Behind the Eight ball: Residents slam proposed late-night Burwood billiards club
A proposal to turn a Burwood office building into a pool hall has been rejected by council, after residents claimed it could wreak parking havoc, attract criminals and noisy drunk patrons.
Councillors have squashed plans to turn a suburban office building into a pool hall that would be open until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights, after complaints from locals who fear it could cause parking chaos, attract criminals and noisy drunk patrons.
Whitehorse councillors rejected the planning application, made by XSV Billiards, to turn the office at 121 Burwood Highway into 12-table pool hall complete with a darts area and video game space.
The proposal, which had attracted 53 objections, has angered locals who said the “excessive late night opening hours” would attract “noise and anti-social behaviour”.
They also say there is a lack of on-site parking.
During the debate, councillor Blair Barker said councillors had “no option” but to approve the application.
“If this was a brothel it would not require a permit or a place where sexualised massages are delivered,” he said.
“We have no option but to approve this because it satisfies the planning scheme.”
Councillor Ben Stennett said the council needed to listen to “real concerns” of local residents and attempted to add an amendment to the motion which would see council undertake a parking survey if the application was approved.
The amendment was not approved.
Councillor Peter Allan also attempted to make an amendment to change the opening hours to 11pm seven days a week, however this motion was also lost.
After the failed amendments, councillors voted to refuse the planning application.
Councillor Barker labelled the council’s permit refusal as “performative”.
“We’ve basically achieved a few things tonight, we have burnt $30,000 of hardworking Australia rates, it will go to VCAT and they have a crack there,” Mr Barker said.
“You want jobs for your kids, you just smoked a couple of them.
“You wonder why local government gets stripped of any planning authority.”
XSV Billiards will have the option to dispute the refusal in VCAT.
The application by XSV Billiards, which also runs the Eden Billiards Club venue on Little Lonsdale St in the CBD, was first submitted in February 2024.
The original plans included daily opening hours from noon to 1am and a maximum occupancy of 80 patrons, 12 pool tables, a darts area and a video game space.
The proposed pool bar also plans to serve hot food and alcohol.
Residents raised objections claiming the venue would attract “criminal behaviours”, sparking safety concerns for children at nearby parks and schools, with Presbyterian Ladies College 550m from the site.
“A total of 53 objections were received as a result of public notice and all of the issues raised have been discussed as required,” the report reads.
“It is considered that the application should be approved.”
Whitehorse council officers recommended the planning permit be approved, if the applicant, XSV Billiards, agreed to amend their plans, which would reduce opening hours to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.
The changes also include additional bike parking spaces, an updated noise plan and the completion of another acoustic report three months after opening.
The noise plan must include actions taken by venue staff to “encourage patrons to exit the venue in a quiet and orderly manner”.
“It is likely that any noise emitted from patrons will be drowned out by noise emitting from vehicles along Burwood Hwy,” the council report reads.
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