Page 2540 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 31 July 2019
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We have seen different approaches taken to this issue. Canberra can go the way of Sydney where lockout laws, bad planning and noise regulations have silenced the city. Once lively precincts are now quiet. Noise complaints are being lodged by residents of new apartments about pubs that have been there for over a hundred years. I understand: you have moved into a trendy neighbourhood; you have paid a lot of money for that property; it is understandable that you want to enjoy your own home. But we need to find a way to coexist as residents, artists and businesses. Live music cannot be driven into increasingly smaller areas and then, ultimately, out of Canberra.
There are some common-sense ideas that we can embrace and are embracing to help support live music. The reform announced by Minister Gentleman to extend daytime noise limits is one of these ideas. By extending the noise limits on Fridays and Saturdays in the city and town centres to midnight and to 11 pm in group centres, I believe, has struck a good balance while we pursue further reforms such as, hopefully, entertainment precincts. Entertainment precincts, if used effectively, can nurture and grow live music. By relaxing noise restrictions in certain parts of Canberra we can let artists be artists.
There are many areas discussed as potential sites for an entertainment precinct. Personally, I think Mitchell could be a pretty good location. It lacks residents and it will soon be linked to light rail. With strong backing from the government and the live music scene we could turn Mitchell into a hub for live music. Something like Carriageworks in Sydney would fit in perfectly in Mitchell or at EPIC.
The minister also announced that he would be tasking the National Capital Design Review Panel to consider acoustic amenity when it reviews mixed use developments, as well as more information for businesses and renters. I am also pleased about the addition of noise limit information in ACT government maps so that needless noise complaints are not lodged.
I single out one part of the amendment by Ms Le Couteur about providing potential home buyers in entertainment precincts with common-sense information about expected noise levels. People should know exactly what to expect when buying an apartment. For example, while the sound may seem fine with the doors and windows closed will it be different in the peak of summer when you have them open to allow air flow? And what is the sound like on the balcony or in common areas? There are questions that deserve to be answered so that live music and residents can coexist.
I think that developers need to incorporate better sound insulation in these areas and everywhere. It is a natural recipe for disaster to allow a hotel or apartments to be built next to a live music venue without properly constructing the building for the setting. And this is a problem that is happening right now. The buildings that we are building and have built along light rail have been built to old standards. I struggle to see how we can have a thriving live music scene in some of these places.
We should look to other jurisdictions that have successfully balanced the needs of venues, artists, residents and attendees. The Victorian government, in conjunction with local councils and peak bodies, has successfully implemented a comprehensive
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