The Landing Newcastle: restaurant, bar issued official ‘warning’ after noise complaints

A popular Newcastle restaurant and bar has been issued an official warning over late-night noise that residents claimed ‘reverberated’ through their units and impacted their mental health.

A popular Newcastle restaurant and bar has been issued an official warning by the state’s liquor authority over late-night noise that neighbouring residents claimed “reverberated” through their units and impacted their mental health.

The Landing Bar & Kitchen was issued the warning by Liquor and Gaming NSW on Wednesday in response to a series of sound gripes from 11 homeowners living within earshot of the venue.

The complaints largely centred on loud music and noise from the waterfront venue which has approval to trade as late as midnight.

The lead complainant alleged noise predominantly stemmed from amplified music including live music and DJ’s which he described as “disturbingly loud with the bass vibration being most intrusive”.

There were also gripes over ‘DJ Nights’ at the venue which residents claimed was “clearly audible in residential apartments” on Friday nights.

The official warning was imposed by Liquor and Gaming NSW.

Residents said the music was so loud they had to shut their doors and windows to prevent undue disturbances, including music “vibrating” through the fabric of their apartments.

The lead complainant – who has lived next to the venue since 2008 – said he had contacted the business on multiple occasions regarding noise but attempts at mediation had “failed”.

Residents claimed music from the venue reverberated into their units.

He said noise from the venue had caused a “negative impact on the physical and mental wellbeing” of residents due to the “distress and frustration of being unable to solve the problem”.

In response to the complaints, the venue denied allegations from residents the venue was operating as a “nightclub” and said it had taken steps to address noise, including commissioning costly independent noise impact reports.

The response added the venue was in the heart of Newcastle’s CBD and residents should reasonably expect a level of noise given the neighbourhood was not a “quiet suburban area”.

The venue stated the financial viability of the business was also contingent on the ability to offer live music and DJ entertainment.

A photo of the venue.

“The continual harassment of the venue is a display of frustration at living in a precinct that includes entertainment,” the venue’s response stated.

“The venue has always been sympathetic to neighbours’ needs, however this needs to be balanced with the needs of the business.”

Residents – who also took their complaints to Newcastle Council and police – called on Liquor and Gaming NSW to impose conditions on the venue’s licence including the installation of noise limiters on sound systems and a ban on live music and DJ events.

Liquor and Gaming NSW director of compliance and enforcement Dimitri Argeres – in his decision – rejected the suggested measures and instead imposed an official warning on the venue.

Mr Argeres said while a level of disturbance from the normal operation of a venue was to be expected, he found it at times the venue had “unduly disturbed the quiet and good order of the neighbourhood”.

The venue has traded as The Landing since 2012.

Mr Argeres said a formal warning would offer the venue an opportunity to “continue to develop and employ strategies to minimise undue disturbance”.

“I acknowledge the (venue) has been responsive to the complainant and residents in a proactive attempt to address and resolve their concerns and is willingly implementing mitigating measures,” Mr Argeres said.

“I warn the licensee the primary purpose of the business must at all times be that of a restaurant, being the preparation and service of food.

“I also encourage the venue to commit to a cohesive business practice of engaging in a positive and meaningful manner with its neighbours to minimise complaints.”

The venue, which previously operated as Terminal One, has traded as The Landing since 2012.

The venue’s management was contacted for additional comment about the Liquor and Gaming decision but did not respond at the time of publication.