19 Lamrock Av, Bondi Beach NSW 2026

New licence - on premises

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57 Comments

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  1. Jennifer commented

    This large backpacker hostel has a long history of continually breaching noise and public order regulations in a mainly residential zone. Therefore, for health and safety reasons it should not be allowed a liquor licence particularly during a pandemic such as the one we are currently experiencing.

  2. Graham Wakeman commented

    I would like to endorse Jennifer's comments about this application. This establishment has proven to be (at best) problematic in the absence of a liquor licence. Allowing a liquor licence would not be in the public interest and exacerbate the anti-social and irresponsible activity levels local residents already have to endure from poor management compliance with existing requirements. On a busy Saturday evening the alcohol fuelled exuberance from Hall Street is clearly audible in Lamrock Avenue. Bringing a new source of fuel for noise into predominantly residential Lamrock Avenue is not in anyone's interest, other than the applicant.

  3. Nicolette Boaz commented

    It’s a really bad idea to allow an alcohol license to a residential hostel in a back street that mainly houses young folk. It’s obvious what will happen. Late at night young drunk folk will wander the streets being noisy, dropping litter and alcohol empties, weeing in people’s front yards, looking for the next party because they can’t party at this venue. It will also encourage pedestrian traffic down these side streets. So don’t allow an alcohol license. Leave that to the established venues, with security on the beach front. Respect the neighbours.

  4. alison leitch commented

    I agree with all the comments already made here. This really is a VERY bad idea to allow a liquor licence to a venue that already has such a long history of socially disruptive and rowdy behaviour even without a liquor licence. Hopefully the liquor licencing people will contact Bondi police for the history of these complaints that are legion in the street. Lamrock Avenue is a one way high density residential avenue. Lots of kids and families live on the street. The very last thing the residents need is another licenced venue for creating social incohesion . The area dedicated within the building is far too large and the front courtyard will be full of drunken young people who will spill onto the street as they already do. The only people to benefit from this will be the applicant . It is of absolutely no benefit to the community on our street.

  5. Amanda Goff commented

    Village Backpackers already stinks of weed every time you walk past. Surrounding grassy area already littered with cigarette butts and beer bottles. This is a 100% residential area. Bondi police constantly called out to the premises. This proposed liquor license will be a nightmare and drunken behaviour, violence, drug use etc will become even more prevalent. Absolutely wrong place, wrong location.
    Amanda, resident

  6. Mark Gould commented

    • Village BackPackers Hostel has a history of anti social behaviour, alcohol abuse, drug use and police callouts for at least 30 years.
    • The proposed license is in a totally residential area.
    • Owner has consistently failed to abide by Waverley Council Conditions Of Consent or Plan Of Management. - and when forced to quickly backslides to the previous uncompliant state.
    • Owner and management have met with council and residents on numerous occasions and expressed wishes to work with community yet have failed to make any substantive changes. Management statements and commitments are difficult to give any credibility.
    • Responsibility for oversight of negative social impact of the hostel has always been transferred to neighbouring residents and from them to Police and Waverley Council.
    • Bondi Police will have many, many reports on their logs for request for assistance in dealing with behaviour of patrons.
    • The premises is licenses for 116 residents. This is too many people for the license.
    • The trading hours are too extensive.
    • The area dedicated within the building is far too large and the front courtyard will be full of drunks who will spill onto the street as they already do.
    • The long history of anti-social behaviour and the devastating effect on the surrounding community of this business make the applicant an unsuitable entity to hold a liquor license.

  7. John Haire commented

    This application is concerning as the location is plainly unsuitable for the proposed use.

    The venue is in a residential area off the main commercial area and next door to people's homes.

    Should the venue get busy, there is no reasonable place for patrons to queue up for entry or to smoke. Patrons will be leaving directly into neighbouring property at closing time or when ejected for disorderly conduct, leading to an increased risk of antisocial behaviour on the street and demand on police resources.

  8. Jonathan McLean commented

    As a nearby resident I strongly oppose granting a liquor licence to Village Backpackers, which is situated in the heart of a residential area with families and young children. This would have an adverse impact on the community, and the distribution and consumption of liquor on-premises would further encourage guest anti-social behaviour. Guests of Village Backpackers already congregate on the Lamrock Ave and Consett Ave street front areas and cause disturbance late at night and harrass passersby. Distributing alcohol on-premises would undoubtedly lead to larger congregations, more disturbance and be a huge disservice to local the community.

  9. Michael Caton commented

    As a nearby resident I strongly object to this application. The history of Village Backpackers is one of promises made to mitigate their bad behaviour and promises to do same ignored. I can’t believe the gall of these people. One wonders what the future will be in our suburb if these people have their way Please do not allow this to happen.

