A NEW hotel, bar and pizza restaurant at Caringbah has won approval to stay open until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights, despite police objections.
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Police said the 3am closing time would put a further strain on an existing "hot spot" for crime.
Sutherland Shire Council approved a 12-month trial of the late trading hours and imposed several conditions, including that development consent would be revoked if serious, substantiated complaints were received.
The venue, approved for up 216 patrons, is being developed in the lower ground floor of the building previously occupied by Caringbah Business & Sports Club (Bizzos).
It adjoins Tradies Caringbah Club in Banksia Road and has a second entrance in Mackay Street.
While the L-shaped area was originally part of Bizzos, it became a separate live music venue, Mojo Live, which has also ceased to operate.
The venue is being developed by Feros Group, which owns Taren Point Hotel and Rocksia Hotel at Arncliffe.
The group has started work on a new $8.5million hotel on Princes Highway, Kirrawee.
Operating hours during the trial will be Monday and Tuesday, 9am-11pm, Wednesday and Thursday, 9am-midnight, Friday and Saturday, 9am-3am, and Sunday, 9am-11pm.
The council decision was made by officers under delegated authority and the hours were said to be consistent with those set when the premises were part of the club.
No objections had been received from nearby residents, the council said.
Other conditions imposed included the need for security personnel ‘‘to communicate with all patrons leaving the premises prior to their departure, and arrange for transportation if required’’ after midnight.
‘‘Patrons are to remain within the premises until such transport arrives,’’ it said. ‘‘Patrons returning to vehicles parked in Banksia Road or the [adjacent] public car park will be accompanied by a security officer.’’
The council said ‘‘the operator must accept full responsibility for the behaviour of their patrons while on the premises and in the adjoining streets’’ and ‘‘take all steps necessary to ensure that no noise nuisance occurs from persons entering or leaving the premises’’.
Feros Group responded to police concerns by offering to close at 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, on the proviso a local licensing agreement was approved by police in the future for trade beyond midnight.
But the council said it could not apply a condition that relied on a separate approval process and could be difficult to enforce.
POLICE ARGUMENT
- The conduct of patrons over time will contribute to adverse alcohol-related social impacts on the local and broader community.
- The venue is more likely to generate disturbance as a hotel with live entertainment than its former use as part of a local registered club.
- Patrons leaving the premises as late as 3am and migrating to other venues are more likely to cause alcohol-related noise and other forms of disturbance when leaving, which is beyond the monitoring or control of the applicant’s staff.
■ Do you have concerns about the trading hours?
