Vic on the Park: Justin Hemmes applauds Inner West late-night push, calls for beer garden rethink

Pub baron Justin Hemmes has applauded proposals for more Inner West entertainment precincts, but urged a rethink on his at-risk beer garden, saying he and council wanted the same thing.

Justin Hemmes in the beer garden at his popular the Vic on the Park, in Marrickville, Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

Pub baron Justin Hemmes has applauded proposals for more Inner West entertainment precincts but urged a rethink on his at-risk beer garden, saying him and council wanted the same thing.

“Increasing al fresco areas has put the pulse back into Sydney, we need to continue to this momentum because it’s taken a lot of hard work to create,” Mr Hemmes said.

This publication revealed in May how the Merivale magnate had taken Inner West Council to NSW’s Land and Environment Court after it rejected a permanent extension to the Vic’s car-park-turn-beer-garden.

The Marrickville watering hole had been able to turn its empty car park into a beer garden during Covid, to promote outdoor dining, but its development application to keep it permanently was rejected by council planners, to the chagrin of Mr Hemmes and over 15,000 patrons who signed a petition in its support.

Now, council documents revealed it would look to establish four new special entertainment precincts in the local government area, including in Marrickville. The precincts, designed to promote night-life, would see clearer and more lenient sound guidelines for venues, ensure new nearby developments came with better sound protection and, ironically, later closing times for beer gardens.

The buzzing and popular Vic on the Park beer garden. Picture: Supplied

“It’s fantastic to hear that the council are planning precincts in the Inner West,” Mr Hemmes said.

“Because, ultimately, we all want the same thing: A vibrant, lively and safe city.”

In Marrickville, an almost 2km stretch between Sydenham and Marrickville stations was planned, as well as on parts of Addison and Victoria roads, where the Vic is located.

Proposals name-dropped the Merivale pub, saying the plans would “protect existing venues... and assist in the retention of venues such as Vic on the Park”.

Justin Hemmes, pictured in the beer garden he hoped to save. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Hemmes previously called the situation “surprising”, asking what would be a better community asset.

“Do we want to keep a pub car park, in one of the best suburbs in the world, or do we want a great outdoor space,” he asked.

“I think you’d get a clear answer.”

The Vic’s previous DA was rejected over an “insufficient acoustic report”, lack of car spaces and noise concerns, which were disputed in Merivale’s ongoing court appeal.

It is understood Inner West council are open to working with Mr Hemmes to find a solution to the garden.

The entertainment precinct proposals, which will go before Inner West councillors at a Tuesday meeting, would – if approved – instigate early engagement and planning investigations.

The Vic On The Park in Sydney’s Inner West. Picture: AAP

An Inner West Council spokesman said the entertainment precinct proposals followed the “outstanding success” of the Enmore Rd trial, “the first (of its kind) in NSW”.

The spokesman said the precinct proposals were designed to support live music venues, but also take into consideration existing neighbours.

“We’re ready to work with all venues, including the Vic on the Park, to explore the many opportunities offered by special entertainment precincts, while also ensuring those venues respect the surrounding neighbourhood amenity,” he said.

The beer garden decision appeal remains before the Land and Environment Court.

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