WAM backs new WA noise laws to protect live music venues

3 Oct

The State Government have recently unveiled plans for a crack down on whingers who move close to late night clubs, pubs and music venues — then complain about the noise.

Starting in Northbridge, the proposed new rules will better protect established live music venues within the entertainment precinct.

Under the proposed changes, new apartments would have to come with a noise warning on the title and developers would be responsible for noise attenuation, rather than venues.

The State’s environmental noise protection regulations would also be changed by removing “outdoor amenity protections” so that noise levels for residents would be assessed from inside an apartment with the doors and windows closed, rather than outside on a balcony.

With an influx of inner city developments, the city advises would-be inner-city residents to spend some time there before making the move so they know what to expect.

The proposed entertainment precinct is an important first step in better protecting venues. If successful, similar precincts could be established elsewhere.

WAM congratulates and thanks the State Government on pushing forward with town planning reforms that should benefit the live sector.

“We’re pleased to work with the state government on the direction taken, promoting entertainment precincts as a long term sustainable support for live music venues, as opposed to other as yet unproven legislation such as Agent of Change, ” said WAM CEO Mike Harris.

“Entertainment precincts offer venue operators protection as long as they remain within agreed noise limits; any development encroaching into these precincts must build for those embedded noise levels.”

“There’s lots more work to be undertaken to ensure that the precincts are established in a way that is fair to the music industry, but we are looking forward to working with the state government on that.”

Read more at thewest.com.au.