Managing amplified music noise in entertainment precincts

Overview

The Government of Western Australia and the City of Perth are working together to engage the community in discussions about how to manage noise from amplified music. The proposed reforms are aimed at balancing the competing needs of entertainment venues, other businesses and residents in vibrant entertainment precincts such as Northbridge.

We sought feedback on the issues and questions outlined in the consultation paper: Managing amplified music noise in entertainment precincts.

The paper sets out a number of reform options, including the establishment of special entertainment precincts in town planning schemes together with venue approvals to provide an option for entertainment venues to exceed the assigned (prescribed) noise levels in the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 (Noise Regulations).

The special entertainment precinct reform package includes:

1. The Western Australian Planning Commission position statement on special entertainment precincts in WA. The consultation package for the planning elements of the reform can be found here.

2. Proposed amendments to the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 to establish provisions for entertainment venues in approved special entertainment precincts to emit amplified music noise in excess of the assigned (prescribed) levels.  

3. The City of Perth is contemplating a planning scheme amendment to its City Planning Scheme No.2. Consultation on the scheme amendment, once initiated, will allow for community input on the City of Perth’s proposal to establish Northbridge as the state’s first ‘special entertainment precinct’.

Information and updates on the City of Perth’s scheme amendment will be available at: www.perth.wa.gov.au

The public consultation period ran from 22 November 2019 to 14 February 2020. 

Consultation update

We thank everyone who made a submission during the consultation phase. 

Submissions will be analysed and recommendations for amendments to the Noise Regulations will be made to the Minister for the Environment.

For information, go to Northbridge entertainment noise.

Related documents

Managing amplified music noise in entertainment precincts

Northbridge noise monitoring report 2019 - Lloyd George Acoustics

Northbridge residential building attenuation report 2019 - Gabriels Hearne Farrell