Balgowlah Bowling Club cleared after long-running noise complaint row with residents

A two-year noise row between residents and a popular bowlo has finally come to a head after complaints were levelled over rowdy children, barefoot bowlers and rocks thrown into yards.

A two year noise dispute between a northern beaches bowling club and neighbouring residents has come to a head after a probe by the state’s liquor and gaming authority.

Balgowlah Bowling Club has been cleared of creating any noise disturbances after a series of gripes from homeowners living within earshot of the venue were investigated by Liquor and Gaming NSW.

In a joint complaint by 16 locals, residents claimed noisy patrons playing barefoot bowls and drinking booze “reverberates” into their homes including on Friday nights and weekends.

The club has traded for more than 60 years.

Rowdy children were another key grievance with a bulk of complaints centred on youngsters playing on the outdoor bowling greens, yelling, shouting, blowing whistles as well as rocks allegedly being thrown into residents’ back yards and swimming pools.

Residents also took umbrage to noisy soccer games, kids’ birthday parties and awards ceremonies staged on the bowling greens.

The complainants alleged noise pollution from the club restricted locals from using their own outdoor areas including decks, BBQ areas and swimming pools.

A photo of the greens at Balgowlah Bowling Club.

A majority of complaints stemmed from the club’s transition from a traditional bowling club into a family-friendly venue that has a membership base of more than 200 families.

The lead complainant claimed that instead of catering to 60 playing members, the club had become a ‘drinking venue’ that “permits children to utilise the bowling greens as a recreational facility.”

Liquor and Gaming NSW officers conducted two inspections of the venue as part of its investigation.

The venue’s offerings include restaurant and dining facilities.

In one inspection, officers spotted 15 patrons observed on the balcony of the club which while “audible” were not considered loud or excessive. On another inspection, Liquor and Gaming did not observe any significant noise other than traffic noise.

In response to the complaint, the club – which has operated since 1955 – said various measures have been put in place to reduce noise including ensuring children playing on the bowling greens are supervised by adults.

The venue said the rise in families with children using the venue was partly due to a ‘family community membership’ scheme introduced in 2019 aimed at reviving the club and its financial situation following a decrease in traditional bowling activity.

Residents took their complaints to Liquor and Gaming NSW.

The club said it was in the process of adopting a new plan of management which will include further noise control measures such as signage warning patrons against using bowling greens to walk dogs, host exercise classes or playing soccer games.

The complainants called for mitigation measures to go even further by banning children from bowling greens, requiring all children’s activities inside the venue, a code of conduct for all patrons and a liquor ban on the bowling greens.

NSW Police also backed tougher restrictions on the venue including measures to address people gathering outside the venue.

A photo of one of the club’s greens.

In a submission to the investigation, police said inspections over the last two years had identified Covid-19 public order breaches and unsupervised children playing on the bowling greens.

Liquor & Gaming NSW compliance and enforcement director Dimitri Argeres, in his decision, rejected the additional mitigation measures – saying there was insufficient evidence that the venue had caused undue disturbance to the neighbourhood.

“Given the proximity of the complainants’ residences to the club, the complainants should understand a certain level of noise and disturbance is to be expected given the usage of the club by members of the community

“Since the initiation of the disturbance complaint the club has demonstrated a willingness to engage and implement measures to mitigate disturbances and reduce its noise impact.

The club has transitioned from a traditional bowling club towards a more family-friendly offering.

“I find a certain level of noise and disturbance is to be expected from the normal operation of the club.”

Bowling Club secretary manager Tony Wagener said the club was pleased with the outcome.

“The decision has been made after consideration of various submissions, technical acoustic advice and visits to the club and its immediate neighbourhood by Liquor and Gaming,” he said in a statement.

“It should be expected that there will be activity with some noise emanating from the (club). Over the years activity levels have varied, initially a very active club with bowling on all three greens nearly every day, to quiet times, and now more active times with increased use of the club by the local community.

“Since receiving the complaint in October 2020, the club has restricted the presence of kids on the greens, required parental supervision, and ensured kids are off the green by 7.30pm.

“The club has also strongly guided parents to be aware of the need to keep kids’ noise down outside and within the club.”

Asked whether he was disappointed the complaints escalated to Liquor and Gaming, Mr Wagener said “this was a hard question to answer”.

“While a less formal approach may have been better, with a lot less effort put in by both sides over 18 months, however the decision by Liquor and Gaming now gives guidance and certainty for the club to move forward,” he said.