If you were waiting for a CTA departure, then the delay at the holding point sounds like it would have been a "departure instruction" (ie H....) issue. Had this a few times over my life time. The issue is getting us separtated from the Class C guys over the top that are not on frequency. It's not the tower guys.
.....Yes, we still need to be mixed in with the new "CASA 6 in the circuit" regulation but this sounds more like the reason from what you have typed.