Residents of UOW student accommodation Kooloobong Village are experiencing ongoing problems of noise complaints and public drinking in common shared areas.
The accommodation contract states that residents may only consume alcohol within a unit, and all other areas on the site are strictly alcohol-free.
Some residents do not agree with this rule but others voiced that rules are there for a reason.
Computer science student and resident, Jake Randall said it is something that should be allowed as he believes there is a small portion of the community that is always going to act up and behave irresponsibly.
He contacted Kooloobong about this.
“I have actually spoken to them about this personally and they basically said the fact that there are underaged residents here and there are people with certain religious beliefs, it is not allowed,” Jake said.
“When it comes to noise complaints, at the end of the day, regardless of whether they are drinking in the common areas or just going to get drunk in their rooms. It is no different from them being on their balcony in the 70 buildings, and being very loud, which I can hear all the time.”
Other residents find the noise the most problematic part that comes with drinking in common areas. As the contract states that any behaviour that causes a disturbance by impairing the reasonable freedom of residents or staff to pursue their studies, research, duties or to generally participate in the life within the residence is prohibited. A noise curfew must be observed between 10 pm and 9 am every day of the week.
Psychology student and resident, Rose Elvin said that other residents also find it difficult to deal with and how much of a problem it’s getting, saying the noise curfew does not work.
“I don’t like it, I think it’s irresponsible and disrespectful to the people around you,” Rose said.
“It’s a problem because they keep everyone up and they do it on weekdays when people have classes the following day,”
The issue is still ongoing and with the increase rent KBV is going to implement in 2024, the issue could deter applicants in the future.