Toormina Hotel blocked from extended trading hours after objections from police, elders, church groups

A NSW pub has lost a battle to increase its trading hours after concerns were raised over gambling-related harm and claims by police it could encourage bikies to use the venue to launder cash.

A Coffs Coast hotel has lost a battle to increase its trading hours after concerns were raised over gambling-related harm and claims by police it could encourage bikies to use the venue to launder cash.

The NSW Civil And Administrative Tribunal has blocked a proposal by Toormina Hotel to open its doors for an extra two hours until 2am from Mondays to Saturdays and as late as midnight on Sundays following objections from Indigenous elders, church groups, the state’s liquor and gaming watchdog and NSW Police.

The case was taken to the tribunal by venue licensee, North Coast Property Holdings Pty Ltd, in an appeal against the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority, which rejected the club’s extended trading application.

The decision to reject the application was partly based on concerns the extra trading hours could lead to negative social impacts including increased gambling activity.

NSW Police also objected to the proposal due to concerns Toormina Hotel was in proximity to a known outlaw motorcycle gang clubhouse.

A photo of the venue.

Police, in a submission to the tribunal, alleged OMC members have been observed entering the Toormina Hotel and raised “concerned about possible money laundering activities occurring with extended hours.”

In response, North Coast Property Holdings stated that people wearing “motorcycle colours” were not permitted entry and that its staff were “duly trained in anti-money laundering compliance measures’’.

The proposal to extend operating hours also faced objections from community organisations including Yvette Pacey, chairwoman of the Galambirra Elders Group.

The venue applied to operate to as late as 2am.

Ms Pacey said the extended trading hours could encourage “vulnerable community members to squander benefit payments” – therefore placing additional pressure on charitable and government organisations,

The Sawtell Uniting Church, Sawtell Catholic Care and LifeHouse Church raised similar objections, arguing the extending operating hours could increase gambling-related harm in the community.

North Coast Property Holdings – in its appeal – argued the extended trading hours would have benefits including employment opportunities and increased recreation for patrons.

A photo of Toormina Hotel

Carl Mower, general manager of the venue, told the tribunal that patrons wanted to have the Toormina Hotel stay open for longer for functions, late-night sports, social activities, playing pool and gaming machines.

He stated many of the Toormina Hotel’s patrons are shift workers who would be serviced by being able to attend the hotel late at night after work

Mr Mower said the venue had measures in place to address gaming harm minimisation including staff training on identifying signs of problem gambling, promotion of local support services and responsible gambling awareness campaigns.

The extended trading application faced concerns from community groups.

Police, in submissions to the tribunal, presented details of several alleged incidents at the venue including a physical assault in which a patron was punched and knocked to the ground.

Police data to the tribunal stated than in a 14-month period between August 2021 and October 2022, police were called to the venue in relation to alleged incidents of seven assaults, five incidents of theft, three incidents of domestic assault, and one incident where a group of patrons caused damage to a staff member’s car;

The tribunal’s senior member Jill Gatland. in her decision to reject the extending trading application, found increased access to gambling late at night was “likely to see an increase in the number of problems and at-risk gamblers”.

A photo of the venue.

Ms Gatlan also raised concerns over a “lack of willingness on the part of North Coast Property Holdings to communicate and genuinely engage with significant groups within the Toormina and Coffs Harbour local government area who had taken the time to set out the basis of their concerns”.

“If permitted, the extended trading hours will necessarily allow more patrons to consume alcohol (on Sundays) and gamble for more prolonged periods across each day of the week,” Ms Gatland said.

“I am not satisfied that on balance the overall social impact of (the extended trading hours) will not be detrimental to the local community”

North Coast Property Holdings – as part of its appeal – submitted a petition with about 383 names and signatures in support of the extension of trading hours

The Daily Telegraph contacted the venue’s management for comment but did not respond at the time of publication.

The tribunal’s decision to reject the application was also based on the existing high density of gaming machines operating in the Toormina area as well as “high levels of socio-economic disadvantage” compared to the NSW average.