Hands Like Houses are fighting to change noise laws in the city centre. Photo: Supplied
Politicians, musicians and advocates will join forces to fight for live music after concerns that a potential new hotel in the heart of Civic could kill off live music and nightlife in the city.
Last month, development company Geocon re-submitted its application to build a hotel in Garema Place, an 11-storey, $120 million development in Bunda Street with 215 rooms, touted as Canberra’s first luxury mixed-used building.
But there are fears that the establishment of the hotel would turn the area into a more residential zone, putting businesses at risk of noise complaints and killing nightlife in the process.
The current night-time limit for noise in Canberra is 50 decibels, the same level as a conversation within a living room.
In order for Canberra’s bars, clubs and live music venues to survive, MusicACT president and Art, Not Apart festival founder David Caffery knew something needed to change.
So on International Make Music Day this Friday (21 June), MusicACT is throwing a concert to change sound and planning laws with a huge lineup of SAFIA, Hands Like Houses, Citizen Kay, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and YOUNG MONKS to throw their support behind live music.
Could this building be the death of live music in the city? File photo
Greens leader Shane Rattenbury, who will attend the event, said there is a risk that a new hotel in Garema Place will slowly close down live music venues and said the solution was to create an entertainment precinct in the city.
“At the moment, there is a risk that more people residing in the city will slowly close down our live music venues,” Mr Rattenbury told Region Media. “That’s why the Greens would like to see an entertainment precinct put in place in Civic, as well as other places across Canberra.
“We see entertainment precincts as an opportunity to be clear with the community, businesses and residents alike, about how much noise can be made, and in what hours.
“At the moment, there is no right for pubs or night clubs to make noise. Instead, this is currently based on a complaints system. Designating entertainment precincts is a far better option.”
Citizen Kay said it was an easy decision to raise his voice to fight for live music in his hometown.
“I am not usually one to jump on socials with anything political but this is going to affect a lot of people, not just musicians,” he shared. “Dave hit me up and asked me did I want to get amongst it and I couldn’t turn it down.
“After all the repping and boasting I have been doing about Canberra, I have to stand up for it. I have been telling everyone that Canberra is on a massive rise and we are going to be the place to be so we can’t let live music die now.”
Let Music Live – featuring SAFIA, Hands Like Houses, Citizen Kay, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and YOUNG MONKS
Garema Place
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Friday, 21 June
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