The pub with no gigs: Eltham Hotel halts live entertainment as authorities uphold one noise complaint

Thousands of Aussies have rallied behind a country NSW pub which has been forced to keep it down after just a single noise complaint.

A county pub has been forced to cancel gigs and keep it down after a single official noise complaint, with almost 9,000 people rallying behind the owners.

The 120-year-old Eltham Hotel, 30 minutes inland of Byron Bay, was effectively forced to halt live amplified entertainment due to one complaint to NSW Liquor and Gaming from a resident in the tiny town of 300.

The complainant, a nearby resident of eight years, supported by two other locals, said the noise between 7pm and 9.30pm on weekdays and from lunchtime onwards on weekends had become so loud the residents “cannot have a window open, enjoy a BBQ outside, or listen to our own music”.

The Eltham Hotel has been told to keep it down. Photo: Tourism NSW.

Bolstering the complaint to Liquor and Gaming were acoustic reports paid for by the complainant.

The Liquor and Gaming disturbance decision signed off by executive director of regulatory operations and enforcement Jane Lin stated: “I am satisfied there is sufficient evidence before me to reasonably conclude that the Hotel has unduly disturbed the quiet and good order of the neighbourhood.”

Last month, the Eltham Hotel was forced to halt live entertainment due to one complaint to NSW Liquor and Gaming from a resident.

“Noting the rural area in which the Hotel is located, I remind its representatives they have an obligation to take all disturbance complaints seriously and proactively manage any potential disturbance caused by the Hotel,” it concluded, demanding noise is limited to five decibels above the usual background levels.

That requirement, according to co-owner Matt Rabbidge, is “near unachievable”.

“We have had to pull the plug on band shows, on anything that has a drum kit,” Mr Rabbidge told theSydney Morning Herald.

“Anything that could be deemed too loud we have had to back off, which is super disappointing.”

Speaking on another occasion to TheDaily Telegraph, Mr Rabbidge said the publicans did not want the issue to become a “divider in the village” as they seek a resolution to appease all.

“We don’t want to create chaos and it’s important we have harmony as a township,” he said.

The Eltham Hotel managers Matt Rabbidge and Luke Sullivan. Picture: Supplied/The Eltham Hotel

Matt Rabbidge and Luke Sullivan took over the pub in 2020, removing its pokies and reverting it into a destination for musicians from near and far – essentially making live entertainment its bread and butter.

But before that, it was reportedly a quiet small-town watering hole.

The Liquour and Gaming decision further noted the complainant did not wish to see live music disappear from the venue, despite Mr Rabbidge’s belief that the noise restriction cannot be met.

“The complaint stresses that residents do not wish for the Hotel to stop having live music or events but wants these events to no longer negatively impact on their lives or homes,” it read.

The Northern Rivers community and music lovers more broadly have rallied in their thousands against the Liquor and Gaming decision.

A petition kicked off by local supporter Maddie Davey on December 1 is nearing 9000 signatures.

The Eltham Hotel has quickly become a go-to music destination for local and international acts. Picture: Tajette O'Halloran

“The community feels this is unfair and requires further investigation by governing bodies, free from any potential bias,” Ms Davey wrote.

“For those who have ever visited, heard of, or performed at the Eltham Hotel, you understand the value these events bring to our community.

“The pub has established itself as a key spot for local, national, and international artists, offering the Northern Rivers community access to world-class touring acts that might otherwise bypass our regional area.”

The pub also has the support of its local member in state parliament.

“I am backing in Eltham Pub all the way,” Labor member for Lismore Janelle Saffin stated last week.

“One of the great live music venues in our area. I have raised this with the Minister in parliament.”

One petition supporter, Angus MacDougall, shared his two cents on the situation.

“Don’t buy a place next to a pub and complain about the music,” he said.

“That’s the same as buying a place next to an airport and complaining about planes.”

On December 14, the Eltham Hotel is hosting a community Christmas party cheekily titled “Love Thy Neighbours”.

Ironically, the happenings in the state’s far north run parallel with rhetoric in the metropolitan areas seeking to repeal Sydney’s so-called “nanny state” laws that govern the city’s live music venues.

The proposed changes being introduced to the New South Wales parliament by the Minns Government seek a raft of changes that aim to make it easier for venues to host events and more difficult for noise complaints to lead to them being shut down.

The venue has been approached for further comment.

Originally published as The pub with no gigs: Eltham Hotel halts live entertainment as authorities uphold one noise complaint