Docklands floating nightclub legal fight looms

The owner of ATET nightclub is considering suing Melbourne City Council after he and his parents “risked absolutely everything” on the now-closed venue.

Owners of a floating nightclub are considering legal action after Melbourne City Council shut the venue down amid noise complaints from local residents.

ATET founder Jake Hughes said that he and his parents had invested $2m into the Docklands club, and would also be hit by lost revenue.

“We’ve risked absolutely everything to do this project, and we did it on the basis that we had full support of council, and they granted us a planning permit,” he said.

“They have constantly said we are compliant.”

There have been multiple noise complaints about ATET floating nightclub. Picture: Josie Hayden

“How anyone can have any confidence investing in the City of Melbourne when the moment it’s inconvenient for them they can just shut you down.”

The council terminated ATET’s licence after it worked with the owners and the EPA to deal with noise issues.

According to the council, in May the EPA identified unreasonable noise, clear non-compliances and multiple exceedances of noise.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said it was not a decision the council took lightly.

The council terminated ATET’s licence. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“We know the value of Melbourne’s thriving night-life, but it’s our responsibility as ATET’s landlord to consider their actions and operations,” she said.

“Since its launch, we have received a record number of complaints regarding ATET and its impact on the area, which council has sought to resolve with the owner and other agencies.”

“Following careful and thorough consideration of all relevant matters, including evidence and advice from the EPA, management has made the decision to terminate ATET’s licence.”

But Mr Hughes criticised the EPA for collecting noise measurements in March and April but not releasing the report until June.

“We question why the EPA has been sitting on that information for 10 weeks when they could have notified us, and we could have made any adjustments immediately,” he said.

“We were willing to act on every EPA allegation even though most were not correct, and we still offered to reduce the volume level by twice the amount needed to guarantee compliance.”

“We’re really not happy with what we’ve been put through here.”

Mr Hughes said ATET had been inundated with support since news of its closure, with more than 5000 people signing an online petition.

“In a short space of time we’ve become a bit of a cultural institution for Melbourne, we’re a home for the music and arts community,” he said.

The council will work with the owners to remove the barge at North Wharf in Victoria Harbour.