Merivale Archives - Rose Bay Today

Club Rose Bay Installs 4-Metre Noise Wall Amidst Community Concerns

Club Rose Bay has built a 4-metre-high noise control wall around part of its outdoor area, as the revived Rose Bay venue tries to respond to community concerns about sound from late-night crowds, pickleball and basketball in the former car park space.

A Local Venue Back in Use

The former Rose Bay RSL reopened late 2025 after a major refurbishment led by Merivale. The club had served veterans and local residents for decades, and its return was seen by many as a chance to restore activity to an important local meeting place after financial strain and voluntary administration.

Renovation in 2025
Photo Credit: Club Rose Bay/Facebook

The redevelopment brought new kitchens, redesigned indoor spaces and an upgraded sports bar. Outside, the former car park was turned into a large open-air area with dining tables, drinking spaces, a full-size pickleball court, a half basketball court and an Airstream bar. The outdoor section quickly became one of the venue’s main drawcards.

Noise Becomes the Main Issue

As crowds grew, so did concern from people living nearby. Residents complained about the sound of pickleballs and basketballs carrying into the evening, along with noise from patrons using the outdoor area. Some complaints referred to activity stretching close to midnight, while police were also called to alcohol-related incidents.

The noise wall indicates that the venue aims to reduce the impact on nearby homes. Made of sound-control panels, it lines part of the outdoor area involved in the dispute.

Planning Questions Still Unresolved

While the wall addresses one part of the problem, it does not settle the planning dispute around the outdoor area.

Woollahra Council has stated that the space requires development consent before it can be used for outdoor dining and drinking. Council became aware in November 2025 that the venue planned to use the area without first obtaining that approval.

The club believed that the space could operate under an exemption in NSW planning rules but Council disagreed and later issued a formal notice requiring the venue to stop using the area for outdoor dining and drinking. The warning period expired in early February, leaving the matter open to further compliance action.

Complications and Debates

This has kept the outdoor section in a state of uncertainty. The venue continues to attract attention and trade, but the long-term future of that part of the site remains under review.

One reason the issue has become more complex is the status of the land itself. Reports have said the disputed area is on Crown land, which means the process does not sit neatly within a normal planning pathway.

Merivale has argued that this changes how approval should be handled, while Council has continued to push its own position.

With no final resolution yet announced, the venue has remained caught between community concern, pressure, and a wider review of how the site should be managed. Liquor authorities are reviewing complaints linked to the venue, adding another layer of pressure. This will have implications on the decision about the outdoor area, as it could also affect licensing issues.

The new noise wall may help ease some of the frustration felt by nearby residents, but it does not remove the larger questions hanging over the club.

Published 8-April-2026

Club Rose Bay Restoration Progresses Under Merivale Management

Photo Credit: Club Rose Bay/Facebook

Club Rose Bay in Rose Bay is undergoing a full restoration under a management agreement with Merivale after entering administration in August 2024.

Background And Financial Position

Club Rose Bay entered voluntary administration at the end of August 2024 after reporting financial losses in consecutive years. The club recorded a loss of around $350,000 in 2022, followed by just over $40,000 in 2023.

At a members’ meeting in January 2025, the RSL membership voted almost unanimously to proceed with an operations management agreement with Merivale to support the venue’s recovery.

Under the agreement, Merivale is responsible for managing hospitality operations, including food, beverage and events, while the club’s board retains ownership and full governance control.

Renovation Works And Planned Features In Rose Bay

Behind-the-scenes videos released in October 2025 confirmed that restoration work is well advanced. Planned features for the renewed venue include a sports bar with large screens and a games area fitted with pool tables.

The cocktail bar has been referenced differently across updates: Merivale material shared earlier in the year described a DJ record-style bar, while later plans highlighted a 1950s airport-inspired concept. Outdoor additions include a pickleball court, a half basketball court and dog-friendly dining areas. An open-plan kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven will also form part of the new layout.

RSL redevelopment — *Photo Credit: Club Rose Bay/Facebook*

Notti’s To Lead The Dining Offering

A central hospitality feature of the redevelopment is Notti’s, a casual Italian restaurant. The venue is being developed by chef Mike Eggert, known for Totti’s, and will focus on pizza as its primary offering.

Merivale noted that Notti’s is positioned as an approachable extension of its broader Italian dining concepts.

RSL Traditions And Community Connection

Despite the scale of the redevelopment, leadership from both the club and Merivale confirmed that the venue’s RSL identity will remain central. A daily moment of silence and the recitation of the Ode of Remembrance will continue, supported by a memorabilia display and honour boards.

Long-time members expressed strong interest in the reopening, including WWII veteran John Ryrie, who first visited the club in the late 1940s when it operated from a small shed. Community anticipation has been echoed by club representatives and Merivale, with acknowledgment that expectations are high.

Merivale chief executive Justin Hemmes has stated that the project is personally important, noting the pressure to meet community expectations given the club’s longstanding role in the area.

Next Steps

A confirmed reopening date has not yet been announced, although updates indicate that the venue is expected to reopen in late December. Both Merivale and the club’s leadership expect the renewed Club Rose Bay to serve as a long-term community hub, balancing new facilities with traditional RSL functions.

