanese Steak House, Seafire Marina, Veloce Paninoteca and Ellenika.

The 12 businesses are tenants of prominent property company Makris Group, which has engaged Adelaide lawyer Greg Griffin to oppose the complaints.

Holdfast Shores apartments, whose owners are embroiled in a legal dispute with surrounding restaurants. Picture: Sarah Reed

In an email sent in January, the company’s property manager, JJL, said it had received notice that the residents’ strata group was planning to hold an extraordinary general meeting to authorise the complaints to be lodged with the Office of Consumer and Business Services.

“With some Marina Pier residents not travelling or leaving home over the Christmas and New Year period, they have turned their attention to things that upset them about the Marina Pier,” it said.

“A plethora of emails relating to all matter of issues like A-frame signs, the standard of cleaning oil spills, carparking on Holdfast Promenade, even squeaky wheels on trolleys used by staff taking rubbish to bins have been sent.”

The residents’ meeting was cancelled after Mr Griffin threatened to seek a court injunction when he learnt it was to be held on a balcony because of Covid restrictions.

“It was not an appropriate place to be holding such a meeting and we told them so,” he said. “They are now planning to hold another meeting to progress the complaints.”

The property company representing the residents, Whittles, could not be contacted for comment yesterday.