Pub noise plea as locals rally

The battle for the bands has not been lost as 13,000 northern NSW residents fight to bring back unrestricted live music to a historic local pub.

About 30 per cent of the population of Lismore’s local government area has signed a petition after its owners became embroiled in a noise complaint stoush with neighbours.

Community group Friends of the Eltham, which includes more than 600 local residents from Eltham, Clunes, Rosebank, Bexhill and surrounds, are “seeking to protect, advocate for, and support the Eltham Hotel in the face of the recent decision to impose noise restrictions that could see live music lost at the pub”.

Earlier this month, Eltham Hotel manager Matt Rabbidge said “harmony” was the only way forward after the 121-yearold pub was slapped with noise restrictions from Liquor and Gaming NSW.

The restrictions came into play after neighbours said live music at the venue was impacting their “quality of life”.

After the complaints in recent months, management submitted a revised noise management plan to the office of Liquor and Gaming NSW.

A change.org petition launched by the Friends of the Eltham group has amassed 13,756 signatures – 30 per cent of Lismore’s LGA – in which Eltham is included.

Fervent live music fans also took to spray painting “we love music” on the hotel’s roadside.

A guitar with a handscrawled message leans against the steps of an adjoining shopfront, which reads “A town without music is like a guitar without strings”.

A spokesperson for the group said the decision from Liquor and Gaming had “threatened core community events” at the popular pub.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has also support the venue, saying: “One of the great live music venues in our area. I have raised this (issue) with the minister in parliament.”

Mr Rabbidge has been contacted for additional comment.