Urbnsurf Olympic Park causes a splash over plans to operate bar, beach club, cabana at wave pool

Surf and turps could be on the cards under plans to build a bar, beach club and cabana lounge at a future western Sydney wave pool. But the move has caused a splash among residents and transport officials.

A concept photo of the wave pool’s rooftop bar, cabana lounge and beach club.

A plan to serve alcohol at Sydney’s first artificial surf wave facility has caused a splash among locals and state government officials with fears it could exacerbate the risk of drowning and result in inebreiated patrons “drink walking”.

Urbnsurf is facing resistance over plans to obtain a liquor licence for its huge wave generated surf park which is set to open its doors in Sydney Olympic Park in the first half of next year.

The state’s transport department has also warned the service of alcohol could result in visitors “drink walking” after consuming alcoholic drinks at the site.

Once launched, the park will be able to host more than 1000 surfers a day at the 3.2ha site.

A liquor licence application has revealed there are plans for the venue to serve alcohol at a new rooftop bar, beach club and ‘cabana lounge’ which would be built next to the main wave pool.

Alcohol would be permitted to be served from 10am to midnight from Mondays to Saturdays and to 10pm on Sundays with a patron capacity of 1150 people.

A concept image of the wave pool.

But the option for surf and turps has fuelled a flurry of written submissions from residents with many raising concerns over the potential implications of inebriating patrons coming into contact with artificial waves.

Transport for NSW has also raised concerns over potential drink driving risks and has called on Urbnsurf to “consider the prevalence of alcohol related road trauma” in the area and “how they can play a part in reducing it”.

The development is set for completion by Autumn next year.

In one submission, a resident said serving alcohol to visitors could pose a risk of “children being unsupervised”.

“The temptation of dropping the children off and going to have a drink will be too great and children will be at risk,” the submission warns.

“Twenty three per cent of drowning deaths each year involve alcohol. An aquatic facility is an utterly inappropriate place to serve alcohol,” another submission states.

Transport for NSW has called for Urbnsurf to take various measures to address drink driving risks including providing access to public education material and information on pedestrian safety – including for visitors who consume alcohol that may be at risk of “drink walking”.

Urbnsurf – in its plans for the liquor licence – states it is “committed to work actively with the local police to address any real or perceived concerns directly attributable to alcohol related harm”.

The company’s application states it would be a family-friendly facility that would have security and responsible service of alcohol measures in place.

Urbnsurf has confirmed the drink options would include a variety of wines, champagne, beer, spirits and mixers.

Plans for the project date back to 2016.

In a statement, an Urbnsurf spokeswoman said the company had “a zero-tolerance policy on patrons consuming alcohol then partaking in a surf”.

“It is a reasonable expectation of patrons attracted to these types of outdoor entertainment or sporting venues to expect a reasonable liquor service to be provided,” the company’s application states.

“The pool will always be supervised (by lifeguards) which means potential ‘drownings’ are not a concern. It will be a venue that complements the atmosphere of the general locale, being accessible and welcoming to people of all ages.”

The pool will be built within the Olympic Park precinct.

Neighbours in the densely populated high rise suburb have also raised concerns it could cause rowdy behaviour including “stressful and unpleasant” shouting in proximity to homes.

The proposed bar has also gained support from some residents with one submission stating it could “help property prices and bring night-life and entertainment to the area”.

The construction of a huge wave generator for an artificial surf park has been subject to a lengthy planning process that dates back to 2016.

Construction started in late 2021, but heavy rain and disruptions in the construction industry have meant the project’s completion date has been pushed out to next year.

Once built, the facility is also planned to include a surf shop with wetsuit and board rentals, as well as a surf academy.

Urbnsurf believes the park will offer “perfect” waves all year-round and negate the need for many western Sydney residents having to drive to the city’s east to catch a wave.

The liquor licence application has been lodged to Liquor and Gaming NSW and remains under assessment.

Urbnsurf also operates a wave pool in Melbourne which currently serves wines, beers and spirits from a restaurant at the site.