Central Coast Bowlo’s major win over complaining neighbour

A trendy Aussie bowlo has made a stunning declaration after it emerged victorious from an almost two-year-long battle.

A trendy Aussie bowlo has made a stunning declaration after it emerged victorious in a nearly two-year-long dispute against a noise complaint lodged by a single neighbour.

In a celebratory video shared on social media, venue manager at the Adamstown Bowling Club, Matt Field cheekily declared: “Gone are the days one neighbour can bring down a venue.”

A Central Coast bowlo has won a nearly two-year-long dispute against a noise complaint lodged by a single neighbour. Picture: Facebook/ Adamstown Bowling Club

The local music scene lauded the news.

“Sanity prevails!” local promoter, Ruckus Music & Events, responded.

Local band Under Scrutiny, added: “Now that’s a good news story.”

“Nice work Matt! We can’t wait to perform at the Bowlo again,” another local band, Rock Revolution, said.

The complaint, filed with Liquor and Gaming NSW on May 6, 2022, was submitted by one neighbour and supported by two other residents in the densely populated Newcastle suburb.

The grievance focused on alleged excessive noise from live music events at the club, lasting for extended periods on weekends and public holidays until 11.45pm.

The complainant had previously contacted the police and filed a complaint with Newcastle City Council regarding the noise issues.

The venue manager at the Adamstown Bowling Club, Matt Field shared a celebratory video on social media. Picture: Instagram

According to the official published disturbance decision, the disturbance began after the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, coinciding with the introduction of boxing events at the club.

The complainant’s desired outcome, as per the report, was a “dramatic decrease” in music volume and frequency or effective soundproofing.

Two other residents in the densely populated Newcastle suburb also supported the complaint.

The club, in operation since 1956, previously faced a separate complaint regarding changes in its business model, converting one bowling green into an outdoor area for live music.

Liquor & Gaming NSW compliance officer found insufficient evidence to support the complaint related to the changes in the business model in that instance.

The disturbance investigation included a submission from Newcastle City Council, and concluded that the club had met its obligations.

The complaint was about alleged excessive noise from live music events at the club, lasting for extended periods on weekends and public holidays until 11.45pm.

Despite attending the club on numerous occasions between July 2021 and July 2022, the Newcastle City Police District ultimately found no significant issues.

Jane Lin, executive director of Liquor and Gaming NSW, said the department would be taking “no further action”.

She acknowledged the normal operation of the club would naturally cause some disturbance. Still, she concluded there was sufficient evidence to reasonably conclude the club had, at times, unduly disturbed the quiet and good order of the neighbourhood.

“I also note given the proximity of the complainant and authorising resident’s residential dwellings to the club, that complainants and local residents should understand a certain level of noise and disturbance is to be expected given the usage of the Club by the local community,” she wrote.

The Adamstown Bowling Club has emerged victorious in a nearly two-year-long dispute against a noise complaint lodged by a single neighbour. Picture: Facebook/ Adamstown Bowling Club

Ms Lin considered acoustic reports and the development application process, which raised concerns from the public and the council about significant alterations made by the club without adequate approvals.

However, she commended the club for taking the complaint seriously, implementing measures to mitigate disturbance, and engaging an acoustic consultant.

“It is encouraging that the Club has taken this disturbance complaint seriously and taken action to address the issues raised,” she wrote.

Liquor & Gaming NSW compliance officer found insufficient evidence to support the complaint related to the changes in the business model in that instance. Picture: Facebook/ Adamstown Bowling Club

The investigation also revealed the positive impact of noise mitigation measures implemented by the club, with the complainant noting a considerable reduction in noise.

Ms Lin stated: “This decision reflects my conclusion that while there have been instances of undue disturbance, the Club has shown it is capable and willing to implement mitigating measures to sufficiently manage its noise emissions.”

However, Ms Lin reminded the club of its obligation to avoid unduly disturbing the quiet and good order of the neighbourhood.

In 2023, Liquor and Gaming NSW made 11 disturbance decisions, warning two venues, taking no action on six, and imposing conditions on three.

One of those was the Eltham Hotel, a popular country pub in Northern New South Wales, which was forced to cancel gigs and keep it down after a single official noise complaint, as thousands rallied behind the owners.

Adamstown Bowling Club has been contacted for further comment.

Originally published as Central Coast Bowlo’s major win over complaining neighbour