Police union’s push for boozy function space alarms East Melbourne residents

The Police Association wants a licence for more than 350 people to use a swish roof terrace at it’s new East Melbourne headquarters, but locals worry it will lead to boozy late-night parties.

The police union may have won the fight against Chief Commissioner Shane Patton but it is now gearing up for a dispute with some of Melbourne’s most well-heeled residents.

The Police Association Victoria’s push to secure a licence for more than 350 people to use the top two levels – including a swish roof terrace – at its new East Melbourne headquarters for functions has alarmed local residents.

The application was submitted to the City of Melbourne and approved in December last year. However, the East Melbourne Group challenged it and now the matter will go before VCAT later in the year.

Residents are alarmed over the Police Association Victoria’s push to secure a licence to use the top two levels – including a swish roof terrace – at its new East Melbourne headquarters.

The proposal, if ticked off by VCAT, would allow the area to be used between 8am and 2am – sparking serious concerns from nearby residents about noise and the potential to disturb the peace from boozy functions held in the space.

The police union currently has a liquor licence for the venue but it is only for a function area on level 3, for “pre-booked functions” only between the hours of 10am and 11.30pm.

East Melbourne Group president Greg Bisinella said local residents were concerned the proposal would increase noise in the local area late at night.

“In an essentially quiet residential area, with residents in Palmer, Charles and Agnes streets, the potential for sleep disturbance is high,” he said.

“Clearly a licenced venue for more than 300 people and operating until the early morning in the quiet residential streets of Jolimont has the potential for noise disturbance from patrons leaving the venue late at night.”

Greg Bisinella said the concerns of residents would be reduced if the proposed operating were pared back. Picture: Ian Currie

Mr Bisinella said the East Melbourne Group had a strong working relationship with police but residents were concerned about how any potential noise complaints would be resolved, if the proposal went ahead.

“The EMG has a very positive relationship with Victoria police and the team that looks after East Melbourne,” he said.

“However, one can reasonably be concerned as to how they would manage complaints against their own colleagues.”

Mr Bisinella said the concerns of residents would be reduced if the proposed operating were pared back. “Nowhere in Jolimont, or indeed East Melbourne, is there a licenced venue open to more than 300 people after 11pm,” he said.

A police association spokesman said: “It’s certainly unremarkable for any permit application to attract feedback or be met with objections. We’re eager to utilise the conciliation process available through VCAT, as much as possible, to address any issues raised.” The matter is scheduled to go before a VCAT compulsory conference in April, and then for a hearing in July.

Originally published as Police union’s push for boozy function space alarms East Melbourne residents