Fiery residents have slammed their “crazy” neighbors for closing a new nightclub over noise pollution concerns in one of Sydney’s wealthiest suburbs.
Complaints from residents have prompted Northern Beaches Council to reject a bid by Joey’s to open for dinner and evening drinks in upscale Palm Beach.
But other residents are stunned that anyone would oppose the project, as the premises are half a mile from the nearest neighbor, with a golf course in between acting as a natural buffer.
More than 130 residents supported the plan to extend opening hours to 11 p.m. each evening, compared to the current 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays during daylight saving time, but the plan was blocked by the council.
Now NSW Premier Chris Minns became embroiled in the row and called the curfew the “opposite direction” to how he wanted to see the state move.
Fiery residents have slammed their “crazy” neighbors for complaining about cafe noise as a political row erupts over new Joey’s restaurant (pictured) in Sydney’s affluent Palm Beach.
The Joey, in Palm Beach, also known as Barrenjoey Boatshed, is currently open daily from 7am to 4pm and until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays during summer hours.
Only seven residents opposed the plan, including two who live on Waratah Road, about an 11-minute walk from the Joey, while four did not provide their address.
A resident who supported The Joey’s bid said options for an evening meal in the area were lacking in the upscale suburb.
“It’s crazy, we all want it,” she said.
Another neighbor said she was shocked by the decision and 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 “completely unreasonable” and would cause his family unbearable anxiety.
He said the nine-hole golf course between his home and the venue was not enough to dampen the music.
“I object to this… due to a significant increase in the duration of loud music and particularly deep bass effects that reverberate from the room and can be heard from inside our home,” Mr Jones said in a submission to council.
“This loud music and deep bass significantly affects our comfort and well-being.
“Music and noise from guests can be heard in my room.
“It is completely unreasonable for nearby residents to have to suffer the noise issues associated with this venue operating seven days a week.”
The boathouse is at least 600 yards from the nearest house in Palm Beach.
Stephen Jones is one of seven Palm Beach residents who complained about the extension of their hours at The Joey.
Another Palm Beach resident, Richard Kovacs, also opposed the proposal, saying it would “significantly increase the noise level and disrupt the comfort of those who live and reside nearby.”
“It is true that when the previous operator ran late-night events on Friday and Saturday evenings, the noise level had an impact on local residents,” he said.
“The waterfront location of the boathouse very clearly amplifies the noise on the estuary beach and as a result the repetitive, loud and incessant sound bounces off the water and is detrimental to the resident’s amenities, much more far from what the plaintiff would admit.
“Given the impact, extending operating hours from seven hours to 11 p.m., seven days a week, is simply unreasonable.”
Mr Minns has invited restaurateurs Rob Domjen and Ben May to meet him this week.
After the meeting, Mr 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 lockdowns and the high cost of working staff at night and weekends have crushed Sydney’s nightlife, and the new government is trying to revive it.
Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the 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 amenities and the imperative to encourage businesses to trade and communities across NSW to have more options after the nightfall,” the minister said.
Co-owners Ben May (left) and Rob Domjen (right) recently revamped the popular cafe by opening The Joey Dining Room and Bar, and have asked Northern Beaches Council to extend opening hours until 11pm every nights.
Mr May and Mr Domjen recently spent $7 million renovating the famous cafe which regularly features in the television series Seven’s Home and Away, filmed on the nearby beach.
Mr May and Mr Domjen recently spent $7 million renovating the famous cafe which regularly features in the television series Seven’s Home and Away, filmed on the nearby beach.
They renamed the isolated boathouse The Joey Dining Room and Bar and applied to the Northern Beaches Council for an extension of their opening hours.
The pair said they wanted to transform the cafe into a place where locals could watch the sunset over a glass of wine and a plate of fresh seafood.
The lunch menu includes lobster fries, pizza, steak, market fish and king crab pasta.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted The Joey and the NSW Premier’s Office for further comment.
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