Towradgi Beach Hotel cleared over disturbance complaints after noise war with residents
A Wollongong pub investigated over noise complaints from nearby residents has argued that locals were ‘well aware’ of the venue’s music focus when choosing to live in the area.
Illawarra Star
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A Wollongong pub has been cleared of creating excessive noise in the community after a long-running dispute with local residents.
Liquor and Gaming NSW was called into investigate alleged disturbances emanating from the Towradgi Beach Hotel in response to resident complaints over noise, DJs playing loud music and patrons leaving the venue.
The hotel, located about 5km north of the Wollongong town centre, trades as late as 3am and is one of the region’s most popular night spots.
Residents took their complaints to Liquor & Gaming NSW claiming the venue had caused “undue disturbance to the quiet and good order of the neighbourhood”.
The complaint alleged patrons often “shouted, argued and occasionally damaged property” when leaving the hotel.
A bulk of the resident complaints centred on music being played from the venue’s beer garden which they claimed could be heard into the early hours most days of the week.
One resident told Liquor and Gaming NSW it was “impossible” for them to sit outside, watch TV or open their windows due to noise from the venue.
In response to the complaint, hotel operator Oscar Hotels stated the venue had been under the same ownership for about 20 years in which time there had been “significant residential development” in the surrounding area.
“The hotel was built long before a number of residential developments and those who purchased were well aware of the proximity to the hotel and its live music focus,” the venue’s submission stated.
The venue’s manager told Liquor and Gaming the pub had protocols in place to limit disturbances including spot checks to measure noise, ensuring security guards patrol the car park, and a dedicated phone line which residents can call to lodge complaints.
It is also in the process of building a glasshouse structure with retractable roofs enclosing the southern part of the beer garden along with a 3.5m wall around the northern end.
A submission to Liquor and Gaming from NSW Police state in a three-month period in 2021, 34 high visibility inspections were conducted at the hotel and incidents recorded included one assault, one drink spiking incident, and one drug detection.
The police submission recommended amplified music in the beer garden be banned after 10pm to “avoid future disturbance complaints”.
A resident petition signed by 60 people called on Liquor and Gaming to impose strict conditions of the venue including a reduction in trading hours and measures to reduce the “intensification” of the venue’s beer garden.
In his decision, Liquor and Gaming manager of regulatory interventions John Coady did not consider it “appropriate” to impose any additional conditions on its licence.
Mr Coady noted the venue had already taken various measures to address noise including carrying out independent noise monitoring.
“I acknowledge the hotel is a significant contributor to the live music industry in the Illawarra region and that substantial residential development has occurred around the hotel in recent years,” he said.
“It is clear the hotel has been responsive to the complaint and has sought independent and external technical advice regarding its noise emissions and appropriate measures to mitigate the potential for undue disturbance.
“It is reasonable to expect some level of noise will be generated from the normal operation of the hotel, including noise from live and amplified entertainment and patrons both inside and outside.
“While I have determined to take no further action in this matter, I strongly remind the hotel of its obligation to proactively manage and minimise any potential disturbance.”
Oscar Hotels was contacted for comment about the outcome of the investigation but did not provide a response at the time of publication.
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