Casey Council bans outdoor music at highway cafe La Casa Sawtellis, Tooradin
THE FUN police have struck in Melbourne’s southeast, with a Tooradin restaurant on a busy highway banned by their council from playing “noisy” live music outdoors.
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THE FUN police have struck in Melbourne’s southeast, with a Tooradin restaurant on a busy highway banned from playing “noisy” live music outdoors.
La Casa Sawtellis — just metres from the South Gippsland Highway — is unable to play live music outside due to a “crazy” Casey Council condition.
But owner Rob Cauzzo is amping up the fight, supported by a 4000-strong petition of melody lovers who want to listen to live sounds just a few hours a week.
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“The council say the amenity and atmosphere of the area will be damaged by music outdoors, but thousands of trucks pass here every day,” Mr Cauzzo said.
“We are in a commercial zone; how ridiculous, how crazy is that?
“We’ve installed special blinds, done acoustic reports, jumped through hoops, but nothing is good enough for them.”
Casey statutory planning and building services acting manager Craig Tate said the current permit allowed only “background level” music.
But he said they would consider modifying it to allow for live music and entertainment.
“Council has requested an amended acoustic report from the applicant to help council consider the impact of the proposed changes,” Mr Tate said.
“Council can’t progress the application, to advertising or to decision, until that report is received.
“Council will consider all submissions in its assessment of the application, be they for or against the proposal.”
A frustrated Mr Cauzzo said the situation was close to driving him to the wall, and he has already had to let five of his staff go.
“We are bringing visitors here, we are serving the local community,” he said.
“Whingers may end up costing the communit a valuable, viable asset.
“We have been fighting this for two years; if things don’t change we will end up closing.”
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