An application by Gymea Hotel to hold 12 car park entertainment events a year has been rejected after concerns were expressed about noise and patron behaviour.
The hotel submitted the limited number of such events previously held in the car park made “a substantial civic contribution to the Gymea Village by providing a venue and forum to celebrate events such as the Lily Festival and Octoberfest”.
However, Sutherland Shire Council refused the request and said the car parking area must be made available on an unrestricted basis and free of charge at all times for employees’ and visitors’ vehicles.
A council spokeswoman told the Leader, ‘In considering proposals of this nature, we seek to balance the development against any impacts it may have upon the amenity of the locality”.
“We were concerned that operating events at this frequency would result in unsatisfactory noise impacts on nearby residents and would unreasonably displace cars from the Hotel's car park.
“We received five submissions from the community and the police expressing concern around noise, the use of the car park, security and patron behaviour and concluded the hotel operating events in the car park at the proposed frequency would be unreasonable.
“Consequently, we could not support the application in its current form.”