  10. Jonathan Charles commented

    I fully support this on premises liquor licence for the backpackers on Lamrock. We all should.
    At last somewhere affordable for these backpackers to buy a drink, let’s not forget this is BONDI… Built on backpackers cheap labour throughout the Summer months.. serving your drinks / putting out your umbrellas / waiting at your tables. Who else will cold press your juice to go along with your cauliflower rice salad?

    Should the gentrification of this once working class neighbourhood, mean we now expect backpackers to pay through the nose at establishments that were once our hardware stores/postoffice’s for a drink after a hard days work? Their previous local watering holes have now been bought out by conglomerate hospitality behemoths.

    The neighbourhood is full of expensive airBNBs, it’s a wonder these workers are able to find somewhere to live at all that is close to work. The opposition to the licence stinks of NIMBYism, be seen not heard, ship the labour in from poorer neighbourhoods and be on the last bus home please. We can go and have our espresso martinis at icebergs dining yet these travelling workers aren’t allowed a drink at their place of residence in the evening?

    I would expect given the strict requirements of a liquor licence then we will find that the drinking is contained within the establishment rather than out on the street. A liquor licence will ensure better self regulation of patrons.

    Maybe more opposition should be directed towards the developers who are indeed ripping the heart and soul out of community, not the local digs of the backpackers that add to part of the charm and character of what Bondi has always been about (heres’s a clue…you won’t find ajot of it in yet another activewear shop).

  11. Jack lowenstein commented

    I support this - too much wowserism in most of the comments. Bondi needs a varied community and needs to be seen as an inviting one. Many valuable migrants start their lives in Australia in places like this. Let’s give them a good impression of being an open minded and welcoming society.

  12. Rowan Woods commented

    As a nearby resident, I consider this to be a ridiculous, dangerous and unsafe precedent, allowing a liquor licence in a quiet residential-only street, to a business that has continually allowed its tenants to lawlessly create noise and disturbance, very often late into the night and early morning, often resulting in incidents that have attracted formal complaints by surrounding residents. Over the years the police have attended these premises on numerous occasions.

  13. Justine Nolan commented

    I oppose granting a liquor licence to Village Backpackers, which is right in the centre of a residential area with families and young children. This would have an adverse impact on the community, and the distribution and consumption of liquor on-premises would likely exacerbate the history of noise complaints that have already been connected with these premises.

  14. Serena Hershon commented

    I agree with this. Too much negativity here. Rules will always be broken but they are in place. I think it would be great for nearby residents also

  15. Max Broodryk commented

    We own a unit in the street and strongly disagree with this application. This is a residential street and the proposed application is inappropriate in this location.

    The applicant in question also has a long history of allowing antisocial behaviour, and cannot be trusted to police the behaviour of customers.

  16. Amanda Jouns commented

    I oppose this application, with small children and families in the area there is already enough broken glass and rubbish from the bars on hall street we have clean up.
    We don’t need the noise and mess that this will create in the surrounding streets.

  17. Paul Simes commented

    I have lived in the neighborhood for 38 years.

    Some years ago these premises were a boarding house providing affordable accommodation for singles and couples in the area. When council approved its changed use to a backpackers hostel the supply of affordable accommodation in the area declined.

    As a backpackers hostel this facility provides accommodation for travelers, to the disadvantage of low income local residents who once used to rent here.

    As a backpackers hostel, what was once accommodation for singles and couples (dating back to before WW2) has now become a high density facility with bedrooms housing 3 to 8 beds each. One room in this hostel can generate more than $1000 per week.

    Since its inception as a backpackers hostel this business has further expanded - see link to previous DA approvals -

    https://eservices.waverley.nsw.gov.au/Pages/XC.Track/SearchApplication.aspx?pid=210374&a=19%20Lamrock%20Avenue%20BONDI%20BEACH%20%20NSW%20%202026%20(Lot%2042%20DP%205953)

    1. 2006 - converting of communal kitchens and bathrooms into 4 additional double rooms; 2. addition of 2 loft rooms to the building; 3. a further addition providing a caretakers unit.

    I presume what had been caretakers accommodation up to that point now became more rental accommodation.

    Communal facilities appear to be minimal as residents can usually be found in various states of inebriation on the footpath at the entrance to the hostel. The footpath and curb are usually littered with rubbish from the evenings partying. Most residents and visitors to the area would cross the street when walking past to avoid encounters with the ever partying residents and to avoid walking through the mess. It is common to have a no alcohol policy in facilities like these, particularly as there are so many small bars and pubs within 300-400 meters.

