Rich owners declare war on Salim Mehajer-style ‘Westie’ weddings

Owners of luxury city units are outraged at “Westies” daring to have “Salim Mehajer copycat weddings” in their exclusive area — and now they are attempting to drag the state government into the stoush to get rid of loud drums, cars and motorbikes.

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Owners of luxury city apartments are outraged that “Westies” are daring to have flamboyant weddings in their exclusive area — and now they are attempting to drag the state government into the stoush.

Pyrmont residents claim “Salim Mehajer wedding copycats” are ruining their enjoyment of the harbour views by bringing vulgar drums, hot cars and loud motorbikes into the posh spot when they hold wedding receptions at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf.

Former Deputy Auburn Mayor Salim Mehajer beats some drums at his wedding in Lidcombe. Picture: Toby Zerna

Unit owners near Doltone House in Jones Bay Wharf have complained about lavish weddings like Salim Mehajer’s, which includes lots of loud cars and drums. Picture: Toby Zerna

But Doltone House owner Paul Sig­norelli has said his venue is here to stay, accusing residents of making false noise complaints and orch­estrating a “smear campaign”.

“There are more Ferraris and drums than there ever used to be; all the Westies come over here and have their weddings,” one resident, who did not want to be named, said.

“We have the Salim ­Mehajer wedding copycats.”

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Resident Julie Picot also told The Sunday Telegraph: “(We) get little peace and enjoyment of luxury homes due to … Doltone House.”

As well as being outraged at big, fat Westie weddings, they also claim Doltone House is being “protected” because the venue has been twice hired out for functions by the Department of Planning, the body charged with enforcing noise restrictions.

The department denies it has a conflict of ­interest.

The department has also admitted it has failed to enforce a noise management plan. The plan was an essential part of the venue’s 2007 updated app­roval to operate.

One of the extravagant weddings at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf. Picture: Supplied

But there is no suggestion of improper conduct by Mr ­Signorelli, who pointed out Doltone House has received noise enforcement notices from the department.

The private function venue has copped at least 230 complaints since 2010, according to regulatory body the Department of Planning (DoP).

Since June 2017, Doltone House at Jones Bay Wharf has been fined for five breaches of their patron limit and a goods delivery outside of hours.

They were also cautioned last year over an unauthorised outdoor amplified performance featuring 14 drummers.

“I’m disgusted with the department and they are not being proactive when it comes to enforcing the ­development application,” Pyrmont resident Harry ­Tinyow, who purchased his apartment in 2000, said.

“The Department of Planning are holding their functions there and are not willing to enforce the rules.”

Loud motorcycles are more often being used in ‘Westie’ weddings, like an extravagant wedding at Homebush in 2016. Picture: David Swift

More and more ‘Westie’ weddings are becoming more extravagant. Picture: David Swift

Mr Signorelli said residents have made noise complaints even when there is no function on.

“On occasions, noise complaints have arisen from other businesses on the wharf and the residents have attributed those to Doltone House,” the 49-year-old said.

“For many years now, there are a select number of residents who have embarked on a negative smear campaign against Doltone House.

“On occasions, residents have complained of noise and I have listened to those complaints personally, discussed them, and attempted to ameliorate the problem generally on the same evening if the complaint comes through the Doltone House dedicated complaints hotline.”

Salim Mehajer’s sister Kat had her massive wedding reception at Doltone House, Hyde Park. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Mr Signorelli also said recent enforcement notices are “hardly consistent with the Department of Planning showing any leniency to Doltone House”.

Sydney MP Alex Greenwich said many residents who have been complaining for years “believe the operators have ‘friends in high places’ protecting them”.

“The blanket lockouts and heavy fines imposed on other premises don’t seem to apply here.”

In 2007 the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (now the DoP) approved extended operating hours on the proviso Doltone House set noise limits.

Eleven years on and this noise management plan has not been finalised.

A departmental spokesman said once it became aware of this problem in 2016, it issued an official caution and requested the plan be done.