SYDNEY will get its first axe throwing venue in St Peters but some residents are not happy about it - particularly since the venue will be next to a pub.

Company Maniax has been given the green light by Marrickville Council to set up the recreation facility in a warehouse space in St Peters on Mary St, with the first axe expected to be thrown in June.

Some residents had expressed concerns about public safety, but Maniax co-owner Renee Shilling told council that a contemporary version of the sport had taken off in Toronto in Canada, while there were plans to set up 35 new venues across the US in the next two years.

“There is significant precedent internationally that is it a legitimate and safe sport,” she said.

media_camera The space inside the axe throwing business in St Peters. Picture: Carly Earl

The company is offering private events for three hours for $50 per person, where there is individual coaching and target practice before a tournament is played by the group, while league competitions would be run for eight weeks from Monday through to Wednesday.

And Maniax expects it will become the new fun activity for bucks, hens and birthday parties while those eager to compete in the sport able to join a league.

COULD AXE THROWING TAKE OFF IN AUSTRALIA?

ROZELLE COMMUNITY BACK ON THEIR FEET AFTER FIRE EXPLOSION

But resident Carolyn Day told council she was concerned that alcohol would be easily available as the axe throwing venue was right next door to Willie the Boatman brewery.

“You don’t need alcohol consent on site when you have a bar next door. Drinking and throwing axes is a real concern,” she said.

media_camera The axes that will be used by people who participate in the sport. media_camera The targets for the axe throwing.

With council officers recommending approval of the development, a majority of councillors were also in support of the application.

Independent Cr Victor Macri said no drinking was allowed on the premises and patrons would always be supervised.

“It’s a sport - throwing a tomahawk - it’s just a different type of sport ... I’d much rather have this in my street than people shooting arrows in a park as the axe throwing is contained in a building,” he said

media_camera Maniax owners Adam Schilling and Steve Thomas are opening up the axe throwing business in St Peters. Picture: Carly Earl

Greens Cr Melissa Brooks understood there was public anxiety about the facility being located next to a bar, especially considering the sport was untested in an Australian environment, but said there were detailed plans in place to ensure safe management of the site.

Independent Cr Morris Hanna and Greens Cr David Leary both voted against the development due to safety concerns.

There will be a six-month trial period of the venue’s opening hours, which are from 10am to 10pm most nights.

Maniax also has plans to expand its venture in the next two years, Mrs Shilling said.

media_camera Bronwyn White, Joan Stigliano, Jon Okeby. St Peters residents are concerned about a DA going to council at next Tuesday's meeting.

AXE THROWING RULES

● Targets are arranged in groups of two and a block of wood is securely fixed to the floor about 4.6m from the target, where the axes are thrown from. Axe handles are no longer than 40cm in length.

● A game takes place between two competitors at a time in each target lane, with single or double handed overhead throws only. No underarm throwing is permitted.

● If the axe lands in or on the innermost circle, it scores a five; the next ring is worth three; and the outer ring is a one. On the line counts as the next highest score — however more than half the axe head must be on or in the line.

● If the axe lands anywhere else on the target, a zero is scored.

● Each game consists of three rounds of five throws.

● On the fifth throw of each round, either competitor can opt to throw for the “snatch”, which is either of the two small painted dots towards the top of each target, and is worth seven points.

● On the fifth throw of each round, the competitor who is winning that round will throw first.

● If there is a tie in a round, a sudden-death throw will take place, with one extra axe being thrown per competitor

● Either competitor may go for the snatch in this sudden death round, but must verbally announce their attempt before the throw.