    For these reasons I oppose this DA application to approve an onsite liquor license for 19 Lamrock Ave.

  18. margaret merten commented

    I strongly oppose this application for the below reasons:
    1. Inappropriate alcohol license in a residential zone. This is deep in a residential zone and the property is surrounded by family homes and units. This type of license should be in a commercial zone
    2. Impact on amenity of local residents:
    i. Noise of patrons leaving at 12am, or continuing to party within/outside the premises. NOTE this is already a problem with guests drinking on the footpath regularly
    ii. Serious concerns about 10am drinking and implications this could become an all-day party venue
    iii. No plan of management for above. NOTE this business has a very bad track record in responding to Council and community requests for managing drunken and dangerous guest behaviour, noise and rubbish management.
    iv. Increased likelihood of violent/drunk-related incidents. NOTE most residents avoid walking past this establishment as there's usually drunken and frequently abusive/boisterous guests
    v. Traffic congestion/disruption via deliveries of product in narrow/busy streets (currently, as a backpackers there are few ongoing deliveries required)
    vi. Increased risk of drunken patrons in traffic incidents
    3. Very dangerous precedent to grant what's ostensibly a pub license to a backpacker hostel
    4. Dangerous precedent of a commercial business (accomodation) expanding its remit to becoming an unregulated de facto pub vs a hotel which has regulations
    5. There's plenty of licensed bars and pubs within 100m of this establishment for guests

  19. John S. Batts commented

    Having read Margaret's sensible comments of objection -- and there have been others too -- I would imagine that no Council planner could possibly sanction this application.

  20. Jasmine commented

    I'm strongly objecting to this application. This hostel is noisy as it is, and smell like smoke doesn't matter what time of the day you walk pass it. I can't imagine what it will be like with a liquor license.
    The neighbourhood is highly residential with a lot of kids around. There is enough noise and rubbish left by the drunk people already, as there are lot of venues serves alcohol within 100 meters of this hostel. There is really NO NEED for an alcohol license.

  21. Julian Porter commented

    I strongly appose granting a Liquor licence to the Back Packer hostile on Lamrock Avenue. It will add fuel to what is already a fairly unruly bunch of transient travellers on a quiet family street. Locals have enough noise , rubbish and smoking to deal with from these premise.

    I feel Bondi has enough bars / clubs and liquor outlets when don't need one more in a quiet residential street.

    Please see some sense and not grant this licence to this Backpackers Hostile.

  22. A Ng commented

    I strongly oppose this application, as a resident of the community living across the road from this hostel which is extremely noisy and exasperating as it currently is. They are in urgent need of improvement to minimise the disturbance caused to the community, not aggravating it by granting a liquor licence in my opinion.

    On most days during the week and guaranteed during the weekends, you will find residents of the hostel having their cigarettes, alcohol and portable speakers in their front courtyard, sometimes on their back stairs, outside of the hostel or even on the streets blaring loud music, late night singalong, screaming and sometimes violent shouting. The police are often called. Sometimes hostel residents would bring their parties to the streets, front stairs of buildings across the road and in front of other houses. Often vomits, empty bottles, broken glass, cigarette butts and other rubbish were left by the patrons, scattered about the streets and nature strips outside and around the hostel after the parties.

    There were occasions that patrons of the hostel obstructing traffic during the day and decided to play soccer or refine skate boarding skills in the middle of Lamrock Avenue next to the vehicles of the residents of the community were parked. Many of us had the experience of our cars being scratched or dented after parking near the hostel outside of our properties.

    In addition, this establishment has a history of anti social behaviour, alcohol abuse, drug use since the early 2000s. As recent as in December 2021, many in our community witnessed that a patron from the hostel dramatically jumped out of a window of the hostel and injured himself, following was tumultuous noises of him screaming for help reverberating through the neighbourhood which went on for an hour in an early weekday morning. The police and ambulance were called, they blocked off Consett Avenue and commuters had no choice but to detour while the patron was then strapped to a bed, continued screaming and refusing the help of the paramedics. He was then forcefully taken away to the hospital costing precious time and money of our public resource in the middle of a pandemic.

    It is apparent that the applicant is incapable of controlling the behaviour of their guest. Their management team have met with council and residents on numerous occasions and expressed wishes to work with the community. However, no considerable changes were made and the very same problems still continue.

    As a member of the community and living in a total residential area, I do not see any respect was shown but only nuisance caused to the community by constantly breaching the neighbours' right to peace and quiet. Granting a liquor licence will only worsen the pre-existing problems.

    For all the above reasons, I strongly oppose the application for a liquor license of 19 Lamrock Avenue.

