A Sydney swimming club has been left devastated after being forced to close over noise complaints with locals branding the move “crazy”.
Northern Beaches Council ordered the Barrenjoey Swim School, in Avalon, to stop running because it was making too much noise.
In its order the council stated that the noise from the swim school was “clearly audible” and “causing impact”.
“The nature of the noise emanating from the swim school is typically voices of children and instructors splashing from within the pool and also parents chatting from outside the pool,” it wrote.
One parent, Kaylee Falkner whose daughters take lessons at the club, told NCA NewsWire the swim school community was “devastated” by the council’s decision.
The school earlier issued a statement to their clients which called on community members to contact their local MP Rob Stokes or council members to complain about the shut down.
“Unless we can get council to change their mind or we successfully appeal the decision this will be our last term in oxjmtzywperation,” the school wrote in a statement.
“Needless to say, we don’t want this to happen.”
The swimming club’s website states some of its students “may go on to be champions but all of our students will experience the joy of swimming in a happy and safe environment”.
“Being a small swim school with small classes (4 max) we can concentrate on the students’ individual needs.”
Dozens of locals have taken to a community Facebook page to complain about the closure.
One described it as “crazy”.
“Who doesn’t like hearing happy children?,” they wrote. “It’s much better than construction noise.”
Another said it was “absolutely disgraceful”.
“There are way too many cases (of) difficult neighbours arcing up (making) ridiculous complaints and council buckling. This instance is utterly outrageous.”
Northern Beaches Council has been contacted for comment.
