Squire’s Landing granted 24/7 trading approval despite backlash from Bennelong One residents

A noise battle between a Sydney restaurant and residents of one of the city’s most sought after buildings has come to a head as new planning controls pave the way for venues to operate 24/7.

A noise battle between a Sydney pub and residents of one of the city’s ritziest apartment buildings has come to a head following a dispute over the venue’s plans to begin trading 24/7.

The Squire’s Landing at The Rocks has been granted State Government approval to open its doors to patrons around the clock in a move it says will revive the “vibrancy” and night-time economy of the waterfront precinct.

The approval is the first time a venue has been given the green light to operate 24/7 since City of Sydney councillors voted in favour of creating new ‘special entertainment precincts’ to boost night-life in parts of the CBD.

The approval also came despite stiff opposition from residents of the Bennelong One building — located 400m away next to the Opera House – which had threatened to derail the Squire’s Landing plans after lodging complaints over potential noise and mental health impacts.

In a submission to the plans, the owners of 20 apartments in the ritzy building, colloquially known as “The Toaster, claimed noise from the venue would travel over the water and stop them from being able to sleep.

The Bennelong apartments – also known as ‘The Toaster’ – are located on other side of Circular Quay from the Squire’s Landing pub.

The residents, whose names have been redacted from the submission, complained they were already experiencing noise “emanating” from the pub.

“This noise significantly impacts resident peace and quiet enjoyment of their habitat as well as their health and wellbeing,” the submission states.

“In particular, at a time when the majority of residents go to sleep between 9.30pm and 10.30pm.”

The Squire’s Landing pub will be able to trade 24/7.

The Department of Planning found the extended trading hours would not result in any “adverse impacts” on the community.

The plans were supported on a trial basis that will allow 24 hours in indoor areas of the venue, and 1am trading in outdoor areas. The venue will also be allowed to trade in outdoor areas until 2am on New Year’s Day.

Business Sydney executive Paul Nicolaou believes residents of inner city precincts such as Circular Quay should expect a level of noise.

Residents claimed noise from the venue could travel over the water and create noise disturbances.

“At the end of the day, Sydney is an international global city and we don’t want to be one of those cities that shuts down at 9pm,” he said.

City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the creation of special entertainment precincts in the CBD was aimed at boosting the city’s night-life and economic activity.

As part of the planning controls, existing late-night trading areas would be granted liquor licence fee discounts and more flexibility to extend trading hours without having to lodge development applications.

Staff at the Squire’s Landing have welcomed the 24/7 approval.

The Bennelong building has been long recognised as one of Sydney’s premium addresses with apartments selling for as much as $25.1m.

Hotel baron Sam Arnaout and broadcaster Alan Jones are among celebrities who have called ‘The Toaster’ home over the years.

There is no suggestion either is among the group of unknown residents objecting to the proposal put forward by The Squire’s Landing.

The potential for noise impacts on locals has previously resulted in sound regulations for other nearby sites including the Sydney Opera House which has specific noise requirements in place to reduce sound disturbances on the Bennelong building.

While the Squire’s Landing’s 24/7 plan does not include any new noise mitigation measures, the venue said it already had “robust noise and amenity mitigation measures” in place.