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  24. A.R. Cronyn commented

    I strongly oppose this application for the below reasons:
    - Inappropriate alcohol license in a residential zone. This is located in a residential street and the property is surrounded by family homes and units. This type of license should be in a commercial street
    - Impact on amenity of local residents: There is already problems from this premise with noisy patrons, which will worsen with noise of patrons leaving at 12am, or continuing to party within/outside the premises. Also the risks with 10am drinking and implications this could become an all-day party venue. Most locals already have to avoid walking past this establishment as there's usually drunken and often abusive guests. There will alseo be extra congestion via deliveries of product in narrow/busy streets (currently, as a backpackers there are few ongoing deliveries required)
    - The granting of this licence feels like it will turn a backpackers venue into a pub. There are already alot of pubs and bars in the area in more appropraite locations that are struggling to make ends meet due to the pandemic

  25. Elizabeth Boyle commented

    Lamrock & Consett Avenues are residential streets. The license application is to sell alcohol 7 days a week from 10am to 12pm, Sunday’s till 10pm. It will be a disaster for local residents in terms of noisy, drunk behaviour.

    The Village is not set up to be licensed premises.
    The floor plan makes it clear there is not enough room to accomodate 120 patrons. There is no separation between accommodation and licensed spaces, and no common areas not licensed under the plan. How will this work? The party will be on the street. This happens already, and it will be worse.

    The development next door will house about double the number of backpackers of the Village. That means a concentration of party goers drinking in a street where residents are trying to go about their business, including sleep.

    There are 2 bottle shops and 3 pubs within 5 minutes walk. There are loads of licensed cafes and restaurants, many catering to the budget end of the market. Lots have done it tough over lockdowns.

    How is granting this license providing any benefit to the local community??? Don’t grant the license.

  26. Herbert Khaury commented

    This applicant is applying for a"new licence - on premises" type licence. Called AP-600.

    THIS TYPE OF LICENCE DOES NOT NEED A COMMUNITY IMPACT STATEMENT.

    This is mind blowing considering the amount of community opposition to the application. With no community impact statement required its down to Police and Council input plus submissions from community. What we don't know is what weight is given to community submissions. Don't be surprised if this disastrous proposal doesn't get approved.

  27. Stefan Moore commented

    It is astounding that this liquor license application by the Village Backpacker Hostel is being proposed in a residential neighbourhood with families and children. The Hostel has had a long history of anti-social behaviour that has continually come to the attention of the police. The requested trading hours proposed - from 10 am to midnight Monday to Saturday and to 10 pm on Sunday - will mean that drunkenness, drug use and unruly behaviour that are already a problem will have a devastating impact on the community. I strongly oppose this application.

  28. Sullivan Louis Bernard CHEDANNE commented

    My wife and I have lived next to the applicant (the village-backpackers)for the past 7 years. In this seven years we have had to call the police a minimum of 2 times a week for many various reasons related to the guests of the applicants. To name a few: regular fights and violence between guests but also against community residents; ongoing noise disturbance under our windows at all hours of the night; degradation of our property and belongings (backpackers urinating on our garages and jumping on our cars; daily littering of our street and our property by its guests; regular solliciting for drugs from said guests. The list goes on and on. The Bondi Police records can verify my statement. The applicant's responsibilities towards the Bondi Beach community (and in particular Lamrock Avenue) have been ignored for a long time and we as a community do not feel safe so a liquor license would only worsen the situation in our residential area.

  29. R Findlay commented

    This proposal needs to be thrown out.
    I walked past these premises the other afternoon, and the residents were in full flight! And as I passed, the police turned up.
    Any other business would have had their license cancelled long ago. Why is this business still in operation?

  30. Melissa Duggin commented

    I own a home near this property and have done so for 20 years. I object strongly to this application due to the anti social behaviour, mess and rubbish that is constantly in the area, and even to the point where my husband was physically threatened by a group of guests when we were quietly walking home one evening after dinner. I avoid walking past there for my safety by myself at night but I feel with alcohol consumption endorsed by the council the situation will become a lot worse. Thank you.

  31. Alexandra Foxworthy commented

    This hostel has noise problems during early daytime hours - a liquor license would make the noise unbearable. There are also frequent police visits and I can imagine that will only be increased if a liquor license is granted. I strongly oppose this application.

  32. Amanda K commented

    I am a resident one block away from 19 Lamrock Ave. The residents at this backpackers hostel have a history of antisocial behaviour, noise, littering, lewd and aggressive behaviour, and disposing of numerous items on the public space on that block and in surrounding areas. This may be exasperated by a liquor licence.

