Excited locals have criticized their “crazy” neighbors for closing a new nightspot over concerns about noise pollution in one of Sydney’s wealthiest suburbs.
Complaints from residents led Northern Beaches Council to reject The Joey’s bid to open for evening dining and drinks in upscale Palm Beach.
But other locals are shocked that anyone has opposed the plans, as the facility is 800 meters from the nearest neighbour, with a golf course in the middle acting as a natural buffer.
More than 130 locals backed the plan to extend opening hours to 11pm each night, from the current 7am to 4pm daily and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays during daylight saving time, but it was blocked by the city hall.
Now New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has become embroiled in the row, criticizing the curfew as the “opposite direction” to the way he wanted to see the state.
Excited locals have criticized “crazy” neighbors for complaining about cafe noise as a political row breaks out over new Joey’s restaurant (pictured) in Sydney’s wealthy Palm Beach.
The Joey, in Palm Beach, also known as Barrenjoey Boatshed, is currently open from 7am to 4pm daily and until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays during daylight saving time.
Only seven locals opposed the plans, including two who live on Waratah Road, about an 11-minute walk from The Joey, while four did not give their address.
One resident who supported The Joey’s application said the upscale suburb was lacking dining options in the area.
“It’s crazy, we all love it,” he said.
Another neighbor said she was surprised by the decision and had never heard any noise coming from the restaurant, formerly known as Barrenjoey Beachhouse.
Financial adviser Stephen Jones led the revolt against the request, saying it was “totally unreasonable” and would cause his family unbearable anxiety.
He said the nine-hole golf course between his house and the venue was not enough to muffle the music.
“I object… due to a significant increase in the duration of loud music and particularly the deep bass effects that reverberate around the room and can be heard from inside our home,” Mr. Jones said in a submission to the council.
‘This loud music and deep bass rhythm significantly affects our comfort and well-being.
‘You can hear music and noise from customers inside my room.
“It is totally unreasonable that nearby residents should have to suffer noise problems because this place operates seven days a week.”
The boathouse is at least 600 meters from the nearest house in Palm Beach.
Stephen Jones is one of seven Palm Beach locals who have complained about The Joey extending its opening hours.
Another Palm Beach resident, Richard Kovacs, also opposed the proposal, stating that it would “significantly increase the noise level and disrupt the amenities of those who live and reside nearby.”
“It is a fact that when the previous operator held evening events on Friday and Saturday nights, the noise level affected local residents,” he said.
‘The Boathouse’s waterfront location amplifies the sound of the estuary beach very clearly and, consequently, the repetitive, loud and relentless sound bounces off the water and negatively impacts residents’ amenities, much more than the applicant I would admit.
“Taking into account the impact, extending operating hours by seven hours to 11pm, seven days a week, is clearly unreasonable.”
Minns invited restaurant owners Rob Domjen and Ben May to meet with him this week.
After the meeting, Minns told reporters the council’s decision represented “the opposite direction” to the government’s vision for Sydney’s hospitality scene.
Lockout laws, the closure of many nightlife venues due to complaints from neighbors, combined with the effect of Covid closures and the high cost of making staff work nights and weekends, They have crushed Sydney’s nightlife, and the new government is trying to revive it.
Night Chancellor John Graham said this latest case could end up in the Land and Environment Court if the parties fail to reach an agreement.
He said the government was trying to prevent noise complaints from a small minority of residents from closing the venues.
“Of course, there is a balance to be struck between legitimate concerns about local amenity and the imperative to encourage businesses to trade and communities across New South Wales to have more options after dark,” the minister said.
Co-owners Ben May (left) and Rob Domjen (right) recently renovated the famous cafe, opening The Joey Dining Room and Bar and asking Northern Beaches Council to extend opening hours to 11pm every night.
May and Domjen recently spent $7 million renovating the famous cafe which regularly features in Seven soap Home and Away, filmed on the nearby beach.
May and Domjen recently spent $7 million renovating the famous cafe which regularly features in Seven soap Home and Away, filmed on the nearby beach.
They changed the name of the secluded boathouse to The Joey Dining Room and Bar and applied to Northern Beaches Council to extend its opening hours.
The couple said they wanted to transform the cafe into a place where locals could enjoy watching the sunset with a glass of wine and a plate of fresh seafood.
The lunch menu includes lobster fries, pizzas, steak, market fish and king crab pasta.
WhatsNew2Day Australia has contacted The Joey and the New South Wales Premier’s Office for further comment.