Lismore MP Janelle Saffin backs Eltham Hotel in noise complaint, imposed restrictions stoush

A publican behind a historic NSW watering hole isn’t looking to create “chaos in the village” after the venue became embroiled in a noise complaint stoush. Here’s why a local MP is backing him.

A publican behind a historic NSW watering hole says he is not looking to create “chaos in the village” after the establishment became embroiled in a noise complaint stoush.

Eltham Hotel manager Matt Rabbidge says “harmony”is the only way forward after the 121-year-old pub was slapped with imposed noise restrictions.
The restrictions came into play after neighbours said live music at the venue was impacting their “quality of life”.

It comes as the hotel received an “overwhelming outpouring of community support” and a resounding fist bump from Lismore MP Janelle Saffin.

After complaints were made in recent months from a “select few” neighbours, management submitted a revised noise management plan to the office of Liquor and Gaming NSW.
On Thursday, Ms Saffin wrote on social media that she was “backing the Eltham Pub all the way”.

“One of the great live music venues in our area. I have raised this (issue) with the minister in parliament,” she wrote.

The Eltham Hotel managers Matt Rabbidge and Luke Sullivan. Picture: Supplied/The Eltham Hotel

Mr Rabbidge said: “We took over the pub on the smell of an oily rag. We love the place and we’re proud of it.”
“We put everything we had into it and any spare money we have we always reinvest it in the infrastructure to ensure we will get it to a point we want it,” he said.
Mr Rabbidge said the Eltham was a “place for everyone” and “people short or tall, young or old, rich or poor” could come there and feel welcome.
“We don’t want this (the noise complaints) to be a divider in the village. We don’t want to create chaos and it’s important we have harmony as a township,” he said.
Mr Rabbidge expressed disappointment that some “wonderful” bands had to be turned away due to the restrictions, and more “considered” programming was now a daily reality.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has back the venue. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

“We’ve had to turn bands away that we absolutely love and the community loves. Booking agents can’t get their head around why. We just have to say it’s not appropriate right now in our situation.”
Mr Rabbidge said he “respected” the decision of Liquor and Gaming NSW to impose tighter restrictions around live music as he works with a lawyer through an appeals process.
He thanked the community for their “overwhelming outpouring of support” and said the region was “lucky to have a proactive member like Janelle who is not scared to follow her beliefs and feelings”.

‘Pub with no music like pub with no beer’: Noise complaint clash

Earlier: The managers of a historic pub in the northern NSW hinterland say newly imposed restrictions are crippling the business following an “uphill battle” with neighbours over noise complaints.

They say the restrictions, the result of an investigation from Liquor and Gaming NSW, has forced them to cancel a number of live music events.

The Eltham Hotel, a 121-year-old pub northeast of Lismore, was ordered to reduce its noise levels after residents claimed late-night live music was “impacting their quality of life”.

Eltham Pub managers Matt Rabbidge and Luke Sullivan. Mr Rabbidge is fighting back against the complaints. Picture: News Regional Media.

The hotel’s co-manager, Matt Rabbidge, told the Northern Star earlier this month he was “bitterly disappointed” by the decision – just three weeks after the state government said it would introduce new laws to protect live music from noise complaints.

On Tuesday, managers slammed the decision on social media, saying an upcoming show this weekend has been cancelled, impacting “11 musicians, one tour manager, six staff members, a sound guy, housekeepers and local Airbnb operators who will be without work or income this Saturday”.

A Facebook post from the venue read: “With a heavy heart we announce this weekend’s planned show with @caitlinharnettandtheponyboys and @bonesandjoness here at the pub has been cancelled,” they wrote.

The venue has become a live music hotspot for northern NSW residents. Picture: Kenny Smith

“With newly imposed noise limits due to complaints by a couple of neighbours, we need to be even more considered with programming and output.

“Rest assured, we’re looking into every angle necessary through the appeal process. It’s an uphill battle given our location and the current blanket rules relating to background noise as comparable benchmarks (out here there is practically none).”

The managers said the venue brought “plenty of magic to the local community” and that “music is a binding force that brings people together”.

“For the cancelled show this week, we apologise unreservedly to the 11 musicians, 1 tour manager, 6 extra Eltham staff (bar, bistro and kitchen), our sound guy, housekeepers and even the local Airbnb spaces who will be without work or income this Saturday due to these new restrictions,” they wrote.

“If you bought tickets to this Saturday’s show, look out for an email regarding refund details. Rest assured there will be some shows still continuing for now and they’ll sure as hell be special, but only the quieter ones.

Residents have claimed live music at the venue was impacting their quality of life. Picture: Supplied

“Live music everywhere, particularly in regional areas is incredibly important and must be supported.”

The community jumped to the defence of the venue, with several people slamming the noise complaints.

One person wrote: “Don’t move within earshot of a pub and expect it to not behave like a pub”.

Another wrote: “They (complaining residents) need to move or get a life”.

One person called the imposed restrictions “a joke” and said “The Eltham has been wonderful for the Northern Rivers”.

Some residents argued there needed to be a protest or a petition to ensure all live music would continue at the venue.

One person said the restrictions were a “devastating tragedy”, while another exclaimed “a pub with no music is like a pub with no beer”.

Neighbours claimed the venue was emitting “extreme noise with constant thumps and humming” and hosting “mini music festivals”.

Mr Rabbidge previously said the imposed restrictions were “debilitating”.

The venue has been contacted for further comment.