  33. Jackie commented

    I am a resident of Lamrock Ave and strongly oppose the liquor license application. The disturbance from hostel guests on a regular basis as outlined in submissions above will only get worse with a liquor license. The street is not a part of the property but will be increasingly used as it is already as drinkers have little communal space inside. How will The Village management ensure guests stay drinking indoors and respect residents with little noise late at night? Are local police adequately resourced to deal with increased call-outs for anti social behaviour which will inevitably arise? On what grounds can it be argued the license is beneficial to the local community when there are nearby liquor shops available already and this is not an entertainment venue but an accommodation venue (where people pay to sleep) in a residential area?

  34. Paul Cartwright commented

    I have lived within 200m of the hostel since 2013. Although the diversity a hostel brings is appealing, this particular hostel has a long history of not dealing with serious anti-social behaviour. The police have been called so many times over the years. Fights, yelling, drinking, smoking, violence and intimidation, leaning or urinating on neighbours properties - and that’s without alcohol being available on site!

    This hostel is really run so poorly with no ability at night to manage the existing situations that arise. It is somewhat astounding that given its history the owner even has the audacity to apply for a liquor license.

    I strongly oppose this application. Nothing good will come of this, It will cause a further degradation of quality of life for the local community.

  35. Jared commented

    I am for this application. Better for the economy, the vibrancy of bondi and the presence of bond as an AFFORDABLE tourist destination.

    If you want to live somewhere quiet perhaps bondi isn't the best place.

  36. Stephen Brennan commented

    This liquor licence application should be rejected. The Village Bondi Beach is situated in a wholly residential area of Bondi Beach which I believe is no place for a liquor serving bar. The local area residents have experienced a long history of anti-social behaviour from this venue's patrons which will only exacerbate with those patrons now being able to purchase alcohol on the premises. Violence and fights, late night loud noise, intimidation and aggressive behaviour, public drunkenness, public urination, disturbing the peace and littering are regularly perpetrated by the people who stay there. The police regularly visit the premises as a result. Adding a liquor licence to this premises, in this residential precinct, where the patrons already demonstrate an unacceptable level of anti-social behaviour, I believe would be further detrimental to the well being of the other local residents of Lamrock Avenue and its adjacent streets and cause increased undue disturbance from the expected alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

  37. Bob B commented

    I oppose this application. Given the history of the Village and it’s effects on the local population, it’s a wonder the application even got to this point. Please keep residential streets for the residents and reserve liquor licences for commercial areas. No one wants to live next to a wild party every day of the week. Be reasonable and respect the locals.

  38. Francine Clough commented

    I oppose the granting of a liquor licence as proposed by the applicant.
    This proposal requires a Community Impact Statement (CIS) to be taken into account, and the guideline states that the burden is on the applicant to provide evidence that community well being will not be negatively impacted

    Applicant must accurately reflect community concerns and proposed remedy for those concerns in the CIS

    I want the application to consider:
    - undue disturbance to the neighbourhood of the proposed licensed premises caused by the operation of the premises and/or the conduct of patrons;
    -alcohol-related anti-social behaviour or crime;
    - litter and other pollution associated with the operation of the premises.
    - noise and major inconvenience from the operation of a licensed premises

    Village BackPackers Hostel has a history of anti social behaviour by patrons, alcohol abuse impacting on neighbours, illicit drug use, since the early 2000s
    The proposed licence is in a residential area and the proposal is contrary to the use of the immediate neighbourhood.
    The owner has consistently failed to abide by Waverley Council Conditions Of Consent or Plan Of Management. And when asked for accountability, quickly backslides to the previous uncompliant state to avoid compliance.
    Owner and management have met with council and residents on numerous occasions and expressed wishes to work with community yet have failed to make any substantive changes. Management statements and commitments are difficult to give any credibility.
    Responsibility for oversight of negative social impact of the hostel has always been transferred to neighbouring residents and from them to Police and Waverley Council.
    Bondi Police will have many, many reports on their logs for request for assistance in dealing with behaviour of patrons.
    The premises have sought approval for capacity for 116 residents. This is far too many people for the licence, the facility and to cater for the needs and well-being of clients and staff.
    The trading hours are too extensive.
    The area dedicated within the building is far too large and the front courtyard will have a large cohort of inebriated clients who will spill onto the street (as they already do) .
    The long history of anti-social behaviour and the devastating effect on the surrounding community of this business make the applicant an unsuitable entity to hold a liquor licence.

    I strongly oppose the granting of a liquor licence to the owner and premises

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  40. Ana Strophe commented

    I strongly object to this application.

