Sydney pub baron blasts local residents over expansion objections
Sydney’s lower north shore residents opposed to the extension of an outdoor drinking zone, have copped a spray from a Sydney pub baron over their objections.
Residents have expressed concerns over safety impacts, noise and drunken behaviour with regard to plans by North Sydney’s Rag & Famish Hotel, the oldest pub in North Sydney, to continue its Miller St footpath trading.
A further concern is a proposed drinking zone being located near one of the busiest intersections in the CBD.
Residents lodged their concerns with Liquor and Gaming NSW, with resident Michael Botha saying, “From my perspective it’s going to impact the amenity of people living in the vicinity – I think it’s good that people want to revitalise the area but it has to be done in an intelligent way.
“You’ve got to weigh up the benefits of having lively venues with the amenity of the area but I feel it’s disproportionately impacting the residents.
“You can have social activity in so many ways that it’s not disruptive – there’s no need to choose an outdoor area directly near homes.”
Plans for the extension include keeping the licenced area in place for around 12 months, which meets outdoor dining rules set by North Sydney Council in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Resident Mark Harlow wrote in his submission, “When people drink alcohol they tend to lose inhibition and self-control.”
James McKinnon added, “The current area has no protection bollards and if a car mounted the footpath those seated would be in danger of suffering serious injury.”
Rag & Famish Hotel owner Peter Calligeros has defended the plans as a revitalisation tool for the area.
“I’ve read the submissions and people are making a mountain over a molehill about it,” said Calligeros who has owned the pub since the 1970s.
“The outdoor seating approval we had was due to lapse and we got a letter from the council asking if we wanted to extend it on a temporary basis – that’s all we’re trying to do.
“If the venue was run like a brothel then by all means I’d understand the opposition, but the hotel has been there since the 1800s and no one’s ever said ‘boo’.
“The patrons love it and why wouldn’t you want to sit outside and take in the world around you?
“I take offence to people saying everyone who drinks alcohol is a drunk and in the 50 years I’ve owned the pub I’ve never seen a car drive onto the footpath.
“I’d like to think (outdoor entertainment) should be encouraged – we should send a message that North Sydney is open.”
North Sydney Council is yet to comment, while the trading proposal is under assessment by Liquor and Gaming NSW.
Irit Jackson, 29th June 2022
