Pub violence in Coogee?
Image: Coogee's Beach Palace Hotel
Questions over parking and noise in Coogee have followed the submission of a new development application (DA) by Coogee’s Beach Palace Hotel.
The DA submitted to Randwick Council offers to decrease trading hours, close at midnight each day, rezone to facilitate residential use of the site and a install car park for 27 vehicles.
Randwick Councillor Murray Matson said drinking venues have become increasingly saturated and violence in the area is worsening.
“My position has always been that there has been increased commercialisation in Coogee, which a strain puts on residents. People have always been trying to make a buck out of Coogee,” he said.
“It’s become worse – the violence around the pubs. Two backpackers were badly assaulted and put in hospital. There are places for alcohol venues in Coogee. But the saturation of it in Coogee is not fair to residents.
“It’s not just an affluent culture versus drinking culture. Locals want less violence and I wouldn’t want any further alcohol venues. I would like to see a cutting back in some of the hours.”
Mr Matson said creating more car parks would induce more traffic into the area, which he said was undesirable.
“The ultimate answer for better parking is a better provision of public transport systems,” he said.
Local Jennifer Taylor said the application is a positive step because the venue as it currently operates is not viable.
“They’ve got to do something with the place … it’s not viable at the moment. The area is lacking sufficient entertainment venues,” she said.
“I think the pubs should be open longer. I work in hospitality and there aren’t enough late night venues.”
Local mother Lauren Wiszienewski lamented the realities of living near such venues.
“There’s a lot of noise, and screaming when the fights happen. It can be quite scary. But if you’re going to live there, you’ve got expect it. I’ve lived in Coogee my whole life and it has always been like that,” she said.
Owners of the Palace Hotel, Palace Leisure Group, were unavailable for comment.