    Residents of this hostel gathering around outside it already make the immediate area feel unsafe at night for women, and I am really sick of the misogynist abuse and sexual threats routinely hurled at women passing by. A liquor licence will only make this much, much worse.

    Save the commercial areas for drinking and leave the back streets of Bondi safe for quiet enjoyment.

  41. David Burgess commented

    I vigorously oppose granting a liquor licence to the Village BackPackers Hostel as it will have clear and demonstrable negative impacts on local residents and the local community.
    The local community already has a mix of pubs, cafes and bottle shops selling alcohol. This large number of liqour outlets already leads to extensive noise and antisocial impacts even though council has tried to limit liquor outlets to the commercial parts of the district.This added liquor licence right in the middle of a residential area will cause extensive problems.
    The Village BackPackers Hostel has a history of anti social behaviour by patrons, alcohol abuse impacting on neighbours, illicit drug use, since the early 2000s
    The owner has consistently failed to abide by Waverley Council Conditions Of Consent or Plan Of Management.
    Bondi Police will have many, many reports on their logs for request for assistance in dealing with behaviour of patrons.
    The premises have sought approval for capacity for 116 residents. This is far too many people for the licence, the facility and to cater for the needs and well-being of clients and staff.
    The trading hours are too extensive.
    There is no way the owners can staff the facility to comply with the regulations and ensure there are no negative impacts on the local residents.

  42. Dianne Drake commented

    The Village BackPackers Hostel (the Hostel) at 19 Lamrock Avenue Bondi Beachis located in a residential area which is not suitable for a liquor licence with entertainment. The proposed licence area of the court yard is on the street front which is already a source of loud shouting and other noise, drunken behaviour and drug use. Already the guests congregate on Lamrock Avenue to drink and smoke, blocking the foot path for others to use.
    Because there is no night manager on site which means guests can do as they please, with residents having to report the anti-social behaviour of guests to Police and Waverley Council. This has not changed the approach of the Owner or management of the Hostel and the anti-social behaviour has continued since the early 2000's despite attempts by residents to discuss the issues through Waverly Council with Hostel Management. No commitments or changes by the Hostel owner or management have been implemented.
    The lack of historical action by the Owner and management demonstrates the lack of commitment and good will towards the community and residents of Lamrock Avenue. This history demonstrates the unsuitability of The Village BackPackers to hold a liquor licence with entertainment in Lamrock Avenue.

  43. Lenore Kulakauskas commented

    I strongly object to ‘The Village’ backpackers at 19 Lamrock Ave application for an on-premises liquor licence.
    I am a resident of Sir Thomas Mitchell Rd which backs onto Lamrock Ave (my place is almost directly opposite a block up) and am immediately impacted by the noise generated by residents and the constant sirens called to this establishment.
    Bondi Beach reached saturation point for liquor licences years ago which is why the police and residents always fear the fallout form yet another licence being granted.
    The real problem at Bondi Beach was recognised by Waverley Council when they organised a Community Forum: Management of Anti-Social Behaviour in Waverley on 30 May, 2011. I was a community representative. After that forum, a group was set up at Council comprising community reps, licensing police, council staff, Councillors and the Liquor Accord.
    A lot of work went into trying to keep a lid on the problems at the beach as more liquor licenses were allowed due to the advent of the Adina in Hall St.
    Here we are in 2022, 11 years later, still trying to manage the negative impacts these licences contribute to, including alcohol induced assaults, hospitalisations, offensive behaviour, malicious damage, domestic assault and death are all documented on Liquor and Gaming NSW’s website at https://livedata.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/Suburb/503-Bondi-Beach#4.
    ‘The Village’ (previously known as Lamrock Lodge) is also situated in a residential area, not a commercial area, due to its previous life as an historical boarding house for singles and couples. In the early 2000’s it morphed into a high density backpackers with 3 to 8 beds per room and since then has had an ongoing history of anti-social behaviour and alcohol and drug abuse, with subsequent ongoing police attention.
    Many meetings of residents, council, the police and the current and past owners of this establishment have been held, to go through their Conditions of Consent and Plan of Management to ensure the owners understand their obligations to comply. Commitments to adhere are met for a short time, however they always switch back to non-compliance and the same problems continue.
    Apart from the above reasons why this licence should not be granted, giving a licence to 120 backpackers between the hours of 10am to 12am Monday to Saturday and 10am to 10pm Sunday is an open invitation for drunken behaviour to escalate in this establishment. Provision of entertainment in this scenario will add to the already negative impact on residential amenity in this and the surrounding streets, as you will be aware that due to its configuration, sound in the Bondi Basin is easily transmissible.

