Paddington Bowling Club was one of the first lawn bowls clubs in Sydney to introduce "barefoot bowling" group events.
However, after numerous complaints about excessive noise emanating from this club’s greens and anti-social behaviour of patrons departing the club, the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR) restricted the club's license and banned the outdoor consumption of alcohol.
The ban came after staff were alleged to have repeatedly ignored residents' complaints and was based on police reports, club acoustic testing and the complaints of neighbours.
Mark Paterson, Secretary of NSW Trade and Investment, which controls the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing, delivered the conclusion
“A certain level of noise and disturbance should be expected by residents surrounding the club,” but “the club causes undue disturbance to the neighbourhood.”
He imposed the condition "restricting consumption of alcohol on the greens..to result in a significant reduction in the level of disturbance from patron noise."
In a follow up statement where this decision was reviewed, ILGA said, "the risk of such disturbance should be apparent when the Club greens are situated in close proximity to residential premises and it is a matter for the Club to take whatever noise amelioration measures possible to reduce the risk of such disturbance.
.. if corporate or social bowling functions simply cannot be run without undue disturbance, then it is the Club's responsibility to either cease to run those functions or take rigorous measures to reduce alcohol affected patrons on the Club premises causing undue disturbance.
If there is a contest between the community expectation that Club patrons be able to consume liquor on the greens and the requirement that licensed premises conduct themselves in a manner that does not cause undue disturbance, the public interest in avoiding undue disturbance must prevail. "
Read the full decision here and review here. Further background article here.