Published 7-Dec-2025

Sydney Seaplanes and Empire Lounge Sold as Rose Bay Revamp Takes Off

Photo Credit: Sydney Seaplanes

Hotel and hospitality entrepreneur Dr Jerry Schwartz has acquired full ownership of Sydney Seaplanes and the Empire Lounge in Rose Bay, a move aimed at revitalising the precinct into a premier tourism and hospitality hub.

This acquisition places Dr Schwartz in direct competition with industry heavyweights Justin Hemmes’ Merivale and Judy McMahon’s Catalina, both key players in Sydney’s luxury dining and entertainment scene.

Scenic flights from Rose Bay. — *Photo Credit: Sydney Seaplanes*

A Rich Aviation History Revived

Rose Bay has long been synonymous with Australia’s seaplane heritage, dating back to 1938 when it served as the arrival point for Qantas’ international flying boats on the iconic Kangaroo Route. Over the decades, the area has evolved into a major destination for scenic flights and high-end waterfront dining.

Dr Schwartz, already a one-third stakeholder in Sydney Seaplanes for the past five years, decided to acquire full ownership to implement broader changes. Under his leadership, the company is set to expand its fleet from three to five aircraft, including an additional de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver currently undergoing modifications.

Sydney Seaplanes Lounge: A Culinary Transformation

The waterfront Empire Lounge will be rebranded as the Sydney Seaplanes Lounge, offering a modern Australian seafood-focused menu led by new Head Chef Natali Mikailoğlu. With experience at Rockpool, Merivale, and The Boathouse Group, Chef Mikailoğlu has curated a menu featuring:

Thai-style barramundi curry
Mediterranean pan-fried snapper
Seafood spaghetti with calamari, mussels, and prawns

The restaurant, originally designed as a luxury waiting lounge for seaplane travellers, will now serve as a standalone destination for premium dining, events, and waterfront entertainment.

Competition Heats Up in Rose Bay’s Hospitality Scene

Dr Schwartz’s expansion puts him in direct competition with Justin Hemmes’ Merivale Group, which is set to take over RSL Club Rose Bay, as well as the iconic Catalina restaurant, a long-time staple in Sydney’s fine dining landscape.

Dr Schwartz expressed a positive outlook on the increasing competition in Rose Bay, stating that rival developments contribute to overall improvement and growth in the area.

Waterfront dining at Rose Bay. — *Photo Credit: Empire Lounge*

He acknowledged Justin Hemmes’ acquisition of Club Rose Bay and the longstanding presence of Catalina, highlighting that their combined influence helps establish Rose Bay as a premier hospitality precinct.

Future Expansion and Regional Connectivity

Beyond the hospitality revamp, Dr Schwartz has ambitious plans to expand Sydney Seaplanes’ flight operations, adding routes to Wollongong and Newcastle. These additions will increase connectivity between Sydney and regional destinations while reinforcing Rose Bay’s status as an aviation hub.

With investments in both aviation and dining, Dr Schwartz aims to enhance the suburb’s appeal as a premier leisure and tourism destination, combining scenic flights with world-class waterfront experiences.

Published 15-Feb-2025

Rose Bay RSL Saved by Merivale Takeover

Members of the Rose Bay RSL club have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Merivale taking over the operation of their beloved club after its sudden closure last year.

RSL club have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Merivale taking over the operation of their beloved club after its sudden closure last year. The club, a vital part of the Rose Bay community, closed its doors in August 2024 and left staff without jobs after going into receivership with significant debt.

A Community Rallies

The Rose Bay RSL’s closure shocked many, especially after the recent launch of its new bistro, Villagio. However, the community has shown strong support for the club’s revival. An extraordinary general meeting on Saturday, 18 January, saw a massive turnout of members eager to secure the club’s future. The vote to bring in Merivale, the hospitality group led by Justin Hemmes, passed with 147 votes in favour and only one against. Club Rose Bay president John Bax said the high attendance demonstrated the importance of the club to the local community.

Merivale Steps In

The club’s board, administrators, and creditors carefully considered partnering with Merivale. Merivale will become a service provider, managing the food and beverage operations, but it will not own any of the club’s assets or have control over its governance. Memberships, discounts, and the role of the board will remain unchanged.

Mr Bax stated that Merivale’s success in providing affordable, high-quality food and beverages at venues like the SCG and Allianz Stadium made it a top choice to revitalise the Rose Bay club. He expressed his excitement about reopening the club in the coming months and strengthening its ties with the community and sporting clubs.

Honouring the Past, Securing the Future

Justin Hemmes emphasised Merivale’s commitment to supporting the Rose Bay RSL sub-branch and its members. He stated that Merivale would preserve and enhance the club’s rich history and war memorial, ensuring it remains a vital part of the community for future generations. The plan includes refurbishing the RSL and improving its war legacy displays.

The final hurdle is regulatory approval, which is expected in the coming weeks. If granted, this will be the first RSL club in Merivale’s portfolio of over 70 venues. Importantly for members, prices at the club are expected to remain in line with those of other RSLs in the area.

Published Date 20-Jan-2025