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Marrickville: Sydney Portugal Community Club lodges plans to host more big events amid noise complaint battle with neighbours

A long-running Sydney community club has revealed a bold move to host more big events as it battles with a spike in noise complaints from ‘NIMBY’ locals.

Nasty NIMBY attack on popular Sydney venue

A Sydney community club at the centre of a noise complaint war with whinging neighbours is making a bold move to host more big events as club officials take a swipe at “NIMBY” residents in the inner city suburb.

The Sydney Portugal Community Club is planning to capitalise on new State Government reforms aimed at boosting the city’s ailing night-life, as it seeks planning approval to host around 15 events per year with crowds of between 2000 to 5000 people.

The venue – located in Marrickville’s industrial area – is wedged between two noisy train lines and underneath Sydney Airport flight paths but despite the noisy environment some locals have complained that the noise from the venue is “overbearing”.

Some residents have even posted flyers around the neighbourhood encouraging other residents to lodge a noise complaint about the venue with NSW Liquor and Gaming.

NSW Liquor and Gaming has confirmed it has received complaints from members of the public relating to the club – including some as recently as last week.

Portugal Community Club secretary Jorge Martins pictured outside the venue.
Portugal Community Club secretary Jorge Martins pictured outside the venue.

Now, the club – which was founded in 1965 and has hosted events since the early 1990s – is looking to circumvent critics by seeking approval from Inner West Council to increase the number of community events it can stage at the venue each year.

Club secretary Jorge Martins said he was flummoxed by noise complaints, accusing some residents of waging a “vendetta” against the venue.

“At the moment we finish all our music and events at 9.30pm so it’s like we’re disrupting sleep or playing music into the early hours,” he said.

Flyers were posted around the suburb last year.
Flyers were posted around the suburb last year.
More events could be held in outdoor areas of the venue as part of the planning application.
More events could be held in outdoor areas of the venue as part of the planning application.

“We’re under a flight path and next to train lines and people who complain about the sound of live music need to get real.

“We’re a community club and if you can’t host community events here, where can you hold them?”

Mr Martins said there was a significant portion of the venue including former bowling greens that were under-utilised and therefore presented an ideal opportunity to host music and cultural events.

The venue has been operating since the 1960s.
The venue has been operating since the 1960s.

If approved, the venue would be able to host five large events per year with crowds of up to 5000 people as well as around 10 smaller events with a capacity of up to 3500 people.

Activities that could be staged at the club include music nights, food trucks and temporary bars.

Most events would be held between Thursdays to Sundays between the hours of midday and 9.30pm.

Noise limiters would also be used during events – a device which can limit the volume of amplified music to comply with noise conditions.

The plans have been lodged with Inner West Council and have been referred to NSW licensing authorities, NSW Police and Sydney Trains for feedback.

Originally published as Marrickville: Sydney Portugal Community Club lodges plans to host more big events amid noise complaint battle with neighbours

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/nsw/marrickville-sydney-portugal-community-club-lodges-plans-to-host-more-big-events-amid-noise-complaint-battle-with-neighbours/news-story/bf22744db6f6f0d96c47d830662f9fce