Kahibah Bowling Club issued warning after investigation into noise, disturbance complaints

A well-known bowling club has been issued a noise complaint warning after locals claimed noise from the venue was impacting their wellbeing and causing the walls of their homes to “shake”.

Residents claimed noise from the venue was “excessive”.

A well-known bowling club has been issued a formal noise complaint warning after nearby residents claimed noise from the venue was impacting their wellbeing and causing the walls of their homes to “shake”.

Kahibah Bowling Club was issued the warning by Liquor and Gaming NSW on Friday in response to complaints from residents living within earshot of the venue.

The bowling club has been trading near Lake Macquarie for the last 65 years and has a restaurant, bar, bowling greens and minigolf facilities.

A joint complaint by five residents claimed noise from the venue was “excessive” and “significantly impacting their wellbeing”.

The majority of complaints centred on an outdoor bowling green where neighbours claimed noise could be heard on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings until 10pm.

A photo of the bowling club.

The complaint stated noise, including live and amplified music, was so loud it had caused “vibrations that resulted in shaking of walls, windows and floors” to surrounding homes.

One resident stated that disturbances also occurred when entertainment was located inside the club and the venue’s doors were left open.

The club was issued a formal warning.

The lead complainant told Liquor and Gaming the noise was “unreasonably interfering with the comfort and ability to carry out activities within their residence”.

“The noise can be heard over ambient noise from traffic, and it is excessive even while the doors are closed, and the TV is operating,” the complaint stated.

The club – in response to the complaints – told Liquor and Gaming it had various noise mitigation measures in place to address disturbance, including a limit on noise levels from live music performances.

It has also pledged to buy new sound measuring devices to record sound levels from amplified entertainment, such as music, to ensure compliance.

The club has operated for more than 60 years.

The club’s submission states it needs to be able to provide entertainment on the bowling greens in order to remain financially viable

The entertainment offerings had also helped the venue stay afloat during more than two years of Covid-19 restrictions.

“There was a minimum financial loss of $500,000 (during Covid-19) and without the events held on the bowling green area during the spring and summer months the business would not have been able to financially recover,” the submission stated. “This would (have) affected the livelihood of 20 staff members.”

The residents called on Liquor and Gaming to impose a ban on outdoor amplified entertainment on the bowling greens, or impose strict mitigation measures.

But the club opposed the measures, saying any additional restriction on its trade would be “detrimental to the business”.

A photo of the club.

Liquor and Gaming NSW director of regulatory operations and enforcement Jane Lin rejected calls to impose conditions restricting the use of the bowling green.

Ms Lin did, however, note the outdoor dining and amplified entertainment on the bowling greens had “seen an increase in patron numbers during its operation”.

She said the official warning would provide the club with an opportunity to implement further mitigation measures.

“I accept that the club’s activities have changed in the last two years to provide services in addition to recreational bowling activities,” she said.

“The club should be advised that in the event further evidence is presented demonstrating undue disturbance or disregard for its responsibility in relation to mitigating noise, it is open for the matter to be reconsidered and further regulatory action to be taken.”

This publication contacted the bowling club for further comment about the decision but did not receive a response at the time of publication.