  44. Leon Cmielewski commented

    i object to this application.
    i'm all for our community having a wide variety of venues to socialise and have a drink, but not here, on a residential street surrounded by lots of families.
    commercial areas are fine for licensed venues, but not our residential back streets.

  45. Kate Joseph commented

    We wholeheartedly object to this application.
    Our experience having lived around the corner for 15 years has shown the applicant has no respect for local residents. There is a solid history of anti-social behaviour, alcohol abuse, drug use since the early 2000s. There is also a long history where the owner has expressed wishes to work with community but has then never followed through or made any substantive changes.
    History demonstrates that the applicant is an unsuitable entity to hold a liquor licence.
    Further, it is not appropriate to provide a liquor license to a venue nestled in the middle of such a dense residential area. There is nothing like it in the immediate vicinity.
    We are a young family who implore you to reject this application.
    Thank you

  46. Kit Hrdina commented

    Hi, i’ve lived around the corner from this backpackers since 1996. There are some excellent points raised here, i can’t believe this is even being considered…
    The 3 people who have written on here in favour of this development surely have a vested interest in it.
    Quite simply this is the wrong spot for a bar. It is totally inappropriate to allow a venue to serve liquor in this area. It is a busy residential street.
    I’m all for people having a place to socialise and grab a drink. This is not the right place for that.

  47. Lynne Cossar commented

    I strongly object to this application.

    The Village Backpackers Hostel in Bondi is nestled in a residential street; in a residential neighbourhood. For many years, local residents have experienced problems with the Hostel over excessive noise and anti-social behaviour. Adding alcohol into this mix would be devastating for our local community.

    The requested hours of trade under the application are also disturbingly excessive: 10am-midnight Monday-Saturday; and 10am-10pm on Sunday. This shows no regard for neighbouring residents!!

    Also disturbing is the lodgement date of the application – four days before Christmas on 21 December 2021, while many resident groups, such as Precincts, are in recess, and local residents are away on holidays. It’s hard not to be cynical.

  48. Ralph Stern commented

    The State government has no right ,and is in fact in breach of the constitution by overriding the Local Government Authority, that should sensibly refuse the use of these premises to serve alcohol in a zone which is specifically a residential area.
    There is no overriding benefit to the State or for greater good .
    Its naked greed by the applicants, who do not live in the building or surrounds.
    The applicants are about to make a mint on the next door development, so are hardly needing the money.
    Only corruption would allow this to take place. We are watching.

  49. nicola Morrison commented

    I’m a Bondi resident, and am gobsmacked that this is even being proposed. It’s an unusual place for a backpackers hostel as it is, in the backstreets next to residential homes. I agree with another comment, that corruption would surely be involved should this liquor license be approved. It’s complete madness!

  50. CRdominicWYKanak commented

    Dear ILGA, Please refer this Application APP-0009492486, 19 Lamrock Ave, by Australian Village Management Pty Ltd back to the Applicant to resubmit with a Community Impact Statement that is guided by the Waverley Council proposed Social Impact Assessment as guidelines: http://waverley.infocouncil.biz/Open/2021/06/PD_20210608_AGN_608_AT.PDF which focuses at page 42 of the Waverley Council, Strategic Planning and Development Committee Agenda, 8 June 2021, specifically on any premises proposing to serve\sell liquor under the NSW Liquor Act 2007. As an Advocate for Our Community, and as a boondiboondi Bondi Ward Waverley Councillor I Support those Public Submissions made Objecting to this Application as this ILGA Application would not be in The Public Interest. I also ask ILGA to request, obtain and include as relevant assessment considerations complaints made to and\or dealt with and\or actioned by Bondi Police Station, Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command and Waverley Council about alcohol related impacts from these premises. The use of the premises as a place for travellers may on occasions include Minors travelling with Families, but it is not made clear how the Application may protect and separate the use of serving and selling liquor from the possible impact on such travelling Minors; on this basis the Application should be Rejected. It is not made clear what security may need to be in place for the consumption of liquor given the Public Submissions made about how alcohol related impacts have adversely affected the surrounding Residential Neighbourhood, and at Times resulted in unsavoury focus on Women and also resulted in violence; on this defect the Application should be Rejected. On the Accumulated Objections in the Public Interest the Application should be rejected. CRdominicWYKanak boondiboondi Bondi Ward

