Docklands floating nightclub Atet faces closure after slew of noise complaints

The owner of Docklands floating nightclub Atet says he will fight to stay open after being “blindsided” by a council plan to revoke his operating licence.

The owner of Melbourne’s only floating nightclub says he feels “blindsided” by a council plan to revoke his operating licence less than a year after opening.

Following months of noise complaints from Docklands residents, the City of Melbourne on Tuesday night voted to consider stripping Atet of its licence to operate out of Victoria Harbour.

The Docklands-based venue, which faces thousands of apartments, has battled community backlash since it opened in October last year, with residents complaining they were being blasted with loud music into the early hours of the morning.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp brought forward an “urgent” motion to consider terminating Atet’s license – pending state government approval – at the next council meeting, which was endorsed by all councillors.

The City of Melbourne voted to revoke Atet’s operating licence. Picture: Instagram

Atet owner Jake Hughes told the Herald Sun he had been working with the council on proposed solutions, including relocating the venue and limiting noise with an alternative sound system, before the motion was sprung on him.

“We want to work together to find something which is better for everyone – better for residents, better for us, better for Council – where we can basically coexist and have longevity,” Mr Hughes said.

“If we were going above noise limits, we would understand – but if we followed every rule and regulation … we feel that revoking our licence on that basis would be a huge injustice.”

Mr Hughes said he hoped the planning minister would recognise “there are solutions to this issue” before agreeing to cancel Atet’s license.

Fire damage at Atet floating nightclub at North Wharf. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Much of Atet was reduced to char after the blaze broke out. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“We are an incredibly popular venue … we’ve had international artists play, we’re providing a platform for a lot of local artists and beyond that, we’ve hosted corporate events and Christmas parties,” he said.

“We’ve put everything on the line … we hope the state government will take a pragmatic approach and work to find a solution together.”

Ms Capp said the City of Melbourne had received “an unprecedented level” of complaints since Atet began operating and council had “exhausted all available options”.

“There are no other nightclubs in Melbourne that are open to the sky, that face thousands of apartments across the water in all directions, and it’s fair to say that neither our nor the state’s rules or regulations were designed to handle or manage or respond to this type of situation,” Ms Capp said.

Sally Capp says there have been an ‘unprecedented level’ of complaints. Picture: Instagram

Owner Jake Hughes says he hopes the state government will take a pragmatic approach. Picture: Instagram

“We will work with the state government and Atet over the next two weeks to try and resolve these issues in line with the community’s expectations.”

The open-air club, which was gutted by a fire in January, is open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11pm on Sundays.

The council will formally consider terminating Atet’s licence at a meeting on May 30, which will require the approval of the planning minister.