Gael Nash, Sunrise
The noise is set to escalate at Barrio in Sunrise if a new development application (DA) to double their licensed area is approved.
Nearby residents are disappointed this comes so soon after a year-long process to control excessive noise at the venue.
In early 2018 Council imposed a noise-prevention order and a comprehensive noise-management plan on Barrio that brought intrusive sound from machinery and patrons under control. The matter was only finalised in December 2018.
Locals are now concerned about the new DA that proposes Barrio expand its liquor-licensed area to include the outdoor quadrangle resulting in a 700m2 bar and restaurant with a capacity for 216 patrons. This is a far cry from the low-key ‘canteen’ that was approved by Council in 2015.
We are owners of a townhouse complex directly opposite Barrio and believe that crowds of over 200 people at a licensed venue less than 50m from our front fence will be loud and that the proposed noise-management measures will be unable to contain the new level of sound. Acoustic modelling by the developer that says otherwise should be treated with extreme scepticism by Council.
The expansion will also enable Barrio to host wedding receptions, parties, and other large events near homes. These are hardly renowned for being quiet affairs!
The DA also seeks to push back a Council restriction on noise from delivery trucks near homes from 8am to 6.30am even though there are loading zones on the Habitat site that are out of earshot and could be used.
Barrio knowingly moved next door to a pre-existing residential area and their operations should respect that.
We call on Council to reject the DA and uphold their own Liquor Licensing and Approval Policy, which states that licensed premises should not be located within 100m of a residential area.
Local residents object to the Habitat DA for Barrio.
