Pub part of Ibis budget hotel Wentworthville upgrade plans

A decision has been made on a western Sydney budget motel’s plan to expand with a new accommodation block and pub. Find out the result.

An artist's impression of the new Ibis hotel and Wentworthville Tavern pub at Wentworthville.

The plan for a budget motel at Wentworthville to incorporate a pub along with a new accommodation block has been dumped because of traffic concerns.

A small contingent of residents opposed the Ibis budget motel’s plans to include a pub and to replace its northern building with a four-storey block over fears it would attract more anti-social behaviour.

Council documents outlined concerns from residents who said they were “having to deal with a massive drug trade out of the Ibis hotel” – a claim police dismissed.

However, drugs and anti-social behaviour were not cited as a reason for the Cumberland Local Planning Panel unanimously rejecting the development on the Great Western Highway.

Instead, it took up Transport for NSW’s recommendation to refuse the application because of adverse impacts to arterial roads and said it was not in the public interest.

The Ibis won’t be getting a pub or new hotel block.

The motel sits on the eight-lane Great Western Highway near the 10-lane Cumberland Highway and six-lane M4.

“The area experiences considerable traffic flows and subsequent congestion during peak hour times due to the number of roads converging at this location,’’ a council report said.
“This acts as a major site constraint in terms of the placement of driveways to access the site and associated vehicle noise.’’

Wenty Leagues Club, townhouses, apartments, car sales yards and a sports ground surround the site.

Under its now-scrapped plans, the motel’s owner, Iris Capital, lodged an application for a

400-capacity pub to be called Wentworthville Tavern, with a beer garden, sports bar, VIP room, gaming bistro and 44 staff.

The plans for a 104-room hotel building and three-level basement carpark with 156 spots were first lodged in 2021.

The second two-storey hotel block on the southern side with 52 rooms would remain untouched.

The new block would have reached 16.4m and eclipse the 15m limit but the building’s height was not contentious.

Along with the traffic objections, opposition included more noise because of increased alcohol consumption, “further, fights, anti social behaviour” and an increase of “drug abuse”.

“Police have had to attend the existing premises several times due to poor social behaviour.’’ the report said.

“There is a drug trade operating from the current hotel which needs cleaning up.’’

One letter from a resident of a neighbouring unit block to the Cumberland Council general manager last January claimed motel guests had been broken into the block six times in the past 12 months.

“We are currently having to deal with a massive drug trade out of the Ibis hotel,’’ the letter said.

“Our last break (in) last month (December 2021) will cost us an estimated $12K to have our fire-rated safety doors replaced as they were damaged by residence (sic) from the Ibis hotel.’’

The pub was rejected after transport authorities opposed an expansion of the Ibis site.

Another resident said “the sale of alcohol and gambling is not wanted in our local area”.

“Wentworthville Leagues Club is only a short walking distance from the proposed new venue and a large Dan Murphy’s Liquor outlet is only a block away,’’ the resident wrote in December 2021.

“Why do we need another venue for liquor and gambling in our area?

“Often licensed premises become an easy place to access drugs.’’

The proposal was to operate the pub between 7am and noon Monday to Saturday and 7am to 10pm on Sundays.

The expansion would have taken the hotel’s total number of rooms to 154.

However, police disagreed drugs plagued the motel.

“I would disagree there’s a massive drug trade,’’ Cumberland police licensing supervisor Sergeant Robert Creamer said.

“I would say there’s probably a small amount of drug use occurring there but it’s between four walls and a private room, and you wouldn’t know it’s occurring.

“It would certainly be a hotel that prefers short term or more emergency short notice accommodation – obviously a low end accommodation may encourage more adverse aspect parties.’’

Police supported the motel’s application which they said would boost security with the addition of a pub.

Sgt Creamer said the Iris Hotel’s operations manager was “extremely compliant with public safety and harm minimisation” when discussing the application.

Before the motel was rejected, Sgt Creamer said the premises would adhere to strict crime prevention measures such as the installation of better lighting, less or no dark spots and more CCTV.

The pub would also mean security every day, which is not at the motel now.

“When they’re going to modernise facilities with security it will be a much more inviting location,’’ Sgt Creamer said.

“I was happy to see it – it needs an overhaul.’’

The motel’s owner, Iris Capital, was contacted for comment.

A report to the council said the proposed development would serve the needs of the local area.

“A pub comprising of a sports bar (smoking and non smoking), VIP area, bistro and outdoor beer garden is offered to accommodate a diversified combination of business interests,” it read.

“The hotel component of the site will be able to utilise those facilities and services which are available and further enhance their economic viability.”

Originally published as Pub part of Ibis budget hotel Wentworthville upgrade plans