Newcastle’s Queens Wharf Hotel has won a battle with noisy locals over its live music, with a ruling by Liquor & Gaming dismissing the complaint.
Stretching out over the water at Wharf Rd, the Hotel has been in operation since 1988 and is particularly popular with students in Steel City, hosting DJs and bands in the outdoor bar area, which is open until 10pm most nights and midnight Thursday to Saturday.
Having received noise complaints in the past, a noise limiter was installed, and regular tests are conducted to ensure the maximum volume level is not breached.
Despite mitigation efforts, some displeased Newcastle NIMBYs lodged issue with NSW Liquor and Gaming, arguing noise from the venue was “excessive” and “offensive” and a breach of its development application.
The diligent resident had reportedly been monitoring the level of noise from the hotel, on a mobile phone, from their residence. A total of 34 recordings were submitted to the regulator.
But a hearing through liquor and gaming executive director Jane Lin exonerated the Queens, noting that the audio recordings submitted did not constitute evidence of undue disturbance.
Contrarily, the Hotel’s own records from the noise limiter carried weight, and there was insufficient evidence that any disturbance was attributable to the hotel.
Lin ruled that the music did not disturb the neighbourhood, nor reach the “threshold of undue”, and has confirmed the regulator will take no further action against the Hotel on this matter.
