Cali Beach Club, Surfers Paradise, hit with noise complaints
The hospitality regulator is investigating complaints about the Cali Beach Club in Surfers Paradise, with a nearby resident describing noise coming from the new $10m venue as “horrendous”.
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THE hospitality regulator is investigating a complaint about a new $10 million Gold Coast rooftop beach club allegedly breaching Covid rules plus noise complaints about the venue.
An Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation spokeswoman said a public complaint about Cali Beach Club in Surfers Paradise breaching Covid rules had been referred by another agency.
It comes after celebrities, Instagram influencers and public figures flocked to the official opening of Artesian Hospitality Group’s next-level club – lauded by Mayor Tom Tate and tourism boss Paul Donovan – two weeks ago.
Artesian partner Matt Keegan said the Covid breach investigation related to a staff member not wearing a mask at another business, which was not Cali Beach Club.
The staff member was found to have a medical exemption and the issue had been resolved, he said.
The OLGR spokeswoman said it was working with the club to rectify the noise concerns, which Mr Keegan said involved six complaints during the past two weekends.
Surfers Paradise resident Wendy Manzo described the noise level emanating from the club as “horrendous”, saying she had been “bedside myself in tears” trying to sleep over the past weekend.
Ms Manzo, whose partner is a shift worker, said she had lived in the area for three years and was used to nightclub noise.
“You do hear laughing and noise, but it’s not that loud and if you close your balcony doors, you’re fine and it doesn’t bother you,” she said.
“However even with the doors closed, the noise level from (Cali Beach Club) just resonated through your chest.
“If we’re on the 42nd floor … it must be enormously loud down there – either that or it echoes.”
The Surfers Paradise resident, who recently renewed her lease, said venue noise should be restricted from 10pm on Sunday then lifted again ahead of the weekend.
“Don’t tell me this is what we have to live with,” Ms Manzo said.
“For people who come to Surfers Paradise with their family to relax, these are the rooms they rent.
“How kids could sleep with that noise is beyond me.”
Mr Keegan said Cali Beach Club was co-operating with the OLGR to address noise complaints.
“We have strict measures and controls in place to make sure we meet the requirements as outlined in our liquor licence,” he said.
Mr Keegan said management take readings every hour with an acoustic measuring device to ensure compliance.
The six noise complaints were small in comparison to the thousands of people who had thrown their support behind the rooftop bar, he said.
An OLGR spokeswoman said the majority of licensed premises in Surfers Paradise have specific noise limits prescribed on their liquor licences.
“These conditions vary from venue to venue and are based upon acoustic reports prepared by suitably qualified acoustic professionals,” she said.
“Where an acoustic report is not provided because the venue is not proposing to have amplified entertainment, a low-level noise limit is generally conditioned on the licence.”
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