Residents of exclusive Sydney building oppose 24-hour trading application for bar 400 metres away
Residents of one of Sydney’s most exclusive addresses have sought to block a 24-hour trading application for a bar 400 metres across the water.
NIMBY residents of one of Sydney’s most exclusive addresses have sought to block a 24-hour trading application for a bar 400 metres across the water, claiming that the noise will interfere with their early bedtimes.
The Squire’s Landing in Circular Quay is one of a number of venues in the CBD that has applied to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a one-year trial as the state government tries to reignite the city’s nightlife.
The bar sits next to the Harbour Bridge and across from the Opera House, two of Australia’s biggest tourist attractions which draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
But a group of 20 unnamed residents in the nearby Bennelong One building, also known as “The Toaster”, wrote to the Department of Planning earlier this month to oppose the application.
They complained that they were already experiencing noise “emanating” from the bands, live music and DJs at the venue.
“This noise significantly impacts resident peace and quiet enjoyment of their habitat as well as their health and wellbeing,” they wrote in the submission, first reported by The Daily Telegraph on Monday.
“In particular, at a time when the majority of residents go to sleep between 9.30pm and 10.30pm. Sound travels faster through water and as there are no buildings to block soundwaves [the] noise emanating from The Squire’s Landing hits directly to the bedrooms and lounge area of the water-facing apartments.”
NSW Police has already received a number of noise complaints from residents in the area and has weighed in on the plans, calling for strict noise limits between 9pm and 7am if approved.
The Squire’s Landing said in its application that 24/7 trading would “enhance the vibrancy and activity of Circular Quay”.
“Given the venue’s location in proximity to public transport and the (cruise terminal) it is an ideal meeting spot for a variety of group types and sizes,” it states.
While it did not outline any new noise mitigation measures, the venue said it already had “robust noise and amenity mitigation measures” in place.
Business Sydney executive Paul Nicolaou told The Daily Telegraph that inner-city residents should expect a level of noise.
“At the end of the day, Sydney is an international global city and we don’t want to be one of those cities that shuts down at 9pm,” he said.
“Sydney wants to be pumping and we should be encouraging businesses to be allowed to operate 24/7 if they want to.”
The state government has also weighed in, saying some noise in the area is inevitable.
“These are residents right in the heart of the CBD, it’s a strange choice of address for someone looking to get early to bed,” Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham told 9News.
“If you are living in the centre of Sydney, it goes with the territory that there’s a little bit of activity including after dark — that’s how it should be.”
The City of Sydney said the council was “doing all we can to support the continued growth of the local night-time economy”.
“These proposals would make it easier and cheaper for venues to trade later, while balancing the sound management needs of businesses and residents,” a spokeswoman said.
Bennelong One, completed in 1998, has been home to some of the city’s biggest names, with apartments selling for as much as $25 million.
The NSW government first unveiled its sweeping Vibrancy Reforms last year, seeking to revive the state’s ailing hospitality and live music industries devastated by lockout laws, Covid lockdowns and the cost-of-living crisis.
A second round of reforms introduced earlier this year sought to rein in serial noise complaints from nearby residents.
“The old NSW sport of moving in next to a music venue and complaining until it gets shut down is now history,” Mr Graham said. “That era is coming to an end.”