  51. CRdominicWYKanak commented

    Dear ILGA, Please refer this Application APP-0009492486, 19 Lamrock Ave, by Australian Village Management Pty Ltd back to the Applicant to resubmit with a Community Impact Statement that is guided by the Waverley Council proposed Social Impact Assessment as guidelines: http://waverley.infocouncil.biz/Open/2021/06/PD_20210608_AGN_608_AT.PDF which focuses at page 42 of the Waverley Council, Strategic Planning and Development Committee Agenda, 8 June 2021, specifically on any premises proposing to serve\sell liquor under the NSW Liquor Act 2007. As an Advocate for Our Community, and as a boondiboondi Bondi Ward Waverley Councillor I Support those Public Submissions made Objecting to this Application as this ILGA Application would not be in The Public Interest. I also ask ILGA to request, obtain and include as relevant assessment considerations complaints made to and\or dealt with and\or actioned by Bondi Police Station, Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command and Waverley Council about alcohol related impacts from these premises. The use of the premises as a place for travellers may on occasions include Minors travelling with Families, but it is not made clear how the Application may protect and separate the use of serving and selling liquor from the possible impact on such travelling Minors; on this basis the Application should be Rejected. It is not made clear what security may need to be in place for the consumption of liquor given the Public Submissions made about how alcohol related impacts have adversely affected the surrounding Residential Neighbourhood, and at Times resulted in unsavoury focus on Women and also resulted in violence; on this defect the Application should be Rejected. On the Accumulated Objections in the Public Interest the Application should be rejected. CRdominicWYKanak boondiboondi Bondi Ward

  52. Rob Dulhunty commented

    This application must not be granted. I've just returned from an annual holiday to find the applicant has deceptively lodged this application right before Christmas, with the obvious objective to gain as liquor license without consulting or briefing the community with proper notice.

    Key reasons this application must not be granted include:
    - this is a residential street that is comprised of homes where people live
    - misconduct of the backpackers premises and management to date

    It is apparent that management of the applicant accommodate the use and trafficking of drugs which is evidenced with the smell of drugs emanating every day from this premises, its inhabitants smoking drugs inside the courtyard of the hostel, at its entrance and on the street outside; frequent fighting, shouting and loutish behaviour of its inhabitants; and frequent visits by police to this premises.

    The proprietors are clearly not able to conduct their business within the law and respect for local residents. Their license to operate a hostel should be withdrawn, as is likely to occur with community unrest about this premises. It would therefore be unconscionable for the proprietors to be granted liquor and entertainment licenses, that would make matters even worse.

    It is hard to believe with vast events of public disturbance, police call outs and in the current environment of lockdowns and good behaviour for everyone in this state, that the NSW Government could possibly entertain this application. This electorate is astonished that this application is in fact able to be made in the first place without being blocked before public submission on the basis of past events.

  53. Sarah Gregory commented

    I am strongly opposed to the application for a liquor license for the Village Backpackers. I live almost opposite the premises and it is already a huge source of noise pollution. The backpackers sit in the courtyard and play music at a very high volume, often day and night. It's so bad on occasion that I have to wear noise cancelling headphones in my own apartment. I have politely gone over and asked them to turn it down, but their attempt to do so was so microscopic I couldn't tell the difference, and I left feeling intimidated and uncomfortable. As a woman, I have also felt intimidated when I have heard and seen aggressive encounters between male and female residents which spill over into the street and sometimes I fear for my safety. I can only imagine this would be worse if there was alcohol readily available on the premises. I have seen the police called several times (sometimes there are multiple cars and paddy wagons blocking the street) and it doesn't feel like a safe environment.

  54. J McKeon commented

    This is an inappropriate area for such an application and is made by an applicant with a poor track record in the neighbourhood for noise issues, violence and drug use on their premises. Numerous times in the past they have promised to improve and ultimately they revert back to their old ways. We are in a very quiet street and the Village at 19 Lamrock is already an ongoing saga for neighbours, council and police. This will be exacerbated hugely by granting them a liquor licence. The street has a canyoning effect whereby noise on the street level echos up to be clearly heard inside the apartments as it currently is. Nobody really can have a loud party with music without significantly affecting the peaceful enjoyment of neighbours in their own properties, let alone a bar full of backpackers plonked unceremoniously in the middle of the residential street, especially by an applicant such as this.

  55. Bob B commented

    I oppose this application. Given the history of the Village and it’s effects on the local population, it’s a wonder the application even got to this point. Please keep residential streets for the residents and reserve liquor licences for commercial areas. No one wants to live next to a wild party every day of the week. Be reasonable and respect the locals.

  56. Richard Taylor commented

    The proposal for a liquor licence in a residential area is clearly inappropriate and can only serve to increase noise and anti social behaviour in the area. There are multiple other already existing venues in the area where alcohol can be purchased.
    Drinking in this area needs to be reduced, not encouraged.

  57. Serena commented

    Just wondering if any of those opposed to this have lodged with council?? Just objecting here doesn't really do much good does it?

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