Parramatta restaurant 1021 Mediterranean submits plans to become a function centre

Management of a western Sydney restaurant below an apartment tower has vowed to keep the noise down under plans to convert the venue into a dedicated function venue.

1021 Mediterranean restaurant at Parramatta has applied to turn into a function centre.

A Parramatta riverside restaurant below a multistorey apartment block could be converted into a function centre where owners insist measures will be implemented to quell residents’ noise concerns.

The 1021 Mediterranean restaurant has lodged a development application with Parramatta Council to switch its use from a restaurant to a function centre with food, beverages and live music.

The proposal for the River Rd West venue would include a two-year trial to demonstrate “suitability and compliance” with planning controls.

Planning documents show several changes would be adopted under the proposal.

They include reducing the site’s capacity from 166 to 150 patrons.

1021 Mediterranean restaurant at Parramatta could be turned into a function centre and operate three days a week.

Outdoor activities will be dumped under its new use.

Outdoor dining and use of the footpath will also be scrapped, with all functions, dining and entertainment activities to occur inside, with no “external seating, smoking areas, or amplified sound proposed outside the building”.

The venue would open from 9am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 9am to 10.30pm on Sundays.

1021 Mediterranean restaurant at Parramatta already hosts bands. Picture: Instagram

The proposal would mean 1021 Mediterranean is dedicated to functions with no walk-ins for dining. Picture: Facebook

Currently, 1021 Mediterranean is open five days a week with hours ranging from 10am and 11am to 10pm and 11pm.

The restaurant, which under different management was called On Sunset, already hosts singing and dancing mainly for Middle Eastern families.

Brosnan and Moore Town Planning Services director Mark Assad, who spoke on behalf of 1021’s management, said the function centre would provide a more affordable venue for the Middle Eastern community to celebrate.

“I guess it’s more of a change, with the current economy, people can’t really afford to go to the more high-end venues,’’ he said.

1021 Mediterranean restaurant at Parramatta mainly serves Middle Eastern food. Picture: Facebook

“This is more of a branch of that umbrella for the Middle Eastern culture celebrating christenings, engagements, things like that.’’

The application also stated music would be capped using decibel limiters, with real-time monitoring for peak events.

“It’s a large facility and considering they are taking away the outdoor dining to satisfy the neighbours, that hopefully does alleviate the tensions between the neighbours and the commercial use,’’ Mr Assad said.

“It’s really for the community to celebrate culture.’’

Mr Assad said the venue already used soundproof padding on walls to alleviate noise.

Only bookings are permitted, with no general walk-ins accepted.

Fugitive Toplace developer Jean Nassif owns the apartment building.

The 1021 Mediterranean restaurant was previously called On Sunset under different management, which proposed extended trading hours in 2020.

The proposal attracted backlash from residents who submitted a 196-signature petition to the council complaining about noise concerns, hazardous air quality (from smoking Shisha) and patrons exploiting the residential parking and parking on surrounding streets.

A fire broke out at the On Sunset restaurant in June 2022 and worker Prajjwol Sama Shrestha died from his injuries two weeks later.

The fire was not treated as suspicious.