Hotelier and East End developer Iris Capital intends to re-apply to the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority after its proposal to extend the trading hours of one of its suburban hotels until 4am was knocked back.
Elermore Vale community members have received notices from Shaft Tavern's management requesting feedback on a plan to extend trading hours to 2am Monday to Saturday and 12am on Sundays, delaying the hotel's closure by two hours each night.
Earlier this year Iris Capital submitted applications to ILGA to extend the trading hours of both its Shaft and Gunyah hotels until 4am on weekdays and Saturday nights.
Iris Capital told the Newcastle Herald it planned to expand operations "to put the businesses on a level playing field with other venues and to bring the hotels in line with community expectations."
ILGA allowed for Gunyah to extend its hours until 1am on Friday and Saturday. It refused Shaft Tavern's application, with the authority concluding it was not satisfied the extension would "not be detrimental to the well-being of the local community".
The decision noted elevated levels of domestic violence in Elermore Vale and 13 "adverse events" at the pub between 2014 and 2018.
ILGA requires that hotels notify stakeholders of the intention to request for a licence change and allow 30 days for feedback before submitting applications.
The new proposal sent to community members last week states Shaft Tavern will provide a courtesy bus for patrons after 11pm Monday to Saturday and security guards on the premises at a ratio of one guard to every 100 patrons after 11pm. Security guards will patrol the perimeter of the Elermore Vale shopping centre and the hotel, and no loud music will be played after midnight.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said 12 residents had raised concerns about the notice with her.
"Residents are mostly concerned about the noise and anti-social behaviour that goes with people leaving the area at 2am," she said.
The proposal comes after a NSW parliamentary committee examining Sydney's night-time economy recommended the government consider reviewing restrictions in Newcastle's CBD, which enforce closures by 3.30am.
Iris Capital did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
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