Barrio’s changes haven’t stopped the noise

Susan Wise, Byron Bay.

I live opposite Barrio and first made management aware of patron noise issues on December 29 last year.. My concerns were never directly addressed in spite of numerous follow-ups. I was surprised to hear about the closed doors in The Echo.

Mr Wyllie has shut doors that do not face our complex. This does nothing to contain restaurant sound as large windows that do face our complex, and are just 50 metres from our homes, remain open. The door measure feels like an empty gesture.

The suggestion to close their windows was made by our strata management to the council on January 15. This may mitigate some of the noise problems caused by the thoughtless building design.

Also, attention should not be deflected onto the gym who have only disturbed residents on two occasions, both due to special events. In contrast, Barrio’s noise is affecting residents on a regular, ongoing basis.

And whilst Barrio are not applying for a nightclub license, they have requested their liquor license hours include live entertainment.

Barrio is Spanish for ‘neighbourhood’ and we would just like our new neighbours to operate respectfully and responsibly in the residential area they chose as their location.

I ask Barrio’s owners to consider whether they would endure party noise in their homes up to midnight six days per week and 10pm on Sundays.

For me, community means looking out for one another. Not moving in, disrupting the existing community, and expecting them to accept their new negative reality.

I used to love where I live, but now my future looms as a toxic noisy nightmare. I feel very powerless.