Sydney publican bosses Ray Reilly speaks on ‘red tape’ battle over bar plans for Sydney Park Hotel

The boss of one of Sydney’s most popular pubs says the “mind-boggling” mountain of bureaucratic red tape he says is stifling the city’s hospitality and night-time entertainment scene.

The boss of one of Sydney’s leading pub groups has vented frustrations at the “mind-boggling” mountain of bureaucratic red tape he says is stifling the city’s hospitality and night-time entertainment scene.

The Sydney Hotel Park is locked in a planning stalemate with Inner West Council over a $446,000 proposal to convert the upper level of the historic Newtown venue into a bar catering for up to 126 patrons.

The venue, operated by hospitality firm Reilly Group, had the plans knocked back by the council due to concerns it could lead to “adverse environmental impacts” along with “vibrations” and “noise”.

Reilly Group owner Ray Reilly is vowing to push ahead with the development plans which have been stuck in planning stages for more than two years.

“It’s been a very frustrating process and it’s not easy because every time we’ve had a report completed for the development we’re being asked by the council to put in something else,” he said.

Ray Reilly of the Reilly Group, which acquired the pub in 2016.

“The amount of red tape is mind gobbling and it seems like every time you think you’ve done what’s required you’re asked for something else.”

The $446,000 proposal would involve transforming former short term accommodation rooms on the upper level of two storey pub into a bar with seating areas and billiard tables.

But the council – which prides itself on encouraging the region’s pub and hospitality scene – rejected the proposal on the grounds it could cause adverse noise and vibration impacts in the community.

A photo of the venue.

“The proposal has not demonstrated that the site is suitable for the development (and is not) in the public interest,” the council’s refusal letter stated.

The Reilly Group, which also operates Balmain’s London Hotel, Cricketers Arms Hotel and Petersham’s White Cockatoo Hotel among others, has now lodged a formal review of the council’s refusal decision in a move to get the long-planned development over the line.

Mr Reilly said the council’s decision was “nonsensical” after the venue was previously granted council approval for the use of the rooftop level as an outdoor entertainment area.

The development includes converting the upper level of the pub into a bar.

“We’re being asked by the council to complete acoustic reports to measure noise impacts to a unit next to the venue even though we’ve had the approval for the use of the rooftop by the council,” he said.

“To me it makes no sense.”

The council’s refusal letter also claimed the proposal could cause excessive traffic and had not considered “traffic noise or vehicle emissions”.

Further objections were raised over midnight trading hours which the council claimed could lead to acoustic impacts including noise and vibrations on nearby properties.

Nearby residents were consulted on the plans with some expressing support for the development while others raised concerns over potential “anti-social” impacts.

One neighbour even took aim at the inclusion of billiard tables in the plans, claiming that “pool tables always cause trouble and disagreement”.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has expressed support for the pub’s plans.

“I have no objection to the Sydney Park expanding its bar space upstairs. We want more venues opening new spaces for entertainment and more night time activity on King St,” he said.

“Having councillors legally removed from development assessment means that sometimes assessors end up refusing applications that have broad support in the community..

“I’ll keep advocating for growing our night time economy and for the viability of our long standing pubs and venues.”

The council’s refusal came after several other inner west pubs have faced similar planning battles including the Vic on the Park in Marrickville which ended up taking Inner West Council to court over plans to operate a beer garden at the venue.

Mr Reilly said the company was working on completing all paperwork as part of its appeal process and is hopeful the council will reconsider its decision in coming weeks.

Inner West Council was contacted for comment but did not respond at the time of publication.