The owner of a famous, picturesque wedding venue has lashed out as an ongoing dispute with a neighbour and council threatens to ruin her business.
Malina Schindler has been hosting small-scale events and operating two cottages as Airbnbs at Allview Escapes in Blackheath, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, since 2003.
The venue has breathtaking views of the local scenery and has played host to high-profile weddings, including Married at First Sight couple Ollie and Tahnee’s final commitment ceremony in 2023.
However, Ms Schindler claims brides have been calling her distressed about restrictions that have been placed on the venue as her feud with a neighbour and council escalates.
According to Ms Schindler, the issues began when a neighbouring property was purchased by a man who began lodging repeated complaints with both the Blue Mountains City Council and police regarding her land use in 2021.
She claims the man used a loophole in NSW planning laws, introduced in 2021, that prevents rural workers’ cottages from being used as an Airbnb.
It prompted the council in March 2023 to issue Ms Schindler orders to stop hosting events and using her workers’ cottage for short stay accommodation.
Ms Schindler appealed the stop-use orders in the NSW Land and Environment Court, which this month ruled in favour of allowing the venue to host up to 28 events annually, each capped at 100 guests.
Allview Escapes owner Malina Schindler (pictured) has lost hr bid for music to be played at outdoor events after a court decision in NSW
The property in Blackheath is a popular destination for weddings due to its scenic outlook over the Blue Mountains National Park
However the consent orders state outdoor amplified music is banned and all parties must end by 10pm.
Ms Schindler said weddings are typically booked 18 months in advance, and brides have been calling her in distress about the restrictions.
‘I’m getting calls from brides who say all they want to do is have their first dance in front of the Blue Mountains. Another bride is having nightmares,’ she said.
‘It’s the only property like it in the Blue Mountains with views as far as the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
‘We don’t have raging parties, it’s a small wedding venue. I don’t know what to do.’
Ms Schindler said she has hosted hundreds of events over two decades, with only nine noise complaints ever received by council, one related to a helicopter landing, and another to fireworks.
She told the court the restrictions could lead to breach of contract claims from clients and reputational damage if negative reviews are posted online due to last-minute changes to music arrangements.
However, a Blue Mountains City Council spokesman said the property had been operating for more than 20 years without planning permission.
Married At First Sight couple Ollie and Tahnee (pictured) held their final commitment vows at the property in 2023
The consent orders allow the venue to erect marquees however no amplified music is allowed outdoors at Allview Escapes and the party must stop by 10pm
He said one of the two houses on the property could be lawfully used as an Airbnb, however the property had no approvals for large or regular events.
‘Due to the hosting of unauthorised events at the property, Council issued orders to cease using the property for events,’ he said.
‘In response, the owner lodged a development application for a hotel and associated events.
‘This application contained insufficient information and was refused by the Blue Mountains Local Planning Panel.’
Under council planning rules, function centres, restaurants, and cafes are prohibited uses for property in the zone it falls under, due to the potential negative impact on the world heritage area.
For the past 15 years, Ms Schindler said she has submitted development applications in an effort to operate legally, but local planning schemes have consistently blocked her efforts.
Her pleas for permission to allow outdoor music for existing bookings were rejected by the court, which sided with council that it was inappropriate to allow music, given acoustic tests showed it would adversely impact neighbours.
Ms Schindler said the decision would have a negative impact on her income and the local supply chain for events.