MusicACT says the government's "light touch" changes to the territory's noise laws won't save Canberra's live music industry, as it joined a chorus of politicians calling for action to protect the city's entertainment venues.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Planning Minister Mick Gentleman on Wednesday announced a suite of changes to the ACT's noise laws, which are designed to strike a balance between encouraging a "vibrant nightlife" and protecting the rights of residents.
The announcement came just hours before the Assembly was scheduled to debate an Opposition motion calling on the government to create entertainment precincts across Canberra, a proposal which Labor ultimately supported.
The 60-decibel daytime noise limit for venues in the city and town centres would be extended from 10pm until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, under the changes. Noise limits would be extended until 11pm in groups centres such as Dickson, Erindale and Kingston on both of those days.
The National Capital Design Review Panel will also be instructed to consider "acoustic" amenity when it evaluates applications for mixed-use developments, according to Mr Gentleman.
READ MORE:
MusicACT president David Caffery, who staged a pop-up concert outside the Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, said the changes did little to allay the industry's fundamental concern - that low noise limits left venues vulnerable to resident complaints that could force them to reduce opening hours or shut down.
Mr Caffery again criticised the government's near-decade long inaction on the territory's noise laws, which he said had forced musicians to flee the city.
"The steps they are presenting won't even allow a saxophone player to play in New Acton," Mr Caffery said.
"They are not going to save the music industry whatsoever. At the moment, apartments and hotels keep getting approved in the city, and the music venues are going to be marginalised, closed and shut down."
Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said the changes represented "baby steps", stressing there was a "whole lot more to do".
Mr Rattenbury again called for certain locations across the city to be designated as entertainment precincts, which would have looser noise regulations and provide more protection for venues against residents' complaints.
On Wednesday afternoon, the government confirmed it was investigating possible entertainment precincts in the city, as the Assembly backed the Opposition's push for urgent action on the issue.
Opposition planning spokesman Mark Parton said a combination of strict regulation and the government's "neglect" had resulted in the "persistent suppression" of opportunity for young musicians.
"People have the right to quiet enjoyment of their places of residence, (and) they ought not to be subjected to stressful noise levels," Mr Parton said.
"But likewise, we should be providing venues, localities and precincts where perhaps higher, but sensible, outputs are permissible."
The Greens won support to expand Mr Parton's motion, including to call on the government to release a live entertainment "action plan" by October 31.
Mr Gentleman said the government would look to the experiences in other jurisdictions as it considered suitable entertainment precincts in the national capital.
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
