Page 2536 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 31 July 2019
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MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Advanced Technology and Space Industries) (4.31): I would like to thank Mr Parton for his motion on the important role of entertainment and live music in shaping Canberra’s character, and I note Ms Le Couteur’s comments.
As I prepare to address Mr Parton’s motion, I want to invite members to reflect on the great nights out that they have had in our city, which I am sure would range from taking part in large festivals to enjoying internationally touring performances and small gatherings in our many restaurants and bars. I have fond memories of listening to Chuck Berry, INXS, Split Enz, Ted Mulry Gang, AC/DC, John Farnham, Sherbet, Jeff St John and Olivia Newton-John. More recently, I have toned down to Missy Higgins. Members’ memories will confirm that Canberra is an exciting place to live and play. It will continue to be into the future.
Live music is part of the soundtrack of our city. Residents in our newly established mixed-use areas have convenient access to food, drink and entertainment options without leaving their neighbourhood. We see this through the popularity of new apartments in areas like the city centre and the Kingston foreshore.
To ensure that our night-time economy can thrive, the government is working on a range of information sharing and regulatory solutions to allow our city to prosper. There is not one simple fix to finding the right balance between urban activity and living in our city, which is why we are working across government to produce effective information sharing and regulatory solutions.
The outlook for the night-time food and drink economy remains very positive due to our solid economic and employment picture as well as our continuing population growth and strong tourism sector. We had 1,226 cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services in the ACT as at June 2018. Canberrans spent $826 million in these premises in the 12 months to June 2018, representing a 5.2 per cent increase on the previous year.
The government has been informed by past reports and inquiries on planning for live music. The government has analysed community input and has implemented a range of actions. These include extending daytime noise standards in the city centre and town and group centres; identifying where and how special entertainment precincts could be applied in the ACT; releasing improved noise information on the Access Canberra noise portal, including new fact sheets for residents and businesses, plus a map of the ACT noise zones; and strengthening government coordination through the establishment of a cross-government urban sounds steering committee.
As the Minister for Planning and Land Management, I have asked the National Capital Design Review Panel to consider acoustic amenity as part of its review of mixed-use development proposals. Studies undertaken to determine the ambient noise levels in our urban centres showed that the ambient noise level is already above what noise regulations permit, particularly during busy nightlife periods.
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