Palm Beach residents are engaged in a legal battle over a waterfront restaurant’s night-time opening hours, which has attracted significant media attention and involvement from NSW Premier Chris Minns. Restaurant owners Ben May and Rob Domjen are cooperating with the council’s review of their application to extend trading hours until 11 pm, but they are also preparing for a Land and Environment Court challenge if necessary. Concerned residents, represented by lawyer Gary Green, are worried about noise from the restaurant traveling across the water and down the beach toward their homes, despite being at least 600 meters away.
The residents’ objections to The Joey’s night-time operation center around concerns about it being used as a function center, increased use intensity, and the potential impact of amplified music at night that acoustic reports may not have accurately assessed. Green is closely monitoring the council’s decision-making process and is advising his clients on their next steps as the matter is under review following Premier Minns’ intervention. The unique aspect of this case is that the objecting residents are not immediate neighbors of the restaurant, as it is separated from its closest neighbors by a golf course.
The restaurant owners’ meeting with Premier Minns indicates their willingness to work with the council’s review process, but they are also prepared for a legal challenge if needed to secure the extended trading hours they desire. The residents, represented by lawyer Gary Green, are keeping a watchful eye on the situation and are concerned about the potential impact of noise from the restaurant during night-time operations. Despite the physical distance between the residents and the restaurant, they claim that noise travels across the water and down the beach toward their homes, affecting their quality of life.
The residents’ decision to retain legal counsel and their objections to the night-time opening of The Joey highlight tensions between commercial interests and community concerns in the Palm Beach area. The involvement of Premier Minns adds a layer of government intervention to the issue, indicating the significance of the case to local stakeholders. The residents’ concerns about noise and the potential intensification of the restaurant’s use reflect broader debates about how commercial establishments interact with residential areas and the importance of balancing economic development with quality of life for residents.
As the legal battle continues between the restaurant owners, the council, and the concerned residents, the outcome of the case will have implications for the future development and operation of businesses in the Palm Beach area. The balance between economic interests and community well-being will be tested, and the decision-making process of the council will come under scrutiny from all parties involved in this dispute. The willingness of all stakeholders to engage in legal action shows the importance of this issue to the local community and the potential impact it may have on the broader landscape of Palm Beach.
